1855 US Bounty Land Grant 160 acres in Michigan SIGNED BY LINCOLN'S SECRETARY
Washington, D. C. Office of the President, 1864. Soft cover. Very Good. Item #xxx006
We are offering an elegant US Bounty Land Grant document signed September 15, 1864 transferring 160 acres of land near Marquette, Michigan. Custom matted and frame under glass. Frame size 17 ¼" x 23 ½". Document size inside mat 9 ½" x 15 ½". Originally the land was assigned one Elizabeth Wyant for her deceased husband's service in the War of 1812. His name was John Wyant and he was a Private in "Captain Parker's Company, Indiana Militia. The certificate indicates that the land was being transferred through Lewis Howes and Elijah Copeland to Leander C. Palmer, "in whose favor said tract has been located." The document is signed in behalf of President Lincoln by Edw D. Neill. The recorder, N or M Granger further signed it. A fabulous, showy piece. Folded once. Fine condition. Note photos taken through glass with some reflection and alteration of light and sharpness. The nice looking certificates are becoming more uncommon. $500 The Act of March 3, 1855 was the most generous US military bounty land law. It awarded 160 acres to all veterans (and their widows or minor children) who served at least 14 days in any US war or conflict since 1790, including the War of 1812, Mexican War, and various Indian Wars. Millions of acres in the public domain were given away under this and previous mid-century acts. The process and history of these warrants are highly specific: . How it Worked: Veterans or their heirs applied at local county courthouses. Upon approval, the government issued a Bounty Land Warrant. Because warrants could be sold, the vast majority of recipients sold them for cash to third-party land speculators rather than settling the land themselves. . Who was Eligible: Eligibility included Regular Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and volunteer militias. For the first time under the 1855 Act, even veterans of the American Revolution (or their surviving heirs) could qualify, provided they served in a capacity that hadn't previously granted them land. . Records Available: Bounty-land files provide a wealth of genealogical and historical information. These application files contain proof of service, affidavits, ages, places of residence, and sometimes even family Bible pages, marriage certificates, or heirs' identities. Bounty-Land Warrants for Military Service, 1775-1855 From 1775 to 1855 the United States granted bounty-land warrants for military service, primarily to encourage volunteer enlistments, but also to reward veterans for service during the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, and a variety of Indian wars, Indian removals, and other military actions during the 1850s. Early warrants could only be used in military districts, principally in Ohio and several other public land states in the former Northwest Territory. Eventually, Congress expanded eligibility to include service in the Regular Army and the Navy, as well as volunteer militias. Bounty-land warrant files can contain supporting documents such as statements and signatures of witnesses. Bounty-land warrants generally do not contain as much personal information as the pensions. The Government ceased issuing bounty-land-warrants after 1855. -National Archives and Records Administration. Edward Duffield Neill (1823-1893) served as an assistant private secretary to President Abraham Lincoln from 1864 until Lincoln's assassination in 1865. An ordained Presbyterian minister, chaplain, and historian, Neill took over land patent duties from William Stoddard and remained on the White House staff briefly into Andrew Johnson's presidency.
Price: $500.00