Many lawyers and some surveyors will say "the deed numbers rule". Actually, they may verbalize it as "I'm holding to the deed", but they really mean they are going to hold to the deed numbers.
But actually those "deed numbers" (bearings and distances called out) may never have existed in the real world.
Say a surveyor in the 1960's surveyed a 20 acre parcel. His field closure may have been out a half a foot or so. He may have thought: "I can't think of any particular place this misclosure may have occurred, so I will apply the Compass Rule to my measurements".
So from that he writes a description which gets recorded, with numbers that never even existed.
This is one reason that numbers are at the bottom of the "Order of Importance of Conflicting Title Elements".
This whole issue of surveying the deed distances, can be looked at like the 1320 club method of surveying.
They hold to the record distances too!
And they are wrong.
The 1320 Club
Are there still any members?
How's the trip , Keith? You're having lots of good times, I hope.
Don
The 1320 Club
Having a great time, Don.
I wouldn't join any...
1320 club that would have me as a member.
I wouldn't join any...
Dave,
Maybe you should explain your membership in the 1320 club?
Keith
the 1320 club rejected my membership application. They said I held a junior monument that was 0.015' off the senior line which was totally unacceptable behavior under the club bylaws.
But I still have hope the Gap Club will let me in; they are checking out my references right now. I don't think I have much chance of getting in though because First American Title Company has veto rights on Gap Club membership.