United States Causes of Migration, Bounty Lands (National Institute)

Federal and State Military Bounty Lands
In 1776 the Continental Congress had passed a resolution, promising free land to officers and soldiers who continued to serve in the Revolutionary War (or if killed, to their representatives or heirs). Acreage varied according to rank. Continental Congress passed an ordinance on July 9, 1788 which authorized the Secretary of War to issue land warrants to all eligible veterans upon application. Since these warrants were assignable, many were sold.

In addition to these federal grants, several states promised land. Much of the land was located in Ohio, but other areas also were made available. Massachusetts offered land in Maine, and North Carolina offered land in Tennessee.

The first bounty land warrants for the War of 1812 could be taken up in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas. Not until after 1842 could War of 1812 warrants be taken up in other public domain states, and only after 1852 could they be sold or assigned.

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