How do I read this survey mark / benchmark I found?

Question

I was backpacking and came across a survey mark/benchmark, and I'd like to know how to read it to translate it into a (rough) GPS coordinate. I tried Googling, but couldn't find anything that would tell me how to read it.

It says:

_______________

T 49 N

1/4 3/10

R 10 W

Michigan Department of Conservation State Forest.

_______________

Any help with what all that means?

Thanks.

Answer 1

That is a description from the township and range system, or PLSS (Public Land Survey System).  The T 49 N is Township 49 North and R 10 W is Range 10 West.  However, I don't know where the meridian is that the township and range numbers are derived from.  I did find a document that describes PLSS with some Michigan examples:

http://www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq...

I'm not sure about the 1/4 or 3/10.  They could be a reference to a township section number.