NOTICE. Michael Dousman enters his claim with
the register of the land office at Detroit, to be laid. before the
commissioners under the act of Congress approved February 21, 1823,
entitled An act to revive and continue in force certain acts for
the adjustment of land claims in the Territory of Michigan, to a
certain tract of land situated on the island of Michilimackinac,
described as follows: beginning at a stake on the border of Lake
Huron, and running thence N. 5° K, to a stake and stones; thence S.
47° E., to a stake and stones; thence S. 430 W., to a stake and
stones; thence N. 47° W., sixty-six chains, to the place of
beginning; containing, by estimation, six hundred acres of land,
more or less. The REGISTER
Year 1828. CLAIMS IN MICHIGAN. Page 221
On July 18, 1823, came before me, the undersigned judge, Ambrose Davenport, who, being duly sworn, saith that Mr.. Michael Dousman was certainly in possession in the year 1805 (and that this deponent thinks much earlier than this) of the farm and tract of land mentioned in the annexed notice of claim, and that he has occupied and cultivated the same every year, uninterrupted, from the said year 1805 to the present day, as his own property; his improvements have always been more extensive than any other in this country; that, in the opinion of this deponent said Dousman, has at least sixty acres of said tract enclosed and under cultivation. He was in possession July 1, 1812. Taken and subscribed before me. A. R. DAVENPORT.
On the same day also came before me Simon Champaigne, who, being duly sworn, says that he is well knowing to all the facts in the preceding deposition of Ambrose Davenport, and deposes to the same of his own knowledge, the same as if they were here again repeated. Taken and subscribed before me. his mark
On the same day also came before me Patrick
McGulpin, who, being duly sworn, says that Mr. M. Dousman was in
possession of the tract mentioned in the annexed notice before the
year 1805; that he has continued to occupy and cultivate said tract
every year from 1805 to the present time, and has added every year a
considerable to his improvements; that on July 1, 1812, said Dousman
occupied and cultivated said farm; that said Dousman has at least
sixty acres of said tract enclosed and under cultivation; and that
the said Dousman has always had the most extensive farm of any in
this country. Taken and subscribed before me. J. D. DOTY, Judge.
On July 25, 1823, came before me, the undersigned judge, John Dousman, esq., who, being duly sworn, saith that in the year 1804 this deponent lived upon the tract described in the annexed notice, and cultivated a part of it for Michael Dousman; that in the year 1809 Mr. M. Dousman built a distillery upon this lot, and a horse-mill; that said Michael has continued to occupy, cultivate, and improve said farm and tract every year from the said year of 1804 to the present time; that the said Michael was in possession of said tract, and cultivating the same, July 1, 1812. Taken and subscribed before me, at Mackinac. JOHN DOUSMAN.
Detroit, October 22, 1823.
The preceding claim of Michael Dousman confirmed as claimed; the lines to be run in such manner that the tract shall not extend more than eighty arpents in depth from the shore of the lake, nor contain more than six hundred and forty acres.
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Transcribed by Patricia Hamp © March 2006
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