Acknowledged in Open Court?

In some locations and time periods, deeds had to be acknowledged by the grantor in open court. In some areas, court met three or four times a year for a few weeks. If you ancestor had difficulty getting to court when it was in session, it could have taken him some time to acknowledge the deed.

If acknowledgements could be done in front of officials without court being in session, the acknowledgement likely was faster and closer to the date of signing.