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From: "el_white" <>
Subject: [MNYELLOW] Homestead Act
Date: Sun, 7 Dec 2003 20:47:59 -0600
References: <BAY3-DAV116lPxhIMUU0002856c@hotmail.com> <003301c3bce8$bb51f150$ca391d41@debstapek> <BAY9-DAV9R881Np7vXe00003af2@hotmail.com> <BAY3-DAV22cKq5mDXmR0002fd20@hotmail.com>


Below is some information on the Homestead Act of 1862 signed into law by Pres. Lincoln. I know that two of my ancestors purchased 160 acres of land in South Dakota and paid $2.00 an acre in the early 1880's, but went through the same steps below--of having to come back and give proof as to improvements and crops grown, and having two people testify that they were who they claimed to be and did the improvements they claimed.. These land papers were title Homestead Act. So my question is -----why did they pay $2.00 an acre, and still have to go back and testify to improvements-buildings and crops????? when the Homestead Act information below says the applicant paid smaller fees???


------- the information from the internet gives the following;----

-A homesteader had only to be the head of a household and at least 21 years of age to claim a 160 acre parcel of land.

-People interested in Homesteading first had to file their intentions at the nearest Land Office. A brief check for previous ownership claims was made for the - plot of land in question, usually described by its survey coordinates. The prospective homesteader paid a filing fee of $10 to claim the land temporarily, as well -- -as a $2 commission to the land agent.

-With application and receipt in hand, the homesteader then returned to the land to begin the process of building a home and farming the land, both requirements -and found two neighbors or friends willing to vouch for the truth of his or her statements about the land's improvements and sign the "proof" document.

-After successful completion of this final form and payment of a $6 fee, the homesteader received the patent for the land, signed with the name of the current -President of the United States.











From: "phil emerson" <>Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2003 4:21 PM
Subject: Re: [MNYELLOW] Land meausurements:


> Thanks El, that's good info. My g-grandpa had a quarter section which is
> what the Homestead Act provided I believe.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: el_white
> To:
> Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2003 11:02 AM
> Subject: [MNYELLOW] Land meausurements:
>
>
> According to my source of U. S. Government land measures:
>
> If land is Square!!
>
> Township: 36 sections (6 miles long times 6 miles wide)
> Section: 1 square mile, or 640 areas
> Sections in a township are numbered (1-36) starting at the NE corner
> Quarter Section; 1/2 mile square; Sections are divided into quarters
> (160
> acres) named by the cardinal points
> (eg; NE, NW, SW, SE quarters)
>
>
> It didn't specify half sections, but I imagine
> Half Section; would be 1/2 mile by 1 mile and 320 acres
>
>
> ==============================
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>
>
> ==============================
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> http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237
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