The Texas County Genealogical and Historical Society met June 13 at St. Mark’s Catholic Church.
Six members and eight guests were in attendance to hear Norman Brown’s presentation, “Use of Early Survey Instruments,” which gave an overview of the life of early surveyors and the equipment that was commonly utilized in creating Public Land Survey System (PLSS) which remains the basis for all real property descriptions today, and the boundaries of Missouri.
Following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 under then President Thomas Jefferson (who was also a surveyor, and developed the Rectangular Survey System), the U.S. government needed a method of organizing and quantifying the land so that it could be sold, given to soldiers for war debts and settled.
In 1815, General Land Office (GLO) Deputy Surveyor (DS) Prospect K. Robbins ran the Fifth Principal Meridian north from the confluence of the Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers (which serves as the basis for all surveying in the states of Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, North Dakota and portions of Minnesota and South Dakota) in what would later be known as the Ripley/Carter/Washington/etc. area of Missouri.
The majority of surveying under contract of the GLO in Missouri occurred between 1815 and 1855, with large portions being completed in the early 1820s. Some of the earliest surveying activity locally occurred in 1821 when Deputy Surveyor William Henry Ashley (this being the same Ashley that Texas County was named after when initially organized in 1843; who was also the first lieutenant governor of Missouri) ran a “Correction” or “Standard” line delineating the southern boundary of Township 30 North (he also ran lines along the south boundaries of T25N & T35N) from the Fifth Principal Meridian westward toward the western boundary of Missouri.
This line remains today near the presently known areas of Bado, Hog Creek, Eunice and Hartshorn.
The equipment needed to survey was very expensive, and had to be durable to endure the elements and extended stays away from civilization. Requirements concerning the equipment were given in instructions provided by the GLO to the contracting surveyors; Missouri was surveyed under multiple sets — 1815, 1834 and 1856.
Distances were measured with a “two-pole” Gunter’s Chain (One pole/rod/perch=16.5 feet; so the chain used was 33 feet long) having 50 links, while it was required that the distances recorded in the field book reflect the commonly known distance of a “four-pole” chain having 100 links or 66 feet. The chainmen (fore & hind) each swore an oath to keep the chain level (horizontal), and to measure faithfully/carefully.
The use of a “two-pole” chain is most directly related to terrain and the convenience of use in keeping it level; as the hills and rough land in our area would make using a “four-pole” chain very difficult.
The compass was the instrument used for determining direction, and not just any old available compass was acceptable. The instructions required that it be a “good compass of Rittenhouses construction, having a nonius [vernier] division and movable sights.”
When the GLO surveys were performed in Missouri, the difference between Magnetic North and True (Astronomic) North was roughly 8 degrees (also known as variation or declination — which changes based on your location), and the compass needed to be adjusted accordingly prior to subdividing a township or running lines.
Polaris (the North Star) was sighted on a clear night to determine the correct adjustment. While the compass was safely and securely boxed in transport, it was set on a tripod or a “Jacob’s Staff” when taking a reading. To determine latitude/longitude (several boundaries of Missouri are based upon this), an instrument known as a Sextant (measuring 1/6 or 60 degrees) was used to sight Polaris or the sun, and the horizon.
Clothing suitable for working outdoors in the 1800s included a leather jacket, a shirt made from firmly woven fabric, such as pillow ticking, and corduroy pants. An early surveyor would carry needed tools in a strong leather bag, known as a “possibles bag” as you took everything you would possibly need to survive away from civilization while surveying.
One of the most important and highly paid jobs of the survey crew was the hunter/camp cook, which was important for obvious reasons.