Legal Descriptions

Question 1

Base Line

Answer 1

Imaginary lines running east and west and crossing a principal meridian at a definite point; used by surveyors for reference in locating and describing land under the government survey system.

Question 2

Bench Mark

Answer 2

The bench mark is a permanent brass plate, placed in the ground by surveyors to record the elevation, or feet above sea level, at that location.

Question 3

Check

Answer 3

A square measuring 24 miles on each side and denoting the largest unit of measure in the government survey system.

Question 4

Datum

Answer 4

A datum point is a reference point of known or assumed coordinates from which calculation or measurements may be taken.

Question 5

Government Survey System

Answer 5

A method of land description developed by the federal government using prime meridians, base lines, standard parallels, guide meridians, townships and sections.

Question 6

Legal Description

Answer 6

A land description recognized by law; a description by which property can be definitely located by reference to government surveys or approved recorded maps.

Question 7

Lot and Block

Answer 7

A legal description of land used for plotted properties, stating the number, lot, and block in a particular sub-division.

Question 8

Metes and Bounds

Answer 8

A term used in describing the boundary lines of land, setting forth all the boundary lines together with their terminal points and angles. Metes (length or measurements) and bounds (boundaries) description is often used when a great deal of accuracy is required.

Question 9

Monument

Answer 9

A visible marker, either a natural or artificial object, set by the government or surveyors, used to establish the lines and boundaries of a survey.

Question 10

Point o fBeginning (POB)

Answer 10

the starting point in a metes-and-bounds description of property; usually a street intersection or a specific monument.

Question 11

Principal Meridian

Answer 11

An imaginary line running north and south and intersecting a base line at a definite point, used by surveyors as reference to locate land under the government survey system.

Question 12

Range

Answer 12

A measurement, used in the government survey system, consisting of a vertical strip of land six miles wide located between two range lines

Question 13

Section

Answer 13

One of the primary units of measurement in the government survey system of land description; a section is one mile square and contains 640 acres

Question 14

Survey

Answer 14

The process of using linear and angular measurements, geometry and trigonometry to determine the form, extent and position of a tract of land.

Question 15

Terminus

Answer 15

A post or stone marking a boundary.

Question 16

Township

Answer 16

A square tract of land measuring six miles on each side and including 36 sections (formed by crossing of range and township lines).

Question 17

Township Line

Answer 17

The east-west survey lines located every six miles north and south of the primary base line

Question 18

Tier

Answer 18

A row of townships extending east and west in the government survey method.