1853 Land Grant During Presidency Of Franklin Pierce
This document is an original United States Land Grant (also known as a land patent), dated December 15, 1853, issued during the presidency of Franklin Pierce.
Key Document Details
Grantee: The land was granted to Hammen Bryant of Jackson County, Ohio.
Location: The property consisted of approximately 38 acres in the Chillicothe, Ohio land district.
Legal Basis: It was issued under the Act of Congress of April 24, 1820, which regulated the sale of public lands.
Authenticity of the Signature
While the document is an authentic 19th-century artifact, the signature of Franklin Pierce is almost certainly secretarial rather than personally hand-signed by the President.
Historical Context: Beginning in 1833 during Andrew Jackson's second term, Congress authorized presidents to appoint secretaries to sign land grants due to the overwhelming volume of documents.
Secretary Identification: On this specific document, the signature is followed by the name John H. Wheeler, who served as the Assistant Secretary authorized to sign on the President's behalf.
This document is an original United States Land Grant (also known as a land patent), dated December 15, 1853, issued during the presidency of Franklin Pierce.
Key Document Details
Grantee: The land was granted to Hammen Bryant of Jackson County, Ohio.
Location: The property consisted of approximately 38 acres in the Chillicothe, Ohio land district.
Legal Basis: It was issued under the Act of Congress of April 24, 1820, which regulated the sale of public lands.
Authenticity of the Signature
While the document is an authentic 19th-century artifact, the signature of Franklin Pierce is almost certainly secretarial rather than personally hand-signed by the President.
Historical Context: Beginning in 1833 during Andrew Jackson's second term, Congress authorized presidents to appoint secretaries to sign land grants due to the overwhelming volume of documents.
Secretary Identification: On this specific document, the signature is followed by the name John H. Wheeler, who served as the Assistant Secretary authorized to sign on the President's behalf.
