John Bell to William Shoptaugh, 120 Acres

On 5 Feb 1802, John Bell sold a large part of his 800 acre survey to four different men including William Shoptaugh. This 800 acre survey was located west of the West Fork of Cox's Creek in Bullitt County. The divisions of the 800 acre survey are shown here.

Shoptaugh's portion lay on the westernmost corner of Bell's land. The deed began marking its boundary on Bell's northeastern line at Valentine Nicholas' corner [5] of a poplar, mulberry and dogwood. From there it followed Bell's line southwest 120 poles to [B] an ash, hickory and sugar tree; turning southeast it followed another of Bell's lines 152 poles to [4] two white oaks & two dogwoods (Jesse Kirby's corner). It then traveled northeast with Kirby's line 160 poles to [10] a sugar tree and black walnut in Nicholas' line. After following Nicholas' line northwest for 26 3/4 poles to one of his corners [11], the line followed two more of Nicholas' lines, first southwest to [12] to four dogwoods on the side of a hill, followed by a northwest line to the beginning.

A transcription of this deed, and an image of it both appear below.

You may read more about John Bell's survey, and about the deeds of the remaining purchasers by following these links.

• John Bell's 800 Acre Survey
• George Bell's tract
• Jesse Kirby's tract
• Valentine Nicholas' tract
• Michael Troutman's tract
• Edward Truman's tract

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Bullitt County Deed Book A2, pages 237-8

This indenture made this fifth day of February in the year 1802 between John Bell and Margaret his wife of Bullitt County and state of Kentucky of the one part, and William Shoptaugh of Nelson County and state aforesaid of the other part. Witnesseth that they the above named John Bell and Margaret his wife for and in consideration of the full and just sum of one dollar to them in hand paid at and before the sealing and delivering of these presents, the receipt whereof they the above named John Bell and Margaret his wife doth hereby acknowledge and themselves therewith fully satisfied, have given, granted, aliened and confirmed and by these presents do give, grant, alien and confirm unto him the above named William Shoptaugh all their right, title, claim and interest of in and to a certain tract or parcel of land in Bullitt County containing 120 acres by survey situate lying and being on the westwardly side of the West Fork of Cox's Creek, a part of the aforesaid John Bell's 800 acre survey, and bounded as followeth viz. Beginning at Valentine Nicholas' corner of poplar, mulberry and dogwood in Bell's line, thence with said line S 45° W 120 poles to an ash, hickory and sugar tree, thence with another line S 45° E 152 poles to two white oaks & two dogwoods, thence N 45° E 160 poles to a sugar tree and black walnut in Nicholas' line, thence N 45° W 26 3/4 poles to a stake in a glade, thence S 45° W 40 poles to four dogwoods on the side of a hill, thence N 45° W 125 poles to the beginning to have and to hold all and singular the premises above described unto him the above named William Shoptaugh and his heirs forever to his or their proper use, benefit and behoof. And they the said John Bell and Margaret his wife the said tract with all and singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging unto him the said William Shoptaugh & his heirs from them the said John Bell and Margaret his wife and their heirs and all and every person claiming under them shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents. In witness whereof they the said John Bell and Margaret his wife have hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals the day and date as above written. (signed) John Bell, Margaret (her X mark) Bell.
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of us: James Shanks, Valentine (his X mark) Nicholas, George Bell.

Bullitt County Sct
I James W. Thornsberry, Deputy Clerk of the Court of the County aforesaid do certify that on the 10th day of March 1802 the above indenture was acknowledged before me by the within named John Bell & Margaret Bell, his wife, to be their acts and deed, and the said Margaret being examined by me privily and apart from her said husband did voluntarily relinquish her right of dower to the land mentioned in the foregoing indenture & I also certify that the said intenture is recorded in the Clerk's office of the said court. (signed) J. W. Thornsberry, D.C.B.C.

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