Kent County original survey collection
Scope and Contents
The material in the Kent County Michigan Survey Collection consists of the original surveyors' reports for Kent County. The first reports delineate the exterior lines for the County and it’s townships. The second section of the reports delineates the interior, or section, lines. The reports contain extensive description of the county's topography (land forms, water courses and swamps) and flora at the time of the surveys, as well as maps plotting Indian villages, trails and gardens in addition to the requisite survey lines. The manuscript material dates from 1826 to 1838.
The manuscript maps on microfilm date from 1826 to 1958. The maps detail the entire southwest quarter of the Lower Peninsula and the Kent County maps will be found approximately two-thirds of the way into the roll. Generally the townships are listed in order beginning with the northeastern most township in the county and proceed in alternating horizontal tiers of townships.
Dates
- 1826-1958, n.d.
Biographical / Historical
The Public Land Survey System, also called the rectangular survey system, was the second survey system used in the United States. The original survey system used for the 13 colonies was based upon a British system that had some disadvantages. The rectangular system records a baseline (east and west) and a meridian (north and south). The townships and sections laid out under the system provide the structure into which specific legal land descriptions, used in land titles and deeds, are specified.
The first meridian baseline survey in Michigan was in 1815.
The surveyors listed in these Kent County records were, in order of number of surveys they performed:
Charles W. Cathcart
John Mullet
Lucius Lyon
Rasselas Witcomb
Noah Brookfield
Enoch Hammer
Robert Clark, Jr.
While surveying an exterior line of T.8 N., R.11 W. (Plainfield Township), Robert Clark died. His death and location of death is noted in the surveyor's report.
For additional historical information see the reference sources in Box 3 of this collection, and the Internet sites listed above.
Extent
1.1 Linear Feet (Three boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Kent County, Michigan Survey Collection is a study collection, the bulk of which is survey records duplicated from material at the State of Michigan Archives and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, both located in Lansing, Michigan. The photocopied material is from the original surveyors' reports for Kent County. The first reports delineate the exterior lines for the County and it’s townships. The second section of the reports delineates the interior, or section, lines. The reports contain extensive descriptions of the County's topography and flora at the time of the surveys, as well as maps plotting physical features such as Indian villages, trails and gardens, in addition to the requisite survey lines. The original manuscript material dates from 1826 to 1838. The manuscript maps on microfilm date from 1826 to 1958.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Library purchase, 1989.
Existence and Location of Originals
The survey documents in the collection are facsimile copies of holdings at the Michigan States Archives and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. This material was provided to the Grand Rapids Public Library in 1989 for the purpose of creating convenient local access to this historical research material. Citations should always indicate that this data is a copy of material held by the Michigan States Archives and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
- Title
- Finding Aid for the Kent County Original Survey Collection
- Status
- Completed
- Date
- May 1989
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497
localhis@grpl.org