The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1888-02-16

responsible, | submit the following oil
seryations; With comparative compute
tons for intervening dates the followin
table, covering the time from the earles
surveys in this vicinity to the eompletio
of the easterly dcclination of the magnet
ic needle and its return by reverse motion
to its first position this period being co
incident with the establishing of line
without allowance for variation), will
show the diversity of such lines and TIN
allowance now required in surveying:
l760, Ia degrees 1925, 3-4 degrees
1870, 1871 1880, 4 IA I"
1850, 1882,
1900, 4 Ia 1885, 3 81
1910, 80 1910, Ia
lSl5-20, ii " maximum easterly decli
nation.
The daily variation of the needle
amounting in the hottest weather to full
Ia degree between Il. IN. and D. m,
reversed during the afternoon and night
disagreement in old compasses; inaccura,
cy in running old lines are additional ell.
ements of diversity. Plain lines with
substantial corners were considered more
important than perfect accuracy. As few
trees stand exactly in the line or at the
exact point indicated by the compass and
chain as the corner-most old corners he
ing trees-it follows that many are more
or less out of the line. If the first be to
the right, the second to the left and the
third to the right again, as often happ ms,
there would be an apparent crook. |
have made tests with half dozen differ
ent compasSes on long established, plain
ly marked and undisputed lines disclosing
ncongruites IN excess of the above table.
L. N Pike won good repute by making it
point to retrace original lines without
regard to the different points of compass
required, his records showing that he va
ried his course degrees to run different
sections of the same range line and on
Others contiguous still more, while John
Nc. Arthur with better instruments and
equal skill in handling, who run all lines
alike, and as matter of course diagree-
ing with most of the old lines and to the
extent of 10 rods in running four miles,
is universally condemned, To run the
lines within a radius of mile of the
corner of Londonderry
known by the present owners to have ex-
lsted undisputed for mole than 40 years
will require difference of variation ex-
ceeding degrees. In view of these facts
regard the claim that line should be
run in exact continuation of or parallel to |
4 line of an adjoining lot absurd. and the |
necessity of frequently adopting differ
mt course made plain. A case in illus
ration, which is a sample of many the
ormer owners of lots 1876 and 40 in ia
naica found two lines between them dis
greeing as to which was right survey
" was employed, and as the course of
ZACH line, although diverging about l l-2
legrees, nearly conceded with some 9th
"a line he was unable to decide which was
he true line and the matter was compro-
Missed by splitting the difference, thus es-
new line different from either
nd which is now the only known line
'eing now very plain. The circumstances
eing known to but few to but few living
ersons the line is referred to as a good
asis for running other lines, but If so
dopted it would be committing double
rror of starting wrong and running a
1rong course. Anothe ease in point the
of adjacent lots quarre ed about
he existing line, each procured the sur
eying and marking of line more favor
BILE to himself which increased the feud
nat was finally settled by one of the
arties buying the other out. Occasion
Dr. resurveying the lot line occurring 80
ears afterwards when, to satisfy all par
es in interest, a line was required that
lat should be continuation of the next
ne and parallel to the opposite line of the
It that diverged over degrees, as shown
y all existing marks, in each line and to
rike all the corners and marks in the
lree lines formerly run, also line 10
IDS distant, boundary of part set off ON
! execution. This being an utter impos-
bility the dispute is with the present gen
alton. The adopting of uniform va
alton to run all old lines may be urged,
cognizing the diversity in long estab-
shed surveys, and that real estate con-
,yances are made in accordance with V
les as they are, not as they should be,
I'd that such course would in many in
ances take valuable land from parties
at had bought and improved it at con-
neral expense, giving it to others who e
we received the full value of their pur-
ase money without it and having no ~
aim to it. Courts justly hold that old q,
arks plainly indicating the location of a Sc
he shall have preference over the com III
SIS and chain In endeavering to adopt ~ =,
uniform variation many different opin- %
)uld be encountered based upon the pre- 81
course in different locali- be
IS settled and surveyed at different times, ~
merous points betwee and 5 degrees 70
Ing advocated. As the needle in its re
'sterly motion Occupies the same posi-
ms previously occupied in its easterly ST
clinatIon some lines run since 1915 and ~.
hers before may be isogenic, TINS lines ha
de from 1885 to 1910 would nearly a. ex
&c with original surveys in the Batten- MI
valley and the very earliest on the p ~
It side of the mountain, while surveys IN,
l830-32 would coincide with Mack's mi
'veys between 1880 and 1900, his work mi
that of Judge Taft extending from qu
o to ls4l. Although 2 degrees of va m,
ton, being official, is binding and must tn,
submitted to yet it produces many per- $50
king Irregularities, In consequence of AN
multiplicity of lines caused by I'M Go,
llful attempts to resurvey old lines and tor
neglect in other cases to preserve old Gle