John W. Beckwith to George Finley - 400 Acres

In 1807, John Beckwith purchased this tract (formerly the George May plat, shown in the drawing below) from James Sturgus. In 1812, John Williams Beckwith sold it to George Finley as shown in the transcription and deed image below. Finley then sold it to Francis Maraman in 1814.

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John W. Beckwith to George Finley
Bullitt County Deed Book B, pages 552-554

This indenture made this 13th day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twelve between John Williams Beckwith and Mary his wife of the county of Bullitt & Commonwealth of Kentucky of the one part and George Finley of the county of Jefferson & Commonwealth aforesaid of the other part. Witnesseth that the said John Williams Beckwith and Mary his wife for and in consideration of the sum of fifty dollars current money of the United States of America to them in hand paid before the sealing hereof the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged have given, bargained and sold, aliened, released, conveyed and confirmed & by these presents do give, grant, bargain and sell, alien, release, convey and confirm unto the said George Finley his heirs, executors & administrators and assigns a certain tract or parcel of land situate lying and being in the county of Bullitt on the south side of Salt River by estimation four hundred acres more or less and bounded as follows. Beginning at a walnut & two small hickories standing on the river bank at low water mark, a corner to James Honey's nine hundred and seventy acre survey, running thence South twenty one degrees East four hundred and ninety poles to a red oak and elm, thence North eighty eight degrees West two hundred & ninety poles to a stake in James Honey's line, thence with Honey's line North thirteen degrees East four hundred and sixty poles to the beginning with its appurtenances except forty acres thereof tobe laid off in a good figure in the south east corner of said land to have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land with the exception aforesaid to the said George Finley, his heirs and assigns to his and their only proper use, benefit and behoof forever. And the said John W. Beckwith & wife for themselves, their heirs &c do further covenant and agree to and with the said George Finley, his heirs and assigns that they will forever warrant and defend the said tract or parcel of land with the exception aforesaid against themselves, their heirs &c and all persons claiming by, through, from, or under them, but not against the claim or claims of any other person or persons whatsoever, and it is expressly agreed and clearly understood that the said John W. Beckwith & wife is not to be answerable for any damages or any part of the consideration aforesaid in case the title hereby conveyed should prove defective or in case the said George Finley, his heirs and assigns should be evicted from the land aforesaid or any part thereof from any cause or from any claim whatsoever except the claim of one had under the said John W. Beckwith & his wife. In witness whereof the said John W. Beckwith and Mary his wife have hereunto set their hands & seals the date as afore mentioned. (signed) John W. Beckwith; Mary W. Beckwith

Bullitt County Sct
I Frederic W. S. Grayson, Clerk of the County Court in and for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that on the 13th day of March 1812, the within indenture was acknowledged by John W. Beckwith and Mary his wife to be their voluntary act and deed and that she the said Mary, being examined by me privily and apart from her said husband, declares that she freely and willingly signed & sealed the said indenture without the threats or persuasion of her said husband and relinquishes her dower to the land within mentioned. And that I have recorded the same together with this certificate in my office as required by law this 24th day of May 1812. (signed) Frederic W. S. Grayson, CBCC

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