"Peter Dohm"

I believe that a lot of property in the original 13 states has been
subdivided from plots that predated the grid system. A lot of the old
descriptions follow ridge lines, rivers and streams, and a lot of old
roads and trails. In any case, I can attest that landmarks along cardinal
compass points are the exception rather then the rule in the western parts
of the Carolinas and Virginia.

What he said.

More often than not, the property in my area (Western NC) follows streams,
ridges, and roads. The roads were usually laid out following streams, or
ridges, or easy ways to cross ridges from one population center to the next.
--
Jim in NC