Amanuensis Monday - 1886 Deed - H. T. Owins to Mrs. D. C. Ratcliff

On his TransylvanianDutch blog, John Newmark defines an amanuensis as “a person employed to write out what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.” For more information about this daily blogging prompt, see John’s post Amanuensis – Why?.

I have amassed quite a collection of scans of handwritten documents related to my ancestors—primarily marriage records, deeds, and wills. As I have been transcribing these documents, it occurred to me that most of these documents were not actually written by my ancestors, but rather dictated to someone else, and then transcribed by a clerk into official records.

Today I have transcribed a deed in which my 2^nd great-grandfather, H. T. Owens, conveyed a parcel of land to Mrs. D. C. Ratcliff at the end of 1886. In consideration he accepted her note for payment to be made 1 November 1887, nearly a year after he sold the property to her. The deed was not recorded until 1888.

“H. T. Owins

To  } Deed

Mrs. D.C. Ratcliff

State of Louisiana     )

Parish of Bienville     )

Know all men by these presents that for and in Consideration of the Sum of ($140⁰⁰) one hundred and forty dollars payable Nover 1st 1887, which is hereby acknowledged I, H. T. Owens of the above named State and Parish have this day bargained and sold to D C Ratcliff of the same State and Parish a Certain tract or parcel of land viz: South wet fourth of the South West quarter of Section five, Township Eighteen, Range five west being and lying in the Parish of Bienville, To have and to hold the Said described property to the use of the Said. D C Ratcliff her heirs and assigns forever and the Said H T. Owens, for himself his heirs and assigns, Shall and will warrant and defend against the claims of all other persons whosoever by these presents in favor of the Said D C Ratcliff her heirs and assigns forever. Given under my hand and Seal, This December 13th A.D. 1886.

                                                              H. T. Owens

Attent:

D H Burt Sr

J C Ratcliff

State of Louisiana     )

Parish of Bienville     )

Before me the undersigned authority personally came and appeared J C. Ratcliff who on oath says he saw all theparties sign the above and foregoing deed for the purposes therein expressed and now recognizes the signature to be genuine.

                                                              J C Ratliff

Sworn to and subscribed before me this March 8th 1886.

                                                              A. J. Moore

                                                              Clk Dist Court

I hereby certify the above and foregoing to be a true record of the Original Deed.

This the 16th day of July 1888.

                                                     A. J. Moore

                                                     Dey Clk Dist Court and Ex officio Recorder”

 

[Source: Bienville Parish, Louisiana, Conveyance Records, 1848-1900, AA: 544, H. T. Owens deed to Mrs. D. C. Ratcliff, 16 Jul 1888; FHL microfilm 266,016.]


© 2012 Denise Spurlock