Bases, Meridians and Townships, Oh My!

In order to decipher land descriptions found in Michigan deeds it is helpful to understand what system was used to survey the area (Michigan is a "Public Land" State) and how the terms used in that system are defined.

"Public Land" States (as opposed to Metes & Bounds) use terms such as: Base Line (sectionalized land); Guide Meridian, Principal Meridian, (Survey) Township, Range & Range lines, and Section.



Here's a deed I've abstracted from the Lapeer Co., Michigan, Deed Book (Liber) 49 on Page #391. Sylvester P. Marshall was my great-great grandmother's second husband. I've added some links in an attempt to pinpoint the property using the land description.

Lapeer Co., MI, Deed

49-391

25 January 1877

Sylvester P. Marshall, Lapeer to Salmon Adams, Lapeer

Witnesses: William North, J.P. & Emma Bunce

Signed by only Sylvester P. Marshall

(Attica Township) SouthEast ¼ of SouthWest ¼ of Section 23 Town 7 North Range 11 East

40 acres

Map marked T 07 North; Range 11 E

A PDF file with the Sections, including Section 23, of Attica Township, Lapeer Co., Michigan

A step-by-step example of using the legal description of a piece of land to find it on a map in Illinois. A graphical display of the Federal Township and Range System can be found here. Another explanation adding that commas are important in land descriptions.

A mural depicting Michigan's Principal Meridian and Base Lines on what was the Surveying Museum in Lansing. The museum was moved to Springfield, Illinois.

Michigan Meridian within a map of United States, putting the Michigan's Principal Meridian in geographical context.