Pennsylvania Act 1786-1248 (session 2) — LAND OFFICE - PUBLIC LANDS - GRANTS AND WARRANTS

Act text

AN ACT

For giving, during a limited time, a right of pre-emption to the actual settlers within that part of this state, which is within the territory purchased by the King of Great Britain, of or from the Indians, at Fort Stanwix, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-eight.

Section 2. Be it therefore enacted, and it is hereby enacted by the Representatives of the Freeman of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met, and by the authority of the same, That no warrant shall issue from the Land Office of this state, for any tract of land on which a settlement is made, unless to such person or persons, respectively, who have made the settlement, or their legal representatives, (until the tenth day of April, which shall be in the year of our Lord 1788,) and if any such warrant shall issue otherwise than aforesaid, it shall be deemed to have issued by surprise, and shall be of no avail in law.

Section 3. Provided always, That by a settlement shall be understood an actual personal resident settlement, with a manifest intention of making it a place of abode, and the means of supporting a family, and continued form time to time, unless interrupted by the enemy, or by going into the military service of this country during the war.

Section 4. Provided always, That this act shall extend only to that part of this state which is within the territory purchased of or from the Indians, by the King of Great Britain, at Fort Stanwix, in the year of our Lord 1768, and that no such settler shall or may have the pre-emption of any tract, exceeding four hundred acres, by reason of any such settlement.