What is an example of metes and bounds?
Introduction[edit | edit source]Prior to the Revolutionary War, when land was surveyed, the “metes and bounds” system was used to define boundaries. The system is still in existence today for land which was acquired before the present system of surveying land was adopted.[1] States which used this form of surveying were the thirteen original colonies (Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia) as well as the state land states Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Texas, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia and parts of Ohio. Metes[edit | edit source]The word "metes" is defined as the direction and distance of a line; the line forming the boundary of the property. To find the direction, a compass was used indicating north, south, east, west as well as the degree of direction between 0 and 90. Various forms of measurement were used to determine distance. For example the following terms were common when doing a metes and bounds survey: link: 7.92 inchesperch/pole: 16.5 feet or 1/4 chain or 25 links or 198 inchesrod: 16.5 feetchain: 66 feet 4 rods or 100 linksfurlong: 664 feetBounds[edit | edit source]"Bounds" refers to the naming of physical features in defining the boundaries of the land. Therefore, when land is surveyed in this manner, the results can be quite interesting. Common terms might be the name of a tree, creek, owners of land bordering the property and even piles of rocks. Example[edit | edit source]In a metes and bounds land description, there is a starting point which is always at a corner. This is followed by directions and measurement which may be written in a variety of ways, indicating a line leading to the next corner. The corners will generally be a physical feature. Often the property owners will be mentioned who bound the land being described. An example of what might be found in a metes and bounds deed follows: Leonard, Rutland county, Vermont 1885 Note that there is a starting point (stake and stones about forty feet from the center of the brook) The "mete" (direction and measurement) sections are indicated by: south westerly from...west line of...westerly three rods to...northerly five rods to...easterly three rods to the west line of...southerly to the place of beginning containing fifteen rods of ground. The "bound" (physical feature) sections are indicated as: runs across the road now occupied by...the highway leading by the dwelling house now occupied by...to a stake and stones...line of the highway...to the place of beginning. Note those who have land bounding this property as the widow Phrelove Leonard and the late Arnold Leonard. Platting Land[edit | edit source]Drawing (platting) the boundaries of a land parcel can offer additional insights to the land record. The term “platting” generally refers to property that is described in metes and bounds. The term “graphing” is more applicable to rectangular survey (township and range). Benefits
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What is meaning of metes and bounds?metes and bounds, limits or boundaries of a tract of land as identified by natural landmarks, such as rivers, or by man-made structures, such as roads, or by stakes or other markers.
How do you use bounds and metes in a sentence?Usually this subdivision survey employs a metes and bounds system to delineate individual lots within the main tract. She reportedly staked out a good farm, but lost it due to describing its metes and bounds inaccurately at the land office.
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