Hi! I'm new to your list and am enlisting your help with my frustration!! My ancestor, Adam Stophlett, received land for being a soldier in the War of 1812. On th BLM record, he received 160 acres in Hancock County, IL... in March of 1818. Yet, Illinois wasn't even a state until a month later in April 1818. AND...Hancock County was not even in existence until somewhere in the 1820's....SO...I am wondering why the BLM certificate even lists the land as in Hancock Co? Anyone know what was going on back in 1818? Also, if Adam received that land, would he have had to live on it? I can't find him on Hancock records I've searched. Anyone see his name??? Thankx so much for any response...or guess!!! -Kristan