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Biblical References to Land Surveying Many references can be found in the bible relating to the ownership of land. Many accounts appear in the Old Testament relating to boundary monuments: "Cursed be he that removeth his neighbor's landmark." - Deuteronomy 27:17, "Remove not the ancient landmark which thy fathers have set." - Proverbs 22:28. Early Property Surveys in the New World The earliest surveys in the New World were to map the country rather than to delineate property boundaries; information for suitable homestead land was quite meager, and surveyors were needed to explore and map rivers and other waterways. The men who conducted the surveys came from a variety of backgrounds. Some were astronomers and mathematicians such as Mason and Dixon, and some were frontiersmen like Thomas Hutchins. The colonial surveyors usually held high social position and were generally able to advance themselves financially. The College of William and Mary on February 8, 1693, was charged with the responsibility of Surveyor General appointments as well as the examination and licensing of surveyors. Among the famous men appointed were George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. The first registered county surveyor in America was George Washington. In early times, surveyors possessed special skills and talents that were regarded with almost reverent respect; they filled a necessary need in civilization. In the early years of our country, real property sold for $1.25 per acre and less; today portions of that same land cannot be purchased for $2,000,000 per acre, and some land is valued in terms of thousands of dollars per front-foot. Methods and instruments used in early times were little better than those used in ancient times. Modern Day Land Surveying Unlike the surveyors of old, the
modern day surveyor is aided by electronic equipment, computers, and
better record-keeping to achieve accuracy unparalleled in history. In
the United States there are millions of people, each having many basic
needs that involve land. No one can accurately predict the problems of
the distant future, but some of the needs can be anticipated and
prepared for accordingly. Certain needs are obvious; our population
has expanded and more efficient use of our land must be made. As the
costs of land spiral upward, the delineation of property lines has
become more critical. New divisions of land will continue to be made
each day, and the ancient surveys will have to be retraced. References |
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