Chains and Rods, etc

[Caligirl]

When would one find one's self using chains and rods as units of measure?

 

[Wendy]

I find them every now and then on really old deeds. Thankfully, not very often - the descriptions most times also include Jim Bob's fence and the old oak tree as well. That's when I howl for a modern survey.

I think (correct me if I'm wrong) that the chain measure came from old road making equipment. The boss man on the road crew had a chain that was the proper width of the road. Anyone know if this is true?

 

[DH Wilson]

chains and rods are older than that. Ive gotten deeds with links, chains, rods furlongs, perches. No cubits yet but im sure theres some out there.

The rod furlongs and stuff were saxon inventions. I think the furlong had something to do with the lenght a team of oxen could plow in one furl. But everything is based off the rod. with the chain being the longest lenght denomination.

 

[Will Sanford]

I come across the "rod" occassionally when valuing old farms that have been handed down in a family for many generations.

This link has the conversion factor for rods and several other units of length.

<mod edit removed invalid link>

If you have a better one, post it.

 

[Caligirl]

Thanks for the replies. I've never come across a rod or a chain.

Now I have to memorize what a Miner's Inch is (# of gallons per minute).

P.S. DH-knowledge of cubits might come in handy if one were appraising, say, Noah's Ark. Would the animals be considered 'chattels'?

 

[Larboard]

I use this site for some conversions, especially the odd ones. It has conversions for darn near everything. Does the calculation for you too. Convert-Me

 

[Renee Healion]

This is an interesting site, and this link has handwritten documents as far back as the early 1700's. Surveyors were rugged sorts in the days of Washington and Mason & Dixon.
http://www.surveyhistory.org/old_handwritten_documents1.htm

 

[Jim Mallon]

http://www.megaconverter.com/mega2/

 

[Restrain]

Ran across one of these old deeds that started "begin at the east court house door, ride east at a gallop approximately 30 minutes to the oak tree in the bend of a creek..."

 

[aussie ken]

Something similar

Ran across one of these old deeds that started "begin at the east court house door, ride east at a gallop approximately 30 minutes to the oak tree in the bend of a creek..."

That takes the cake. My best effort is a poultry........ "Commencing from the NE corner of Williams farm by true north for a distance 1250 links thence due west a similar distance..........