Transcribed by Virginia L. "Ginny" Keefer
When North Carolina gave up her claim to TN, the Secretary of State of the U.S. requested a list of the lands that had been granted in that territory so the right of ownership could be protected. Microfilm # 68, Roll # 1 is a microfilm copy of this report as it was reported to the President by Thomas Jefferson. ( The original report from NC has not been found). There is also a note that 2,275 more warrants had been issued to officers and soldiers of the Continental Line for which grants had not yet been made.
From Goodspeed's History of TN -1887- the following information was given on the grants. A soldier received 640 acres; Non Commissioned Officer 1,000 acres; Lt Col. 5,700; Commandant 7,200; Col. 7,200. Brig. Gen. 12,000; Chaplin 6,200; soldier who had fallen in the defense of his country received the full amount of his grant.
Any family that had previously moved into the area reserved for grants was given a grant of 640 acres. Nothing indicated that residence was required to receive a grant, therefore, it is possible grants were given to many people who never were residents of TN. There were also many peolpe who lived in TN but received the title to their property in some other manner and do not appear on this list; i/e purchase or other land acts.
Location of grants was very vague, such as on the back of Lick Creek.
Grants were list by the counties exiting at that time:
* Davidson County
* Greene County
* Hawkins County
* Sullivan County
* Sumner County
* Tennessee County
* Washington County
Remember that these countries were then larger than they are today.
Grants outside the organized counties at that time were listed by district:
* Eastern District
* Middle District
* Western District
To see grantee names listed by county or district: Click Here.
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