July 24, 1843 - Milan township plat map

The first survey resulting in a plat map for Milan township, DeKalb county, Illinois began in the first quarter of 1838 and was completed in the first quarter of 1843.   It was reviewed and approved by the Surveyor General, Silas Reed in the St. Louis, Missouri office on July 24, 1843.

1843 Milan township plat map

The upper northeast corner, Section 1 contains the area where the Browne school would eventually be built on 1/4 acre of the southwest corner.

Milan plat map with warrants

This undated plat map has been filled in with the year acquired and warrant number, though none of the properties list the names of those that held a warrant.    The warrant held by Silas J Wright is listed in the southwest corner of Section 1 with the year of 1847,  Military Land Warrant (MLW) 78836.    I located these maps today so I've narrowed the range when Silas J Wright obtained the land warrant, which was possibly prior to his enlistment on May 29, 1847.

While difficult to read, it appears the earliest warrants issued were in 1847 with the majority issued in 1850.   Section 16 does not contain any warrants as Section 16 was set aside in all townships within the Northwest Territory for education and religion.