The 1799 Land Deed

This interesting document with its beautiful penmanship tells us that Jacob had land on the West Side of Pigeon River before 1799, that the land he purchased from the speculator John Strother was originally part of the Allison Boundry, a 250000 acre tract purchased by Strother at a tax auction in Asheville in 1798, and that it bordered Jacob's property that he was then living on.

We also see, to our suprise, that Jacob Shook, Jr and John Shook were of age in 1799, they signed as witness, meaning they were both born before 1778! This is in agreement with the research of Alton Bevins on Jacob Shook Jr. We are now searching for the original deed to the land that adjoined this parcel.

Book 4, Page 483, Buncombe County Deeds:

This Indenture made this Twenty day of August One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Nine Between John Strother of the County of Beaufort and State of North Carolina of the one part and Jacob Shook [?] of the County of Buncombe and the State aforesaid of the other part [whosayeth] that for and in consideration of the sum of twenty five dollars to him in kind paid by the said Jacob Shook before the sealing and the signing of [these presents] the receipt thereof is hereby acknowledged , he the said John Strother doeth by these presents hereby Bargain, sell [?] convey and confirm to him the said Jacob Shook a certain piece or parcel of Land containing four hundred and twenty acres [?] the same more or less situate lying and being in the county of Buncombe aforesaid on the west side of the Pigeon River joining the land he now lives on, also John Mayo and George [Buffs] beginning at a hickory at said Mayo South East Corner on the SW Bank of the River on said Shook's line running thence with Mayo's line west sixty six poles to a white oak on the top of a ridge in George Buffs line, thence with his line South twenty four poles to the beginning corner a pine on the west side of a branch, thence with his other line sixty poles to a small hickory on the point of a ridge, then south one hundred and twenty poles to a [post] oak on the top of a ridge, then east forty poles to a pine, then south thirty poles to a [post] oak, then east eighty six poles to a stake, then north to and with said Shook's old line to the beginning - The same being part of the Tract of land originally granted to David Allison for 250240 acres [?] of Grant 251 date 29th Nov[?] 1796 and sold James Hughey High Sheriff of Buncombe Cty aforesaid to satisfy the public and county tax due thereon for the year 1796 as will appear on record by the said Sheriffs deed to the said John Strother to have and to hold the aforesaid four hundred and twenty acres of land together with all its ways, woods, waters, water courses, [?] and [?] to the same belonging or in any[?] to hold to him the said Jacob Shook his heirs and assigns forever, and further the said John Strother Doth hereby [?] and agree to, and with the said Jacob Shook to warrant and defend the said premises to him and the said Jacob Shook his heirs and assigns against the claim of every person or persons whatsoever. In witness whereof to the said John Strother hath herewith set his hand and seal the day and date first above written.

Signed sealed and delivered in the presents of

Jacob Shook, Junr. John Shook

John Strother

Acknowledged

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