May 8, 1972 Missouri State Land Survey Authority Meeting Minutes

MISSOURI STATE LAND SURVEY AUTHORITY

Minutes of Meeting

May 8-9, 1972

     The meeting of the State Land Survey Authority was called to order at 7:30 p.m. on May 8th, at the Land Survey Building by Chairman Kennedy. Present besides Mr. Kennedy were James Anderson, Richard Barr, Wallace Howe, Willard Eckhardt, Larry Fellows, and Robert Myers.

     The minutes of the April 26th meeting were reviewed and approved as written.

     Mr. Myers presented five alternate plans for Fiscal Year 72-73. The various plans were gone over in detail with no definite conclusion reached. Authority members are to review each plan and before May 22, 1972, make known to Mr. Myers their recommendation as to priorities and allocation of funds by percentages.

     The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. to continue the following morning.

     At 8:30 a.m., May 9th, Mr. Kennedy called the meeting of the Land Survey Authority to order. Present were James Anderson, Richard Barr, Willard Eckhardt, Larry Fellows and Robert Myers.

     Mr. Myers presented the following for discussion and action:

     1. Policy Statement Concerning Professional Contracts. Mr. Myers stated that the five items in this statement would be followed by him in making selections for contractural work. Mr. Eckhardt suggested that Line 1, Item 2, be revised to read, "Select from the list the three that are believed to be best qualified, if there be that many."

          Mr. Barr made a motion that the above Policy Statement be adopted including Mr. Eckhardt's suggested change. Seconded by Dr. Fellows. Motion carried.

          Mr. Kennedy requested that a record of the basis of selection and contact with the other two firms be kept on file.

     2. Policy Statement concerning Cooperative Corner Restoration Program. Mr. Myers stated that the four items in this statement would be used in determining what corners are to be monumented in this program.

          Mr. Barr made a motion that the above Policy Statement be accepted.  Seconded by Dr. Fellows.  Motion carried.

     3. Meeting with Mr. Joe Wollard, University of Missouri at Rolla, on May 1, 1972. Mr. Myers reported that he and Mr. Jacobs had met with Mr. Wollard to discuss the SLSA-UMR agreement. A memo to the Authority from Mr. Jacobs gave the details of this meeting. It was agreed that the SLSA request Mr. Wollard to meet with the Authority at the June meeting to review terms of the agreement.

     4. Mr. Myers reported on the revised Repair and Replacement budget for the remainder of the fourth quarter as follows:

          a) Repair driveway                    $1500
          b) Steam traps for SLSA area            500
          c) Material for garage roof repair      200

     5. Additions budget for remainder of fourth quarter. Mr. Myers stated that there is an occasional savings on items put out for bid. He requested approval for purchase of additional needed items during the remainder of the Fiscal Year with these funds as they become available, without further Authority approval.

          Request approved.

     6. Status of Operations.

          A) Mr. Myers reported the SLSA-NGS contract concerning Springfield reconnaissance work had been received and is acceptable.

          B) Mr. Myers stated that although personnel at the University of Missouri at Rolla Library are eager to work with the SLSA in microfilming records, they have been unable to get authorization for the necessary help. It was agreed that Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Myers would meet with Mr. Joe Wollard, UMR, in an attempt to clarify this situation.

          Mr. Myers requested approval to have Phase II, Computer Program, as presented at the April 26 meeting, keypunched at UMR. Total cost would be approximately $300. Approved.

          Mr. Kennedy suggested that inquiry be made into a cooperative program with the U.S. Geological Survey to receive coordinate values of targeted corners from aerial photography. Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Myers will explore the possibility of this program with U.S.G.S. personnel.

          Mr. Eckhardt made a motion that the $500 expenditure restriction be waived for the remainder of FY 71-72 and that Mr. Myers, using sound judgment be given authority to obligate remaining Operations funds as he deems necessary. Seconded by Dr. Fellows. Motion approved.

     7. General SLSA Contract. Mr. Myers reported the contract form had been submitted to Mr. Louren Wood for approval and requested Authority approval for use of the form when received back from Mr. Wood.

          Mr. Barr made a motion that this contract be used in the Pattonsburg project, taking into account that Mr. Wood does not make changes that Mr. Myers might believe unacceptable to the Authority. Agreed by the Authority.

          Minor changes were made by members and will be initiated into the contract before final printing.

     The business meeting of the Land Survey Authority was adjourned at 10:00 a.m. when Messrs. Dracup, Kelly and Young from the National Geodetic Survey, and Mr. Chapman from the U.S. Geological Survey, joined members of the State Land Survey Authority to discuss the control situation in Springfield, St. Louis and Kansas City.

     Mr. Richard Barr will make an initial contact with East-West Gateway Coordinating Council concerning a state coordinate project in the St. Louis Metropolitan area.

     It was agreed that the next Authority meeting will be held on May 31, 1972 at 9:00 a.m. at the Land Survey building.

     Meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m.


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Transcribed by Steven E. Weible

April 26, 1972 Missouri State Land Survey Authority Meeting Minutes

MISSOURI STATE LAND SURVEY AUTHORITY

Minutes of Meeting

April 26, 1972

     The meeting of the State Land Survey Authority was called to order at 9:10 a.m., April 26, at the Land Survey Building, by Mr. Daniel Kennedy, Chairman. Also present were James Anderson and Willard Eckhardt, Authority members; Larry Fellows, Assistant State Geologist; and Robert Myers, State Land Surveyor.

     The minutes of the April 12th meeting were reviewed and approved as written.

     Mr. Myers reported the final 1972-73 Fiscal Year appropriation was as follows:

        Personal Services                             $69,825

        Equipment Purchase and Repair & Replacement    20,000

        Operations                                     51,000

                                                     --------

                                        Total ...... $140,825

        Capital Improvements                          $25,000

     Mr. Myers stated that Repair & Replacement requests for the remainder of FY 71-72 will be deferred until after he meets with Mr. John Paulus, Office of Planning and Construction.

     It was agreed that the next Authority meeting will be held on the evening of May 8th and continued on May 9th, at Rolla. This meeting will pertain largely to planning of programs for FY 72-73 as dictated by the appropriation received.

     A letter from Mr. Don Busch, City Manager of the city of Springfield, stating Springfield's interest in establishing land coordinates in Springfield was presented to Authority members. Mr. Myers stated that an addendum had been added to the National Geodetic Survey agreement stating the maximum State Land Survey Authority expenditure could not exceed $2,000. The agreement was returned to NGS and no further word has been received at this time.

     Mr. Anderson requested permission to release information on NGS-SLSA agreement to the Springfield press after it has been finalized. Agreed.

     A copy of the proposed "Newsletter" was reviewed. Suggestions offered by Authority members will be applied.

     Mr. Myers distributed copies of the new General Contract that had been prepared. He requested that Authority members review the contract and return it to him with their comments and suggestions as early as possible. Mr. Myers will then request approval of the contract from Mr. Louren Wood, Assistant Attorney General.

     Mr. Myers presented a proposal for a pilot project to be initiated in the vicinity of Pattonsburg, in a part of Township 60 North, Range 28 West (including 22 sections of fractional sections north and west of the Grand River) at a total cost of $11,650. The project included the following phases:

     Phase I:

        Take field measurements to tie existing corners

        and approximate corner positions. 100 hours        $3,250

     Phase II:

        Compute township to determine corner positions.    $2,000

     Phase III:

        Set 56 corners. This would include field evalu-

        ation of computed position before monument is

        placed. In some cases new evidence will cause

        readjustment of computation.                       $6,400

     A motion was made by Mr. Anderson and seconded by Dr. Fellows that the proposed Pattonsburg project (T. 60 N., R. 28 W.), including Phase I, II, and III be approved for $11,650 for budgeting purposes. Motion did not carry.

     It was agreed that the proposed Pattonsburg project be approved in total, not to exceed $14,000, with the following stipulation: During Phase III, no monuments will be set until further approval by the State Land Survey Authority. Mr. Myers contended that the above stipulation would increase the cost of this project. Therefore to allow for this, the budget planning figure was increased from $11,650 to $14,000 as stated above.

     Mr. Willard Eckhardt requested the minutes show the following statement: "Mr. Eckhardt voted no because he is opposed in principle to the Survey Authority monumenting lost corners on the basis of computations (with perhaps some adjustments) where there is no sufficient evidence of the actual location of original corners; he believes this may foster boundary disputes between adjoining landowners that otherwise might not arise, and may not be in accordance with statutory authority for the establishment of lost corners."

     Mr. Myers presented the following changes in fourth quarter Additions and Operations requests:

               Griphoist puller and cable        $250

               Illuminated traverse equipment     450

               Base map construction              225

               Pattonsburg                     11,650

     Mr. Anderson made a motion that the above requests be approved as presented, with the exception of $14,000 rather than $11,650 for Pattonsburg, as previously approved.  Seconded by Mr. Eckhardt.  Motion carried.

     A letter from Mr. Peter Ruger, Assistant Attorney General, requesting the State Land Survey Authority to verify mathematical computations pertaining to the legal description of the boundary proposed by the Nebraska-Missouri boundary settlement compact was presented to the Authority. Request was approved.

     Meeting adjourned at 3:45


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Transcribed by Steven E. Weible

April 12, 1972 Missouri State Land Survey Authority Meeting Minutes

MISSOURI STATE LAND SURVEY AUTHORITY

Minutes of Meeting

April 12, 1972

     The meeting of the State Land Survey Authority was called to order at 9:00 a.m., April 12 at the Land Survey Building, by Daniel Kennedy, Chairman. Present besides Mr. Kennedy were James Anderson, Richard Barr, Willard Eckhardt, and Wallace Howe, Authority members, and Robert Myers, State Land Surveyor.

     The minutes of the March 23, 1972 meeting were reviewed. It was agreed that Item 5, second page of the March 23 minutes should be amended to read as follows:

         "5. McDonnell Douglas Automation Company, and University

             of Missouri at Rolla Computer Center, general

             service agreement. Approval was given for Mr. Myers

             to enter into an agreement for possible use of

             available services and particularly, for use of 

             ICES COGO I Program."

     Mr. Myers presented the following items for discussion and action where necessary:

     1. The 1972-73 budget cut by the Senate Appropriations Committee was reviewed.

     2. Trial Balance sheet for month of March.

     3. NGS agreement - City of Springfield. Motion made by Mr. Barr and seconded by Dr. Howe, that the agreement with NGS be ratified with a total expenditure not to exceed $2,000 included in the agreement. In addition, Robert Myers and James Anderson will meet with City of Springfield officials and request a letter from the City of Springfield stating their participation intent and designating the agency in authority over this program. Motion carried.

     4. Corner Restoration Program. Mr. Myers stated 70 letters had been sent out as a trial program. It is too early to evaluate results of these letters.

     5. Computer Index Program. Mr. Myers requested authority to contract with University of Missouri-Rolla Computer Center for the development of a computer index program. Approval was given for expenditure of approximately $900 to develop this program.

     6. Base Map Program. A program to construct SLSA base maps by contract with an outside company was presented. The standard letter contract, specifications and example map were shown. No funds were approved for this program at this time. Further inquiry will be made to attempt to find a more economical method of constructing these maps.

     7. Kansas City. Mr. Myers reviewed surveying problems in the Kansas City-Independence--Liberty area. Mr. Kennedy stated that it was his understanding, after a recent conversation with NGS personnel, that NGS was initiating a project to correct problems in that area. It was agreed that no financial assistance from the Land Survey Authority was necessary at this time.

     8. Fourth Quarter Operations Budget. The following expenditures for Technical and Special Supplies as requested by Mr. Myers were approved.

          Concrete monuments                 $844

          Brass caps                          728

          Microfilm jackets                   250

          Misc. drafting supplies              40

          Surveying supplies                  100

          Photo supplies                      400

          Fence post for witness              170

          Cast iron or aluminum monuments     900

          Base maps (standard mylar sheets)   555

                                             ----

                                            $3987

          The following "Other Contractural" expenditures

          were approved:

               Building & ground maintenance    $1000

               Springfield-NGS (reconnaissance)  2000

               Co-op monument program            2000

               Computer index, UMR               3500

               Microfilm, UMR                     600

               Student help, UMR                  700

                                                -----

                                                $9800

          The following expenditure was approved as a

          planning figure:

               Pattonsburg                $2500

     9. Standard Contract. A sample State Land Survey Authority contract was reviewed. Several revisions were recommended. After revision of this contract has been made, it will be submitted to Mr. Louren Wood, Assistant Attorney General, for suggestions and approval.

     It was agreed that the next meeting of the Land Survey Authority will be held on April 26, 1972 at 9:00 a.m.

     Meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.


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Transcribed by Steven E. Weible

March 23, 1972 Missouri State Land Survey Authority Meeting Minutes

MISSOURI STATE LAND SURVEY AUTHORITY

Minutes of Meeting

March 23, 1972

     A meeting of the State Land Survey Authority was held March 23, 1972. Chairman Daniel Kennedy called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Present besides Chairman Kennedy were Willard Eckhardt, James Anderson and Richard Barr, authority members; Larry Fellows, assistant state geologist; and Robert Myers, State Land Surveyor.

     The minutes of the February 24th meeting were reviewed and approved as written.

     Mr. Myers reported that no further word had been received on the 1972-73 budget request, but confirmation of the $2300 Emergency request had been received.

     The following requests for fourth quarter expenditures were presented by Mr. Myers for approval:

          Personal Services        $18,876    Approved
          Additions                  2,986    Approved
          Repair & Replacement       2,900    Approved
            A)Renovate Room G-4
            B)Repair Roof
              Either/or, subject to Capital Improvement request
          Operations                33,495    Approved

     It was agreed that Mr. Myers review the SLSA-UMR building agreement with University of Missouri-Rolla officials in regard to parking of vehicles, erection of parking signs, and maintenance as agreed to in the contract.

     It was agreed that repair to the area occupied by the Land Survey Authority should be given priority.

     The Authority members met in executive session from 10:30 - 11:00.

     Mr. Myers presented the following proposals for discussion and action.

     1. Missouri State Coordinate Manual. It was agreed that Mr. Myers proceed with final type of this manual for approval at the next Authority meeting.

     2. Cooperative Corner Restoration program. This program was approved for initiation as early as possible.

     3. State Coordinate System in Kansas City area. It was approved that Mr. Myers explore and review this project further and present a definite proposal to the Authority.

     4. Springfield Coordinate Program. Action on this was postponed until the next meeting.

     5. McDonnell Douglas Automation Company, and University of Missouri at Rolla Computer Center, general service agreement. Approval was given for Mr. Myers to enter into an agreement for possible use of available services and particularly for use of ICES COGO I Program.

     Mr. Barr stated that St. Louis Chapter of MARLS had invited Mr. Norman Brown to speak at their April meeting, and Mr. Myers the May meeting.

     Mr. Kennedy stated that in the future it would be the recommended policy of the State Land Survey Authority, that Authority members and personnel would be discouraged from holding office in the Missouri Association of Registered Land Surveyors; persons already holding office and subsequently employed by, or appointed to the Authority Board, will be encouraged to resign from that office.

     Mr. Willard Eckhardt informed the Authority that he had received reappointment to the Authority for another term.

     Meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.


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Transcribed by Steven E. Weible

February 24, 1972 Missouri State Land Survey Authority Meeting Minutes

MISSOURI STATE LAND SURVEY AUTHORITY

Minutes of Meeting

February 24, 1972

     A meeting of the State Land Survey Authority was held February 24, 1972 at the Land Survey Building, Rolla, Missouri.  Acting Chairman Willard Eckhardt called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.  Present besides Mr. Eckhardt were James Anderson, Authority Member; Larry Fellows, Assistant State Geologist; and Robert Myers, State Land Surveyor.

     The minutes of the January 25th meeting were reviewed.  A suggested change is [sic] wording of paragraph 1, page 3 was made.  Minutes were approved.

     The following items were presented by Mr. Myers for discussion and necessary action:

     1.  The 1972-73 budget and capital improvement requests have passed the House and are awaiting action in the Senate.  Mr. Myers stated that the latest report indicated the Land Survey would receive $2300 as requested from the Emergency Fund.  Further confirmation is awaited.

     2.  Trial balance sheets for the month of February.

     3.  Mr. John Flowers had been hired as a part-time employee in the position of engineering technician.  The employment of Mr. Flowers completes the roster of employees as approved for this fiscal year.

     4.  Equipment purchased to date and purchases being processed as previously approved by the Authority.

     5.  Four "requests for opinion" were submitted to the Attorney General's office.  Mr. Eckhardt stated that it was his opinion that the following question should also be submitted for an opinion:  In 3rd and 4th class counties, can we pay more than statutory fees, and if there is a county surveyor, is he required to do the work if so requested.  Requests submitted were nos. 92, 96, 97 & 98.

     6.  Missouri-Nebraska boundary dispute and the Missouri-Iowa boundary line.  It was agreed that the State Land Survey's position should be as surveying consultants only.  However it was the opinion of the Authority that the State Land Survey Authority could take part in the restoration and remonumentation of the original Iowa-Missouri boundary.

     7.  Pattonsburg new city project.  It was recommended by Mr. Myers that a pilot project be conducted in this area for corner search and evaluation.  The above recommendation was approved.  If contractural work in excess of $500 is required, further Authority action will be required.

     8.  A meeting with Mr. Louren Wood, Assistant Attorney General, to discuss the Corner Restoration Forms.  The forms were revised per Mr. Wood's suggestions and are now out for bid.  A form number and date will be added to the form before printing if possible.

     9.  Cast iron markers available from Harrison Monument Co.  Mr. Myers also reported that Buie Brass had been unable to supply acceptable brass caps as bid, and the order had now gone to Gilbert Brass Works.

    10.  Mr. Ray Ford, University of Missouri-Rolla graduate student, had prepared a trial records indexing program for the State Land Survey Authority as part of his studies.  Also, Mr. Byrd, Assistant Director of the University of Missouri-Rolla Computer Center, is preparing a cost proposal for a records indexing program.  It was suggested that Mr. Myers check on possible assistance in geocoding from Administrative Services in Jefferson City.  It was agreed that this would be discussed further at a future meeting after receipt of the cost proposal from Mr. Byrd.

    11.  No additional information was available on the Springfield Coordinate System at this time.

    12.  MARLS Legislative Committee met with Mr. Myers on February 5, 1972 at the Land Survey Building.  Proposed county surveyor legislation was discussed.

    13.  A letter from the Bureau of Land Management, concerning surveys in the Meramec Reservoir area, was read.  It was the opinion of the Authority that no action should be taken concerning this letter.

     The next meeting of the Land Survey Authority will be held March 23rd.

     Meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.

========================

PLAN OF SEARCH AND EVALUATION

OF GENERAL LAND OFFICE CORNERS

IN TOWNSHIP 60N, RANGE 28W of 5TH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN

IN DAVIESS COUNTY MISSOURI

(PATTONSBURG NEW TOWN AREA)

The new town project planning has been in progress for over one year under contracts with Washington University and UMR.  Planning was previously carried out by private concerns.  Under the present setup several agencies have provided input and support for the program.

The overall program has progressed almost to the point of land acquisition but so far as can be determined no effort has been made to locate the original or perpetuated land corners in the area.  The perpetuation of these land corners is of utmost importance to avoid problem of ownership now and in the future.  If these corners are not found before construction starts all evidence of existing corners may be lost and thereby increase the costs of future surveys and also decrease the certainty with which land corners could ever be restored.

At the present time we would have the advantage of being able to tie the corners which could be found to an electronic traverse net which covers about one half the area.  With this information a mathamatical [sic] analysis of the found data and the possible location of corners not otherwise recoverable without expensive resurvey on our part.

The program required by our office would be as follows:

    1)  The compilation of GLO data for the township from the microfilm files of our office.

    2)  Obtain data of subsequent surveys of record from the court house (2 volumes record of survey and 3 other record books).

    3)  Field search of corner location areas as determined by map and airphoto interpretation.

    4)  Tie corners found in "3" to survey net.

    5)  Evaluate total area for general fit and probable location of corners not found.

    6)  Field search of critical areas with information gained from "4".

    7)  Monumentation of verified corners and recommendation as to further required work in the area.


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Transcribed by Steven E. Weible

Analysis of Section 3, Township 31 North, Range 2 East, 5th Principal Meridian, Missouri

At a recent surveyor's workshop one speaker presented Section 3 in Township 31 North, Range 2 East of the Fifth Principal Meridian in Missouri as an interesting example.  The speaker posed the question: How would you establish the corners of the subdivided Northeast quarter of Section 3 in accordance with the official Township Plat?  The speaker left the question unanswered, so let's see what we can find.

The speaker presented the following image of the section in question:

Image courtesy of the Missouri State Land Survey

This image comes from the Township Plat for Township 31 North, Range 2 East of the Fifth Principal Meridian found in Missouri Plats Volume 36, page 44 (Missouri State Land Survey document name: Y9901072).

This Township Plat is dated March 4, 1853

Image courtesy of the Missouri State Land Survey

and is signed by D. A. Spaulding, at that time the Surveyor General for Missouri and Illinois.

Image courtesy of the Missouri State Land Survey

This plat is the latest version in the custody of the Missouri State Land Survey and is regarded by nearly everyone as the "official" government plat.  It lacks some critical details, however, which lead to the initial question to which we seek an answer.

As I discussed in my article, entitled "See New Plat?"
(http://www.atnhayseed.blogspot.com/2012/02/see-new-plat.html),
there is sometimes an older Township Plat available, depending upon when the township was subdivided into sections.  These older plats often have more information on them that was not copied over to the newer plats.

If we check the Missouri Land Survey Index (https://apps.mda.mo.gov/molandsurveyindex/), we find that for this township there is indeed an older plat in Missouri Plats Volume 1, page 46 (Missouri State Land Survey document name: Y9903817):

Image courtesy of the Missouri State Land Survey

This Township Plat is dated September 16, 1822

Image courtesy of the Missouri State Land Survey

and is signed by Joseph Barton, the Deputy Surveyor to whom the work was contracted.

Image courtesy of the Missouri State Land Survey

If we examine the two plats side by side, we see that the northeast quarter of Section 3 is depicted essentially the same in each plat ... except for one detail (disregarding the differing location of Black River in each as, basically, a guess).  You will notice on the 1822 Township Plat that the tract in the southwest part of the quarter section has a red letter "S," indicating that the tract had been sold.  Often this indicates a sale that disrupted the standard scheme of protracting into lots.

To find out more about what may have been sold, let's go to the U. S. Bureau of Land Management's Official Federal Land Records Site (http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/) to look for the land patents that were issued.

When we "Search Documents" for Township 31 North, Range 2 East, Section 3 in Missouri, we find three patents issued in the northeast quarter, as follows:

- Certificate # 4748 to Pate Buford, dated November 14, 1837, for

"the South West quarter of the North East quarter of Section three, in Township thirty one North, of Range two East, in the District of Lands subject to sale at Jackson, Missouri, containing thirty three acres and seventy one hundreths of an acre"

- Certificate # 22019 to Henry Coil, dated October 10, 1856, for

"the North West quarter of the North East quarter of Section three, in Township thirty one North, of Range two East, in the district of lands subject to sale at Jackson, Missouri.  Containing thirty three acres and ninety six hundreths of an acre."

- Certificate # 36023 to John Stubbs, dated March 1, 1860, for

"the West half of the Lots numbered One and two of the North East quarter, and the lot numbered two of the North West quarter of section two, and the East half of the Lots numbered One and two of the North East quarter, and the North East quarter of the South East quarter of Section three, in Township thirty One North, and the South West quarter of the South East quarter of Section thirty-five, in Township thirty-two North of Range two East, in the district of lands subject to sale at Jackson, Missouri, containing two hundred and seventy-eight acres, and sixty nine hundreths of an acre."


Before we proceed further, it may be instructive to review the development of laws that affected the sale of the public lands.

First, the Act of February 11, 1805, chapter 14, (U.S. Statutes at Large, Volume 2, page 313) anticipated the sale of the public lands in units of half sections and quarter sections, but no smaller.

Next, the Act of April 24, 1820, chapter 51, (U.S. Statutes at Large, Volume 3, page 566) allowed the public lands to be offered for sale in half quarter sections.

Then the Act of April 5, 1832, chapter 65, (U.S. Statutes at Large, Volume 4, page 503) provided for the sale of public lands in quarter-quarter sections.

Now, let's examine the chronology of our situation:

- 1821 - Joseph Barton was awarded a contract that included the subdivision of Township 31 North, Range 2 East.

- 1822 February - Charles Lockhart, working under the contract of Joseph Barton, completed the subdivision of Township 31 North, Range 2 East into sections.

- 1822 September - a Township Plat (which we have previously identified as the old Township Plat) was prepared and signed by Joseph Barton.  At the time it was signed by Joseph Barton this Township Plat would not have shown parts of sections smaller than a quarter section.  The quantity of the Northeast quarter of Section 3 was computed and shown on the plat as 134.84 acres.

- 1832 April 05 - Act of Congress provides for the sale of the public lands in quarter-quarter sections.

- 1837 November 14 - Pate Buford is issued a patent for "the South West quarter of the North East quarter of Section three, in Township thirty one North, of Range two East, in the District of Lands subject to sale at Jackson, Missouri, containing thirty three acres and seventy one hundreths of an acre."  The computed quantity of the quarter section is 134.84 acres.  Taking this number and dividing by 4 gives a result of 33.71 acres, which is the quantity patented to Buford, an aliquot part of the northeast quarter of Section 3.  So, the "S" shown on the 1822 Township Plat corresponds with the purchase of Pate Buford.  You will note, however, that the quantity for the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter shown on both Township Plats is 33.46 acres.

- 1848 August 01 - A clerk in the Surveyor General's office protracts the northern and western tiers of sections into lots and calculates the quantities of each, as evidenced by a notation on the 1822 Township Plat as shown below.

Image courtesy of the Missouri State Land Survey

The standard practice, as can be seen from the rest of the sections that were protracted, was to create standard lots of 80 acres each and irregular, or remainder, lots along the township line on the north and the range line on the west.  In this case, however, there had been a previous sale for an aliquot part of the quarter section (as authorized by the Act of April 5, 1832), so it could not be lotted in the same manner as the other quarter sections.  (Please, note that the previous sale of the aliquot part in 1837 took place before the protraction into lots in 1848.)  Recalling that Pate Buford's patent was for 33.71 acres, we must wonder where the 33.46 acres came from that is shown on both Township Plats.  Curiously, if we multiply 33.46 by 4, the result is 133.84.  The acreage on the plat for the quarter section is shown as 134.84 acres.  In his calculation could the clerk have miswritten the quantity of 134.84 as 133.84?  Remember, he would have been calculating long-hand without the aid of a calculating devise.  Is it possible that the clerk miscalculated the area of the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter at one time and wrote it on the plat with the letter "S" and then at some later time he (same clerk, same handwriting) correctly calculated the remainder of the northeast quarter?  At any rate it appears that the clerk made a mistake in labeling the quantity for the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 3, which resulted in a miscalculation of the quantity of the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 3.

Continuing our chronology:

- 1853 March 04 - A new Township Plat is copied from the 1822 Township Plat with the 1848 calculated quantities and is signed by D. A. Spalding, Surveyor General of Missouri and Illinois.

- 1856 October 10 - Henry Coil is issued a patent for "the North West quarter of the North East quarter of Section three, in Township thirty one North, of Range two East, in the district of lands subject to sale at Jackson, Missouri. Containing thirty three acres and ninety six hundreths of an acre."  We see that the quantity (incorrect as it is) quoted in the patent comes from the 1848 calculations that were copied to the 1853 Township Plat.

- 1860 March 01 -John Stubbs is issued a patent for "the West half of the Lots numbered One and two of the North East quarter, and the lot numbered two of the North West quarter of section two, and the East half of the Lots numbered One and two of the North East quarter, and the North East quarter of the South East quarter of Section three, in Township thirty One North, and the South West quarter of the South East quarter of Section thirty-five, in Township thirty-two North of Range two East, in the district of lands subject to sale at Jackson, Missouri, containing two hundred and seventy-eight acres, and sixty nine hundreths of an acre."  Interestingly, the tract of interest in this patent is described as the east half of lots 1 and 2 of the northeast quarter of Section 3, even though neither Township Plat shows the northeast quarter protracted into "lots."  The result, really, is no different than if it had been described as the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 3.  Also, considering that the west half of the northeast quarter had already been sold, only the east half remained for sale, so there's really no question about the intent, when the history is taken into account.  Just for good measure, let's check the total of the quantities covered by this patent as shown on the 1853 Township Plat:

     Township 31 North, Range 2 East
        W 1/2 Lot 1 NE 1/4 Sec 2       40.00
        W 1/2 Lot 2 NE 1/4 Sec 2       31.69
        Lot 2 NW 1/4 Sec 2             59.58
        E 1/2 Lot 1 NE 1/4 Sec 3       33.71 (or 40.00)
        E 1/2 Lot 2 NE 1/4 Sec 3       33.71 (or 27.42)
        NE 1/4 SE 1/4 Sec 3            40.00

     Township 32 North, Range 2 East
        SW 1/4 SE 1/4 Sec 35           40.00
                                      ======
                                      278.69 acres


Having examined the evidence, can we now answer the question that we began with:  How would you establish the corners of the subdivided Northeast quarter of Section 3 in accordance with the official Township Plat?  Taking the chronology of events into account, including the Township Plats, patents and protraction into lots, I believe that it is clear that the intent was to create aliquot parts in the northeast quarter of Section 3 in conformity with the initial sale in 1837.  Therefore, the northeast quarter of Section 3 should be subdivided by intersecting straight lines, one from the midpoint of the south line of the northeast quarter to the midpoint of the north line of the northeast quarter and the second from the midpoint of the west line of the northeast quarter to the midpoint of the east line of the northeast quarter.


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Original composition by Steven E. Weible

Surveyor General William Rector's Connections

William Rector was appointed Principal Deputy Surveyor of the Missouri Territory in 1813.  In 1816 he was elevated to the newly created position of Surveyor of the Public Lands (aka Surveyor General) of the Territories of Missouri and Illinois.  In 1815 he began contracting with deputy surveyors to commence the surveys of the United States Public Lands.  Those to whom he granted contracts tended to be relatives and fellow military veterans.  The following is a list of some of those to whom contracts were granted and their relationship to Rector.

Thomas C. Rector - brother of William Rector.

Stephen Rector - brother of William Rector.

Elias Rector - brother of William Rector.

Wharton Rector - brother of William Rector.

William Vance Rector - son of William Rector's brother, Wharton Rector.

Henry Wharton Conway - son of William Rector's sister, Nancy Ann Rector, who married Thomas B. Conway.

James Sevier Conway - son of William Rector's sister, Nancy Ann Rector, who married Thomas B. Conway.

Frederick Rector Conway - son of William Rector's sister, Nancy Ann Rector, who married Thomas B. Conway.

Joseph C. Brown - fellow veteran of the War of 1812.

Prospect K. Robbins - fellow veteran of the War of 1812.

Jenifer T. Sprigg - fellow veteran of the War of 1812.

William H. Ashley - fellow veteran of the War of 1812.

Angus Lewis Langham - fellow veteran of the War of 1812; his sister married William Rector's nephew.

Elias Barcroft - was an assistant to Rector in 1809; in 1818 he married Margaret Mary (Vance) Rector, the widow of William Rector's brother, Wharton Rector.

Joseph Kimber Barton - married William Rector's sister, Elizabeth Rector.

Kimber W. Barton - brother of Joseph Kimber Barton.

Charles Lockhart - married Catherine Wise Barton, the sister of Joseph Kimber Barton and Kimber W. Barton.

Enoch Steen - married William Rector's sister, Polly Mary Rector.

Lucius F. Thruston - brother of Fannie Bardella Thruston, who married William Rector's brother, Elias Rector; also uncle to William Rector's wife.

Thomas W. Thruston - brother of Fannie Bardella Thruston, who married William Rector's brother, Elias Rector; also uncle to William Rector's wife.

Mr. January - brother of William Rector's wife.


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Information compiled by Steven E. Weible