This page last edited on 19 Jun 2007.
This deed reflects the sale of 50 acres purchased by William Cole and also the sale of 25 acres purchased by William's widow Martha M. Key subsequent to William's death. William was Martha's second husband. The land was sold in 1904 by Martha's four daughters with her first husband Warren J. Hyden; to wit, Cordelia Hyden and her husband Bradley J. Norman, Victoria C. Hyden and her husband Benjamin L. Gray, Roxey Hyden who in 1904 was the widow of Thomas J. Coram, and Margaret J. (Maggie) Hyden and her husband John B. May. The four sisters apparently inherited the land from their mother, although no will or settlement has been found for Martha M. Key. Martha died in 1901, about three years before the land was sold.
For a very long time, I was convinced that the 50 acres were purchased by my second great grandfather William Cole. This deed seems to prove otherwise. The fact that the four women who sold the land were daughters of Martha M. Key and her first husband Warren J. Hyden seems to prove that the land had been owned by Martha's second husband William Cole rather than by my William Cole.
I believe that the William Cole who purchased this land was the first cousin of my William Cole. It seems clear that my William Cole lived on the land for a while after the death of the William Cole that owned the land. It also seems clear that my William Cole paid taxes on the land for a few years after the death of the William Cole that owned the land.
Knox County, Tennessee, Warranty Deed, Vol.195, p.344
Warranty Deed | This indenture made
B D. Norman etal | this 8 day of June, AD 1904
to | between B. D. Norman and
Wm. A. Cross | wife Cordie Norman and Lil
| Gray, wife Victory Gray and
J. B. May wife Maggie May and Roxy Coram of
Knox County and the state of Tennessee of the
first part and William Cross of Ball Camp
Knox Co Tennessee of the second part. Witnesseth
that the said parties of the first part for
and in consideration of the sum of Six
hundred dollars to them in hand paid by the said party of the second part the receipt
of which is hereby acknowledged Cash
Five hundred and one note of one hundred
dollars made payable to be the B. D. Norman and and wife Cordie Norman and to secure the
payment of said node a specific lien is
hereby retained over the property here conveyed
have granted bargained sold and conveyed
and do hereby grant bargain sell and convey
into the said party of the second part the
following described premises to wit situated
in District No 19 of Knox Co Tenn and bounded as follows. Beginning on a stake in the
middle of Beaver Creek, a conditional corner to
A. Cox being opposite the mouth of the Spring branch on and belonging to the farm known
as the old Shade Calloway farm thence up
said Spring branch so as to include one half
of said spring to a stake a conditional corner in
the middle of said spring also the said Wm Cross
is to have the right to both sides of said Branch
to build and hold a Milch house as near the Spring as may be built thence with the lowest
part of the ravine Extending southwards a conditional
line to stake in said ravine opposite C. Morris
and A. Coxes corner two black oaks thence a
straight line to said black oak corner thence S90 E22 poles
to a stake and Black oak positions thence N40 E116 poles to a stake in the Ball Camp line opposite
a marked sycamore thence N 55 W 28 poles to a
marked walnut thence N 19 W 10 poles to the
middle of Plumb Creek bends down the middle
of said Creek to a stake in the middle of Beaver
Creek thence down the middle of Beaver Creek
Knox County, Tennessee, Warranty Deed, Vol.195, p.345
with meanders to the Beginning containing toward containing Twenty
Five acres more or less. Also one other tract
or parcel of land lying adjoining and just to the
south of the above described land Bounded on
the East by W. W. Reagan's land in center of Plum Creek
on South by J. S. Callaway and G. A. Morris on West
by Mrs. M. A. Williams Containing about 50 acres
being the same land bought of one James Cox
with the hereditaments and appurtenances thereto
appertaining hereby releasing all claims to home-
stead and Dower therein. To have and to hold the
the said premsies to the said party of the second part
his heirs and assigns forever. And the said
parties of the first part for themselves and for their
Heirs Executors and Administrators hereby cove-
nant with the said party of the second part his heirs
and assigns that they are lawfully seized in fee complete
of the premises above conveyed and have full power
authority and right to convey the same that
said premises are free from all encumbrances
and that they will forever warrant and defend the
said premises and the title thereto against the lawfull
claims of all persons whomsoever.
In Witness Whereof The said parties of the first
part hereunto set their hands and seals the
day and year first above written.
B. D. Norman L.S. Victory Gray L.S.
Cordie Norman L.S. John B. May L.S.
B. L. Gray L.S. Maggie May L.S.
Roxy Coram L.S.
This page last edited on 19 Jun 2007.