Georgia Gold Region Land Lottery Deed

This is an opportunity to own a genuine piece of American history. The original Cherokee Indian territory became Cherokee County by an Act of December 26, 1831. A law passed on December 3, 1832, divided original Cherokee County into ten counties: Cass (renamed Bartow), Cherokee, Cobb, Floyd, Forsyth, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Murray, Paulding, and Union. In the drawing of tickets and in the granting of the land, the area was treated only as Cherokee territory. The Trail of Tears began with these documents, issued by the State of Georgia at its final land lottery. The lot sizes varied, with the largest being up to 490 acres and the smallest being 40 acres. An act passed by the Georgia General Assembly on December 24, 1831, authorized approximately one third of the 160-acre land districts previously set aside for the sixth lottery, be designated as gold districts and divided into 40 acre lots, to be distributed in a separate lottery. This separate lottery was the seventh lottery and known as the Gold Lottery of 1832. The Act passed December 21, 1843 "limited fortunate drawers in the Lotteries of 1821 and 1832, until the 1st Oct., 1844, to take out out grants." It was divided between land lots distributed by the sixth land lottery and “gold” lots that were distributed by the seventh land lottery. 

This piece features many important signatures. Looks to be signed by the governor, George Crawford, who went on to become U.S. Secretary of War. This two page document measures 8" x 10". The top of the document shows the plat of land with signatures of D.E. Bothwell, Comptroller General; and Mr. Mitchell, the State Treasurer (on either side). Lightly age toned with tanned stains from 2.25" state seal connected by ribbon. There is a small piece of a manilla envelope attached to the back of the document (see picture). Tiny holes at the corners of the folds. Printed & manuscript. Good condition. Some foxing.


The document reads:


State of Georgia
The above plat is a representation of a Reverted Tract or Lot of Land granted to J. Harper of the county of ___ agreeably to the provisions of an Act passed 21st December, 1843, situate in the 21st District, 3rd Section in the County of CHEROKEE, containing FORTY ACRES, which is known and distinguished in the plan of said District by the Number 856

Surveyed on the 26th day of June 1832,
By Ezekiel Lester D.S.

Allen Boyt(?), Mr.(?) Lewis } C.C.
P.M. Compton, Surveyor General


State of Georgia
By His Excellency George W. Crawford,
Governor and commander-in-chief of the Army and Navy of this State, and of the Militia thereof:

To all to whom these Presents shall come---Greeting:
Know Ye, That in pursuance of an Act of the General Assembly of this State, passed on the 21st day of December, eighteen hundred and forty-three, authorizing any citizen of this State (upon certain conditions in said act stated,) after certain dates therein mentioned, to take out in his, her, or their own name, a Grant or Grants, for any Lot or Lots of Land, in the counties of originally Cherokee, but now Cherokee, Forsyth, Cobb, Cass, Lumpkin, Gilmer, Murray, Walker, Paulding, Dade, Chattooga, Union and Floyd, which shall not then be granted, I HAVE GIVEN AND GRANTED, and by these presents, in the name and behalf of this State, DO GIVE AND GRANT unto J. Harper of the county of ___ his heirs and assigns forever, all that TRACT OR LOT OF LAND, containing FOURTY ACRES, situate, lying and being in the Twenty First District of the Third Section of originally Cherokee County, in the said State, which said Tract of Land is known and distinguished in the plan of said District by the number Eight hundred and fifty six having such shape, form and marks, as appear by a Plat of the same hereunto annexed: TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said Tract or Lot of Land, together with all and singular the rights, members and appurtenances thereof, whatsoever, unto the said J. Harper his heirs and assigns, to his and their own proper use, benefit and behoof forever, in fee simple. Given under my hand in the Great Seal of the State, this Eighteenth day of May in the Year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and forty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the seventieth.

Signed by His Excellency the Governor, this 18th day of May 1846.


GRANT
To J. Harper for
Lot 856 :: 21 Dist. 3 Sec. Cherokee.
----
Secretary of State's Office, Georgia
2nd June 1846.
Registered in Book E, Cherokee, &c.,
Reverted Land, Page 268
N.C. Barnett
SECRETARY OF STATE


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