The oldest title to be obtained for land in Franklin County is the following:

This deed, made and entered into between John Baptiste Dardenne, of the county of Arkansas, in the territory of Missouri, of the first part and party to this deed, and William Russell, of the town and county of Saint Louis, in the same territory, of the second part and party to this deed, which witnesseth that the said party of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of sixty dollars current money of the United States of America to him in hand paid by the said party of the second part, the receipt of which payment is hereby acknowledged, hath bargained and sold, and does, by these presents, grant, bargain and sell to the said party of the second part, and to his heirs and assigns forever, six hundred and forty acres of land situated adjoining the Arkansas River, in the aforesaid county of Arkansas, as is supposed, being especially located at a place called Aiaita Prairie, and otherwise by some called Choctaw Prairie, on the said Arkansas, River, and being the only claim of land of the said party of the first part in his own right in the aforesaid territory; to have and to hold the above described, granted, bargained and sold lands and premises, with all and singular of the rights, privileges and appurtenances whatever thereto belonging In testimony whereof the said John Baptiste Dardenne has hereunto set his hand and seal this 20th day of April, 1816.

{SEAL}
JOHN BAPTISTE His + Mark. DARDENNE.
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of witnesses.
ANDRE FAJOT,
NICHOLAS RIEGTOR.

This is on the river directly southwest of Altus; it was a private French survey made by Jean Baptiste Dardenne during the French occupation. The survey is numbered 2348, and is the only French survey in the county.