Hi Sherry! It was standard practice for surveyors to employ whoever they could get as chain-men when conducting surveys. Although requirements vary from state to state, in many instances, County (or District) Surveyors would swear in their chain-men prior to conducting the survey. It was more or less the equivalent of a sheriff deputizing men for a posse. Generally, they were sworn to make careful and accurate measurements, and to record the same. While the surveyor was responsible for the overall accuracy of the survey, sworn chain-men also served as witnesses to the process of conducting the survey and could attest to how it had been done. When I carried a range pole (I was called a 'flag-man.') in the late 1950's for my granddad, Ernest Roberts, County Surveyor of Fulton County, Arkansas for many years, he regularly swore in me and his chain-men before each survey. If there was no dispute involved, it was quite common for the land owners concerned, their relations or employees to act as chain-men as a way of reducing the cost of the survey. In addition, they virtually always provided one or more men to cut brush, and clear away a line of sight for the instrument. As you suggest, in cases of dispute, this practice could raise questions about the survey. Whenever my granddad was aware of such problems, he always employed chain-men who were not involved in the matter as a simple precaution. Modern distance measuring surveying equipment has largely reduced the need for chain-men. Most modern surveyors employ microwave or laser-beam distance measuring equipment that is far more accurate and that doesn't require the service of chain-men at all. Instead of the party of surveyor, flag or range pole man, two or more chain-men and a crew to cut brush and clear a line of sight, the typical modern survey crew consists just two men - the surveyor on the instrument and the flag-man. -- Robert W. King I'm an ingenieur, NOT a bloody locomotive driver! SnailNet: 19023 TV Tower Rd, Winslow, Arkansas 72959 BellNet: 479-634-2086 InterNet: robert@wildweasel.net Web site: http://www.wildweasel.net -----Original Message----- From: sherry mirkovic [mailto:sherrylynn90@hotmail.com] Sent: Thursday, 25 July 2002 06:15 To: TNKNOX-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [TN-KNOX] SCC Hi list, could someone help me with the following question about Sworn Chain Carriers? the following is from a document that we have and then the questions: pg 57 (p. 146-147) No. 1157 John Tabor 10 acres Anderson county Filed 27 May 1815. In pursuance of an entry made by John Tabor of No. 1889. Dated July 15th 1814. Entered on part of a certificate No. 1744. Dated April 29th 1814. Issued by David McGavock to Elijah Drake for 10 acres of land. I have surveyed for said John Tabor, 10 acres of land in said county on the waters of the mountain fork of poplar creek...upper line of a fiftenn acre survey where he now lives...Surveyed 19 Jul 1814 by Robert Tunnell, D.S Willial Tabor and John Tabor, S.C.C. (this means sworn chain carrier - most are kin or close neighbors to the one having the survey done). Is it logical, legal, etc. for a person to be a SCC for the survey of a piece of property one is buying? I understood the purpose of the SCC thing was so they could swear to the validity of the claim. Could a person go into court and swear to the measurements of their own claim? I realize using friends and relatives is a prejudiced situation anyway, but I think the purpose is to protect your claim. In that case, you the buyer would use people you trust, etc. The question remains, though. Could or would someone act in that capacity on their own claim. We need to find this out. Wonder if Darlene would clarify that? If a person in deed could not serve in that capacity for their own land purchase, then we have a John Tabor purchasing land and Wm. and another John Tabor serving as SCCs. That would put 3 Tabors together at once. The problem with this is our John O. would only be 11 years old in 1814. Could he perform such a task at that age? Thanks, Sherry _________________________________________________________________ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx ==== TNKNOX Mailing List ==== NEW KNOX County LIST MEMBERS are encouraged to submit your queries at any time. Address TNKnox-L@rootsweb.com ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237