Madison County, TNGenWeb

Contributed by Denise L. Cozart

Joshua Cozart to Merlin Perry
Registered September 30, 1850
Madison County Deed Book 14; pages 71-72
In 1871 this area became Crockett County Civil District 1

Tennessee State Library & Archives:
Madison County microfilm roll #7
Transcribed by Denise L. Cozart
July 2992

Background:

Joshua Cozart had purchased a large portion of this land in April 1825 (174 of 275 acres). He added another 100 acres to it through the years (71 3/4 acres to the west were purchased from Gilbert in January 1850). The initial purchase in 1825 was recorded in Madison County Deed Book 1. Twenty-five years later, April 1850, he was selling the land where he had settled in West Tennessee, finished raising a family, and farmed. Now he was about 74 years old.

The sale of this tract was May 18, 1850, registered in September. The month before, on April 2, he had purchased a smaller place, 184 acres, much not cleared, for himself and wife Elizabeth. See Joshua’s deed of May 1850 and Elizabeth’s of 1854

The tract that he was selling adjoined son Gilbert’s land, but Gilbert either did not want to purchase an additional 275 3/4 acres or could not afford it.

The property was on the South Fork of the Forked Deer River (north side) in Madison County. In 1830 Joshua’s son, Gilbert, bought property near-by. (See deed registered December 9, 1830.) Both tracts were in the 10th Surveyor’s District, 9th civil district, 2nd Range, 9th Section of Madison County. In 1871 this area became civil district 1 of Crockett County.

The land in this deed was measured in links, poles, and acres:

1 pole = 16 1/2 feet
1 link = 7.92 inches
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

71

Joshua Cozart, deed to
Merlin Perry for 275 3/4 a.
Reg. Sept. 30th, 1850

This Indenture [deed] made unto the 18th day of May – the year of our Lord 1850 between Joshua Cozart of Madison County and State of Tennessee of the one part and Merlin Perry of the aforesaid County and State of the other part. Witnesseth That the same Joshua Cozart for and in consideration of the sum of one thousand dollars to him – hand paid by the said Merlin Perry for 275 3/4 acres of Land, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged and hath given, granted, bargained, sold, aliened, conveyed and confirmed unto the said Merlin Perry, his heirs and assigns forever, a certain tract or parcel of Land, situated lying and being in the County of Madison and State of Tennessee, in the 9th civil district, range 2nd and section the 9th. Beginning at A. Ewings [was “W. Ewings” in 1825] South boundary line of Entry No, 23, at two gums, thence East 130 poles to his South East corner [exactly the same in 1825], thence North 38 7/10 poles to a black gum at a point due West of Alexander and Porters South West corner [exactly the same in 1825], thence East 67 1/2 poles to a stake [exactly the same as 1825], thence South 165 4/10 poles to the South boundary line of Entry No. 450 [was 175 4/10 poles in 1825], thence West 64 poles to a white oak, poplar and sweet gum pointers, then [continuing] West 143 1/2 poles to a stake and sweet gum and elm pointers [in 1825 was 197 1/2 poles to a white oak and hickory; now total is 207 1/2 poles]; thence North to the beginning. To have and to hold the aforesaid Land with all and singular the rights, profits, emoluments, hereditaments and appurtenances in and to the same belonging or in any way appertaining to the only proper use and behoof of him the said Merlin Perry his heirs and assigns forever And the said Joshua Cozart for himself, his heirs executors and administrators, doth covenant and agree with the said Merlin Perry his heirs and assigns that the before … land and bargained premises he will warrant and forever defend against the right, the title, interest or claim of all and every person whatsoever, and that he is lawfully seized of said Land and hath right to the same. In witness whereof the said Joshua Cozart hath hereunto set his seal the day and year above written.

Joshua Cozart seal

State of Tennessee
Madison County

Personally appeared before me Thos. W. Gamewell, Clerk of the County Court of said County Joshua Cozart the foregoing bargainer with whom I am personally acquainted and who acknowledged that he executed the foregoing deed for the purposes therein contained.

Witness my hand at office this 18th May, 1850

Thos. W. Gamewell, clk

Recvd the State Tax

State of Tennessee
Madison County

I, William W. Gates, Register of said County, do certify that the foregoing deed and Clerk’s certificate thereon was filed in my office this day at 12 o’clock A.M. and noted in Minute Book No. 2, page 91.

Witness my hand at office this 30th Sept. 1850.

W. W. Gates

Contributed by Denise L. Cozart

William Pillow to Joshua Cozart
Registered May 7th, 1850
Madison County Deed Book 13, pages 520-521
Madison County District 9
In 1871 this area became Crockett County Civil District 1

Tennessee State Library & Archives:
Madison County, microfilm roll #7
Transcribed by Denise L. Cozart
July 2002

Background:

It is not clear just where this land was located in respect to Joshua’s other property north of the South Fork of the Forked Deer River. A reference point in the deed below was “Nicholas Long.” His land was the starting point or boundary for these deeds: Samuel Lancaster to Anthony H. & F. L. Cozart, 1847-48; William Pillow to Joshua Cozart, 1850; Thornton E. Cozart to Anthony H. Cozart, 1852; Elizabeth Cozart to Joshua M. Cozart, etc., 1854. In a deed registered July 1870 when William H. Marlow and his wife Mahulda Cozart sold the land, the deed situated the tract in Madison County, District 9. (See July 1870 deed.)

In Joshua’s will, he bequeathed this tract to his wife Elizabeth. Joshua died in 1851 when he about 75.

In March 1854 Elizabeth, about age 69, sold the property for twenty dollars to two of her children and a son-in-law: Joshua M. Cozart, Mahulda Cozart Marlow, and William H. Marlow. See deed recorded March 1854.

Joshua’s last will read:

Secondly: I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Elizabeth Cozart, during her natural life or widowhood, my tract of land on which I now live and stock of all kinds on it or belonging to me; also my farming utensils, household and kitchen furniture; together with all my slaves except my slave – named Green.

Thirdly: After the decease of my beloved wife my tract of land to be equally divided by a North and South line between my son Joshua M. Cozart and my daughter Mahuldy Cozart. I also give and bequeath to my son Joshua M. Cozart my slaves – Hester and her son John. And likewise to my daughter Mahuldy my slave – Martha, also to her one hundred dollars to be paid over to her by Executors as soon as collected out of the cash notes now in my hands.

The land in this deed was measured in links, poles, and acres:

1 pole = 16 1/2 feet
1 link = 7.92 inches
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

[page] 520

William Pillow
To: Deed – 184 acres
Joshua Cozart

State of Tennessee, Maury County, I, William Pillow, have this day bargained and sold and do hereby convey to Joshua Cozart and his heirs and assigns forever, for the consideration of five hundred and fifty-two dollars to me in hand paid, a tract of Land in the State of Tennessee, Madison County, containing by estimation one hundred and eighty-four acres, and bounded as follows, to wit: Beginning at the North East corner of a tract of land of 925 acres, granted to Nicholas Long (of which this is the location interest;) thence South with the East boundary of same 150 poles 17 links to a … bush, hickory, two post oak & black oak pointers, being the North East corner of McKinney Long’s lot; thence West with his North boundary, passing George W. Long’s corner, all 196 poles to a stake and two maple black oak and dogwood pointers; thence North 150 poles 17 links to a stake, maple and black oak pointers, the North boundary of the original grant; thence East 196 poles to the beginning To have and to hold the same to the said Joshua Cozart, his heirs & assigns forever. I do covenant with the said Joshua Cozart that I am lawfully seized of said land, have a good right to convey it, and that the same is unencumbered. I do further covenant and bind myself, my heirs and to warrant and forever defend the title to the said land to the said Joshua Cozart, his heirs and assigns against the lawful claims of all persons whatever, this 2nd day of April 1850.

William Pillow Seal

State of Tennessee
Maury County

Personally appeared before me, Wm E. Erwin, Clerk of the County Court of Maury County, the within named William Pillow the bargainor [bargainer] with whom I am personally acquainted and who acknowledged that he executed the within deed for the purposes therein contained. Witness my hand, at office, this 2nd day of April 1850.

Wm. E. Erwin, Clk

I, Thos. W. Gamewell, Clerk of the County Court of Madison County, do certify that the State Tax has been paid on the within deed.

Thos. W. Gamewell, Clk
By Jno. M. Parker, _.C.

State of Tennessee
Madison County

I, William W. Gates, Register of said County, certify that the foregoing deed and Clerk’s certificate thereon was filed in my office this day at 10 o’clock A.M. and noted in Minute Book No. 2, page 83.

Witness my hand, at office this 7th day of May 1850.

W. W. Gates

Contributed by Denise L. Cozart

Gilbert Cozart to Joshua Cozart
Son to Father
Registered January 1850
Madison County Deed Book 13, page 328
In 1871 this area became Crockett County Civil District 1

Tennessee State Library & Archives:
Madison County, microfilm roll #7
Transcribed by Denise L. Cozart
July 2002

Background:

This property was located in the 10th Surveyor’s District, 9th Civil District of Madison County. In 1871 this area became Civil District 1 of Crockett County.

This tract of Gilbert’s begins at the southeast corner of Entry No. 450. Father Joshua Cozart already had bought land from the University of North Carolina in 1825. His tract went to the south corner of Entry No. 450. Gilbert’s grant of 1830 began “at two Black gums, the North west corner of Entry No. 450 for 274 acres in the name of the President & Trustees of the University of North Carolina.” All this land was adjoining, and this purchase extended Joshua’s tract westward.

This purchase was in January 1850. Later in May Joshua sold his whole parcel of 275 3/4 acres. (See deed registered in September 1850.) He and wife Elizabeth were retiring to a smaller place of 184 acres.

Gilbert was about 44 years old; father Joshua was about 73.

The land in this deed was measured in poles and acres:

1 pole = 16 1/2 feet
1 link = 7.92 inches
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

328

Gilbert Cozart
To: Deed – 71 3/4 acres
Joshua Cozart

This Indenture made this the 11th day of January 1850, between Gilbert Cozart of the County of Madison of the State of Tennessee of the one part and Joshua Cozart of the County and State aforesaid of the other part; Witnesseth that the said Gilbert Cozart for and in consideration of the sum of three dollars and 50 cents to him in hand paid, by the said J. Cozart the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, hath given and granted, bargained, sold, aliened, conveyed and confirmed unto the said Joshua Cozart, his heirs and assigns forever, a certain tract or parcel of land, Situated lying and being in the aforesaid County and State containing 713/4 acres, it being a part of 150 acres that was granted to the said Gilbert Cozart, be the same more or less, lying in range 2 and section 9, in the aforesaid County. Beginning at a hickory at South East corner of Entry No. 450 for 272 acres, in the name of the President of the University of North Carolina; and thence South 80 poles to a stake and sweet gum and elm pointers; thence East 1431/2 poles to an elm, hickory, small oak and white oak pointers; thence North 80 poles to a white oak, poplar and sweet gum pointers; thence West 1431/2 poles to the beginning – To have and to hold the aforesaid Land with all and singular the right, profits & emaluments [emoluments], hereditaments and appurtenances for in and to the same belonging, or in any wise appertaining to the proper use and behoof of him the said Joshua Cozart, his heirs and assigns, that the aforementioned lands and bargained premises he will warrant and forever defend against the rights, title, interest or claim of all and every person whatsoever. In witness whereof the said Gilbert Cozart hath hereunto set his hand and seal, the day and year above written.

Gilbert Cozart seal

State of Tennessee
Madison County

Personally appeared before me, Thos. W. Gamewell, Clerk of the County Court of said County, Gilbert Cozart, the foregoing bargainor [bargainer] with whom I am personally acquainted and who [This was all that was copied from the microfilm by the archives. Part of the ending was would be something like:]
acknowledged that he executed the within deed for the purposes therein contained

Witness my hand at office this 11th day of January 1850

Thos. W. Gamewell Clerk

Recd: the State Tax on this deed

Thos. W. Gamewell Clerk

State of Tennessee
Madison County

I William W. Gates, Register of said County certify that the foregoing deed and Clerk’s certificate thereon was filed in my office this day, at Oclock M. and noted in Minute Book No. 2 page

Witness my hand at office this 11th day of January 1850.

W. W. Gates

Contributed by Ross Berry, Linden, Michigan

M. L. ALLEN & OTHERS TO BARZELEA HOPPER – DEED
Reg. May 31st 1853
Deed Book #16, Page 504 [Madison County, Tennessee]

This indenture made this 9th day of February in the year 1853 Between Miles L. Allen and his wife Mary Elizabeth formerly Mary Elizabeth Berry, William Carr and his wife Harriet M., formerly Harriet M. Berry, and the County of Gibson and state of Tennessee the other part, and Barzelea Hopper of the County Madison and State of Tennessee aforesaid of the other part:

Witnesseth that the said parties of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of Eighty dollars to them in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged; hath given, granted bargained and sold unto the said Hopper and do hereby give, grant, bargain and sell to the said Hopper all the right title claim interest that they have unto a certain tract of land in the county of Madison containing twenty acres adjoining the land Hopper now lives on on the North and the land of Louis Pearcy on the East and South and Hugh Montgomery on the south and West said tract of land belonging to the said Elizabeth and Harriet as two of the heirs of Nancy Berry, Dec’d. The said Harriet and Elizabeth being each entitle to the one fourth part of said twenty acres a line described as jointly to the one half which interest they hereby jointly with their heirs bonded aforesaid they hereby convey. To have and to hold to the said Barzelea Hopper his heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns forever. To his own proper use and behoof,. And the said parties of the first part do covenant and agree with said Hopper that they are lawfully seized of said bargained and sold premises have a good right and title to the same and that the said premises are unencumbered and that they will forever warrant and defend right and title to the same to the said Hopper his heirs and assigns and also against themselves and all and every person or persons whatever lawfully claiming the same. In testimony whereof the said parties have herewith put their hands and seals the day and year above written.

Attest

her
Mary Elizabeth X Allen seal
mark

her
Harriet Matilda X Carr seal
mark

his
William X Carr seal
mark

M. L. Allen seal