Final answer:
Different survey patterns such as metes and bounds, long lots, and township and range have been used to divide land. Metes and bounds use natural landmarks for irregular plots, long lots are narrow and border transportation routes, and township and range in a grid system for uniform land distribution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Different Survey Patterns-
The different survey patterns like metes and bounds, long lots, and township and range (also known as the Public Land Survey System) illustrate various systems used by governments to divide land among people. The metes and bounds system, introduced by English settlers during the colonial period, relies on natural landmarks to demarcate property boundaries, leading to irregular parcel shapes akin to a jigsaw puzzle. The long lots system, introduced by French colonists, consists of narrow parcels of land with a transportation corridor, often a waterway, on one narrow end. Unlike these two, the township and range system, implemented by Thomas Jefferson, establishes a well-ordered grid system aiming to strengthen democracy through equal land distribution among yeoman farmers.
Metes and Bounds System-
During the 17th and 18th centuries, anyone seeking land would select an unclaimed area, hire a surveyor to describe the plot via local landmarks, and register the claim. However, the references to movable objects like trees and rocks eventually led to difficulties in determining exact property lines.
Long Lots System-
The long lots are narrow plots that are much longer than they are wide. These were derived from the seigneurial system used by the French in their colonies and designed with a focus on access to transportation, typically along rivers or streams.
Township and Range System-
Seeking to remedy the irregularities of the metes and bounds system, Thomas Jefferson introduced a logical grid system with townships divided into square parcels called sections, which were then further subdivided. This systematic approach aimed to create a uniform middle class of farmers.