Contributed by Denise L. Cozart

Alexander Greer to Joshua M. Cozart
Registered January 28th, 1853
Madison County Deed Book 16, pages 284-285
In 1871 this area became Crockett County

Tennessee State Library & Archives:
Madison County, microfilm roll 8
Transcribed by Denise L. Cozart
July 2002

Background:

Joshua M. Cozart was the youngest of Joshua and Elizabeth Marsh Cozart’s ten children. In March 1854 his mother deeded him, his sister Mahulda and her husband William H. Marlow property that was to be divided between the two families. It is not known for sure where in Madison County this property was, but it may have been close to the land Joshua brought from Alexander Greer in 1853.

On February 17, 1858, Joshua M. married Julia Frances Marlow, thought to be a sister of William H. Marlow. Joshua M.’s premature death came just three years later, January 12, 1861.

At the time of this 1853 deed he was about 24; at death about 32.

A reference was made in the deed to “Brants corner.” Two other deeds carried such reference: the March 1838 deeds from F. W. Huling to William Davis Cozart and to James Boals. In the James Boals deed it stated that George Allen’s 100-acre tract was “formerly Brands.” George was the third person that day in March 1838 who bought land from F. W. Huling. George Allen was married to Malinda Cozart and was a brother-in-law to William Davis Cozart and Joshua M.

If the tract Joshua M. bought from Alexander Greer was in the same area as that of William Davis Cozart and James Boals, it was 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.

Joshua M. paid Alexander Greer $135 for this tract; in December 1853 he sold it to his sister and brother-in-law, Mahulda and William H. Marlow for just $125.

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

284

Alex. Greer to
J. M. Cozart deed
Reg. January 28th 1853

This Indenture made and entered into this the 18th day of January 1853 between Alexander Greer of Madison County & State of Tennessee of the first part & Joshua M. Cozart of the county and state aforesaid of the second part. Witness that the said Alexander Greer for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred and thirty five dollars to him in hand paid by the said Joshua M. Cozart the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath given granted bargained sold conveyed & confirmed unto the said Joshua M. Cozart his heirs and assigns forever a certain tract of land and being in the county of Madison and State of Tennessee In Range [blank space follows] and bounded as follows.

Beginning at the south West corner of John Woodell sixty sixty [sixty-six] acre tract thence N. 110 poles to the original line of which this is a part, thence West 65 poles to the corner of original tract thence South 110 poles to a Stake Brants corner, thence East 65 poles to the Beginning containing forty-five acres more or less to have and to hold the same to the said Joshua M. Cozart his heirs and assigns forever and the said Alexander Greer for himself his heirs Executors or administrators doth covenant & agree with the said Joshua M. Cozart his heirs or assigns that the said mentioned land and bargained premises he and them will warrant and forever defend against the lawful claim of all persons whatsoever in Witness whereof the said Alexander Greer hereunto sets his hand and seal the day above mentioned.

Alexander Greer seal

State of Tennessee
Madison County

Personally appeared before me Thos W Gamewell clerk of the county court of said county Alex. Greer the foregoing bargainor with whom I am personally acquainted and who acknowledge the executed the aforegoing deed for the purposes therein contained

Witness my hand at office this 19th January 1853

Tax Paid.

Thos. W. Gamewell Clerk

State of Tennessee
Madison County

I Wm. 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 4 o’clock P.M. and noted in Minute Book No. 3 page 16. Witness my hand at office this 28th day of January 1853

W. W. Gates