Cumberland County North Carolina Deed book 6 page 480
John Harden to Philip Alston
This indenture made the seventeenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight between John Harden the county of Cumberland and state of North Carolina of the one part and Philip Alston of the County and State aforesd. of the other part. Witnesseth that the sd. John Hardin for and in consideration of the sum of Two Hundred four and fifty pounds current money of the state afore'sd ...  John Harden ... doth grant ... unto Philip Alston ... a certain tract or parcel of land containing eighty acres more or less beginning at a Spanish Oak a little below the Rocky Ford thence along John Harden and John Hunicutt line to the Spring branch thence down the sd. branch to Gabrail and John Hardins Corner thence a direct course to a sugar tree against the lower end of the sd? land thence down the mandirs [meanders] of the river to the first station. 

Also one other parcel or tract of land deeded from Joseph Duckworth to John Harden laying on the south side of Deep River beginning at an Elm on the river bank running thence No. 50 Wt. 44 chains and 70 links to a black oak hickery and pine thence No. 10 Et? 44 chains and 73 links to a stake among three pines thence S. 30 E. to the bank of the river 42 chains and 50 links thence down the river to the beginning. Containing one hundred and ninty five acres including in both tracts two hundred and seventy five acres to the same more or less by a deed of bargain and sail... whereof the said John Harden hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year above written.
John Harden (seal)    
Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of 
Jno. Gordon (x)
John Hunnicutt
Daniel Gould

North Carolina Cumberland County July Term 1778 then was the execution of this deed in open court in due form of law proved by the oath of Jno.? Gordon and ordered to be recorded.
W. Rand, C.C.