HOMESTEAD ENTRY ACT The Act of May 20, 1862, authorized unrestricted settlement on public lands to all settlers, requiring only residence, cultivation, and some improvement to a tract of 160 acres. Any person was eligible who was head of a family or had reached the age of 21, who was a citizen or intended to become one, and who did not own as much as 160 acres. After living on the land and farming it for 6 months, he could buy the homestead at $1.25 an acre. But after 5 continuous years, he could apply for and receive a patent or title to the 160 acres for a filing fee of $15. I downloaded this from the GLO (Govt. Land Office - Eastern States Bureau) land patent site some time ago. The description of the way the patents were bought, and under what authority is on the GLO site but it takes a while to find them. If anyone would like my saved file I can send it to you but didn't want to send it to the whole list. For those that prefer to search the site you should start at http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/ Anne Futch