Joseph Brooks' 300 Acre Tract

In May 1781, the Virginia Assembly passed an act addressing the needs of those of its citizens who were living on the western frontier (mostly Kentucky) and were too poor to pay for a tract of land. Under that act, the Jefferson County Court, on 4 Dec 1781, granted 400 acres to James Steward who signed that grant over to Meredith Price on 1 Apr 1783. Then on 20 Dec 1783, Meredith signed it over to Joseph Brooks. Brooks held on to it until 1 Nov 1792 when he had Robert Breckinridge use it to survey 300 acres in what would later become northern Bullitt County. Brooks received his deed to the land on 20 May 1793.

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Surveyed for Joseph Brooks assignee of Meredith Price who was assignee of James Steward 300 acres of land by virtue of part of a certificate granted for the relief of poor persons, lying in Jefferson County on the Blue Lick run, a branch of Floyd's Fork. Beginning at a white oak & beech corner to Jacob Myers & the said Brooks' 200 acre survey, thence the line thereof N 35° W 42 poles to a beech, thence West 86 poles to a white oak & small elm, thence N 45° W 28 poles to a small hickory & beech, thence N 30° W 140 poles to four white oaks on a ridge, corner of said 200 acre survey, & of Christian's 2000 acres, & with the line thereof South 66 poles to a chestnut oak & white oak, corner of Jno Mays' 260 acre survey, thence with the line thereof N 45° E 140 poles to two white oaks on the bank of said run in a line of Will Oldham's 400 acre survey, thence with the line thereof S 48° E 76 poles to two white oaks & a poplar, N 42° E 220 poles to a walnut & buckeye in the line of Shanklin's preemption, thence S 12° W 352 poles to the beginning. November 1st 1792. Robert Breckinridge, surveyor.

Isaac Shelby Esquire, governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, to all to whom these presents shall come, greeting. Know ye that by virtue and in consideration of a certificate granted by the county court of Jefferson for the relief of poor settlers on the western frontier, there is granted by said Commonwealth unto Joseph Brooks, assignee of Meredith Price who was assignee of James Stewart a certain tract or parcel of land containing 300 acres by survey bearing date the first day of November 1792, lying and being in the county of Jefferson and the Blue Lick run, a branch of Floyd's fork, and bounded as followeth, to wit. Beginning at a white oak & beech corner to Jacob Myers & the said Brooks' 200 acre survey, thence with the line thereof North 35° W 42 poles to a beech, thence West 86 poles to a white oak & small elm, thence North 45° West 28 poles to a small hickory & beech, thence N 30° W 140 poles to four white oaks on a ridge, corner to said 200 acre survey, and of Christian's 2000 acres, and with the line thereof South 66 poles to a chestnut oak & white oak, corner of John Mays' 260 acre survey, thence with the line thereof N 45° E 140 poles to two white oaks on the bank of said run in a line of William Oldham's 400 acre survey, thence with the line thereof South 48° East 76 poles to two white oaks and a poplar, North 42° E 220 poles to a walnut and buckeye in the line of Shanklin's preemption, thence S 12° West 352 poles to the beginning with its appurtenances to have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land with its appurtenances to the said Joseph Brooks and his heirs forever. In witness whereof the said Isaac Shelby Esquire, Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky hath hereunto set his hand and caused the seal of the Commonwealth to be affixed at Lexington on the 20th day of May in the year of our Lord 1793, and of the Commonwealth the first. (signed) Isaac Shelby

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