Some of Georgia Earliest Land Owners

The first land grants in Georgia did not reveal much information for the genealogist. If you have found an old land grant and wish to go hunting for the homesite, the best thing to do is to observe adjoining neighbors (although "vacant" was used for the first grants in a new county). So, begin with the first deed book in the parent county and read every deed! Yes, that is the way to find any clues as to whom the land passed to next. Pay particular attention to the number of acres. For example, 287-1/2 acres was a typical land grant to a revolutionary war veteran. 202-1/4 and 202-1/2 is an indicator for the acreage granted in lotteries (1805, 1807, 1820, 1821, 1827, 1832). Washington County was the parent county for Hancock, etc. You can trace the land as it transferred ownership simply by paying particular attention to the legal description, limiting as it may be. Look for s. These are found with the deed books. If they exist for the county in which you are searching, you will see "drawn dimensions". Compare this with your (drawn) land grant. Once you have located the land lot number and district, you can obtain a county map and zero in on the homeplace. Search all the cemeteries in that district. Somewhere in there you will find recognizable names. People were normally buried in churchyards near their home, or on the plantation itself. You will notice from the map's "legend" the difference between a churchyard burial and a private cemetery. This information came from topical maps, so is quite accurate.

Some of Georgia Earliest Land Owners

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