Deed
William Cozart to Daniel Cherry
Registered June 22, 1835
Madison County Deed Book 4; page 204
Tennessee State Library & Archives
Madison County microfilm roll #2
Transcribed by Denise L. Cozart
July 2002
Background:
This “William Cozart” may not have been William Davis Cozart.
In an 1838 school-census record for Madison County Civil District 9, Common School Record Book 1838-1846, there was a “William Cozart” with four children in school. This was not William Davis Cozart, whose oldest child was just born in November 1836.
If the seller were William Davis Cozart, we are not sure when he came in possession of these 200 acres through “occupant claims.”
On December 18, 1834, William Cozart sold the land, household furnishings, animals, etc. This sale was registered on June 22, 1835.
William Davis Cozart, born circa 1804, would have been about 30 years old at the time of the sale. He may have married Susana Boals around this time, because their oldest child (as far as we know), Robert William, was born in Tennessee on November 7, 1836. The wedding probably took place in West Tennessee. If this were his property, he may have been selling it in preparation for setting up a new household.
In March 1838 William Davis Cozart bought 100 acres from F. W. Huling along Cypress Creek. James Boals, Susana’s brother, bought 200 adjoining acres. During the years of William’s marriage to Susana the family lived as farmers. William D. may have been a part-time soldier.
The land in this deed was measured in poles and acres:
1 pole = 16 1/2 feet
1 mile = 320 poles = 5,280 feet
1 acre = 160 square poles = 43,560 square feet
1 square pole = 272 1/4 feet
640 acres = 1 square mile
204
William Cozart
To: Deed 200 acres
Daniel Cherry
Registered 22nd June 1835
I William Cozart of the State of Tennessee and the County of Madison for and in consideration of the sum of Two hundred & fifty dollars to me in hand paid by Daniel Cherry of the sd [said] state and county of Haywood I do bargain sell alien convey & transfer unto Daniel Cherry & his heirs forever my occupant claims of land of two hundred acres whereon I now live in sd [said] county of Madison and state afforesaid [sic] also one small mare all of my stock of cattle hoggs [sic] house hold and kitchen furniture of every description In writing whereof I do hereunto set my hand and seal this 18th Dec 1834
Test. Isaac M. Johnson
Norman T. Cherry William Cozart seal
James C. Foster
R. W. May
State of Tennessee
Haywood County Court
Personally appeared before me Blackman Colman clerk of the circuit court of the County of Haywood Isaac M. Johnson and Norman T. Cherry who being first duly sworn depose and say that they are acquainted with William Cozart the bargainor and that he acknowledged the same in their presence to be his act and deed upon the day it bears date witness my hand at office the 8th day of June 1835
B. Colman Clk
Rcvd State Tax
B. Colman Clk
A very special thank you to Denise Cozart, who transcribed and contributed this document for use on this web site.