1862, May 20 - 12 Stat. 392, Homestead Act

Files

Subject

May 20, 1862 Act to secure Homesteads to actual Settlers on the Public Domain.

Description

Act provided that certain qualifying persons could be entitled to enter one quarter section or a less quantity of unappropriated public lands upon filing a preemption claim. Any person owning and residing on land may, under the provisions of this act, enter other land lying contiguous to his or her land which shall not, with the land so already owned and occupied, exceed in the aggregate of 160 acres. Sets forth requirements to be met in order to receive certificates and patents. No individual could acquire title to more than one quarter section under the provisions of this act; existing preemption rights were not impaired.

Source

Constitution Society (http://www.constitution.org)

Format

PDF File

Language

English

Disciplines

Arts and Humanities | Education | Law | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Original Format

Paper

Document Type

Article

Recommended Citation

"1862, May 20 - 12 Stat. 392, Homestead Act" (2016). US Government Legislation and Statutes. 12.
https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/hornbeck_usa_2_d/12