Pre-emption certificates, 1779-1781.

Containers:

Box 1, Folder 3

Scope and content:

Contains a number of records granting various individuals preemption right on tracts of land, meaning that these individuals had the rights to preference in buying the land indicated. These preemption rights typically were granted based on prior occupation and improvement of the land by the grantee, allowing squatters to purchase the land they had been living on and farming. The file also contains a warrant to survey issued for John Dougherty in 1780.

Access and use