Final answer:
The oldest method of land description in the United States is the metes and bounds system, introduced by English settlers during the colonial period. It used natural landmarks to describe land parcels, creating irregular shapes. This contrasts with the later, more orderly Rectangular Survey System proposed by Thomas Jefferson.
Step-by-step explanation:
The oldest method of land description in the United States is metes and bounds. This system was introduced by English settlers during the colonial period, typically in the 17th and 18th centuries. When settlers found a piece of unclaimed land, they would hire a surveyor to inspect and write a legal description of the land, registering the claim with government authorities. The metes and bounds system often resulted in parcels with irregular shapes and used local landmarks such as trees, boulders, or streams for demarcation, which later created problems due to the moveable nature of these objects. This cadastral system made local property maps look like a jigsaw puzzle with highly irregular parcel outlines.
By comparison, the Rectangular Survey System proposed by Thomas Jefferson created more orderly land parcels using a rectangular grid to help manage land distribution more effectively. This system was formalized under the Ordinance of 1785, outlining a method for dividing the land into townships and sections in preparation for public auction. The establishment of this system helped create a more systematic approach to land description and ownership, thus supporting the growth of the United States.