Bill, Certainly appreciate your reply. After replying to you I recalled that Marvin VanGilder, several years ago, had written about my G Grandfather in one of his Local Heritage columns in the Carthage Press. He stated that my GG had settled on tract of "preempted" land, so that agrees with what you wrote. Do you know where I can learn more about the cash sale act of 1820? I found a discussion of the homestead act in my encyclopedia, but can't find the 1820 act. Thanks -- John