Monday, August 10, 2026

Amanuensis Monday

 This Monday, I have had transcribed a North Carolina deed dated May 22, 1750 between my 6th great-grandfather, Hosea Tapley (1691-1778) and William Short.



Tapley to Short

"North Carolina /
 
This Indenture made the twenty second day of May in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven Hundred and Fifty Between Hosea Tapley of Northampton County in the said province _____
of the one Part and William Short of the said County _____ of the other Part Witnesseth that the said Hosea Tapley for and in consideration of the sum of Fifty Pounds current money of Virginia to me 
in hand paid by the said William Short before the sealing and delivery hereof the receipt whereof I do  hereby Acknowledge and myself contented and paid have given Granted bargained Sold conveyed and Confirmed and do by these present fully freely and absolutely give grant bargain sell _____ convey Confirm unto the said William Short his heirs and Assigns forever a Certain Parcel of land containing two hundred and twenty Acres being known by the name of great Island and little Island Alias 
Miller Island and Barks Island Situate in Marratoke River above the falls within the County of North ampton which land was granted to Rowland Williams by Patent bearing date the 18th day of June 
1741 and by the said Rowland Williams conveyed to me by a Deed proved upon record in the said County and was conveyed by me to the said Short by Deed and _____ of James McMancey 
and upon record in the said County bearing date the 13th day of December 1748 with all _____ _____ Commodities and Appurtenances to the said Islands belonging or Appertaining with the Reversion and Reversions remainder and remainders rents issues and profits thereof of every part and parcel thereof 
To Have and to Hold the said two hundred and twenty Acres of land and Premises hereby granted 
to the only sole proper use benefit and behoof of him the said William Short his heirs and Assigns  forever And I the said Hosea Tapley for myself my heirs Ers and Administrators do covenant and agree to said worth the said William Short his heirs and Assigns that the said Hosea Tapley at the time of the execution hereby and Lawfully possessed of all and every where the Premises hereby granted as an absolute Estate of Inheritance in fee Simple having in myself full Power and authority to sell and dispose of the same 
in manner as aforesaid and that the said Land and Premises is free and clear from all other Gifts 
grants bargains sales leases Mortgages and all manner of incumbrances whatsoever further the said Hosea Tapley my heirs Ers and Administrators the said land and premises with all  & every the Appurtenances unto the said William Short his heirs and Assigns will warrant and forever Defend by these presents against the lawful claims and demands of all & every person or persons whatsoever and shall and will at any time hereafter on demand give and execute such further and other conveyance or assurances for the better _____ the _____ granted premises unto the said William Short his heirs Erd and Assigns as by the said William Short his heirs or Assigns or their Council Learned in the Law 
can be reasonably _____ advised or required. In Witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and Seal the Day and Year above written.

Signed sealed and Delivered in presence of  
Robert Stuart, Chad Edwards Junior}
                                                                                                                Hosea Tapley and a seal

Northampton County ss / May Court 1750

The above written Deed from Hosea Tapley to William Short was acknowledged in open court in 
due form of Law and Sarah the wife of the said Hosea Tapley being privately examined & 
Voluntarily relinquished her right of Dower to the Land contained Herein which was ordered to be registered.

Seal J. Edwards Clerk"

Transcription by Gemini Google.  Even with AI's help and my proofreading, there are a few words that neither of us could make out.  If you can, please let me know!

"An amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates, or to copy what has been written. The term comes from the Latin phrase servus a manuensis (a slave belonging to the handwriting department or a secretary).

Historically, an amanuensis served several important roles:

  • Dictation Secretary: Writing down letters, books, or legal documents as an author, official, or landowner dictated them aloud.

  • Copyist: Meticulously handwriting or reproducing manuscripts, deeds, and historical records before the widespread use of typewriters and photocopying.

  • Literary Assistant: Helping scholars, poets, or politicians manage their correspondence and preserve their works—historically common when authors had poor eyesight, hand injuries, or simply massive volumes of letters to send." - Google Gemini

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