A township is 36 sections, each a mile square. Land descriptions of a section divided: NW Quarter, NE Quarter, SW Quarter and SE Quarter, and may be further sub-divided as: the SW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of Section 2 amounting to 40 acres. Some areas need descriptions for irregular plots of land surrounding water in a lake or on a stream. Meandered water is a lake or stream which is located on acreage for which the landowner pays taxes on the land only - - - commonly called government lots. The original government survey of the county is located in the courthouse and includes the location acreage and lot number of each tract of land. Back to grant land, wasn't most of that given for military service? And then, I believe the amount given varied with the soldier's rank? Regards, Clara in NE