Amanuensis Monday - 1818 Deed - Richard Cook to Thomas Cook

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.


Because I am working with my newfound cousin Connie on our Cook ancestors, I am trying to transcribe all the documents I have scanned relative to this family. Today I am publishing the image and transcription of the first of two deeds from Richard Cook to his father Thomas Cook (one of my maternal 4th great-grandfathers). This deed for 100 acres on Brushey Mountain in Wilkes County, North Carolina, was executed on 29 March 1818, but not recorded until 15 July 1819, after Thomas Cook's death.

“Richard Cook to Thomas Cook Deed 80 Acres land

This Indenture made the twent[y]ninth of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen Between Ritchard Cook of the County of Wilkes and State of North Carolina of the one part and Thomas Cook of the County and State aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth that for and in Consideration of the sum of one hundred dollars to me in hand paid by the said said Thomas Cook the same where is fully acknowledged that the said Richard Cook hatch given Grnated Bargained sold and by these presents do give Grant and Sull unto the said Thomas Cook his heirs or assigns to a certain tract or parcel of land Containing Eighty acres on the Brushey Mountain Beginning at a red Oak in Thomas Cooks line West sixty poles to a Chesnut in Martains line thence North with said line thirty poles to the corner then West sixty poles to a White Oake North eighty two poles to a red oak East twenty five Poles to a read Oak in Gilreaths line South six poles to the former East one hundred and seven poles to a Chesnut Oak thence South to the Beginning with the appertances and all Rights titles Privilleges and Improvments the same in anney ways Belong to him the said Richard Cook his heirs or assigns forever and the said Cook himself his heirs do hereby covnant and agree to and with the said Thomas Cook that said Cook his heirs or assigns shall and may forever hear after peaceably and Quietly Injoy Oquipy [occupy] and pocess [possess] the aforesaid Grant and Land without Molestation and the said Richard Cook himself his huars [heirs] Executors administrators or assigns do by these presents warrant and forever defend the Right and titel of the aforesaid Granted land and primses [premises] to him the said Thomas Cook his heirs nad assigens, forever against the Right title or clame or Intrust [interest] of any person or persons whatsoever in witness whereof I Richard Cook hath hearunto set my  hand and fixt my seal the day and year first above Ritten.

Signed Sealed and Delivered }

In presents of                          }                                              Richard Cook {seal}

James Kanton [Clanton]

Enox [Enos] Anderson

W. W. Martin

(wrote on the back)

North Coralina            }          May Term 1819

Wilkes County            }          The within deed was duly proven in open Court by the oath of William W. Martin in order to be Registered.

                                                                                                Test. R. Martin, Clk.

Registered 15^th July 1819 }”

[Source: Wilkes County, North Carolina, Deeds, 1768-1964, 24: 429, indenture, Richard Cook to Thomas Cook, dated 29 March 1818, 15 July 1819; FHL microfilm 392,960.]


© 2013 Denise Spurlock