Transcriptions of the following Franklin County, Virginia deeds are true to the originals as transcribed by Linda Sparks Starr FEB 2001. http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~lksstarr/ Deed Book 1, pages 248-249: THIS INDENTURE Made on this fourth Day of august In the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven hundred and Eighty Seven Between Thos Poter and Susanah his wife and Fredrck Reves and Mary his Wife of the County of Franklin of the one part and Harmon Cook of Pittsylvania of The other Part. Witness that the sd Thos Potter and Susanah his wife and Fredrck Reves and May his Wife for and In Consediration of the Sum of Two hundred Pounds Current money of Virginia to them in hand Paid by the said Harmon Cook at or before the Sealing & Delivery of this Presents the receipt whereof the sd Thos Potter and Susannah his Wife and Fredrck Reves and Mary his Wife hath granted bargained and Sold aliened and Confirmed unto the sd Harmon Cook his Heirs and assigns forever a Certain Tract or Parcel of Land Containing Two hundred & fifty acres be the same more or Less, lying and being on or Near the Mountain Creek in the County aforsd Bounded as followeth to Wit. Begining at at aridge below the Mouth of Mountain Creek on Pig River on a red oak Thence South partly est Cornring on a Maple Tree on a Branch, Thence up the Branch to the Walton order deviding line Corner in White oak thence South along the line to the Road Cornering on a Spanish oak. Thence up the road to 249 To Walton order line. Cornering on a Chesnut thence up the Line Crossing Mountain Creek Cornering on a red oak thence North to the sd Reves. Thence down the river to the first Station Together with all Houses gardins orchards Wood and under Woods ways water & watercourses Profits Commodite hereditaments and appurtenances whatwise whatever to the sd Tract or Parcel of Land belonging or in any wise appurtaining and also the reversion and Reversions remainder and Remainders rents Spaces Prophats of the Premises way Parts & Parts thereof To have and to hold The sd Tract or Parcel of Land and Premises with all and Singular the appurtenances thereunto Belonging unto the sd Thos Potter and Susannah his wife and Fredrck Reves and Mary his wife their Heirs and assigns forever and they the sd Thos Potter and Susannah his Wife and Fredrck Reaves and Mary his wife the sd Tract Or Parcel of Land against the sd Thos Potter and Susannah his Wife and Fredrck Reaves and Mary his wife, their Heirs etc. and against all and any other Person whatever shall and Will warrant and by These Presents for ever Defend and the sd Thos Potter and Susannah his Wife & Fredrck Reaves and Mary his Wife their Heirs etc. shall and will at any Time hereafter at the Request Cost and Charge of the sd Harmon Cook his Heirs and assigns Covenant for the better performance of the sd Tract of Land and Premises unto the sd Harmon Cook his Heirs and assigns forever. IN WITNESS whereof the sd Thos Potter and Susannah his Wife and Frdrck Reaves and Mary his Wife hath hereunto set there hand & Seal the Day and year first above Written. Signed Sealed and Delivered his In Presents of Teste Thomas X Potter L.S. Thomas Dyes mark John Wright Benja Sampson Fredk Rives L.S. [In different handwriting on line after last 'Written' -- Cert. Soupl Inter hand before assigned] Deed Book 2, page 24: THIS INDENTURE made this 12 Day January in Year of our Lord one Thousand seven hundred and Eighty nine Between Benja Potter Senr of the County of Franklin of the one part and Lewis Potter of sd County of the other part. Witnesseth, that for and In Consideration of Twenty pound to him in hand paid by the said Lewis Potter the Receipt whereof he the said Benjamin Potter hath __Day Bargained Sold & Delivered unto the said Lewis Potter one Tract or parcel of Land Lying and Being in the County aforesaid Containing one hundred acres More or Less. Bounded as follows. Begining at the mouth of the Rocky Branch thence up sd Branch to the Deviding Line Between Young and Potter thence along Said Line to a Corner Chesnut on the River thence up the River to the first Station with all & Every appurtenance and advantage unto only use and Behoof of the sd Lewis Potter his heirs or assigns for Ever and he the said Benja Potter Doth by these presents for himself his heirs assigns for ever Defend the Said Tract & premises from the Claim or Claims of any person or persons whatsoever Given under my hand and Seal the Day and Date above written. Signed Sealed & Delivered his In the presents of us Benja uu Potter L.S. Robert Perryman mark Benja Potter [The mark is similar to cursive, lower case W] William Young MEMORANDUM that on the 12 Day of Jany 1789 Just and peaceable possession was given to the within Lewis Potter by the within Benja Potter to the within Land and premises. In the presents of us his Robert Potter Benja uu Potter L.S. Benja Potter mark W. Young At a Court held for Franklin County the 6th Day of April 1789 This Indenture Together with the Memorandum of livery of Seizin thereon Indorsed was acknowledged by the within named Benjamin Potter to be his acts & Deed & the Same was Ordered to be Recorded. Teste Ste. Smith Cl C Deed Book 3, page 217: THIS INDENTURE maid this forth day of Aprill in the year of our lord one thousand Seven hundred and ninety five Between Lewis Potter of the County of Franklin of the one part and Benjamin Potter of Said County of the other part Witnesseth that the said Lewis Potter for and in Consideration of the sum of ten pounds current money of Virginia to him in hand payed by the said Benjamin the receipt whereof he the said Lewis doth hereby acknowledge hath given granted bargained and Sold and by these Presents doth give grant bargain & Sell ___ enfete and confirm unto the Said Benjamin Potter one track or Parcel of Land lying and being in the County of Franklin Containing by Estimation one hundred and forty acres be the same more or less and bounded as followeth VIZ BEGINING at a white oak at the River Bannk at the mouth of the Stoney branch thence South up the branch to a poplar on the branch Cornering thus thence East by new lines to a Corner whit oak in Robert Boulton's line thence a long said Boultons line to a red oak in Robert Powels line thence along Powels line to a Hickrey on the River Bank thence up Said River to the begining Together with all Houses plantations etc. other improvements thereon have and to hold the aforesaid tract or parcel of Land this Sold & Conveyed with all and every the apertainences thereof to him to heirs the said Benjamin Potter his Heirs and assigns for ever to their proper use and behoof and to no other use intent or purpose whatsoever and the Said Lewis doth further Covenant and agree with the said Benjamin that it Shall be Lawfull for him the Said Benjamin his Heirs and assigns to enter in and upon the Land and Premises hereby Sold and Conveyed and the same to hold freely and quietly free and quiet from the molestacion or henderance of him the Said Lewis his Heirs and assigns or of Eany other person or persons Lawfully Claiming the same in Witness whereof & the said Lewis Potter hath hereunto set my hand and affixed my Sail the day & year firs above Written. Signed Sealed & delivered in presents of Lewis Potter Seal Franklin April Court 1795 This Indenture was acknowledged by the within named Lewis Potter to be his act & deed and the Same was Ordered to be Recorded by the Court. Teste James Callaway Deed Book 4, pages 218-219: THIS INDENTURE made october this the fifth day one thousand eight hundred and one between William Yong of Pittsylvania County and Benjamin Potter Juner of Franklin County both of the one parte, and Jonathan Cundiff of Bedford County of the other parte. Witnesseth that the said Wm Yong and Benjamin Potter Juner for and in consideration of the sum of Four hundred dollars to them in hand paid, the Receipt whereof they do hearby acknowledge, hath bargained and sold, and by these Presents doth bargain, sell & alien, enfeeof, & confirm unto the said Jonathan Cundiff his Heirs and assigns for ever one certain tract or parcel of Land containing Too hundred and seventy acres, be the same more or less, lying and being in the County of Frankling and State of Virginia, on the South side of Pigg River, and bounded as follows. Begining on a beach on a branch on Yong's Line, thence on Yong's Line South eighty fore degrees East fifty eight poles to a red oake, thence north seventy three D. East forty poles to a Chesnut, thence north fifty D. East Too hundred and Twenty eight poles to a red oake, thence north three Degrees west fifty seven poles to white oake, thence north thirty five D. West a hundred and thirty three poles to Pointers on Powel's Line; thence South thirty eight D. West forty eight poles to a Branch, thence down the Branch as it meanders South sixty nine D. West eighty poles to the River, thence down the River north eighty five D. West fifteen poles to a Hickery, thence up the River South seventy seven D. East fifty poles to a Rock, thence South Twenty six D. East, fifty six poles to a maple thence South Seventy Six D. West sixty eight poles to a willow, thence South seventy three D. West thirty six poles to a Cychamore, thence South forty fore D West forty poles to bent of the River, thence South seventy two D. West, forty fore poles to a corner white oake on the River bank, thence up a branch South ten D. East forty one poles to a Poplar thence on Lewis Potter's Line, South twelve D. East, seventy poles to the Begining. To have & To hold the said granted Land and Premises to the said Jonathan Condiff his Heirs and assigns for ever: and the sd Wm Yong and Ben Potter Juner doth covenent, grant and agree to and with the sd Jn, Cundiff that the sd Wm Yong and Ben Potter Juner their Heirs and assigns the sd Land and Premises unto the sd Jn Cundiff his Heirs and assigns shall warrent and for ever defend. In Witness whereof the sd Wm Yong and Ben Potter Juner hath hereunto set their hands and affixed there Seals, the day and year above written. Signed Sealed & deliv'd in the presence off William Young seal Benjamin Potter seal MEM that on the day and year within written Livery of Seizin of the within mentioned Land was made, done and executed by the within mentioned William Young and Benjamin Potter to the within mentioned Jonathan Cundiff according to the teneur and effect of the within written Deed. William Young seal Benjamin Potter seal At a Court held for Franklin County at the Courthouse in October 1801 This 219 This Indenture of bargain and Sale between William Young and Benjamin Potter of the one part and Jonathan Cundiff of the other part was acknowledged by the said William Young and Benjamin Potter & ordered to be Recorded. Teste JaCallaway CC. Deed Book 4, page 498: THIS INDENTURE made this 5th September one thousand eight hundred & three Between Benjamim Potter of the county of Franklin of the one part, and John Brown of the same County of the other part, Witnesseth, that the sd Benjamin Potter for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds to him in hand paid, the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, before the Sealing and delivery of these Presents, hath granted, bargained, and sold, and by these Presents doth bargain, Sell & confirm unto the sd John Brown, his Heirs and assigns for ever, one certain tract or parcel of Land lying & bein in Franklin County on the waters of Mountain Creek, containing Two hundred acres, be the same more, or less, and bounded as follows towit. Begining at a Spanish oak on the Road in Reubin S. Brown's line, and with his lines as the course may be some what north to where John Davis line, formerly John Cook's corner on Pointers, and thence with sd Davis's lines to a red oak corner on sd Davis's line, and thence new lines some degrees South to a Dogwood on mountain Creek, then with the Creek to where the same intersepts Davis's line, and then with his line some degrees East to a corner white oak on John Scot's line formerly Rigney's, and thence with said Scots' line to a corner Spanish oak at Beard's Cabbin, and thence down the Road to the Begining: To have and To hold the sd Land and Premises unto the sd John Brown, his Heirs and assigns forever, with all kinds of improvements and their appertenances unto the sd John Brown, his Heirs, and assigns forever; to the only proper use & behoof of him the sd John Brown his Heirs and assigns forever; and Lastly, the said Benjamin Potter doth for himself his Heirs, assigns etc, all and singular the Premises herein granted release with its appertenances unto the sd John Brown, his Heirs and assigns forever, against the said Benjamin Potter, all and every other person or persons whatsoever, shall and will Warrant and for ever defend by these Presents. In witness whereof the said Benjamin Potter hath hereunto set his hand, and Seal, the day and year above written. Tar'l Brown Aron B. Wilson Benjamin Potter Seal John Lacy At a Court held for Franklin County at the Courthouse the fifth day of September 1803. This Indenture of bargain and Sale between Benjamin Potter of the one part and John Brown of the other part, was proved by the oath of Tarlton Brown, Aaron B. Wilson, and John Lacy, the subscribing witnesses and ordered to be recorded. Teste, James Callaway CC Deed Book 4, pages 562-563: THIS INDENTURE made this 7th day of May 1801 between Benjamin Potter and John Kendley both of the county of Franklin and State of Virginia of the one part, and John Davis of the county of Charlotte and State aforesaid of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Benjamin Potter and John Kendley hath & do for & in consideration of ninety pounds to them in hand paid, the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have granted, bargained, sold, and confirmed, and do hereby grant, bargain, sell & confirm unto the said John Davis a certain Tract or parcel of Land containing by estimation Two hundred and fifty acres, be the same more or less, situate lying & being on both sides of mountain Creek and bounded as follows, Viz: Begining on a Dogwood on the said Creek just above the old Road, thence on Benjamin Potter's Line along a Line of marked Trees down the east side of the Creek to a corner pointers on the Top or Sharp ridge in the fork of two Branches, thence along the said Potter's line to his corner at Reubin Brown's Line, thence along Reubin Brown Line to a Branch, thence down the Branch as it meanders to Fred'k Rives corner maple, thence along his Line til opposite the first Hollow intersecting the sd Creek below the old mill on the west Side, thence across the Creek at the sd Hollow to Robert Prunty's Line, thence his Lines Thomas Catcher's etc. Benjamin Cooks and the said John Davis's lines to the Creek aforesaid thence down the said Creek as it meanders to the Begining: To have and To hold the sd Land and Premises with all the appertenances, appertenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining unto the said John Davis his hers and assigns for ever. And they the said Benjamin Potter and John Kendley doth for 563 Themselves, their Heris etc. warrant and for ever defend the said Land etc. appertenances unto the said John Davis, his heirs etc. In witness whereof they the said Benjamin Potter and John Kendley have hereunto set their hands and seals, this day and year above written Signed & delivered in presence of Thos Wilson, Stephen Atkinson, David Law Benjamin Potter L. S. John Kendley L. S. At a court held for Franklin County at the Courthouse the first monday in June 1801 This Indenture of bargain and Sale between Benjamin Potter & John Kendley of the one part, and John Davis of the other part, was proved by the oath of Stephen Atkinson, a witness hereto, and at a Court held for Franklin County at the Court house the 5th day of April 1802 The said Indenture was further proved by the oath of David Law another witness hereto. And at a Court held for Franklin County at the Courthouse the 6th day of February 1804. The said Indenture was further proved by the oath of Thomas Wilson, the other Witness hereto and ordered to be recorded. Teste James Callaway C Fl Deed Book 5, pages 26-27: THIS INDENTURE made this twenty ninth day of September one thousand eight hundred and four, between Benjamin Potter Senr & Mary his wife of the County of Franklin of the one part, and John Smith of the County of Pittsylvania of the other part witnesseth, that the said Benjamin Potter Senr and Mary his wife for and in consideration of the Sum of one hundred and Seventy two pounds ten shillings current money of Virginia to them in hand paid by the said John Smith, the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, hath given, granted, bargained and sold, and by these Presents doth give, grant, bargain, sell, alien, enfeoff, and confirm unto the said John Smith his heirs executors & assigns forever, one certain Tract, or parcel of Land situate, lying and being in the county of Franklin on the Branches of Owen's Creek, and bounded as followeth to wit: Begining at a Red oak and Hickory in Levi Shocklee's line, thence with Shocklee's line north Sixty one degrees East one hundred and fifty four poles to a white oak, thence South fifty Six degrees East twenty four poles to walker's corner Post oak, thence with that line north twenty six and half degrees East two hundred & ten poles crossing a Branch to a red oak; thence north fifty two degrees West eighty poles to a white oak, thence west Seventy four poles to a post oak in Hodge's Line, thence South forty two and half degrees West one hundrred and thirty eight poles to a red oak thence South fifteen degrees West, one hundred and thirty eight poles to two Spanish oaks, north Sixty one degrees East twelve poles to a red oak, South fifteen degrees West eighty poles to the Begining, it being the whole of the tract of Land granted to John Bartee the 5th day of February 1790 excepting Six acres sold of to Moses Potter etc. so much that was run in the Land of Hodges through mistake when the Survey was made together with all houses, orchards, ways water & water courses to the said Tract or parcel of Land belonging or in any wise appertaining, and the reversion and reversions, remainder, and remainders, rents, issues, and Profits to the said Premises belonging and all the Estate, right, title, interest, claim, or demand whatsoever, both in Law and equity of them the said Benjamin Potter Senr and Mary his wife, their heirs & assigns for ever. To have and To hold the said tract or parcel of Land with every of the before recited premisses onto the said John Smith his heirs and assigns for ever; and the said Benjamin Potter Senr and Mary his wife do covenant & agree to and with the said John Smith his Heirs and assigns, that at any time & at all times hereafter, he the said John Smith his heirs and assigns shall peaceably and quietly have, hold, use occupy, possess, and enjoy the said Land and premises with every of their appurtenances belonging, without trouble or molestation from them the said Benjamin Potter Senr and Mary his wife their heirs or assigns according to the true intent & meaning of these Presents. In Witness whereof the said Benjamin Potter Senr and Mary his wife have hereunto set their hands & seals the day and year above written. Signed Sealed & delivered in the presence of his Abraham C. Shelton, Elias Potter Benjamin + Potter Sr seal Joshua Stone, Thomas Potter, James Shocklee mark her Mary + Potter seal mark Received this eighth day of october, one thousand eight hundred and four, of the within John Smith the Sum of one hundred and Seventy two pounds ten 27 Shillings current money of Virginia. It being the consideration money within mentioned. Witness his Abraham Co. Shelton Benjamin + Potter Senr James Shocklee mark At a Court held for Frankln County at the Courthouse the third day of December 1804 This Indenture of bargain and Sale between Benjamin Senor & Mary his wife of the one part, and John Smith of the other part, was presented by the oath of Abraham C. Shelton, Elias Potter, and James Shocklee, three of the subscribing witnesses & ordered to be recorded. teste James Callaway C FC Deed Book 5, page 155: The CommonWealth of Kentucky, Lincoln County towit We James Hickman and Joel Atkinson two of the acting Justices of the peace in and for the afsd County, do hereby certify, that this day Mary Potter freely and voluntarily, and apart from her husband relinquished her right of dower to a certan Tract of Land sold bye Benjamin Potter her husband to John Smith, liing and being in the County of Franklin, and on the waters of Owen's Creek, containing by Survey Two hundred and thirty acres, and ajoining Daniel Law, Elisha Keen and Aaron Hodges, and the said Smith's own Tract. Certified from under our hands and Seals this 8th day of august 1805. James Hickman seal Joel Atkinson seal The Common Wealth of Kentucky, Lincoln County Lct I Thomas Montgomery Clerk of the County Court of the Countye aforesaid do hereby certify that the above named James Hickman and Joel Atkinson, the persons who have signed the above Certificate of Mary Potter's Relinquishment of dower, are, and were at the time of doing the Same acting Justices of the peace, and County Court of the County of Lincoln aforesaid, and that full faith and credit ought to be given to Such their affixed Certificate, as well without, as within our said Common Wealth. In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto Set my name and affixed the Seal of the Said L. S. County, this 26th day of September 1805, in the 14th year of our Common Wealth. Thomas Montgomery C.C. CyC Virginia towit At a Court held for Franklin County october 7th 1805 This Certificate of Mary Potter's Relinquishment of Dower in Land in Land by her husband Benjamin Potter to John Smith was returned & ordered to be recorded. Teste James Callaway C FC Deed Book 11, page 520: THIS INDENTURE made this first day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and twenty Six between Lewis Potter of of the County of Franklin and State of Virginia of the one part and John Potter of the said County and state aforesaid of the other part witnesseth that the said Lewis Potter for the Consideration of Fifty dollars current money of Virginia to him in hand paid by the said John Potter the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath given granted bargained and sold and delivered unto the said John Potter his heirs or assigns forever one certain tract or parcel of Land containing of Fifty acres more or less lying and being in the County of Franklin and State afforesaid and bounded as followeth Towit. Begining at a red oak corner tree in Graves line thence with his line to a corner mapril on the branch Potter branch and Graves line thence down said branch as it meanders to a corner white Oak tree on the north side of said branch thence a new line north corner to corner Hickory tree in George Crumps line on old road thence with Crump's line to the Begining corner white oak tree first Station etc. To have and to hold unto the said John Potter his Heirs or assigns forever with all its appurtenances thereunto or belonging or in any wise appertaining and the Said Lewis Potter Sr. doth forever defend the said Land with all its appurtenances thereunto or belonging or in any wise appertaining free from the claims or demands of his heirs or assigns any person under any pretention of any claims from all other persons whatsoever. In Witness whereof I the said Lewis Potter Sr. have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this day and date above written. Witness William Crump Lewis Potter seal George Crump John Graves At the Clerks Office of the County Court of Franklin the 17th day of February 1827 This Indenture of bargain and Sale between Lewis Potter Sr. of the one part and John Potter of the other part was acknowledged by the said Lewis Potter Sr. and admitted to Record. Teste Caleb Tate cfc Deed Book 14, page 445: THIS INDENTURE made this 2d day of January 1836 between Lewis Potter Sr. of Franklin County & State of Virginia of the one part, and Lewis Potter Jr. of the County & State aforesaid of the other part. Witnesseth, that for and in consideration of the sum of One dollars the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged and also the patternal affection which the said Lewis Potter Sr. bears toward his son Lewis Potter Jr. the said Lewis Potter Sr. hath given granted bargained & sold to the said Lewis Potter Jr. one certain Lot or parcel of Land containing by estimation Sixty acres, be the same more or less and bounded as follows. Begining at the mouth of Rocky Creek on Pig River & running up Pig River to a bunch of Sycamore's near a crop fence, thence with the crop fence to the out side fence to John Potter's corner Hickory and with his line to Potter's Creek thence up Potter's Creek as it meanders to the mouth of a drain on the South side of said Potter's creek, thence up the drain as it meanders to the head, thence a straight line to Milton Young's line, thence with said Young's line to Lewis Potter Jr's line, thence with his line to Wright's line & with his line to Rocky Creek, thence down the said Creek as it meanders to the begining. It being the same Land that boath of the said Lewis Potter's now lives on; To have and to hold the aforesaid tract or parcel of Land in fee simple, clear from all the just claims or all & every person whatsoever, with this exception only, the aforesaid Lewis Potter Se. reserves to himself his own, and the lifetime of his wife Nancy in the aforesaid tract of Land, that he and his wife Nancy is to keep peaceable and quiet possession for and during their lives, the aforesaid Land and premises as witness my hand & seal the day & date first aforesaid. Witness P. Dickinson Andrew S. Brooks Lewis Potter Sr. seal J. H. Echols Tarlton Brown At the Clerks office of Franklin County the 7th day of March 1836 This Deed of Gift from Lewis Potter Sr. to Lewis Potter Jr. was proved by the oath of Andrew S. Brooks, J. H. Echols and Tarlton Brown three of the subscribing Witnesses hereto and admitted to record. Teste, Caleb Tate C.FC