Last week I wrote about finding a copy of the land patent for the land my great grandfather, Moses Crittenden, purchased in 1860 in Polk County, Arkansas.
As soon as I held the description of the land in my hand I knew I would find my way to Arkansas and stand on that land.
On November 1, 2014 I fulfilled the promise made to myself and drove into Mena Arkansas, county city for Polk County. It was too late in the day to visit the court house or library. So, after a great meal at the Skyline Café in the center of town, I checked into my motel for a good night’s sleep in anticipation of a full day of researching starting early the next morning.
I was waiting on the court house steps the next morning anxious to find a map that matched the legal description on the land patent.
Description of Moses’ Property
The clerk was able to provide me with a map that had the current owner’s names written on a plat map for the appropriate township and range. Using a map hanging on the wall of the county clerk’s office she pointed out some landmarks that would help me know when I reached the property.
Current Owner of Moses’ Original Polk County Homestead
The clerk also provided me with a plat map showing the current owners of the neighboring land.
Current Owners of Neighboring Homestead Property
I wrote in the location of Moses original homestead and a few of his relatives on the plat maps and started my drive. When I reached the curve in the road that I thought signified I was at Moses’ property I was very glad that I had the map with the current owner’s name. The last name of the current owner is Huff. At the entrance to the farm that I thought was on Moses’ old homestead was a large iron gate with a large “H” on it. Obviously H for Huff. I was in the right place.
Cherokee Homestead Land in Arkansas
Coming later this week, the surprising discoveries I made later that day at the Polk County Library in Mena.
Cherokee Roots Blog 