Manuscript copy of survey 2917 which was completed on 26 June 1783 by Daniel Boone (1734-1820) for his client William Hazelrigg (Hazlerigg). [Franklin County, Kentucky], [ca 1820s-1840s]. 1p, 7 3/4 x 12 1/2 in. Signed by John M. Foster as Register of the Land Office for the State of Kentucky, "A Copy Test [attested copy] JM Foster Reg LO."  A copy of one of Daniel Boone's earliest surveys as Deputy Surveyor of Fayette County, Virginia ("D.S.F.C."). Also listed are Eli Clevland [sic] and Oliver Clevland [sic] "C[hain M[en]," Micaja Clevland [sic] "land marker," and "T. Marshall, S[urveyor] F[ayette] C[ounty]." Docketed to verso "Wm. Hazlerigg / 750 Acres / Copy Survey Examined / fee 25 Cents."  

Survey includes a plat of the tract and verbal description of land surveyed. Spelling from Boone's original surveys has at times been amended in the copy, for instance the correction of Boone's "crick" for "creek," while Foster retained Boone's spelling for the "Cantucke" River as opposed to "Kentucke," the more common usage of the period. The survey reads, in part: "Surveyed for William Hazlerigg 750 acres of Land by virtue of a Treasury Warrant duly entered 27 June 1780 No. 3885 Situate lying and being in the County of Fayette upon the Cantucke River in the first large bend above Hickman creek...."

Famed Kentucky frontiersman Daniel Boone first appears as a "land marker" on several large surveys in December 1782, and on 11 December 1782, 48-year-old Boone became an authorized Deputy Surveyor of Fayette County, Virginia [present-day Kentucky]. Boone's busiest years as surveyor were 1783-1785. Between 1783 and 1797, Boone would complete 163 surveys, traveling an estimated 4500 miles to perform the work. Though some historical assessments of Boone's work as a surveyor disparaged his competency and honesty, more recent scholarship suggests that Boone was in fact a highly capable, ethical, and productive surveyor, who - in line with his reputation as a fearless frontiersman - ventured to dangerous areas where others feared to go. 

[Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs] [Frontier, Frontiersmen, Westward Expansion, Kentucky]

Creasing at folds, light toning, scattered spotting.