Below are 2 land patents issued to my great-great-great grandfather, James Bryson. The first one, dated 1853, is a transfer of a warrant originally issued to the widow of a veteran of the War of 1812.  The second one, dated 1856, is a transfer of the warrant originally issued to a soldier in the Aroostook War*.

From my research, I've learned that veterans were given a warrant for 40 acres of land which was transferable. Brokers in the East bought the warrants and sold them to settlers in the West.  The patents are for adjoining 40 acres in the NE quarter of section 18, Paint Creek twp.

Warrant No. 77,813 SE quarter of the NW quarter of Section 18, T-97N R-4W 40 acres Issued in favor of Sarah L. Davis, widow of John Davis, Private in Capt. Dawson's Company Massachusetts Militia, War of 1812 Assigned to James Bryson, August 1, 1853

NE quarter of the NW quarter of Section 18, T-97N R-4W 40 acres Issued in favor of Joseph Lefsley, Sergeant in Capt. Clarks Company Maine Militia, Aroostook War Assigned to James Bryson, January 21, 1856 Notes: *Surname of original warrantee may be 'Lessley' *The name Henry A. Wiltse was crossed out and James Bryson written in.

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*The Aroostook War was an undeclared confrontation in 1838-39 between the United States and Great Britain over the international boundary between British North America (Canada) and Maine.~from Wikipedia

~source of documents: Bureau of Land Management on-line database
~contributed by Trina Brousseau for Allamakee co. IAGenWeb

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