Hi Stephen: ISAAC & THADEUS COOLEY are both listed in this book: ISAAC COOLEY; Fayette Co., IN; NW1/4-SW1/2-S17; 10-19-1836 THADEUS COOLEY; Dearborn Co., IN; NE1/4-S27; 9-18-1804 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Additional Information on Fayette Co., IN: Date of first white settlers: 1804 Date of organization as a county: 1818 Date when first court convened: 1814 Date of first land entry: 1811 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Additional Information on Dearborn Co., IN: Date of first white settlers: 1800 Date of organization as a county: 1803 Date when first court convened: 1803 Date of first land entry: 1801 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- "Prior to 1800 the only land owned by individuals in Indiana was either in and around Vincennes, where titles went back to French and Indian grants, or in Clark's Grant opposite the present Louisville, which had been allotted to the men who had served with George Rogers Clark in his Revolutionary War campaign against the British. "Indian title to all the lands in Indiana was recognized at least nominally by the Federal government; and before any particular area was opened for sale, negotiations were opened with the chiefs of the tribes that claimed the land. Treaties were made whereby the Indians gave up their claims and accepted goods and money in exchange. The negotiations might be prolonged, but in the end the government always won out. "The first such treaty affecting Indiana land was held in 1795, when the Indians ceded lands east of a line drawn from Fort Recovery in Ohio to a point on the Ohio River opposite the mouth of the Kentucky River. A triangular strip in what is now southeastern Indiana was thus opened for settlement; but it was not until six years later after the land had been surveyed and a land office was opened at Cincinnati, that it could be purchased. In the meantime, many settlers moved in and 'squattted' on the land, hoping to purchase their preferred site when the area was opened for sale. "During the first two decades of government land sales in Indiana, purchasers had to buy at least 320 acres and pay a minimum of $2.00 per acre Four years were allowed in which to complete payments. Land auctions were held when new areas were opened, and the land was sold to the highest bidder Any tracts not sold at auction could be purchased at the land office for the minimum price. Many purchasers were forced to forfeit their lands when hard times came and payments could not be made. In 1820 a new land law was passed which placed the minimum price at $1.25 an acre and allowed purchasers to buy as little as 80 acres. The credit system was abolished in favor of cash payments. At the auction sales, choice land often sold for three and four times the minimum price. In the 1830's and 1840's, pre-emption acts were passed by Congress to give the 'squatter' who had settled and improved a piece of land the opportunity to purchase it at the minimum price before the public sale. "The rectangular system of land surveys was used for the first time in what is now Ohio in the 1790's. The system was conceived by Thomas Hutchins in 1764 while on an expedition against the Indians." ----------------------- The tract books for the several land offices in Indiana are deposited in the office of the Auditor of State, Indianapolis, and are in the care of the State Land Clerk." -- Margaret R. Waters, Author --------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Stephen D. Carlile Date: 06/15/05 15:22:15 To: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert Subject: Re: [IALUCAS] ANOTHER NEW BOOK FOR 'LOOKUPS'... Nancee: Thank you for being so generous with your time. If you would be so kind, I have an ancestor, Isaac Cooley, who was born about 1805 in Dearborn County, Indiana. His father was thought to be Thaddeus Cooley, and we believe his mother's name was Jane. I would certainly appreciate it if you could check your index for my Cooley family. Thank you very much. (I am going to follow this up with a request from your other source, I hope you don't mind)