Changes

===Measurements and Description===

==Measurements and Description==

In the early land deeds, a researcher may find reference to terminology no longer used to measure land.  Listed below are some of most common terms found.  Also, some conversion information is provided.

In the early land deeds, a researcher may find reference to terminology no longer used to measure land.  Listed below are some of most common terms found.  Also, some conversion information is provided.

Our collection for plat maps during the 20th century is very incomplete.  We have them for the years: 1922, 1939, 1950, 1952, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, and 2003.  None of the plat maps for the 20th or 21st century includes a listing of property owners in the villages, towns, or cities.  They include only rural land owners.

Our collection for plat maps during the 20th century is very incomplete.  We have them for the years: 1922, 1939, 1950, 1952, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, and 2003.  None of the plat maps for the 20th or 21st century includes a listing of property owners in the villages, towns, or cities.  They include only rural land owners.

   

   

===Fire Insurance Maps===

==Fire Insurance Maps==

Fire insurance maps were the product of urbanization and fire devastation.  Following the London fire of 1666 that destroyed 396 acres of homes and burned for five days, the practice of insuring buildings came into practice.  The first policy covering a business in the American colonies was dated 1728 (Boston, MA).  The coverage was provided by The Sun Company of England.  The problem of distance between England and the American colonies presented a dilemma that was not resolved until 1788 when Edmund Petrie was commissioned to prepare a fire insurance map of Charleston, SC.  It was published in January 1790. However, the phenomena of fire insurance maps in the United States did not experience much fame until the mid-1850s when William Perris, an English engineer, seven volumes of fire insurance maps for New York City between 1852 and 1855.  His company, Perris and Browne continued until 1889 when the Sanborn Company absorbed them.

Fire insurance maps were the product of urbanization and fire devastation.  Following the London fire of 1666 that destroyed 396 acres of homes and burned for five days, the practice of insuring buildings came into practice.  The first policy covering a business in the American colonies was dated 1728 (Boston, MA).  The coverage was provided by The Sun Company of England.  The problem of distance between England and the American colonies presented a dilemma that was not resolved until 1788 when Edmund Petrie was commissioned to prepare a fire insurance map of Charleston, SC.  It was published in January 1790. However, the phenomena of fire insurance maps in the United States did not experience much fame until the mid-1850s when William Perris, an English engineer, seven volumes of fire insurance maps for New York City between 1852 and 1855.  His company, Perris and Browne continued until 1889 when the Sanborn Company absorbed them.

Wooster, Ohio; October, 1888; STREETS: Grant N. [1-34]; Grant S. [1-56]; Liberty W. [1-86]; Market N. [2-34]; Market S. [1-65]; North W. [2-72]; Public Square West Side; South W.; Walnut N. [1-36]; Walnut S. [1-57]; SPECIALS: Central Hotel; County Court House; Disciples' Church; Frick J. Block; George & Co. Furniture Fact.; Immel D. W. Tannery; McDonald's Agric. Works; Memorial Block; Miller Block; Wooster Brush Works (Reel55-6962-00007.jpg)

Wooster, Ohio; October, 1888; STREETS: Grant N. [1-34]; Grant S. [1-56]; Liberty W. [1-86]; Market N. [2-34]; Market S. [1-65]; North W. [2-72]; Public Square West Side; South W.; Walnut N. [1-36]; Walnut S. [1-57]; SPECIALS: Central Hotel; County Court House; Disciples' Church; Frick J. Block; George & Co. Furniture Fact.; Immel D. W. Tannery; McDonald's Agric. Works; Memorial Block; Miller Block; Wooster Brush Works (Reel55-6962-00007.jpg)

===School Lands===

==School Lands==

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 required that one of the 36 sections in each township was to be set aside for the support of the schools.  The lands were leased at 6 percent of their value of $2 per acre.  This equaled 12 cents per acre per year.  Later it was decided that section 16 would be set aside as school lands.

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 required that one of the 36 sections in each township was to be set aside for the support of the schools.  The lands were leased at 6 percent of their value of $2 per acre.  This equaled 12 cents per acre per year.  Later it was decided that section 16 would be set aside as school lands.

Some land warrants were completely handwritten while others were recorded on a pre-printed form. On the next page is one example of a military bounty land record.  This record states, “I do Certify that Zaccheus Biggs, Assignee of John Shaw, heir at law to Sylvanus Shaw, late a Captain hath surrendered his Military Land Warrant No. 158 for three hundred acres granted for his services during the late Revoluntionary War…”  The warrant goes on to explain that he has three lots situated in range 2, township 3, quarter 4, lots 30, 31, and 32. It is dated 31 July 1804.

Some land warrants were completely handwritten while others were recorded on a pre-printed form. On the next page is one example of a military bounty land record.  This record states, “I do Certify that Zaccheus Biggs, Assignee of John Shaw, heir at law to Sylvanus Shaw, late a Captain hath surrendered his Military Land Warrant No. 158 for three hundred acres granted for his services during the late Revoluntionary War…”  The warrant goes on to explain that he has three lots situated in range 2, township 3, quarter 4, lots 30, 31, and 32. It is dated 31 July 1804.

   

   

===Homestead Act===

==Homestead Act==

The Homestead Act was passed by Congress on May 20, 1862 and took effect January 1, 1863.  To be eligible for the Homestead Act, individuals had to meet the following criteria:

The Homestead Act was passed by Congress on May 20, 1862 and took effect January 1, 1863.  To be eligible for the Homestead Act, individuals had to meet the following criteria: