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Record Creator: | Secretary of State, State Library |
Description: | These records contain an index to the Washington Territory Donation Land Claims book. The book contains the names of settlers who filed claims between 1852 and 1855 in Oregon Territory, and later Washington Territory when it was created in 1853. James Wickersham, a probate judge in Pierce County Washington from 1884-1888, is credited with transcribing this book in July of 1887.
In 1850, Congress passed the Donation Land Law for the Oregon Territory. The Donation Land Law granted land to certain whites or Indians of mixed blood, provided they remain on the land for four years. They would receive 320 acres each (if single and would marry within one year after arrival), 160 acres if single and at least 21 years old, or an additional 320 acres in their wife’s name, if married. Originally designed to expire in December 1853, the law was extended until December 1855 and enabled settlers to purchase their claim for $1.25 per acre after two years of successive residence on the land. |
Related Records: | For more information, or to learn about related records, contact the Washington State Archives at (360) 586-1492, or email [email protected]. |
Access Restriction Notes: | These records are open for research. |
Sources of Transfer | Washington State Library |
Notes | Original material held by the Washington State Library.
Transcribed by Roger Easton, Final Proofreading by Andrea Watts, Office of the Secretary of State. |
Agency History: | The Washington State Library was initially created by the Organic Act of 1853, which provided Territorial Governor Isaac I. Stevens with $5,000 in funds towards a library. When Washington obtained statehood in 1889, the Territorial Library became the State Library. The Library's collection now contains over 2.25 million items, many of which are pivotal to preserving Washington State's history. |
Preferred Citation: | [Identification of item], Washington Territory Donation Land Claims, 1852-1855, Washington State Archives, Digital Archives, http://digitalarchives.wa.gov, [date accessed]. |
Record Count: | 552 |