The Kentucky Land Grants

The Kentucky Land Grants

 With literally thousands of rugged people pushing their domestic caravans over the Wilderness Trail into Kentucky in search of lands for homesteads or for speculation, the struggle for possession became intense. The richest and best situated land, topographically, was surveyed and entered upon again and again. While squatters, strong of mind and purpose, frequently held some land without title; others like Daniel Boone failed to meet certain legal requirements and though undoubtedly rightfully entitled to the land lost it because of technicalities. 

Up to 1775 land in Kentucky had been surveyed principally for veterans of the French and Indian War in accordance with the laws of Virginia. At this time Henderson began his broad system of surveys in central Kentucky. He was beset at every turn by homesteading pioneers who, without surveys or purchase title, stubbornly held to the land they had settled upon and improved. To meet this distant and difficult situation, the Colony of Virginia issued a resolution in favor of these pioneers. This was enacted into a law shortly thereafter which declared that all who were possessed of land in Kentucky prior to June, 1776, should be allowed 400 acres of homestead.

John Cameron's Texas Land

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Inception Of The Canada Company

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"...the belief was 'Niagara must be considered the utmost limit west ward capable of cultivation.' In a word, the country had so far been considered only fit to produce peltries and pine masts. This wish to recompense the losses sustained by those colonists who had so faithfully served the parent overnment took active form in the inception of the Canada Company."

"The British officers who returned after the war had told those at home that although description had been true in calling the colony a "vast solitude," it was by no means " a hopeless wilderness." It is true, so late as 1804, Upper Canada had County Lieutenants, and a Domesday Book which contained records of grants of land from the beginning of the organization of that province in 1792. The still familiar name of Baby figured there as County Lieutenant for Kent."

Move The Land Office

Fort Harrod Reconstruction In Kentucky

From The Kentuckians by Janet Holt Giles:

"They have thought to pacify us by promising to move the land office to Harrodstown.  They know in reason we have been anxious to turn settlers our way, as who wouldn't.  It's but natural we'd ruther see ourselves grow as Boonesburg.  But makes no difference where they put their dratted land office!  The colonel give me his word they wouldn't go up on their prices, nor change any of the conditions they first stated.  And now they're doing it.  My men are riled up a heap over it, and ready to pull out."

The Old Holland Land Office

"The Holland Purchase Historical Society, of which Mrs. Dean Richmond is President...".