This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: frostfreedet Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.delaware.counties.sussex/1755.1.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Without clues from type of paper, ink and handwriting, there is no way to date the map. It could have been drawn as a survey to show boundaries in context of a court suit (possible boundary conficts or dispute regarding how much of a tract was sold by X to Y). Or it could have been drawn in the context of an estate matter, showing lands either bequeathed to or to be divided by heirs of Z. There are other possibilities. Such plats could save someone some trouble using a mapping program to show adjacent lands, with metes and bounds taken from the original tract surveys or from recorded deeds. You can find out more on the original ownership process of the tracts at the archives of Maryland's web site. There is a cumbersome tract index as well as some information on original warrant surveys. You can trace land ownership through the MD Archives' on-line deeds, too, at www.mdlandrec.net (register to get a password). If you were to post a scan someone might be able to tell you more. Good hunting, Jade Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.