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Archiver > ONTARIO > 2001-04 > 0986325471


From: "Noreen S." <>
Subject: [Ont] Re: METES AND BOUNDS DEFINED
Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2001 15:24:47 -0400
References: <MABBKLDGKKLOFLNFEEMKOEBNCMAA.MJoyceStevens@email.msn.com> <005e01c0bc6b$c76b6280$2de11fce@cownabor>


LAND MEASUREMENT IN ONTARIO.

Land must be described in precise terms so that one tract can never be
mistaken for another. There are two systems used in Ontario.
1. Lot and Plan of subdivision
2. Metes and Bounds, (angles and distances) commonly used in rural,
non-settled areas


LOT and PLAN

In 1792, Governor Simcoe had the "new" PROVINCE of Ontario, divided
into COUNTIES by having surveyors trek through the bush and mark the actual
boundaries. In some cases the boundary followed a lake or water course, but
in most cases just a straight line through bush established the boundary .

The Counties were then divided into large parcels called TOWNSHIPS. Many
townshops are are squarish, but most have a boundary defined by water
course of some kind: lake, stream, river, canal.

Each township was divided into strips of land called CONCESSIONS and
numbered in Roman Numerals starting at l. Each concession was separated by
a road allowance, even though a road was not present. These road allowances
are owned by the Province and are public property. This measuement was
based on the old "Chains and Links" system where a chain is 66 feet, and 100
links make a chain. There were 80 chains in a mile. Each consession was
100 chains across or 1 1/4 mile.

The townships were also divided into LOTS running in the opposite
direction of the concessions and numbered Arabic Numerals starting at 1.
Lots too are divided by a road allowance every 5 lots and separated each
from the other by a Lot line. Although sizes varied with topography, a lot
usually consisted of 200 acres which is still the size of many Ontario
farms, but as farms were bought and sold, families grew, sons married and
lots were separated for each to build a home, the descriptions of title
changed to perhaps the North 1/2 of Lots7 and 8 or even the S.E. 1/4 of
Lot 5 as long as the parcel contained a minimum of 50 acres. The
description of a property could then be:
Lot 5 Concession lll in the Township of Green in the County of York in the
Province of Ontario.

To create an area of smaller lots, as within a Town proper, a Plan of
Subdivision showing those lots was made and submitted to the town council
by the owner of the land. To identify specific properties in that plan of
subdivision the properties were numbered. Initially Plansof Subdivision
were named, then later numbered. The description of a property could then
be:
Lot 27, Robinson Plan, Town of Oakwood, Township of Scott, County of Bruce
in Ontario.


METES and BOUNDS

Parcels less than 50 acres, as in the case of a building lot not part of
a subdivision, could not be described by Concession, Lot and Plan. The
perimeters of these parcels were measured with a system of angles and
distances in very precise terms using compass directions and measurements
called metes and bounds.

Firstly location is established....

"PREMISING that the Westerly limit of the road allowance between Concessions
lX and X has a bearing of North 45 degrees, 11 minutes, 30 seconds West and
relating all bearings herein hereto; "

Secondly the parcel to be severed is located....

"COMMENCING at a point in the Westerly limit of the said road allowance
distaant 462.48 feet measured on a bearing of South 45 degrees, 11 minutes,
30 seconds East along the Westely linit of said road allownace from the
Northeast angle of said Lot 8;"

Then the perimeter of the severed property is described using compass
directions and measurements to swing away from True North or South in an
easterly or westerly direction from the starting point and ending back at
the starting point. The term "more or less" is used to allow for minor
error as the parcels must be completely enclosed with no gaps.

"THENCE South 38 degrees 15 minutes 22 seconds West a distance of 120.36
feet to a point;
THENCE South 44 degrees 03 minutes 40 seconds East a distance of 113.26 feet
to a point;
THENCE North 43 degrees 9 minutes 52 seconds East a distance of 120.18 feet
, more or less, to a point in the Westerly limit of raod alowance;
THENCE North 45 degrees 11 minutes 30 seconts West along said Westerly linit
of road allowance a distance of 114 feet more or less, to the place of
commencement."

Hope this helps

Noreen

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