@BobIV, attached screen shots are my best guess at the location of this 160 acres. The 160 acres was part of a homestead claim by Otto Harris, which had an easement for a telephone pole route. Those 160 acres were acquired by 3 or 4 companies that combined it with other parcels and acquisitions into the modern 600+ acre parcel. The southern 160 acres of this parcel would seem to correspond to the 160 acres referenced in the homestead. There is a 1905 probate document that has a sketch of the holdings of N Copeland divided into 9 lots, two of which appear to be in Madison County as part of a survey which is also called N Copeland. As far as I can tell the description should really say the 160 acres is part of Lot 3, and there should be an offset from the corner of Lot 2 to the start of the 160 acres. These 9 lots appear to be referenced since 1849. Attached sketches are on RRC map and Leon County parcel map.
Thank you — this is very helpful. Could you please send me the 1905 probate document/sketch you mentioned, especially the page showing the 9 lots of the Nicholas Copeland holdings?
I’m particularly trying to determine:
Which lot is Lot 2 and which is Lot 3.
Where the southeast corner of Lot 2 is located.
What you mean by an “offset” from the corner of Lot 2 to the beginning of the 160 acres.
Whether you can identify the 160-acre Lot 3 tract on the modern Leon County parcel map/RRC map with more certainty.
Most importantly, whether there is a deed, probate record, plat, or other document that connects that modern 160-acre tract to the February 7, 1957 deed from Lee Palmer and Lamar Palmer to Otto L. Harris.
My ultimate goal is to locate exactly where my family’s 160 acres is today within A-162, so any older survey, probate sketch, deed references, or other records that help establish that chain would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again for taking the time to look into this. I would also like to compensate you for the information and your time.
I’m a retired landman who worked an area around Normangee in 1982 and I happened to have retained my work copy of a Tobin which I have imaged, above. It’s been quite a while since I used my Allen scales and Proto compass but I enjoyed the exercise. First of all, just for reference and orientation, the NE line of the Copeland runs N31W which corresponds to a north/south call of the dimensions you first posted. While I’m not being argumentative with Pete, I would submit that the dimensions of the land on the NE line of the 160 acres that Pete set out, better fits the description you first posted. That tract does state an acreage of 225 but there is some sort of division shown by the dotted line which measures more precisely the distances and bearings you provided. I have no idea which would be correct. I do not know the time frame of the ownership of the tracts but it had to be prior to 1982 and probably dates back to the 1950s or maybe earlier. There is some data on the map of leases covering those tracts acquired by Exxon which expire in 82 and 84 and a P Ray which expires in 83. If you know the leasing history of the land, perhaps that might provide a clue. Also, it would be real handy to see the legal descriptions used in those leases to see which may tie back to some of your known title history. I hope this Tobin is of use to you and I hope you solve your questions. Best Regards, Phil (no charge – glad to help, if I did)
I do have a 2011 Memorandum of Oil & Gas Lease from Robert J. Willingham III my father, to Dixon Services. It describes the lease as 160 acres, more or less, in the Nicholas Copeland Survey A-162, and specifically says it is the same land described in the February 7, 1957 deed from Lee Palmer and Lamar Palmer to Otto L. Harris, recorded in Volume 245, Page 203. Would that be the type of legal description you’re looking for? If so, I can send you a copy. I also have my current 2026 lease.
I think the name “Lee Palmer” is a huge clue that the tract that Pete set out is the tract you’re looking for. I see the same name on that tract on the Tobin I posted. That’s a clue showing a high probability that Pete is correct.
Ok, I have looked closer and I see a difference in the tract that Pete located and the one labeled “Lee Palmer” on the Tobin. I note that Pete’s depiction of the 160 acres fronts the OSR when the 160 on the Tobin is north of there. The pipeline runs along the south line of the 160 which is clearly set out on Pete’s map as being north of “his tract.” I don’t know what to tell you now, but the Tobin is probably correct.
Are you related to the large Willingham family around Jewett? I met quite a few of them from 2006 to 2015 while I was working there.
Phil, thanks for taking another close look at it. I really appreciate you being willing to dig into the maps and point out the differences. The Lee Palmer name on the Tobin is certainly interesting given that my 1957 deed is from Lee Palmer and Lamar Palmer to Otto L. Harris.
And yes, I believe my family is part of the larger Willingham family around Jewett. My family has had the mineral interest in this area for several generations. I’m actually trying to trace the title and determine exactly where our original acreage was located.
Thanks again for your help. I really appreciate you and Pete taking the time to help me figure this out.
