Map of Knox County
- Knox County, 1809
- Townships of Knox County, Indiana in the 1900s
- Some Major Indiana Rivers
Locations entered at Vincennes, under the act of Congress of the 3rd of March, 1807.
Numbers Drawn / Name & Quantity
#49 - Jacob Pea, Jr., 100 acres. Where located. -- I locate 100 acres in my own right, adjoining the heirs of Alexander Wilson, from the east side of it, on the south side of my two former locations, now given in. - Jacob Pea
Locations entered at Vincennes, under the act of Congress of Feb. 13, 1813, from 12th July to 30th September, 1813.
182. Isaac Minor, in right of the heirs of Alexander Wilson, 20 acres. Where located. - I locate 20 acres of land, as assignee of Joseph Harber, and Polly, his wife, their part of 100 acres granted to the heirs of Alexander Wilson, deceased; beginning on Thomas Johnson's line, on the east side, and 40 poles from the east corner, and running to the river, and up the river so as to include the boat yard and the drain that runs out of Ralph Matson's pond into the river, and thence to Johnson's line, for quantity, being in range 10, township No. 6 north, and section 22.
186. Walter Wilson, in right of the heirs of Joseph Pancake, 100 acres. Where located - I locate 100 acres of land, granted to the heirs of Joseph Pancake, deceased, on the west and north of 20 acres of land located by me, as one of the heirs of Alexander Wilson, deceased. Walter Wilson, assignee.
190. John Marshall, in right of the heirs of Alexander Wilson, 20 acres. Where located - I locate 20 acres of land, being part of 100 acres granted to the heirs of Alexander Wilson, adjoining the land on which I live, and bounded by the lands of Joseph Decker and Solomon Call, and the mouth of Harbin's creek on the south side of White river. John Marshall.
200. John Dupre, in right of Alexander Wilson, 20 acres. Where located - I locate 20 acres of land, in right of the heirs of Alexander Wilson, beginning at the northwest corner of No. 3, in the militia donation, including the improvement that I live on in range 10 west. John Dupre.
211. Walter Wilson, in right of Robert Jennings, 136.16 acres. Where located - I locate 136.16 acres of land, granted to the heirs of William Morrison, deceased, adjoining lands of William Lathom & John Fisher, on the east. Walter Wilson, for the heirs.
Blanchard, Charles. Counties of Morgan, Monroe & Brown, Indiana, Chicago, IL: F.A. Battey & Company, Publishers, 1884
Dorrel, Ruth, comp. Pioneer Ancestors of Members of the Society of Indiana Pioneers, Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Historical Society, 1983.
The applications for membership in the Society of Indiana Pioneers contain a wealth of information and references concerning the early settlers of Indiana. . . . The Society of Indiana Pioneers was organized in 1916, Indiana's centennial year, to "honor the memory and the work of the pioneers who opened Indiana to civilization." Membership is limited to persons who have at least one ancestor who was a resident of the state in the pioneer period. . . .
The Society of Indiana Pioneers permits inspection of the applications in person or will supply data from them on request. Request for information should be sent to: Society of Indiana Pioneers, 315 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46202. Include a self-addressed business size envelope. Photocopies of applications or data will be supplied for a nominal charge.
Ancestor, Birthplace, Birth date, Indiana County, Date Settled, Previous Residence
- Breeden, Bryant, VA, 1772, Harrison 1815-16, TN
- Breedon, Agness, --, 1752, Orange, 1815, SC
- Brooks, John, NC, 1775-80, Jefferson, ca. 1814, --
- Brooks, Mary, --, 1761, Orange or Washington, 1812, NC & OH
- Brooks, Robert, VA, 1779, Lawrence, Clinton, 1817, 1829, KY
- Brooks Thomas Jefferson, MA, 1805, Martin, 1823, --
- Colglazier, David, PA, 1764, Washington, ca. 1811, OH - in American Revolution
- Cornwell, Anna, MD, 1795, Orange, 1820, KY
- Cornwell, Elizabeth, VA, 1750, Orange, 1813, Ky
- Cornwell, Elizabeth Arterburn Branham, VA, 1781, Orange by 1815, KY - married to Peter Cornwell, son of William
- Cornwell, Jacob, VA, ca. 1780, Orange, 1813, KY
- Cornwell, Mary F. Swan, MD, 1775, Orange, 1821, KY md. William Cornwell
- Cornwell, Mary "Polly" Wolfe VA, 1780-89, Washington, 1813, KY md. 1) Jacob Cornwell, 2) Joseph Strange
- Cornwell, Peter, VA, 1780, Orange, by 1815, KY
- Cornwell, Phoebe, KY, 1800-10, Orange, 1821 --, daughter of William
- Cornwell, Shelby, KY, 1810, Orange, 1813, -- brother of Lorena
- Corwenll, Simon A., KY, 1803, Orange, bef. 1815, --
- Cornwell, William Sr., VA, 1768, Orange, 1821, md. Mary Swan (above)
- Hunt, Abijah Wilson, --, 1807, Franklin, 1807, OH
- Hunt, Elizabeth, Randolph Co., 1829, --, --, --
- Hunt, Lydia Wilson, NC, 1799, Randolph, before 1829 --
- Hunt, Seth, PA, 1800, LaPorte, 1837, NY
- Hunt, Thomas, NC, 1797, Randolph, before 1829, --
- Hunt, William, TN 1789, Randolph, before 1894, KY & Sullivan Co., Methodist Minister
- Lathrop, Erastus, VT, 1777, Dearborn & Decatur, 1817, 1821, --
- Ogle, John, VA, 1774, Clark & Johnson, by 1812, ca. 1821, KY
- Ogle, Levi, VA, 1797, Clark, by 1812, KY
- Ogle, Lewis, PA, ca. 1788?, Marion, 1822, OH
- Ogle, Sarah Cooper, --, ca. 1800, Clark, before 1819, --
- Porter, David, VA, 1736, Dearborn, ca. 1800, --, American Revolution
- Porter, Elizabeth, OH, 1832, Allen, 1833, --
- Porter, John, PA, ca. 1764, Dearborn by 1815, KY, War of 1812
- Porter, John, VA, 1809, Allen, 1833, OH
- Porter, Joshua, MD, 1782, Fayette, 1811, --
- Porter, Miranda Tousey, KY?, 1803, Dearborn, 1821, --
- Porter, Sarah Null, OH or VA, 1807, Allen, 1833, OH
- Porter, Thomas, PA, 1789, Dearborn, ca. 1816, --, War of 1812
- Porter, William Anderson, OH, 1800, Harrison, 1827, --, state legislator
- Robertson, Charles, VA, 1775, Clark, 1818, KY, War of 1812
- Robertson, Chlorinda, MD, 1748, Clark, 1801, NC
- Robertson, John, NC, 1775, Vigo, by 1816, --
- Robertson, Middleton, MD, 1774-75, Clark/Jefferson, 1799, by 1811, KY
- Robertson, Nathan, MD, 1750-52, Clark, 1799, KY, American Revolution, helped build Old Bethel meeting house (Methodist) near home, 1807
- Robertson, Rhoda, TN, 1799, Posey, by 1816, --
- Saltzman, Hannah, PA, --, Posey, by 1819, --
- Saltzman, John, Germany, --, Posey, by 1819, PA
- Shepard, Benjamin, --, 1808, Vermillion, by 1830, --
- Shepherd, Mary, KY, 1783, Harrison, 1807, --
- Shepherd, Nancy Ellis, OH, ca. 1812, Adams, 1838, --
- Shepherd, Olivia Primrose Emory, VA, 1788, Adams, 1838, OH
- Shepherd, Ruhama, VA, 1778, Franklin/ Morgan, 1811/1818, KY
- Shepherd, William, VA, 1788, Adams, 1838, OH, War of 1812
- Spear, Mary, VA, 1803, Clark, by 1811, --
- Spear, Phoebe Skiles, --, 1779, Clark, by 1811, VA
- Spear, Samuel, VA, 1765, Clark by 1811, --
- Spears, Elizabeth Claypool Osborn, --, 1761, Franklin, by 1812, VA? & KY
- Spears, Isabella, KY, 1789, Johnson, 1821, --
- Speer, Amelia, --, --, Orange, by 1820, --
- Speer, Asberry, KY, 1808, Orange, before 1816, --
- Speer, Catherine Jane, Marion Co., 1830, --, --, --
- Speer, Margaret Booth, KY, ca. 1810, Orange, by 1820, --
- Speer, Mary Barnhill, OH, 1807, Marion, 1820, --
- Speer, Moses, NC, 1785, Orange, before 1816, KY/MD
- Speer, Robert, Ireland, 1773, Dearborn/Marion by 1802/by 1823, --
- Speer, William, Dearborn Co., 1802, Marion, by 1824, --
- Stout, Elizabeth Moon, NC, 1789, Orange, 1814, --
- Stout, Iram, NC, 1808, Orange, 1814, --
- Stout, Job, NJ, 1763, Franklin, ca. 1812, PA/KY, American Revolution
- Stout, John, NC, 1789, Orange, 1814, --
- Stout, Mary, NC, 1777, Wayne, 1809, --
- Stout, Mary Campbell, Franklin Co., 1830, --, --, --
- Stout, Nancy Thomas, NC, 1813, Orange, 1815, --
- Stout, Rhoda Howell, --, 1771, Franklin, ca. 1812, KY
- Stout, Samuel, NC, 1771, Hendricks, 1830, --
- Stout, Solomon, NC, 1787, Orange/Bartholomew, 1815, before 1821, --
- Vardaman, John III, VA, 1761, Fayette, ca. 1812, KY
- Vardaman, John Thomas, Fayette Co., 1815, --, --, --, state legislator
- Vardaman, Mary Reed, VA, 1795, Fayette, 1812, --
- Vardaman, William, KY, 1790, Fayette, 1812, --
- Wilson, Andrew, PA, 1789, Orange, by 1815, --
- Wilson, Ann Elizabeth Shirley, VA, 1797, Orange by 1815, --
- Wilson, James "Bear", NC, 1791, Orange, by 1814, -- [brother of William?]
- Wilson, John, Scotland, --, Washington, 1821, --
- Wilson, John, SC, 1778, Washington, 1815, NC, Baptist minister
- Wilson, Joseph, PA, 1744, Orange, by 1815, MD, American Revolution
- Wilson, Mary Britton, PA, 1762, Orange, by 1815, MD
- Wilson, William, NC, 1799, Orange, by 1820, --
- Wolfe, Aethel, VA, ca. 1778, Orange, 1813, KY
- Wolfe, Elizabeth Cornwell, VA, 1750, Orange, 1813, KY
- Wolfe, Elizabeth Utz Stephenson, VA, 1798, Harrison, 1812, --
- Wolfe, Henry, VA, 1786, Orange, 1813, KY
- Wolfe, John Sr., VA, ca. 1745, Orange, 1813, KY
- Wolfe, Lucy Grigsby, VA, 1794, Orange, 1813, KY
- Wolfe, Mary "Polly" VA, 1780-89, Orange 1813, KY
- Wolfe, Mary "Polly" KY, 1808, Orange, 1813, --
Hamblen, John & Sandy Seitz, comp. Federal Land Entries for Brown County, Indiana, Nashville, IN: Brown County Genealogical Society, Inc., 1994.
Purchaser, Town, Range, Section, Acres, Location, Date
- John Dove, T10, R3, Sec. 27, 160 acres, SW1/4, 10/31/1844
- John Dove, T10, R4, Sec. 28, 160 acres, NW1/4, 10/31/1844
- John Hunt, T9, R3, Sec. 2, 36.26 acres, SW1/4, NW 1/4, 4/7/1846
- Seth F. Hunt T10, R3, Sec. 35, 40 acres, SW1/4, SW1/4, 11/11/1847
- Seth F. Hunt T10, R3, Sec. 35, 40 acres, SE1/4, SW1/4, 11/11/1847
- Seth F. Hunt, T9, R3, Sec. 2, 72.52 acres, E1/2, NW 1/4, 8/28/1848
- Seth F. Hunt, T9, R3, Sec. 2, 80 acres, N1/2, SW1/4, 11/2/1839
- William R. Hunt T10, R3, Sec. 7, 40 acres, NE1/4, SE1/4, 11/2/1839
- Park, Green B., T10, R4 Sec. 9, 40 acres, SE1/4, NE1/4, 11/1/1849
Step 1: Write to Eastern States Office, Bureau of Land Management, 7450 Boston Blvd., Springfield, VA 22153. Request type of file and land entry file number. Include name, county, state, location, date & land office name [Jeffersonville, IN for Brown Co.].
Step 2: BLM will send an invoice for costs, pay them, they will then send the information needed for Step 3.
Step 3: Request copy of land entry papers. Send the information obtained from the BLM along with all information in step 1 to: Suitland Reference (NNRR), Textual Reference Division, National Archives & Records Administration, Washington, DC 20409.
Step 4: Suitland Reference will send an invoice. Send payment. They will send the papers.
James T. Tartt & Company. History of County, Indiana, Edwardsville, IN, 1884
Kuhlman, Donna & John Hamblen, ed. Bartholomew County, IN, Cemeteries Volume II, Harrison, Jackson & Ohio Townships, Columbus, IN: Bartholomew County Genealogical Society, Inc., 1993.
Harrison Township was organized 7 Dec. 1841, formed out of the west end of Columbus Township. Ohio Township was organized 6 June 1843, formed from the western sections of Wayne Township. Jackson Township was organized 6 Mar 1847, formed from the southern half of what was then Ohio Township.
This southwestern part of the county was settled later than other areas, as it was much less desirable for farming. The terrain is generally hilly & rough, & much of it remains wooded today. This hill country did acquire a reputation as a more wholesome place to reside because the flat, fertile river plain areas were subject to ague or malaria.
White Creek Baptist Cemetery aka Kinsey, SE1/4, SE1/4 Sec. 13, T8N, R4E, Ohio Township
From Columbus, take I65 south to SR 58. urn right, go 2.6 miles west to Ogilville. Where SR 58 bends to left, go straight ahead onto county road 450S. Continue west 1.2 miles across creek and through small S curve. Turn into grass lane on left. Cemetery is platted one acre which is part woods and part plowed ground on east side of fence row beginning about 400 feet from road.
Solomon & Mary Ellen Edwards sold this acre of ground on 21 Apr 1851 to White Creek Union Baptist Church trustees, John VanAusdall, Elisha Conner & Edward Romine. A log church was raised. Marcus Clark was an early member and later became the preacher for this congregation. Rev. Clark died in 1883 and was first buried here. Later he was moved to the St. Paul Cemetery after this Baptist Church burned. Apparently, several graves were moved. A number of other graves remained but most of the stones were carried off many years ago and used for sidewalk paving . . .
Mensch, Ann. Brown County, Indiana History & Genealogy Research Guide & Links, Website, 1998-2001, printed 2002, defunct
- County formed 1836
- County seat: Nashville
- Cities, Towns & Communities:
- Beanblossom
- Becks Grove
- Christiansburg
- Clarksdale
- Elkinsville
- Fruidale
- Gatesville
- Gnaw Bone
- Helmsburg
- Mount Liberty
- Nashville
- Needmore
- Peoga
- Pikes Peak
- Spearsville
- Spurgeons Corner
- Stone Head
- Story
- Taggart
- Trevlac
- Resources:
- Brown County Historical Society & Museum, Nashville, IN
- Brown County Democrat
- Brown County Public Library
- Brown County Health Department - birth & deaths 1882+
- Brown County Circuit Court - marriage & divorce
- Hamblen Township - northeastern Brown county, communities
- Gatesville
- Spearsville
- Taggart
- Peoga on county line with Morgan County
- Jackson Township - northwestern Brown county, communities
- Beanblossom
- Cornelius
- Fruitdale
- Helmsburg
- Needmore
- Trevlac
- Waycross
- Van Buren Township - southeastern Brown county communities
- Becks Grove
- Christiansburg
- Elkinsville
- New Bellsville
- Pikes Peak
- Spurgeons Corner
- Stone Head
- Sory
- Washington Township communities
- Nashville
- Clarksdale
- Gnaw Bone
- Mt. Liberty
Reeve, Helen, comp. Brown County Indiana, Circuit Court Records Civil & Criminal, 1836 to 1945 Index, Nashville, IN: Brown County Historical Society, 1993
Name, Box, File, Civil/State, Description, Year
- Hunt, Bazel, 224, 25, c, deft, 1908
- Hunt, Bazel W. 169, 38, c, est. claim, 1895
- Hunt, Bazil W. 161, 31, s, 1895
- Hunt, Henry C., 64, 33, c, deft. 1874
- Hunt, Henry C., 68, 33, c, deft, 1875
- Hunt, Henry C. 81, 38, c, est. claim, 1877
- Hunt, Henry C. 115, 2, c, deft, 1883
- Hunt, Henry C. 169, 38, c, est. claim, 1895
- Hunt, Hester Ann 20, 28, c, est. claim, 1855
- Hunt, Jaily, 20, 28, c, est. claim, 1855
- Hunt, Jaily, 73, 34, c, est. claim, 1876
- Hunt, Jaily / Jaily G. 81, 38, c, est. claim, 1877
- Hunt, Jaily, 84, 4, c, deft, 1878
- Hunt, Jaily, 85, 8, c, deft, 1878
- Hunt, Jaily / Jaley 169, 38, c, estate, 1895
- Hunt, Jaily G. 97, 3, c, est. claim, 1879
- Hunt, Jaily G. 104, 11, c, deft, 1881
- Hunt, John, 33, 19, c, deft, 1850
- Hunt, John, 25, 9, c, deft. 1858
- Hunt, John 97, 3, c, estate, 1879
- Hunt, John 224, 25, c, deft, 1908
- Hunt, John A. 68, 3, c, deft, 1875
- Hunt, John A., 169, 38, c, est. claim, 1895
- Hunt, Joseph 20, 28, c, est. claim, 1855
- Hunt, Joseph A. 97, 3, c, est. claim, 1879
- Hunt, Lavana / Lavonia H. 97, 3, c, est. claim, 1879
- Hunt, Loretta J. 97, 3, c, est. claim, 1879
- Hunt, Lorona E. 97, 3, c, est. claim, 1879
- Hunt, Maranda B. 104, 11, c, deft, 1881
- Hunt, Mary 331, 4, c, est. claim, 1931
- Hunt, Miranda, 85, 8, c, deft. 1878
- Hunt, Miranda, 169, 38, c, est. claim, 1895
- Hunt, Miranda, 224, 25, c, deft. 1908
- Hunt, Nancy, 23, 23, c, deft, 1854
- Hunt, Nancy, 20, 28, c est. claim, 1855
- Hunt, Naomi, 20, 28, c, est. claim, 1855
- Hunt, Priscilla 97, 3, c, est. claim, 1879
- Hunt, Reuben, 84, 4, c, deft, 1878
- Hunt, Reuben, 108, 33, c, deft, 1881
- Hunt, Reuben, 169, 38, c, est. claim, 1895
- Hunt, Reuben H., 73, 34, c, est. claim, 1876
- Hunt, Reuben H., 81, 38, c, est. claim, 1877
- Hunt, Ruth J. 85, 40, c, partition of land, 1878
- Hunt, Ruth, J. 104, 11, c, deft, 1881
- Hunt, Seth F. 23, 23, c, deft, 1854
- Hunt, Seth F. 20, 28, c, estate, 1855
- Hunt, Thomas, 21B, 12, c, plf, missing file, ca. 1860
- Hunt, William, 20, 28, c, est. claim, 1855
- Hunt, William P., 97, 3, c, est. claim, 1879
Reeve, Helen, comp. Brown County, Indiana Selected Records Funeral Homes of Columbus, Indiana, Nashville, IN: Brown County Historical Society, Inc., 1978.
- Goode, Mary A. d. 5/3/1948 age 86-9-10; b. 7/24/1861 Indiana; daughter of Ruben H. Hunt & unnamed mother; wife of A.T. Goode, bur. Greenlawn Cemetery, Nashville, IN
Slevin, Ruth. Bartholomew County, Indiana Marriages, 1821-1850, Indianapolis, IN: Ye Olde Genealogie Shoppe, 1985.
- Breeding, Mary & George W. Smith, 11/22/1832
- Breeding, Nancy & Obadiah Conover 5/6/1834
- Breeding, Tabitha & Thomas Runkle 1/21/1841
- Brook, Mrs. Martha & James Hardy 7/5/1849
- Brooks, Martha & Erastus D. Depew 10/1/1833
- Brooks, William & Nancy Lane (?), 6/23/1833
- Edwards, Celia & Samuel Wallace, 3/3/1831
- Edwards, Eliza V. & John Reynolds, 4/28/1842
- Edwards, Elizabeth & Samuel Hook, 11/12/1830
- Edwards, Elizabeth & Daniel Neil, 2/11/1836
- Edwards, George & Sarah Fisher, 9/23/1828
- Edwards, Henry & Elizabeth Owens, 9/8/1828
- Edwards, I. Nathan & Nancy Goodale, 9/13/1848
- Edwards, Isabella & Benjamin Hambleton, 5/15/1830
- Edwards, Jacob & Albena Morris, 8/30/1832
- Edwards, James & Sally Chenoweth, 3/8/1832
- Edwards, Jesse & Nancy Newsom, 5/15/1845
- Edwards, John & Mary Tuttle, 10/14/1832
- Edwards, John & Mary Neil, 12/29/1836
- Edwards, John & Malinda Kelly, 4/2/1846
- Edwards, Joseph M. & Nancy Hollis, 4/7/1836
- Edwards, Josiah & Mary Yeley, 2/19/1837
- Edwards, Josiah & Margaret McEwen, 2/8/1844
- Edwards, Katharine & Thomas Turner, 1/3/1833
- Edwards, Lilly C. & Henry Aton, 1849
- Edwards, Lucy & John Rhodes, 12/17/1833
- Edwards, Nancy & Ephraim Davis, 11/21/1836
- Edwards, Priscilla & James Taylor, 5/26/1831
- Edwards, Rachel & John Stewart, 5/21/1829
- Edwards, Sarah & Ephraim May, 5/18/1837
- Edwards, Sarah J. & Isaiah Steenbarger, 4/27/1840 & 5/30/1840
- Edwards, William & Hannah Garner, 3/5/1839
- Edwards, Witha Jane & William Toland, 11/18/1846
- Gintle [Gentle?], Malinda & Michael Lewis, 1/5/1834
- Paris, Francis A. & Elizabeth Palmer, 9/6?/1835
- Parish, Eliz. Newland & Nathaniel C. Zeigler, 12/28/1841
- Parish, Martha & Harrison Lee, 11/14/1841 & 11/15/1841
- Parish, Rebecca & John Fisher, 12/17/1840
- Parish, Sally & John Hill, 8/6/1844
- Parish, Thomas & Mary Hopkins, 4/9/1848
- Park, Elizabeth & Charles Walker, 9/9/1828
- Park, Howell & Mary Chambers, 1/29/1831
- Park, Sarah Ann & Goldsberry Young, 2/3/1842
- Parks, Marg. Jane & Stephen White, 12/21/1848
- Porter, Andrew & Mary Ann Creach, 12/12/1847
- Porter, Andrew & Mary Ann Cox, 3/22/1849
- Porter, Angeline & William Whalen, 3/15/1848
- Porter, James & Sarah W. Nailor, 11/3/1829
- Porter, Miranda & Nathaniel Critchfield, 6/29/1848
- Porter, Patsey & Jonathan Fox, 7/8/1833
- Portor [Porter?], Edward Theo. & Susannah Miller, 4/4/1850
- Spry, Anna & John Marquis, 1/12/18??
Waters, Margaret. Indiana Land Entries, Vol. 2, Part 1 Vincennes District, 1807-1877, Indianapolis, IN, 1948
- Map of lands in the Vincennes District
Prior to 1800 the only land owned by individuals in Indiana was either in and around Vincennes, where titles went back to French & Indian grans, or in Clark's Grant opposite the present Louisville, which had been allotted to the men who had served with George Rogers Clark in his Revolutionary War campaign against the British.
Indian title to all lands in Indiana was recognized at least nominally by the Federal government; and before any particular area was opened for sale, negotiations were opened with the chiefs of the tribes that claimed the land. Treaties were made whereby the Indians gave up their claims and accepted goods and money in exchange. The negotiations might be prolonged, but in the end the government always won out.
The first such treaty affecting Indiana land was held in 1795 when the Indians ceded lands east of a line drawn from Fort Recovery in Ohio to a point on the Ohio River opposite the mouth of the Kentucky River. A triangular strip in what is now southeastern Indiana was thus opened for settlement; but it was not until six years later after the land had been surveyed and a land office was opened at Cincinnati, that it could be purchased. In the meantime, many settlers moved in and squatted on the land, hoping to purchase their preferred site when the area was opened for sale.
During the first two decades of government land sales in Indiana, purchasers had to buy at least 320 acres and pay a minimum of $2.00 per acre. Four years were allowed in which to complete payments. Land auctions were held when new areas were opened, and the land was sold to the highest bidder. Any tracts not sold at auction could be purchased at the land office for the minimum price. Many purchasers were forced to forfeit their lands when hard times came and payments could not be made. In 1820 a new law was passed which placed the minimum price at $1.25 an acre and allowed purchasers to buy as little as 80 acres. The credit system was abolished in favor of cash payments. At the auction sales, choice land often sold for three and four times the minimum price. In the 1830s and 1840s, pre-emption acts were passed by Congress to give the squatter who had settled and improved a piece of land the opportunity to purchase it at the minimum price before the public sale. . . .
The tract book for the several land offices in Indiana are deposited in the office of the Auditor of State, Indianapolis, and are in the care of the State Land Clerk. . . .
Since the 1820 Census is the first for Indiana, these records will serve, in a way, as a substitute for earlier censuses. The fact that a person entered land, however, does not necessarily mean that he ever actually lived on it. Also, some squatter residents may never have bought their land before they migrated to other places. These records will also serve as a partial index to the 1820 through 1880 censuses, inclusive, in that they will locate a man in a definite township and county. . . .
In old handwriting, J and I were made identically. One can, of course interpret Jones or Isaac; but where this letter is used as a middle initial, it is impossible to determine which is meant. I have copied such middle initials as J since in the various styles of handwriting that can be easily interpreted, J appears as a middle initial more often than I. It is hard sometimes to tell whether M is a middle initial or a name like McAdams. I have found difficulty in interpreting Lemuel and Samuel; also, I have miscopied Jas. and Jos. . . .
For the Vincennes District there are 13 large books (some of which are partial duplicates) and one small. . . .
There are in Indiana two principal meridians - the first at the Ohio - Indiana state line at approximately 84 degrees & 49 minutes longitude, the second about two-thirds of the way across the state to the west at approximately 86 degrees & 28 minutes longitude. All ranges in the Vincennes District are west of the 2nd PM. The base line in Indiana is located in the southern part of the state at approximately 38 degrees & 28 minutes latitutde. Townships in the Vincennes District are both north and south of the base line.
Many entries in the Vincennes District will not be included here . . . because much of this land was set aside to be sold by the state as Wabash & Erie Canal lands, swamp lands, and saline lands. . . .
By act of March 26, 1804, the Vincennes Land Office opened on April 27, 1807, although the earliest entries in Part 1 are dated May 1, 1807. The office discontinued on Apr. 12, 1840, re-opened on order of Apr. 20, 1853, and finally closed on Dec. 20, 1861, although I find entries in years not included here and as late as on Sept. 4, 1877. . . .
Some names are followed by MLW which means military land warrant. [service in War of 1812, Black Hawk War & Mexican War]. . . .
I have omitted 1/2 & 1/4 in the description since one capital letter always means a 1/2 section & two capital letters always means a 1/4 section.
- N-SE = north half of southeast quarter
- E-N = east half of north half
- NW-SW = northwest quarter of southwest quarter . . .
Gibson County - Township 1 South, Range 10 West
- Robert Staven [Slavin?] - NW-SW-S25; 3/28/1836, Slavin? see below
- Isaac Slavin - SE-SE-S25; 1/9/1839, Staven? see above
- Isaac Slavin, NE-SE-S35; 9/9/1835
Gibson County - Township 1 South Range 11 West
- George Cornwell, Orange Co., NY, lot 6-E-W-Sfr-S10; 2/24/1854
- Alex Wilson & Robert Sloan - W-SW-S3; E-SE-S4; 5/5/1828
- Johnson Fitzgerald - E-NE-S15; 5/5/1828; E-NE-S16; 6/27/1829
- Jacob Speer - SE-NW, NE-SW-S5; 10/31/1835
- Johnson Fitzgerrald, NW-S6; 1/29/1816
- James Fitzgerrald - SW-S6; 1/29/1816
- John Wilson - SE-S18; NE-S19; 11/1/1817; NW-S19 5/12/1808
- James Fitzgerald - SE-S23, 5/1/1818
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