Legal descriptions of property in state land states frequently mention the names of neighboring landowners in the metes and bounds descriptions of the property. This confirms the adjoining property owner relationship, something that can always be determined from census and other records. This 1796 deed to James Rampley in Harford County, Maryland, mentioned neighboring landowner John DeMoss. A few years later, one of Rampley’s sons would marry one of DeMoss’ daughters. Even you don’t pay attention to the angles and measurements in these property descriptions, at least look for the names of neighboring land owners. Unfortunately in federal land states descriptions do not usually contain this information.
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