Contributed by Denise L. Cozart

Joshua M. Cozzart [Cozart]-William H. Marlow
Registered December 14th, 1853
Madison County Deed Book 17, pages 5-6
In 1871 this area became Crockett County

Tennessee State Library & Archives:
Madison County, microfilm roll 9
Transcribed by Denise L. Cozart
July 2002

Background:

Joshua M. Cozart bought this property from Alexander Greer in January 1853. Later in December he sold it for $10 less than he paid for it. The grantee was William H. Marlow, his sister Mahulda’s husband and his future wife Julie’s brother. Joshua was about 24.

The next year mother Elizabeth Marsh Cozart deeded Joshua M., Mahulda, and William H. Marlow property that was to be divided between the two families. It is not known for sure where this property was, but it may have been close to the tract in this deed.

Joshua M. married Julia Frances Marlow on February 17, 1858. Joshua M.’s premature death came just three years later, January 12, 1861, at about age 32.

A reference was made in the deed to “Brants corner.” A reference to “Brands” was also included in 1838 deeds to William Davis Cozart and to James Boals. These tracts were near Cypress Creek in Madison County civil district 18. In 1871 this area became Crockett County, civil district 3. Gadsden was the big town of the district.

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

5

J. M. Cozzart to
Wm. H. Marlow Deed
Reg. Dec. 14th 1853

This Indenture Made this the 5th day of Dec. in the year of Our Lord one hundred [crossed out] thousand eight hundred and fifty three between J M Cozzart of Madison County and State of Tennessee of the one part and Wm H Marlow of the County of Madison and the State of Tennessee of the other part. Witnesseth: That the said J M Cozzart for and in consideration of the sum of One hundred and twenty five dollars to him in hand paid by the said Wm H Marlow the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath given, granted, bargained, sold, aliened, conveyed, and confirmed unto the said Wm H Marlow heirs and assigns forever, a certain tract or parcel of land, situated, lying and being in the County of Madison and bounded as follows:

Beginning at the south West Corner of John Woodell’s Sixty six acre tract; thence N. 110 poles to the Original of which this is a part, thence W 65 poles to the corner of original tract; thence South 110 poles to a stake, Brants Corner, thence E. 65 poles to the Beginning, Containing 45 acres, more or less. To have and to hold the aforesaid land with all and Singular, the rights, profits, emoluments, hereditaments, and appurtenances, of, in and to the same, belonging or in any appertaining, to the only proper use and behoof of him the said [Wm] H. Marlow heirs and assigns forever And the said J. M. Cozzart for himself his heirs, executors or administrators, doth covenant and agree with the said W. H. Marlow, his heirs or assigns, that the before … land and bargained premises he will warrant and forever defend against the right, title, interest or claims of all and every person whatsoever. In witness whereof, the said J. M. Cozzart has hereunto set his hand and affixes his Seal the day and year above written.

Joshua M. Cozzart seal

State of Tennessee
Madison County

Personally appeared before me Thos W Gamewell Clerk of the county court of said County Joshua M. Cozzart bargainor to the foregoing deed with whom I am personally acquainted and who acknowledged that he executed the written deed for the purposes therein contained. Witness my hand at office this 5th December 1853

Thos. W. Gamewell Clerk
By Wm W. Gates R Clerk

State of Tennessee
Madison County

I W. W. Gates, Register of said County do certify that the foregoing deed and clerk’s certificate thereon was duly filed in my office this day at 10 O’clock A.M. and noted in Minute Book No. 3 page 41. Witness my hand at office this 14th day of Dec. 1853

Wm. W. Gates Register
By Wm. G. Cockrill D.R. [Deputy Register]