December 20, 1853 - Land Warrant

The second transaction involving the land where the Browne school would eventually be built occurred on December 20, 1853 and obtained by Richard Pearse.

Illinois Public Land Purchase Record

This warrant may have been the first document since the initial land bounty granted to Silas J Wright in 1847.     I have ordered the supporting documents and will post upon receipt.

February 11, 1847 - Land warrants

In 1847, the United States was fighting the Mexican-American War and needed additional troops.    In order to achieve that goal, the United States Congress on February 11, 1847 passed "09 Stat. 123, Sec. 9, An Act to raise for a limited Time an additional military Force, and for other Purposes."

Portions of that statute can be found here.    On page 125 of the document, Section 9 contains the language providing a warrant for 160 acres of land for those that serve during the Mexican-American War.

Here, I wrote in more detail regarding the land warrant issued to Silas J Wright for 163 28/100 acres of the southwestern fractional quarter of Section 1 of Township 39, Range 3 east.

1837, 1848 and 1849 Surveyor maps

The surveyors office of St. Louis, Missouri produced maps of Illinois townships.   Here is the surveyor's map dated October 30, 1837.

October 30, 1837

Here is the surveyor's map dated October 30, 1848.

October 30, 1848

Here is the surveyor's map dated October 28, 1849.

October 28, 1849

Using the Illinois Principal Meridians and Base Lines map, Milan township, DeKalb, Illinois can be found by locating the square found at 39 North, Range 3, East of the Third Principal Meridian.

Illinois Counties, Townships and Ranges

On the Counties, Townships and Ranges in Illinois Showing Principal Meridians and Base Lines map, 39 North, Range 3, East of the Third Principal Meridian will bring you to the location of Milan township.    The 'D' of DeKalb occupies Milan township.