Wilkes County GaArchives Photo Document.....Little River Land Plats 
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Little River Land Plats

        (All plats cited are from the records of the Surveyor General’s Office
in the State of Georgia.)

Absalom Bedell - The 450 acre plat for Absalom Bedell is found in Plat Book A,
page 85. It was surveyed by virtue of a warrant dated August 12, 1783 that was
issued by a Land Court in Wilkes County, presided over by William Downs Esq.,
Senior Justice. The survey was executed on the 26th day of August 1783 by
William Downs D.S. The grant was issued to Absalom “Biddle” on February 13, 1784
by Governor John Houstown and it was registered on July 16, 1784. (Grant Book
DDD, page 95) The most telling feature on the plat is its bisection by Little
River. The plat also plat presents us with a key marker, that being the
confluence of Beaverdam Creek with Little River. Beaverdam Creek forms the
eastern boundary of Bedell above the Little River.  It is interesting to note,
that the wife of Absalom Bedell was Ruth Jackson and the wife of Robert McGinty
was Deborah Jackson. Ruth Jackson Bedell was the Aunt of Deborah Jackson
McGinty. Along the southwestern side of the plat,  Robert McGinty is shown as a
neighbor. Along the northwest side, the land of John Wilson appears and wrapping
around the northern and eastern side is the land of William Foster. Curiously,
lands attributed to Carr on the southeast and the south sides of the plat, were
in fact granted to Thomas Wingfield. (See notes on the plat of Thomas Wingfield.)

Edward Black - The 500 acre plat surveyed for Edward Black (also depicted as
Blake) is found in Plat Book B, page 72. The survey was authorized on November
12, 1783 in a Land Court of Wilkes County presided over by Benjamin Catching
Esq., Senior Justice. It was executed on December 26, 1783 by James McFarland
D.S. The grant was issued to Edward Black on September 21, 1784 by Governor John
Houstown and it was registered on September 24, 1784. (Grant Book FFF, page 296)
The plat is dated more than a year after Foster and Bedell and as such it shows
that by late 1784, Bedell has purchased the southern portion of Fosters land. 
Along the western boundary, Absalom Bedell and William Foster are shown as
neighbors. On the north is Benjamin Thompson, on the east is Stephen Gafford,
and on the south is “Grants land.”  Edward Black is an interesting plat as it
shows continuations of two streams, one the first branch of Beaverdam, and the
other a steam that flows into Little River just east of Beaverdam Creek. 

John Conners - The 350 acre plat surveyed for John Conner is found in Plat Book
G, page 98. A warrant for the survey was issued on October 9, 1783 in a Land
Court of Wilkes County presided over by Benjamin Catching Esq., Senior Justice.
It was executed on November 10, 1783 by James McFarland A.S. The land had been
previously warranted, Old Warrant No. 264. The grant was issued to John Conner
on January 3, 1785 by Governor John Houstown and it was registered on January
11, 1785. (Grant Book FFF, page 296) This plat continues the course of Kettle
Creek above Joel Phillips property. The plat is surrounded by the following
neighbors: Daniel Conner on the east, Joel Phillips on the south, McMurray and
Peter Strozier on the west, and vacant to the north.

Nathaniel Day - The 150 acre plat surveyed for Nathaniel Day is found in Plat
Book CC, page 110. A warrant for the survey was issued on February 6, 1797. The
survey was executed on February 7, 1797 by Matthew Talbot, C. S. The survey
shows John Nelson and P. Carrell on the west, John Nelson on the north, P.
Terrell on the east and Little River on the south. P. Terrell is Peter Terrell
who bought 520 acres from Absalom Bedell on April 9, 1788.

Robert Day Sr. - The 200 acre plat surveyed for Robert Day is found in Plat Book
A, page 67. A warrant for the survey was issued on December 22, 1783 by a land
court in Wilkes County, Benjamin Catching Esq., Senior Justice presiding. The
survey was executed on January 1, 1784 by William Downs D.S. The plat shows
Little River cutting across its southwestern corner and a branch running along
its eastern line. Although the survey of Robert Day shows no neighbors, the
survey of Hagan shows Robert Day as a neighbor to the east, the survey of Nelson
shows Robert Day as a neighbor to the west, and the survey of McGinty shows
Robert Day as a neighbor to the north and across Little River.

Buckner Dukes - The 100 acre plat surveyed for Buckner Dukes is found in Plat
Book H, page 373. A warrant for the survey was issued by William Downs Esq.,
Senior Justice, on July 12, 1784. The survey was executed on July 16, 1784 by
John Nelson, D.S., and Samuel Creswell, C. Surveyor.  This was a Headright
grant, No. 722. The actual grant was issued to Buckner Dukes on February 9, 1790
by Governor Edward Telfair and registered on February 17, 1790. (Grant Book TTT,
page 112) The plat is small but very interesting. It is bisected by Mercer’s
Branch of Hardin’s Creek. Mercer Creek is named as such on Andrew Wilson’s plat
as it enters the 500 acre plat of Silas Mercer, and on the plats of James
Whatley and Buckner Duke after it exits Silas Mercer. The neighbors of Buckner
Duke are shown as Mulkey on the east and Jackson and Querns on the south.

Benjamin Few - The 750 acre plat surveyed for Benjamin Few is found in Plat Book
G, page 153. The warrant for the survey, dated February 7, 1785, was issued by a
Land Court in Wilkes County, presided over by Absalom Bedell Esq., Senior
Justice. The survey was executed on February 9, 1785 by Benjamin Few A. S. and
Samuel Creswell, C. Surveyor. The grant was issued to Benjamin Few on April 8,
1785 by Governor Samuel Elbert and registered on April 20, 1785. (Grant Book
GGG, page 391) The prominent feature on this survey is the confluence of
Hardin’s Creek and Little River. This is a large piece of land, situated along
the south bank of Hardin’s Creek and the west bank of Little River. It shows the
following neighbors: Andrew Wilson along the western lines and Digby and
Mendengall along the southern lines.

Ignatius Few - The 200 acre plat surveyed for Ignatius Few is found in Plat Book
A, page 66. The warrant for the survey, dated September 5, 1783, was issued by a
Land Court in Wilkes County, presided over by William Downs Esq., Senior
Justice. The survey was executed on January 13, 1784 by Ignatius Few D. S. The
grant was issued to Ignatius Few on February 6, 1784 by Governor John Houstown
and it was registered on February 9, 1784. (Grant Book DDD, page 58) The plat of
Ignatius Few is crisscrossed by Hardin’s Creek and an unnamed road. The
neighbors are depicted as Noradike on the west, John Mulkey on the north,
Benjamin Few on the east and Wilson on the south. Silas Mercer’s survey shows
Ignatius Few as a neighbor on the south and John Mulkey’s survey shows Few on
the south. On December 10, 1793, Jesse Mercer sold 200 acres on Hardin’s Creek
to David Russell. The deed notes that this land had been previously granted to
Ignatius Few on February 6, 1784. (See Wilkes County Deed Book NN, page 46.) 
However, the 200 acres depicted on the survey for Ignatius Few seem to have also
been surveyed for the heirs of John Thornton. (See Heirs of John Thornton.)

William Foster - The 550 acre plat surveyed for William Foster is found in Plat
Book A,  page 26. The warrant for the survey, dated September 4, 1783, was
issued by a Land Court in Wilkes County, presided over by William Downs Esq.,
Senior Justice. The survey was executed on October 4, 1783 by James McFarland
D.S. The plat for Foster is unique for its size, extending almost two miles due
north from the banks of Little River. On the east side the neighbors are shown
as John Jones and Edward Blake, on the south it is bounded by Little River, and
on the southwest it is bounded by Beaverdam Creek and Absalom Bedell. Beaverdam
Creek runs enters Foster’s plat flowing northwest to south east above Bedell
only to emerge shortly thereafter flowing due south and forming the western
boundary between Bedell and Foster. Bedell would eventually buy the entire
southern half of Foster’s plat.

Stephen Gafford (#1) - The 100 acre plat surveyed for Stephen Gafford is found
in Plat Book G, page 166. The warrant for the survey was issued on a Headright,
March 9, 1785, by a Land Court in Wilkes County, presided over by William Downs
Esq., Senior Justice. The survey was executed on March 11, 1785 by Thomas Grant
D.S. and Samuel Creswell, Chief Surveyor. This plat forms a buffer between
Edward Black’s 500 acres and Gafford’s 200 acres. A road and two creeks cut
across the southern arm of the survey. The neighbors surrounding these 100 acres
are: Edward Black on the west, John Pinkston on the north, Daniel grant on the
northeast and Stephen Gafford on the east.

Stephen Gafford (#2) - The 200 acre plat surveyed for Stephen Gafford id found
in Plat Book G, page 167. The warrant for this survey was issued on a Headright,
August 1, 1785, by a Land Court of Wilkes County, presided over by Stephen Heard
Esq., Senior Justice. The survey was executed on August 11, 1785 by Thomas Grant
D. S. and Samuel Creswell, C. Surveyor. Two branches flowing northeast to
southwest toward Little River cut across the plat. The plat is bordered by
Stephen Gafford on the west and north and Daniel Grant on the east and west.

Edward Hagan - The 200 acre plat surveyed for Edward Hagan is found in Plat Book
G, page 177. The warrant for the survey was issued on March 7, 1785 by a Land
Court of Wilkes County presided over by William Downs Esq., Senior Justice. The
survey had already been executed on December 27, 1783 by James McFarland and
Samuel Creswell, C. Surveyor, by virtue of an old warrant. This old warrant, No.
494, was dated December 24, 1783. The actual grant was issued to Edward Hagan on
April 22, 1785 by Governor Samuel Elbert and registered on April 30, 1785.
(Grant Book GGG, page 550.) The Hagan plat is notable because the plat shows the
confluence of Kettle Creek and Little River. However, the plat as depicted,
shows Kettle Creek running almost in a North to South direction for almost ¾ of
a mile until it joins Little River. In reality the Creek makes a sharp bend
before it reaches Little River. The error may have been enforced by relying on a
previous survey as opposed to resurveying the land in question. The neighbors of
Edward Hagan were Joel Phillips along the west bank of Kettle Creek and Robert
Day on the east.

Joseph Jackson - The 400 acre plat surveyed for Joseph Jackson is found in Plat
Book A, page 93. The warrant for the survey, dated September 5, 1783, was issued
by a Land Court of Wilkes County, William Downs Esq., Senior Justice presiding.
The survey was executed on September 20, 1783 by William Downs D. S. The grant
was issued to Joseph Jackson on December 15, 1784 by Governor John Houstown and
it was registered on December 16, 1784. (Grant Book FFF, page 107) The
outstanding feature of the plat is Hardin’s Creek along with its tributaries.
Joseph Jackson is bounded on the west by John Querns, on the northeast by
vacant, on the east by John Mulkey and John Thornton, and on the south by
vacant. Joseph Jackson was the brother of Deborah Jackson (the wife of Robert
McGinty). In 1786, this land was transferred to Robert and Deborah McGinty,
although no deed exists for the transaction.
 
Hugh Jones (#1) -  The 125 acre plat surveyed for Hugh Jones is found in Plat
Book B, page 130. The warrant for the survey, dated October 10, 1784, was issued
in a land court of Wilkes County presided over by Stephen Heard Esq., Senior
Justice. (In lieu of an old warrant.) The survey was executed on October 15,
1784 by William Downs D. S. The grant was issued to Hugh Jones on December 15,
1784 by Governor John Houstown and it was registered on December 16, 1784.
(Grant Book FFF, page 115) This plat adjoins, on the west, the large 950 acre
plat of Joel Phillips. The Phillips Mill Baptist Church was located (on Joel
Phillips property) somewhere near this boundary line between Phillips and Jones.
The neighbors of Hugh Jones were: Joel Phillips and Little River on the north,
John Lang on the east, John Lang on the east, George Lea and Benjamin Hubbard on
the south, and the heirs of John Thompson and Joel Phillips on the west.

Hugh Jones (#2) - The 64 acre plat surveyed for Hugh Jones is found in Plat Book
G, page 205. The warrant for the survey, dated April 4, 1785, was issued in a
land court of Wilkes County presided over by Stephen Heard Esq., Senior Justice.
(In lieu of an old warrant.) The survey was executed on April 6, 1785 by Peter
Clyma D. S. and Samuel Creswell, C. Surveyor. The grant was given to Hugh Jones
on March 31, 1786 by Governor Edward Telfair and it was registered on April 6,
1786. (Grant Book III, page 726) This small piece of land fits into the larger
125 acre plat of Hugh Jones. In fact it shows Jones as a neighbor on three
sides. Little River is shown on the north side of the lot. Jones Spring Branch
forms the eastern boundary.

John Jones - The 450 acre plat survey for John Jones is found in Plat Book G,
page 206. The warrant for the survey was issued on October 8, 1783 in a Wilkes
County land court, Benjamin Catching Esq., Senior Justice presiding. The land
had been previously warranted, Old warrant  No. 575. The survey was executed on
October 21, 1783 by James McFarland, D.S., and Samuel Creswell, C. Surveyor. The
survey is bounded on the west by Phillips and on the east by Benjamin Thompson.
Thompson’s land was to be granted to John Wingfield.

Henry Karr - The 155 acre plat of Henry Kaar is found in Plat Book K, page 294.
The warrant for the survey was issued on August 2, 1785 in Wilkes County by
Absalom Bedell, Senior Justice. The survey was executed on September 1, 1785 by
Peter Clyma D. S. and D. Creswell C.S. The grant was issued to Henry Karr on
April 26, 1787 by Governor George Matthews and registered on April 30, 1787.
(Grant Book NNN, page 221) This plat is unique in its corn cob pipe shape with
just the tip of the pipe touching Little River. As such, it forms a buffer
between McGinty and Lang on the east and Whatley and Lang on the south. The
neighbors of Henry Kaar were: Robert McGinty and John Querns on the east, Samuel
Whatley and George Lea on the south, Jones on the west, and Henry Kaar on the
north.

James Kelly - The 217 acre plat surveyed for James Kelly is found in Plat Book
Q, page 164. (A note on the plat suggests that the grant to James Kelly was only
for 100 acres.) The warrant for the survey was issued in Wilkes County on
September 3, 1787. The survey was executed on September 5, 1787 by John Nelson,
D.S., and D. Creswell, C.S. The survey is bounded on the south by Robert Day, on
the west by Edward Hagan and Matthew Martin, on the north by John Nelson and on
the east by Nathaniel Day. 

John Lang - The 300 acre plat surveyed for John Lang is found in Plat Book A,
page 97. The warrant for the survey was issued in a land court of Wilkes County
by William Downs Esq., Senior Justice, dated April 19, 1784. The survey was
executed on May 13, 1784 by the same William Downs D.S. The grant was issued to
John Lang on January 15, 1785 by Governor Samuel Elbert and it was registered on
January 19, 1785. (Grant Book FFF, page 432) The Lang plat occupies lands shown
as belonging to Kaar on the 155 acre plat of Kaar. It runs for almost a mile
along the south bank of Little River. Joel Phillips shows as a neighbor on both
the west and northwest sides of the survey.

George Lea (#1) - The 200 acre plat surveyed for George Lea is found in Plat
Book G, page 221. The warrant for the survey, dated April 4, 1785, was issued in
Wilkes County by Stephen Heard Esq., Senior Justice. The survey was executed on
April 19, 1785 by William Fletcher D.S. and Sam Creswell, C. Surveyor. The grant
was issued to George Lea on October 12, 1785 by Governor Samuel Elbert and it
was registered on October 12, 1785. (Grant Book III, page 86) This land had been
previously warranted, Old Warrant No. 616. George Lea organized the first
Phillips Mill Baptist Church on this particular piece of property. The neighbors
surrounding George Lea are: Benjamin Hubbard on the west, Hugh Jones and John
Lang on the north, and Samuel Whatley on the east. Hubbard’s land would be
surveyed for George Lea a year later.

George Lea (#2) - The 180 acre plat surveyed for George Lea is found in Plat
Book H, page 286. The warrant for the survey, dated May 8, 1786, was issued in
Wilkes County by Stephen Heard Esq., Senior Justice. This new warrant replaced
an older warrant dated August 10, 1785. The survey was actually executed on
August 11, 1785 by William Fletcher, D.S., and Sam Creswell, C. Surveyor. The
grant was issued to George Lea on January 12, 1787 by Governor George Matthews
and it was registered on January 19, 1787. The plat is notable because it joins
with another plat of George Lea. It also shows the headwaters of Mercer Creek.
Neighbors surrounding Lea are: John Thornton on the west, Hugh Jones and George
Lea on the north, Whatley on the east and Jesse Talbot on the south.

Robert McGinty - The 300 acre plat surveyed for Robert McGinty is found in Plat
Book G, page 248. The warrant for the survey, dated June 6, 1785, was issued by
a Land Court in Wilkes County, presided over by Absalom Bedell Esq., Senior
Justice. The survey was executed on June 10, 1785 by William Downs D.S., and
Samuel Creswell, Chief Surveyor. Curiously, this land was once surveyed under an
“old” warrant, No. 692. The grant was given to Robert McGinty on October 12,
1785 by Governor Samuel Elbert and it was registered on October 14, 1785. (Grant
Book III, page 90) Robert’s land is bordered by Little River on the north and
Absalom Bedell on the east. Absalom Bedell was married to Ruth Jackson. She was
the aunt of Deborah Jackson, the wife of Robert McGinty.  John Querns and John
Lang form the neighbors on the west. The southern boundary, where Thomas
Wingfield and Silas Mercer will appear on the mosaic, is not labeled. There are
two interesting features to this plat. One is the southeastern corner formed by
a pine, shrub oak, and a pine. These same markers appear on the plat of Thomas
Wingfield and help to tie the tow plats together. The second is the northwestern
corner where the property line is shown moving South at a 45 degree angle away
from Little River. The Wilkes County/Taliaferro County line runs in this same
direction as it crosses Little River. I think the western edge of Robert McGinty
is in fact the Wilkes County Line of today.

Silas Mercer - The 500 acre plat surveyed for Silas Mercer is found in Plat Book
A, page 29. The warrant for the survey, dated April 25, 1784, was issued by a
Land Court of Wilkes County, presided over by Stephen Head Esq., Senior Justice.
The survey was executed on May 30, 1784 by Sanders Walker D.S. The grant was
issued to Silas Mercer on July 15, 1784 by Governor John Houstown and it was
registered on July 16, 1784. (Grant Book DDD, page 159) Aside from the size of
the plat, the most striking feature is the depiction of a branch of Hardin’s
Creek that cuts through the middle of the plat. Other plats identify this branch
as Mercer Creek. (See Andrew Wilson and Buckner Duke.) The neighbors appearing
around the survey are John Querns in the northwest, Sanders Walker in the east,
and Andrew Wilson, John Mulkey and Ignatius Few along the south. Silas Mercer
served as Minister of the Gospel at Phillips Mill Baptist Church and was the
father of Jesse Mercer.

John Mulkey, Heirs of - The 100 acre plat surveyed for the heirs of John Mulkey
is found in Plat Book Q, page 192. A warrant was issued for the survey in Wilkes
County on December 3, 1787. The survey was executed on December 6, 1787 by
Sanders Walker A. S and certified by D. Creswell C.S. The grant was issued to
the heirs of John Mulkey on August 8, 1792 by Governor Edward Telfair and
registered on August 9, 1792. (Grant Book XXX, page 46.) The plat is fairly non
descript, however it does confirm the branch of Hardin’s Creek that is so
prominent on the plat of Silas Mercer. Mulkey is surrounded by Silas Mercer on
the west and north, Andrew Wilson on the east, and Few on the south.

John Nelson - The 75 acre plat surveyed for John Nelson is found in State Plat
Book H, page 414. The warrant for the survey, dated March 9, 1785, was issued by
a land court in Wilkes County presided over by Absalom Bedell Esq., Senior
Justice. The survey was executed on March 12, 1785 by William Fletcher D. S. and
Sam Creswell, C. Surveyor. This was a head right, No. 803. The survey appears to
form a buffer between Robert Day and Little River. The survey of John Nelson is
bordered on the south by Little River, on the west by the land of Robert Day,
and on the east by the land of Nathaniel Day.

Joel Phillips (#1) - The large 950 acre plat surveyed for Joel Phillips is found
in Plat Book G, page 288. The warrant for the survey, dated April 20, 1783, was
issued by a Land Court of Wilkes County presided over by Stephen Heard Esq.,
Senior Justice. The survey was executed on April 10, 1784 by William Downs D.S.
and Samuel Creswell, C. Surveyor. The land had been warranted previously on Old
Warrant No. 809. The grant was issued to Joel Phillips on December 9, 1784 by
Governor John Houstown and it was registered on December 14, 1784. (Grant Book
FFF, page 90) This is the plat that contained the first building of Phillip’s
Mill Baptist Church. The runs from the confluence of Kettle Creek and Little
River, and along Little River for over a mile and half to the west. The
following neighbors are shown around Joel Phillips: Edward Hagan is on the east,
John Lang and vacant are on the south, Reuben Phillips and vacant are on the
west, and Peter Strozier and John Conner are on the north.

Joel Phillips (#2) -  The small triangular plat of 30 acres that was surveyed
for Joel Phillips is found in Plat Book Q, page 220. The warrant for the survey
was dated December 1, 1788 and it was surveyed on May 7, 1789 by Thomas Scot
Lindsay D. S.  It was certified by D. Creswell C. S. The plat is fairly
nondescript as it fills in a piece of Joel Phillips’ larger 950 acres plat. As
such, it is surrounded by Joel Phillips on the north and south, but it does show
Spenser as a neighbor to the west.

John Pinkston - The 400 acre plat surveyed for John Pinkston is found in State
Plat Book A, page 88. The warrant for the survey, dated October 8, 1783, was
issued in a land court of Wilkes County presided over by Benjamin Catching Esq.,
Senior Justice. The survey was executed on October 23, 1783 by James McFarland
D. S. The survey is bounded by Edward Black and Davis on the south, John Cane
and William Waggoner on the east, and Benjamin Thompson on the west.

John Querns (#1) - The 100 acre plat surveyed for John Querns is found in Plat
Book A, page 87. The warrant for the survey, dated November 3, 1783, was issued
in a land court of Wilkes County presided over by Benjamin Catching Esq., Senior
Justice. The survey was executed on December 3, 1783 by William Downs D.S. The
grant was given to John Querns on February 13, 1784 by Governor John Houstown
and it was registered on February 16, 1784. (Grant Book DDD, page 91) The survey
is non descript, the plat being surrounded by vacant lands. In addition, the
survey is drawn as a square while the dimensions recorded (35 X 20) would
indicate that it was more like a rectangle. This piece of land ends up “bolting”
the plats of Silas Mercer, Robert McGinty, and Henry Kaar together.

John Querns (#2) - The 500 acre plat surveyed for John Querns is found in Plat
Book a, page 87. The warrant for the survey, dated November 3, 1783, was issued
by the Land Court of Wilkes County, presided over by Benjamin Catching Esq.,
Senior Justice. The survey was executed on December 20, 1783 by William Downs
D.S. The grant was given to John Querns on February 13, 1784 by Governor John
Houstown and it was registered on February 16, 1784. (Grant Book DDD, page 92)
The plat is notable not only for its size but also because it shows Hardin’s
Creek entering on the southeast near Emy Stewart flowing almost due north. The
stream, however, appears to take a 90 degree turn before exiting the plat and
entering Jackson - where it is shown flowing almost due east. This large section
of land lists only two neighbors, Joseph Jackson on the east and Emy Stewart on
the south.

James Scarlet (#1) - James Scarlet is unique in that he is shown in the plat
books with two surveys for the same land. The first survey is a 300 acre plat
found in Plat Book A, page 19. It was surveyed by virtue of a warrant issued by
William Downs Esq., Senior Justice, dated August 12, 1783. The survey was
executed on September 26, 1783 by the same William Downs D.L. Surveyor. The
survey is marked by a stream that cuts diagonally across the plat from Little
river in the southwest corner to a buckeye tree in the northeast corner. Dated
in 1783, it contains earlier information than the second survey. Little River
running at this point almost due south and William Foster are shown as forming
the western boundary, Edward Black (not Blake as William Foster’s plat shows)
forms the northern boundary, Lancaster, Vacant and Hunt form the eastern boundary.

James Scarlet (#2) - The second survey for James Scarlet is much larger and
incorporates the earlier survey of 300 acres into its 750 acres. It is found in
Plat Book B, page 159. It was surveyed by a warrant issued by the Land Court of
Wilkes County on October 10, 1784, presided over by Stephen Heard Esq., Senior
Justice. The warrant was executed on October 19, 1784 by Robert Christmas D.S.,
“in lieu of old warrants.” The grant of 750 acres was issued to James Scarlet on
January 19, 1785 by Governor Samuel Elbert and it was registered on January 20,
1785. (Grant Book FFF, page 439) As before it shows Little River and William
Foster along the western boundary, Edward Black and now James Davis along the
northern boundary, Ambrose Crawford along the eastern side, and James Crawford
and Hunt’s land along the south. 

John Thornton, Heirs of - The 200 acre plat surveyed for the heirs of John
Thornton is found in Plat Book CC, page 129.The Wilkes County warrant for the
survey was dated December 4, 1783. The survey was executed on January 1, 1784 by
William Downs, D.S. and certified by Matthew Talbot, C.S. There is a notation at
the bottom of the plat which states: “Adv’d 30th January 1795”.  The grant was
given to the heirs of John Thornton on July 25, 1798 by Governor James Jackson
and it was registered on July 25, 1798. (Grant Book AAAA, page 633) The
neighbors of Thornton were listed as: Abraham Norwick on the west, John Mulkey
on the north, and Daniel McCoy on the southeast. The survey for Joseph Jackson
shows Thornton to the east, and the survey for Andrew Wilson shows Thornton to
the west. Yet, this 200 acre survey for John Thornton, dated January 1, 1784,
seems to occupy much of the same 200 acres that were surveyed twelve days later
for Ignatius Few. 

Sanders Walker - The 300 acre plat surveyed for Sanders Walker is found in Plat
Book A, page 29.  The warrant for the survey, dated November 3, 1783, was issued
by the Land Court of Wilkes County, presided over by Benjamin Catching Esq.,
Senior Justice. The survey was executed on November 10, 1783 by Sanders Walker,
D. L. Surveyor. This plat is notable because it extends the course of Little
River from its apex at Bedell and Scarlet down to its confluence with Hardin’s
Creek. On the west side of the plat is found the lands of the Reverend Silas
Mercer. (Sanders Walker and Silas Mercer are noted as baptizing Jesse Mercer at
Phillips Mill Baptist Church.) Along the north side it is vacant. (Wingfield
didn’t have this land surveyed until a year later.) Forming the east side of the
survey is Little River. Across the river is the land of Henry Hunt. Along the
south side, the property is defined by Hardin’s Creek. On the south side of
Hardin’s Creek is the land of Benjamin Few.

James Whatley - (Plat Error - Should be Samuel Whatley) - The 300 acre plat
surveyed for “James” Whatley is found in Plat Book B, page 282. The warrant for
the survey was issued on September 4, 1783 by a land court in Wilkes County
presided over by William Downs Esq., Senior Justice. The survey was executed on
July 25, 1784 by William Fletcher D.S. and Samuel Creswell, C. Surveyor. The
land had previously been warranted with Old Warrant, No. 863. The grant was
issued to Samuel Whatley on January 15, 1785 by Governor Samuel Elbert and it
was registered on January 18, 1785. (Grant Book FFF, page 403) Either an error
by the surveyor, or by the transcriber, has labeled this plat as belonging to
James Whatley. (The neighboring survey for Henry Kaar also shows this plat as
being occupied by Samuel Whatley.) This plat surrounds the 100 acre survey of
Buckner Duke on three sides and depicts Messer Creek (Mercer Creek) as it enters
Duke on the west and as it exits Duke on the east. Outside of the Whatley plat,
on the land of Buckner Duke, a bridge is noted that leads to the lands of James
Mulkey. The neighbors surrounding James Whatley are as follows: on the north is
John Lang, on the south is Mulkey and Buckner Duke and on the west is George Lea.

Andrew Wilson - The 200 acre plat surveyed for Andrew Wilson is found in Plat
Book H, page 435. The warrant for the survey was issued on July 12, 1784 in
Wilkes County by William Downs Esq., Senior Justice. The survey was executed on
July 28, 1784 by William Downs, D.S., and Samuel Creswell, C. Surveyor. The land
had been warranted previously, Old Warrant No. 846.  The grant was issued to
Andrew Wilson on December 9, 1784 by Governor John Houstown and it was
registered on December 14, 1784. (Grant Book FFF, page 94) The most striking
feature of this survey is its depiction of the confluence of Hardin’s Creek and
Mercer Creek. The neighbors surrounding the plat are shown as Benjamin Few on
the south, John Thornton’s old survey on the west, John Mulkey’s old survey and
Silas Mercer on the north, and Sanders Walker on the east. 

John Wingfield - The 450 acre plat surveyed for John Wingfield is found in the
County Plat Book A, page 55. The warrant for the survey was issued by a Wilkes
County land court on October 10, 1783, Benjamin Catching Esq., Senior Justice
presiding. The survey was executed on October 21,1783 by James McFarland D. S.
The survey for John Wingfield appears to occupy, in part, lands previously noted
for Benjamin Thompson. (See John Jones and Edward Black.) On the west, the
survey is bounded by John Jones. On the east, it is bounded by John Pinkston.

Thomas Wingfield - The 200 acre plat surveyed for Thomas Wingfield is found in
Plat Book B, page 196. The warrant for the survey, dated April 21, 1784, was
issued by a Land Court in Wilkes County presided over by Stephen Heard Esq.,
Senior Justice. The survey was executed on May 5, 1784 by William Downs D.S., in
lieu of an old warrant to Henry Kaar. This last phrase is very interesting
because on the plat of Absalom Bedell, the area where Thomas Wingfield should be
is occupied by Henry Kaar! The grant was issued to Thomas Wingfield on February
21, 1785 by Governor Samuel Elbert and it was registered on February 24, 1785.
(Grant Book GGG, page 78) There are several outstanding features to this plat.
Although positioned directly south of Robert McGinty, Absalom Bedell, and by
association Little River, on the Wingfield plat, Little River is depicted on the
east! This reflects a dramatic bend in the river as its flow changes from almost
due east to due south. Another feature is the thumb along the north that
separates McGinty and Bedell. This thumb is marked with a pine scrub oak and a
pine. The same feature appears on the plat of Robert McGinty. At the time of the
survey, the neighbors were described as follows: along the north were Robert
McGinty and Absalom Bedell, along the east was Little River, along the south
were Sanders Walker and Silas Mercer. The west was shown as vacant.
Listings By Warrant Date - Name/ Warrant Date/ Senior Justice

1.  Joel Phillips (#1) - April 20, 1783, Stephen Heard Esq., Senior Justice*
(1784?) 
2.  Absalom Bedell - August 12, 1783, William Downs Esq., Senior Justice
3.  James Scarlet (#1) - August 12, 1783, William Downs Esq., Senior Justice
4.  William Foster - September 4, 1783, William Downs Esq., Senior Justice
5.  James Whatley - September 4, 1783, William Downs Esq., Senior Justice
6.  Ignatius Few - September 5, 1783, William Downs Esq., Senior Justice
7.  Joseph Jackson - September 5, 1783, William Downs Esq., Senior Justice
8.  John Jones - October 8, 1783, Benjamin Catching Esq., Senior Justice
9.  John Pinkston - October 8, 1783, Benjamin Catching Esq., Senior Justice
10.  John Conners - October 9, 1783, Benjamin Catching Esq., Senior Justice
11.  John Wingfield - October 10, 1783, Benjamin Catching Esq., Senior Justice
12.  Sanders Walker - November 3, 1783, Benjamin Catching Esq., Senior Justice
13.  John Querns (#1)- November 3, 1783, Benjamin Catching Esq., Senior Justice
14.  John Querns (#2) - November 3, 1783, Benjamin Catching Esq., Senior Justice
15.  Edward Black - November 12, 1783, Benjamin Catching Esq., Senior Justice
16.  The Heirs of John Thornton - December 4, 1783
17.  Robert Day - December 22, 1783, Benjamin Catching Esq., Senior Justice 
 
18.  Thomas Wingfield - April 21, 1784, Stephen Heard Esq., Senior Justice 
19.  John Lang - April 19, 1784 William Downs Esq., Senior Justice 
20.  Silas Mercer - April 25, 1784, Stephen Heard Esq., Senior Justice 
21.  Buckner Dukes - July 12, 1784, William Downs Esq., Senior Justice
22.  Andrew Wilson - July 12, 1784, William Downs Esq., Senior Justice
23.  Hugh Jones (#1) - October 10, 1784, Stephen Heard Esq., Senior Justice 
24.  James Scarlet (#2) - October 10, 1784, Stephen Heard Esq., Senior Justice 

25.  Benjamin Few - February 7, 1785, Absalom Bedell Esq., Senior Justice 
26.  Edward Hagan - March 7, 1785, William Downs Esq., Senior Justice
27.  Stephen Gafford - March 9, 1785, William Downs Esq., Senior Justice
28.  John Nelson - March 12, 1785, Absalom Bedell Esq., Senior Justice 
29.  Hugh Jones (#2) - April 4, 1785, Stephen Heard Esq., Senior Justice 
30.  George Lea (#1) - April 4, 1785, Stephen Heard Esq., Senior Justice 
31.  Robert McGinty - June 6, 1785, Absalom Bedell Esq., Senior Justice
32.  Stephen Gafford (#2) - August 1, 1785, Stephen Heard Esq., Senior Justice 
33.  Henry Kaar - August 2, 1785, Absalom Bedell Esq., Senior Justice

34.  George Lea (#2) - May 8, 1786, Stephen Heard Esq., Senior Justice
35.  James Kelly - September 3, 1787
36.  The Heirs of John Mulkey - December 3, 1787
37.  Joel Phillips (#2) - December 1, 1788 
38.  Nathaniel Day - February 6, 1797


Listing by Survey Date - Name/ Execution Date/Surveyor

1.  Absalom Bedell - August 26, 1783, William Downs D.S.
2.  Joseph Jackson - September 20, 1783, William Downs D.S.
3.  James Scarlet (#1) - September 26, 1783, William Downs, D.L. Surveyor
4.  William Foster - October 4, 1783, James McFarland D.S.
5. John Jones - October 21, 1783, James McFarland D.S.
6. John Wingfield - October 21, 1783, James McFarland D.S.
7.  John Pinkston - October 23, 1783, James McFarland D.S.
8.  John Conners - November 10, 1783, James McFarland A.S.
9.  Sanders Walker - November 10, 1783, Sanders Walker, D.L. Surveyor
10.  John Querns (#1) - December 3, 1783, William Downs D.S. 
11.  John Querns (#2) - December 20, 1783, William Downs D.S.
12.  Edward Black - December 26, 1783,* James McFarland D.S. 
13.  Edward Hagan - December 27, 1783, James McFarland 

14.  Robert Day - January 1, 1784, William Downs D.S.
15.  John Thornton - January 1, 1784, William Downs D.S.
16.  Ignatius Few - January 13, 1784, Ignatius Few D.S.
17.  Joel Phillips (#1) - April 10, 1784, William Downs D.S.
18.  Thomas Wingfield - May 5, 1784, William Downs D.S.
19.  John Lang - May 13, 1784, William Downs D.S.
20.  Silas Mercer - May 30, 1784, Sanders Walker D.S.
21.  Buckner Duke - July 16, 1784, John Nelson D.S.
22.  James Whatley - July 25, 1784, William Fletcher D.S.
23.  Andrew Wilson - July 28, 1784, William Downs D.S.
24.  Hugh Jones (#1) - October 15, 1784, William Downs D.S.
25.  James Scarlet (#2) - October 19, 1784, Robert Christmas D.S.

26.  Benjamin Few - February 9, 1785, Benjamin Few A.S.
27.  John Nelson - March 9, 1785, William Fletcher D.S.  
28.  Hugh Jones (#2) - April 6, 1785, Peter Clyma D.S.
29.  George Lea (#1) - April 19, 1785, William Fletcher D.S.
30.  Stephen Gafford (#1) - March 11, 1785, Thomas Grant D.S.
31.  Robert McGinty - June 10, 1785, William Downs D.S.
32.  Stephen Gafford (#2) - August 11, 1785, Thomas Grant D.S. 
33.  George Lea (#2) - August 11, 1785, William Fletcher D.S.
34.  Henry Kaar - September 1, 1785, Peter Clyma D.S.
35.  James Kelly - September 5, 1787, John Nelson D.S.
36.  John Mulkey - December 6, 1787, Sanders Walker A.S.
37.  Joel Phillips (#2) - May 7, 1789, Thomas Scot Lindsay D.S.
38.  Nathaniel Day - February 7, 1797, Matthew Talbot C.S.

*Date changed on Plat.



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