Are there warrants with wax seals associated with the WTR Non-Military Patents?
No. The patents in this series resulted from public land sales. The receipt served as the warrant, entry and survey. As with all other patent series, title did not vest until the governor issued a grant. Although the name of the Receiver of Public Moneys and his office location were identified, no formal wax seal was affixed to the receipt.
What is a fractional quarter-section?
A section of 640 acres consisted of four quarter-sections of 160 acres each. The quarter-sections are identified as North West, North East, South West and South East. In some instances, the entire 160-acre quarter-section was not available due to prior claims (treasury or military) or topography. Patent acreage was determined by the amount of land covered by the patent. The selling price was determined by the cost-per-acre when the receipt was issued.
What is the Jackson Purchase Locator?
The Jackson Purchase Locator is a searchable database that links to townships depicted on the 1885 map of the Jackson Purchase created by R.H. Loughridge. The Locator can be searched by range, township and East/West coordinates, or by locations included on the Loughridge map, such as forts, mills, watercourses and railroads. The database includes links to a printable map of the township and identifies the 1885 county location. (Note: Carlisle County was not formed until 1886 and therefore is not identified on the Loughridge map.)
Are other areas of Kentucky mapped by ranges, townships and sections?
A small portion of Kentucky east of the Tennessee River was surveyed by ranges, townships and sections, but that area is not depicted on the Loughridge map. The majority of Kentucky land patents were surveyed and described by metes and bounds.
Why are the watercourse/location search results limited?
Tract locations were stated on receipts, but in most instances watercourses and other natural features were omitted. Where they are included, they are listed in the watercourse/location drop box. However, the tract location, including watercourses, proximity to towns, etc., can be determined through the Jackson Purchase Locator.
What is the significance of searching by section or township?
By searching sections and townships, researchers can determine the names of adjoining patent grantees and possibly present and future kinsmen. The sortable grid function displays information regarding grantees and the coordinates for patent location.
Why are these patents important to studying land title in the Jackson Purchase?
By allowing researchers to determine grantees who acquired quarter-sections, this database enables researchers to access county records, such as deeds and wills, to complete chains of title.
How are these patents significant for studying Kentucky emigration?
This database features an all-names index, which enables researchers to determine the names of persons inolved in the patenting process, including those who simply witnessed an assignment on a given day.
Why are some quarter-sections and quarter-section locations not listed?
If the quarter-section and quarter-section location are not listed for a particular patent, the patent may cover more than one quarter-section, or the land may have been claimed by a prior Treasury Warrant patent in the Virginia and Old Kentucky Patent Series or a West of Tennessee River Military patent. In addition, some quarter-secitons were not available due to topography.