The below indenture is between Nathaniel Pace, who was granted land in this area in 1771 and came originally from Northampton County, North Carolina (which was previously part of Bertie County), of the one part, and John Perry (circa 1720-circa 1785), who left the Chowan River in Bertie County, North Carolina in 1772 and bought this land. This land is located on the Green Swamp of the Pocataligo River (then referred-to as the South Branch of the Black River), which is presently, in the year 2000, the western fringe of the City of Sumter, South Carolina. At this time, the major route for commerce was the Wateree River, and the Perrys would have exited the river at Garner's or Brisbane's Ferry &endash; located today at the crossing of Rt. 76 over the Wateree River. The Perrys would have traveled east up the sand-ridge on the east side of the Wateree River to the location of Statesburgh, which was the intersection with the old Catawba Indian Trail that led to Camden, South Carolina, on up the Wateree River. The Perrys would have continued east on to their Plantation on Green Swamp. Using a Sumter District Map dated 1825 by S. H. Boykin for Mills Atlas, now housed in the South Carolina Archives, the location appears to have beenin the area of what was then-called Green Swamp and Shotpouch Swamp. This, of course, was before there was ever a town of "Sumterville", as indicated later on Boykin's map 0f 1825.
"This Indenture Made the Eleventh Day of February in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred & Seventy Two and in the Twelfth Year of his Majesties Reign betwn Natheniel Pace of the Parish of Saint Marks in Craven County of South Carolina Planter of the one part, and John Perry Senr. of the same Parish County and Province of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Nathaniel Pace for and in consideration of the Sum of Ten Shillings Current Money of the province aforesaid to him hand well and truly Paid by the said John Perry Senr. at and before the Sealing and delivering of these Presents the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, he the said Nathanael Pace hath Bargained Sold and by these presents Doth Bargain and Sell unto the said John Perry Senr. all that Plantation or Tract of Land containing Two Hundred Acres being and lying in the Parish and Province aforesaid on and across an Branch of Black River called Green Swamp in Craven County on Black River in Saint Marks Parish and Bounded on all sides by Vacant Lands~. Together with all and singular the Houses out Houses Edifices Buildings Barns Stables Yards Gardens Orchards Woods under Woods Timber and Timber Trees Meadows Pastures Ponds Lakes Fishings Ways Wells Water Water Courses Paths Passages Liberties Privileges Profits hereditaments Rights Members and appurtenances whatsoever thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining and the Reversion or Reversions remainder and remainders rents issues and Profits Thereof and of every Part and Parcel thereof to have and to hold Ye said Plantation or Tract of Land containing Two Hundred Acres with every the Premises and appertenances thereunto belonging unto ye said John Perry his heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns from ye day Next before the Day of the Date of these presents for and during untill the end and Term of one whole Year from thence Next ensuing and fully to be compleat and ended Yielding and paying therefore unto the Said Nathanael Pace the rent of one Pepper Corn on the last day of said Term of the same shall be Lawfully demanded to the Intent and Purpose that by Virtue of these presents and by force of the Statute for Transferring of Uses into Possession he the said John Perry Senr. may be in Actual Possession of all and singular the Premises above mentioned with every the appurtenances thereunto belonging and thereby be the better Enabled to have take and Receive the Reversion and Inheritance thereof which is Intended to be to him and his heirs Granted and Released by the said Nathanael Pace by another Indenture Intended to be Made and Dated the Day Next after the Day of the Date hereof.In Witness whereof Said Nathanael Pace to these Presents his hand and Seal hath Set the Day and Year Above Written.
Nathl. Pace seal
Signed Sealed and delivered}
In the presence of us}
Davd. Neilson
Rodger Rogers
Silas Perry
(2d May 1803)"
The below indenture is the second recorded deed between Nathaniel Pace, who was granted land in this area in 1771 and came originally from Northampton County, North Carolina (which was previously part of Bertie County), of the one part, and John Perry (circa 1720 - circa 1785), who left the Chowan River in Bertie County, North Carolina in 1772 and bought this land, of the other part. This land was also listed in the previous deed of Deed Book AA on pages 165 - 166. This particular deed includes reference to the area as "Camden District" - one of the jurisdictional names given to this region prior to becoming the present-day jurisdictional area of Sumter County, South Carolina.
"This Indenture made the Eleventh Day of February in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Two and in the Eleventh year of his Majesties Reign between Nathanael Pace of the Parish of Saint Marks in the Province of South Carolina Planter of the one part and John Perry of the Parish and Province aforesaid Planter of the other part, whereas in and by a certain Grant bearing date the Twenty Third day of February in the Year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy one and in the Eleventh Year of his Majesties Reign under the hand of his Excellency the Honorable Wm. Bulls Esqr. Lieutt. Governor in and over the Province of South Carolina and the Great Seal of the Province for that Purpose appointed did give and Grant unto Nathanael Pace a Plantation or Tract of Land Containing Two Hundred Acres Situate Lying in the Parish of Saint Marks in the Province aforesaid on and across a Branch of Black River Called Green Swamp and Bound on all Sides by Vacant Land and hath such Shapes from and Marks as appears by a Plat thereof to the said Grant annexed as in and by the Said Plat and Grant Duly Recorded in the Secretaries Office of the said Province Reference being thereunto had may more fully appear. Now this Indenture Witnesseth that the said Nathanael Pace for and in Consideration of the Sum of one Hundred & fifty Pounds Currency of the Province aforesaid well and Truly Paid by the said John Perry before the sealing and Delivering of these Presents The Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged and to be well Contented Satisfied and Paid have Granted Bargained Sold Alienated Demised Released Conveyed Confirmed & by these presents Doth Grant Bargain Sell Alien Release Convey & Confirm unto the Said John Perry Senr. in his actual Possession now being by Virtue of a Bargain and Sale to him thereof Made for one whole Year and by force of the Statute for transferring of Uses into Possession and to his heirs and Assigns forever all the said Plantation or Tract of Land of Two Hundred Acres Together with all and Singular the Houses out Houses Edifices Buildings Barns Articles Yards Gardens Orchards Woods under Woods Timber and Timber Trees Meadows Ponds Pastures Lakes Fishings Bays Waters Water courses Paths Passages Liberties Priviliges Profits Hereditaments Members and appurtenances whatsoever thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining and the Reversion or Reversions Remainder and Remainders Rents Issues and Profits Thereof and of Every part and parcel thereof and all the Estate Right Title Interest Use Trust Possession Property Profit Benefit Claim & Demand whatsoever of him the said Nathanael Pace of into or out of the same Premises & every Part thereof and all Deeds Evivences Escripts & Writings whatsoever Touching or Concerning the same and every part. To have and to hold the Plantation or Tract of Two Hundred Acres of Land as aforesaid with every the premises and appertenances thereunto belonging herein before mentioned Granted Released and Conveyed unto the said John Perry Senr. his Heirs and Assigns forever to ye only proper and absolute Use and behoof of him the sd. John Perry Senr. his Heirs and Assigns and he the said Nathanael Pace Doth hereby for himself his Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns Covenant Promise and agree to and with the said John Perry Senr. his Heirs and Assigns in Manner and form followeth that is to say that he the said Nathanael Pace Now is and until the Execution of the Presents shall Stand Scifia of a good sure perfect and Indefeasible Estate of Inheritance in fee Simple of and in the aforesaid Plantation or Tract of Two Hundred Acres of Land with the Rights Members and appertanances without any Manner of Condition Trust Mortgage Judgment Execution or Incumbrance to alter Change or Determine the same and also that the said John Perry his Heirs and assigns shall and may from time to time and at all times hereafter peaceably and Quietly have hold use Occupy possess and Injoy the said Plantation or Tract of Land of Two hundred Acres of Land with every the Premises and appurtenances thereunto belonging without any Manner of Trouble hinderance Molestation Interruption and denial of him the said Nathanael Pace his Heirs or assigns & of all and every other person or Persons whatsoever and lastly he the said Nathanael Pace for himself his Heirs Executors and Admrs. the said Plantation or Tract of Two Hundred Acres of Land with the Premises and Appurtenances unto the said John Perry his Heirs and Assigns against him the said Nathanael Pace for himself his Heirs Executors and Admrs. the said Plantation or Tract of Two Hundred Acres of Land with the Premises and Appurtenances unto the said John Perry his Heirs and Assigns against him the said Nathanael Pace his Heirs and Assigns and all and every person and persons whatsoever shall and will Warrant and forever Defend by these Presents.In Witness whereof the said Nathanael Pace to these Presents Have set his hand and Seal the Day amd Year above Written.
Signed Sealed and deleivered }
in the Presence of us}
Rece'd the Year and Day first within Written of the within Named John Perry Senr. the Sum of one Hundred and Fifty Pounds Currency of South Carolina it being the full payment for the within Mentioned. I say Rec.'d by me.
Nathl. Pace seal
Dav. Neilson
Roger Hodges
Silas Perry
South Carolina }
Camden District }
Memorandum that on the Twelfth day Octor. 1775 Before me Nathl. Moore one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace for the said District Personally came & appeared Cylus Perry & duly Made Oath that he was Present and did see Nathl. Pace Sign Seal & as his Act and Deliver this Deed or Instrument of Writing to John Perry Senr. for the use here Mentioned and likewise did see the said Nathl. Pace Sign the Receipt here Indorsed and likewise did See David Neilson & Rodger Hodge Subscribe their Names as Witnesses at the same time.
Sworn before me}
the day & Year above Mentioned}
Silas Perry
Nathl. Moore J. P. (3d May 1803)"
(Note: Sumter did not exist until 1800, and shortly thereafter a fire burned many of the documents that had been contained in Sumter for the earlier Craven County and Claremont County and Salem County time periods. This deed appears to have been a recopy done on May 2, 1803 - presumably based upon evidence of an earlier deed.) ZDP