Federal Bounty Land Laws
Similar to Federal Pensions the government issued bounty lands to those who served in the Continental Army during the war. The bounties were given to any soldier that served and acres were awarded by rank. Officers were given first choice and more land for their service than privates, however soldiers were given 160 acres of land for as little as 14 days of service so they were well-compensated.
Any time there is land or money that are given by the government it leaves a paper trail with many different records. Here is a quick timeline of legislation passed by Congress in regards to Federal Bounty lands:
- 1776 - Bounty land was awarded by rank. Officers received more than privates
- 1796 - Military districts were opened in Ohio
- 1855 - 160 acres of land awarded to those who had 14 days of service
These bounty lands were often not taken advantage of by the actual soldier, but their children or widows. The opportunity for land came too late in their life. Often these bounty lands were traded for money since there was nothing available to claim.