What is an Indenture? Posted on January 28, 2026

 In the fall of 1793, Alexander Mebane and Samuel Scott signed an indenture in which Alexander sold 200 acres of land along the Haw River to Samuel. James Mebane was one of two witnesses to this transaction.

Here is a photo of the top of the document, which was entered into a bound volume at the County Clerk’s Office. The page number is visible at the top: 458. The bottom of the document shows who was present at the signing.

The word, “indenture” is not one we use all the time. When I looked it up, the definition was given as a legal agreement, contract, or document.

Samuel and James (the witness) were about the same age and most likely good friends by this time.

Because, less than a year later, when Samuel decided to get married, James stood up for him as bondsman.

The friendship must have endured, because years later, Samuel named one of his sons James Mebane Scott.