This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: WILLIAMS MASON CONNER VAUGHN VOGLIN PETERS Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/pR.2ADE/862 Message Board Post: Can anyone tell me if a Land grant of the 1837 time period which is dessignated as a Pre-emption grant would mean that the grantee had lived on that specific land for a period of time and if so what that period of time might be. My GGGrandfather Hillery Williams b SC 1804 received this grant WILLIAMS, HILLARY AL Coosa 4/1/1837 Montgomery 348 AL1330__.268 = A 17/ 24-N 16-E No St Stephens AL Coosa & B 17/ 24-N 16-E No St Stephens AL Coosa 61.75 acs I have Census records of him in Autauga Co, AL for the years 1830, 1840 & 1850 after which he disappears. The Pre-emption designation on the Land Certificate has me confused. Can anyone help? Mary