Gunter's Chain

When the first surveyor arrived in Virginia, early 1620s, he brought with him the latest scientific invention called "Gunter's Chain". Invented in 1620 by a mathematician Edmund Gunther, it was the most advanced instrument of its time. It became the surveyor's tool, and was used to mark off the land of Virginia. It was 22yards long (20 meters), and was divided into 100 links. This would make each link 6 foot, 6 inches long. Each link was a solid bar, carried on horseback, and hooked together to make various links. One link by 10 links square made 1 acre. [An area of 10 square chains.] In essence, 22 yards long = 66 feet = 4 perches = 1/10 furlong. [It actually was 20.1168 meters, but .1168 of a meter made little difference.] One mile was 5,280 feet = 80 chains. A square mile enclosed 640 acres.

Another measurement was the "rod". One rod = 16.5 feet = 5.5 yards = 5.0292 meters.
A "pole" was 1 square rod. This would be 16.5 feet x 16.5 feet.

These terms are frequently used in the surveys made in colonial Virginia. Now you know!

1 Rod = 16.5 feet = 5.5 yards = 5.0292 meters.

1 Pole = 1 square rod.

1 acre = 160 square rods = 10 square chains.

1 mile = 5,280 feet.

1 square mile = 640 acres.

A Gunter's Chain was 22 yards long (20 meters) and divided into 100 links.

22 yards = 66 feet = 4 perches = 1/10 furlong.

1 link = 6 foot 6 inches long.