Those Of The Land.

The information on this page is bits and pieces of information taken from land records, it is to help you get a little in site on what your ancestor was going at this time in history. As one can see one can get a lot of information from these old land records, and when looking for information don’t forget to look into them, they can be a great help.

Note. This information comes from Public Land records Volume 1 & 2., 1789-1815, which is housed at the Library of Congress. There are 8., volumes covering the years of 1789-1837, those of you who would like all the info, for the names on this page or if you would like for me to look for a ancestor within the years I stated, can write to me, my address can be found in my profile.
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Valentine? Thomas Dalton.

Post Vincennes.

The Deposition of Daniel Neeves being first sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God deposeth and saith. That he this Deponent was enlisted by a Capt. Thomas Mason as a Soldier in the Wabash Regiment, that he was summoned as one of a Guard by a Capt. Valentine T. Dalton and was by him marched to a Store; and he the said Dalton by an Interpreter demanded of a Spanish Merchant to admit him the said Dalton into his Cellar. The Spaniard asked what he wanted? the said Dalton answered he was sent by the Commanding Officer to search his Cellar; it being at a late hour in the night the Spaniard lighted a Candle and opened his doors and went and opened his cellar door; the said Dalton with several others entered the Cellar, after some time he came out and placed this Deponent as a Guard over the Cellar, and took the rest of the Guard to another Store; that on the succeeding day the said Dalton came with a number of others and plundered the cellar of a large quantity of peltry, Wine, Taffy, Honey, Sugar, Tea, Coffee, Cordial, french Brandy, and sundry other Articles together with a quantity of dry goods the particular Articles this Deponent doth not at present recollect; that part of the goods was made use of to clothe the Troops, the remainder with the other articles was set up at public Auction and sold; that the sale was conducted by a certain John Rice Jones who, marched in the Militia Commanded by General Clarke as a Commissary General; And further this Deponent saith that he obtained a furlough dated the 24th. day of November 1786 signed Valentine Thos. Dalton Captain Commandant Ouabache Regiment of which the following, is a copy. "Daniel Neeves a Soldier in the 0uabache Regiment has liberty to go on furlough for two months from the date hereof at the expiration he is to return to his duty otherwise looked upon as a Deserter. November 24, 1786. Valentine Thos. Dalton Captain Commandant 0uabache Regiment. To all whom it may concern." And further this Deponent saith not.

Note. In a census taken at Post Vincennes in 1790, it was found that Thomas Dalton was the head of a family and had been and officer at Post Vincennes and was a land owner, and had left Post Vincennes in the year of 1790 or 91, and went to New Orleans to be a tavern keeper.
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Heads of the families in the Illinois county, pursuant to the resolution of 20th June 1788, and the act of 3d march 1791, but which have not been supported before the commissioners appointed in pursuance of the act of the 20th February 1812.

District of Kaskaskia.

January 4, 1813.

Pierre Louviere

Pierre Louviere was living in the Illinois country in the year 1783, was then about eighteen years of age, and lived with his father; that he did not keep house either in 1783 or 1788; that he got married in the year 1791.

Widow La Brose.

Widow La Brose, some time before the year 1783, had separated from her husband; that she was a transient woman, and lived in diffident families in Prairie du Rocher, and St. Genevieve, and never kept house to deponent’s knowledge, in or after 1783.

James Morris .

James Morris was living in the Illinois in 1783; that he was then a single man and kept no house; believes said Morris afterwards went to reside at the Bellefontaine, where he remained some time.

Alphonse Peter .

Alphonse Peter never was the head of a family in the Illinois; that he was a militia man in Cahokia. in August, 1790, and is entitled as such.

Joseph Rell, Sen.

Joseph Rell, Sen. was head of a family in Cahokia, and died there about thirty-five years ago. Another witness states that he knew Joseph Rell, Sen.; that he died before the Americans took possession of the country.

Joseph Rell, Jun.

Joseph Rell, Jun. left the Illinois country when a boy, and has never returned. Another states that he knew Joseph Rell, Jun.; that he never was the head of a family; but that deponent knows he was a militia man in Cahokia, in August, 1790, and is entitled as such.

Joseph Richard

Joseph Richard was a native of the Illinois; that he was a young man, and kept no house; that, about two years after the arrival of General Clark, he was killed by the accidental discharge of a gun, he was about thirty years old.

Louis Rondeau.

Louis Rondeau left the Illinois about forty-five years ago, and went to reside at St. Louis; that he died on the Missouri river, about twenty years ago ; that he never returned to reside on the Illinois.

Jean Baptiste St. Ives.

It is proved that Jean Baptiste St. Ives never was head of a family in Cahokia; that he died a few years since a single man. Another witness states, that Jean Baptiste St. Eves was not a householder in 1783 or 1788, but that he was a militia-man at Cahokia in 1790, being then from twenty-five to thirty years old, and is entitled as such.

Catharine Casson.

Catharine Casson was married, more than forty years ago, to a certain Mr. Casson; that, about thirty-six or thirty-seven years ago, she intermarried with a certain Pierre Provost; that she and her said husband, Provost, lived and kept house together until about fifteen years ago, when she died. On an examination of the records of the Catholic church at Kaskaskia, it appears that the said Catharine was married to her first husband, Antoine Casson, on the 23d of November, 1751; that she intermarried with Pierre Provost, her second husband, on the 5th of February, 1769; that she died on the 6th of June, 1799; and that her said husband, Provost, died on the 12th of December, 1799.

Widow Detaille.

Detaille, an Indian interpreter at St. Joseph’s, had a child by an Indian woman; that the said woman and her said child afterwards came to St. Philip’s; and that some time afterwards she got married at Prairie du Rocher to one Nicholas Marchal: that Marchal died before the Americans took possession of the country but lived with his said wife three or four years before he died. Witness himself married the before mentioned daughter of Detaille. It will be perceived, on examination of the report of the present Board of Commissioners in favor of donations to heads of families, that this claim is confirmed to this present claimant in the name of Mary Marchal, widow.

William Tait.

William Tait came to the country in 1784, lived with, and kept store for, a certain Colonel Edgar was a single man, and kept no house in the country; and went to Nashville, in the State of Tennessee, where he got married.

Joseph Anderson.

Joseph Anderson came to the Illinois county in the year 1786, but had lived there before; was a single man; that in 1787 he made an improvement that he lived with a certain James Wiley; that while making said improvement he had hired hands working with him; but when he got married and went to housekeeping is unknown.

Michel Chartran.

Michel Chartran in the year 1783 was living in the Illinois county; that he had two children by a Indian woman; he always lived with his mother, and never kept house.

Pierre Cailloux.

Pierre Cailloux lived with his wife and family at St. Phillip’s, but had removed to St. Louis before the Americans took possession of the country; that said Cailloux seldom lived long at a time with his wife, often going away for a considerable time. Another witness states that he knew a man by the name of Cailloux, (whose given name he does not recollect;) that he had no family at this place, (Kaskaskia) except one son; that he and his son lived in Kaskaskia about a year, when the father went on La. Balm’s expedition against Detroit, in 1780, and has not lived in the Illinois country since ; that his wife and the other children lived on Spanish side. Another witness states that he knew a man by the name of Cailloux, (whose Christian name he does not recollect;) that he was the head of a family, and. kept the ferry between Kaskaskia and St. Genevieve ; that his family lived on the east side of Mississippi but is not sure whether before or after the arrival Colonel Clark ; that he left this country, and went to live somewhere about Vincennes, since which time the deponent never saw him. Another witness states that he knew a man by the name of Cailloux, (whose given name he does not recollect;) that he kept the ferry (and was a householder) between Kaskaskia and St. Genevieve after the arrival of Colonel Clark. but how long after he does not know ; that he went from Kaskaskia to Vincennes, where, as deponent has heard, and believes, the said Cailloux died.

Joseph Lieberville.

Joseph Lieberville was an ancient inhabitant of the country, and a housekeeper; but that he died before the Americans took possession of the country. It is further stated that Joseph Lieberville, son of the before named Joseph, was a young man, kept no house, had no family, went with General Clark to take Vincennes, returned, stayed some time, went down the Mississippi, and has never returned; the wife of Joseph, Sen. died before deponent’s recollection.

Antoine Louviere, Jun.

Antoine Louviere, Jun. was living in the Illinois country in 1783, was then about sixteen years of age, and lived with his father; that he did not keep house until he got married, in 1796. Another witness states that he knew Antoine Louviere, Jun. in 1783; that he was then a single man; that he kept no house until he got married, after the year 1788. Another witness states that he knew Antoine Louviere, Jun.; was not married in 1783, nor does deponent know that he was married in 1788; that he still lives in the country. Two other witnesses state that said Louviere, Jun. was not married in 1788; that, about the year 1786, the father of said Louviere gave to him his share of the property in the community which existed between the said father and the deceased mother of the said Antoine, Jun., consisting of land, slaves, &c.; but they do not know that Louviere, Jun. worked is own account before his marriage.
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LAND CLAIMS IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF THE ORLEANS TERRITORY.

No. 3. OLIVIER TERRIO claims a tract of land, situate on the east side of the river Mississippi, in the county of Acadia, containing five arpents and seventeen toises in front, and forty arpents in depth, and bounded on the upper side by land of Estevan Landry, and on the lower by land of Pedro Leblanc. This land was surveyed by Don Louis Andry, in the year 1773, in favor of Armand Babin, who obtained a complete grant to the same in the year 1775 from Don Louis de Unzaga, then Governor; the present claimant holds by different deeds of sale under the aforesaid grant. Confirmed.

No. 21. JEAN MARIE ARMANT claims a tract of land, situate on the west side of the river Mississippi, in the county of Acadia, containing eight arpents and ten toises in front, and eighty in depth, and bounded above by land of Saturnin runo, and below by land of Francisco Leboeuf. The first depth of forty arpents of the land now claimed was surveyed in the year 1771, in favor of Joseph Forest, who obtained a complete grant for the same, in 1773, from Governor Unzaga. Pierre Dupain obtained an order of survey, in 1795, for a second depth to the at aforesaid land, from the Baron de Carondelet, then Governor. The present claimant holds under the above titles. Confirmed.

No. 28. MARIE LANDRY WIDOW of Joseph Conaes, claims to a tract of land, situate on the west side of the river Mississippi, in the count1 of Acadia containing four arpents and three feet in front, and forty arpents in depth, and bounded on the upper side by land of the claimant, and on the lower by land of Leno Picou. It appears that the claimant did actually inhabit and cultivate the land now claimed on the 20th December, 1803, and that the same was continually inhabited and cultivated by her, or those under whom she claims for more than ten consecutive years next preceding. Confirmed.

No. 59. ALEXIS CESAR BONAMY claims a tract of land, situate on the east side of the river Mississippi, in the county of Acadia, containing four arpents in front, and forty in depth, and bounded on upper side by land of the claimants, and on the lower by land of Pierre Dupuis. This is part of a tract of land of six arpents in front, surveyed by Don Carlos Trudeau, by an order of Governor Galvez, in the year 1782, in favor of the widow of Alexander Melanson; under whose title the claimant holds, by virtue of successive sales. The land having been inhabited and cultivated ever since that period, until on and after the 20th December, 1803. Confirmed.
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Territory of Louisiana.

1. Nathan Sullins claims nine hundred and fifty-six arpents of land situated on the wates of the Mississippi in the district of St. Louis. Testimony taken August 9, 1806; Edy Musick being duly sworn. Says that the claimant prepared for putting up a cabin in 1801; that in 1804, he had completed the same, and has actually inhabited and cultivated it to this day. November 1, 1809; This claim was decided on; Not to be Granted.

2. Edward Butler claims seven hundred and fifty-six and a half arpents situated on the waters of the Grand Glaize, district of St. Louis. Testimony taken April 7, 1806; William Drennen, being duly sworn says; that Edward Butler did prior to the 20th, of December 1803, inhabit and cultivated the tract of land and was then of age of twenty-one years and upwards. Testimony taken November 11, 1809; it was stated that Edward Butler first settled on the land in 1801; inhabited and cultivated it again in 1802 & 03, and has ever since. The boards finds claim not to be granted.

3. Samuel Lewis claims one thousand and fifty arpents situated on the river Peruque in the district of St. Charles. Testimony taken July 14, 1806; from David Edwards; he states that one John Burnet had settled the land in 1801, and that in 1803, he sols the said land to Samuel Lewis, who previously raised two crops, then moved on said land and actually inhabited it on the 20th, of December, 1803, and had a large stock on the land. He also had a wife and one child and one slave. The findings of the board of November 20, 1809, This claim not to be granted.

4. Timothy Kibby claims six hundred and forty arpents of land situated on the waters of the river Dardenner, district of St. Charles. Testimony of August 6, 1807, John Wildan states; that Timothy Kibby built a cabin and settled on the land of November of the same year, and raised a crop in the same year, and there have been crops raised every year since. Also states that Timothy Kibby was on the land in the latter part of the winter of 1805. The boards findings of November 22, 1809, claim not to be granted.

5. Davis Darst Junior claims two hundred and sixty arpents of land situated on the Femme Osage district of St. Charles. Testimony taken on February 11, 1806, William McConnell states that he is well acquainted with David Darst, that he is a cripple and weakly, and of the age of about fourteen; also states that the claim is for the support of the said child. The findings of the board of November 22, 1809; that the claim not to be granted.

6. William McHugh claims one thousand tree hundred and twenty arpents of land. Testimony taken August 7, 1807, Jonathan Bryant states; That McHugh settled on the land in 1801, and lived in a camp until some time of July of 1801; he planted about two acres of corn; that he and the greatest of his family took sick and moved away; he had a wife and nine children at the time. William Ewing also give testimony and states; that McHugh had some of his cattle killed by Indians and Ewing saw the Indians carrying away some of the beef they had killed. He states that he was living in the McHugh house at the tine; and he was alarmed and believes that McHugh and family were also; that in consequence they all moved ten or twelve miles beyond any other settlements; and that McHugh had three children killed by Indians at the place of his last removal about 1804. The findings of the board of December 9, 1809; this claim not to be granted.

LAND CLAIMS IN THE MISSOURI TERRITORY.

1. NEWTON HOWELL, claiming three hundred and fifty arpents of land, situate below the mouth of Femmue Osage river, district of St. Charles. Testimony taken, October 19, 1808. William Stew art, Sworn, says that, in 1804, he, (witness,) by permission from claimant, had a camp on the tract claimed, and made sugar; and that sugar had been made on the same by and for claimant ever since. James Mackay, sworn, says that, in the fall of 1803, he run a line between claimant and Arend Rutgers; and that he saw claimant, with several other persons, working on the place at the same time. June 19, 1810; It is the opinion of the Board that this claim ought not to be confirmed.

2. THOMAS HOWELL, claiming seven hundred and fifty acres of land, situate on waters of Darden, district of St. Charles. Testimony taken, October 19, 1808. James Mackay. former commandant of St. Andre and St. Charles, sworn; says that he gave claimant permission to settle prior to 1803. William Stewart, sworn, says claimant raised a crop on the tract claimed in 1803, but resided with his father, about one-half mile from the tract; claimant has had a stock on the same ever since, and cultivated it ever since; inhabited it since 1804, when he married. June 19, 1810; It is the opinion of the Board that this claim ought not to be confirmed.

3. Joseph Moutard, claiming one thousand three hundred and forty arpents of land, situate on Mill creek, district of St. Louis. Testimony taken, September 9, 1808. Auguste Choutean, sworn, says that the aforesaid Joseph Moutard had no family; that the said tract of land was settled about twelve years ago, by one Cotard, for said Moutard; that the same was actually inhabited and cultivated until the year 1800; that it was well improved; said Moutard had on the same a house and outhouses. June 25, 1810, It is the opinion of the Board that this claim ought not to be confirmed.

4. John Gilmore, claiming seven hundred and forty-eight acres sixty-eight perches of land, situate on little Rock creek, district of St. Louis. Testimony taken, October 25, 1808. William Savage, sworn, says that John Gilmore built a cabin on the tract claimed and moved in it in November, 1803, and inhabited and cultivated it in 1804 and 1805.
June 25, 1810, It is the opinion of the Board that this claim ought not to be confirmed.

5. John Ball, claiming two hundred and forty arpents of land, situate on the river Des Peres, district of St. Louis. Testimony taken, September 20, 1806. Antoine Soulard, sworn, says that he surveyed the said tract of laud in the year 1799; at which time the said John Ball had a house built on said land, and a field of about five or six arpents fenced. John FL Allen, sworn, says that the said Ball built his house in the year 1798. James Mackay, sworn, says, that about seven years ago he saw a house and well on said land, and that the said John Ball claimed no other land in his own name. June 26, 1810, It is the opinion of the Board that this claim ought not to be confirmed.

6. JOHN SINCLAIR, claiming one thousand two hundred and eighty arpents of land, situate on river S. Francis, district of St. Genevieve, Testimony taken, June 25, 1806, Edward Johnston, sworn, says that he was present when claimant obtained permission to settle on vacant lands. William Crawford, sworn. says that about the 15th December, 1803, he saw claimant on the said tract of land; that he was actually inhabiting the same, and had with him his family, which then consisted of a wife and twelve children; that a crop had been raised on said land, but gathered prior to claimant’s moving on it. Testimony taken, October 27, 1808. Robert Burns, sworn, Says that claimant went on said land five years ago, and has inhabited and cultivated the same ever since. June 28, 1810, It is the opinion of the Board that this claim ought not to be confirmed.

Statement of claims founded on actual cultivation and improvement, and the act of Congress of the 3d of March of 1791.

DISTRICT KASKASKIA.

Original claimant, Augt. Biggerstaff.

1. Present claimant. James B. Moore.

Henry Levins states that this man, in 1786, made an improvement near the New Design, and that he did actually cultivate corn at this place. Peter Casterline states that, in 1786, said Biggerstaff ploughed ground and planted corn at the New Design, and deponent assisted said Biggerataff to lay the foundation of a cabin, deadening some timber, planting seeds, &c.

Original claimant, Henry McLaughlin.

2. Present claimant, William Kinney.

This claim was rejected by the former Board for want of proof; since then the following proof has been adduced: James Garritson, on oath, states that in 3.787 he saw Henry McLaughlin plant and attend corn and wheat in L’Aigle prairie, then public land, adjoining the plantation of Shadrach Bond, Sen.; that he had enclosed about five acres of land.

Original claimant, Samuel Morris.

3. Present claimant, Samuel Morris.

William Biggs states that said Morris did actually cultivate about five or six acres of land in wheat and corn at the Belle Fontaine, in 1787, and that he continued at said place until 1788 or 1789 that the said improvement is situated about one mile east of Belle Fontaine.

Original claimant, Jean B. Maittel.

4. Present claimant, William Russell.

That he lived at Peoria from 1779 to 1785, and cultivated about four acres of land in corn, &c. about a mile below the old fort, at a place called the little Strait; and that he went as a captain in an expedition commanded by Montgomery in the year 1780.