Armed Occupation Act

The Florida Armed Occupation Act of 1842 (5 Stat. 502) was passed as an incentive to populate Florida.

The Act granted 160 acres (0.6 km²) of unsettled land south of the line separating townships 9 and 10 South (an east–west line about three miles (5 km) north of Palatka and about ten miles (16 km) south of Newnansville) to any head of a family as long he satisfied the following conditions:[1]

• be a resident of Florida and not having 160 acres (0.6 km²) of land in Florida when asking for the permit;
• get a permit from the Lands Office;
• he or his heirs reside for five consecutive years on the grant ;
• clear, enclose and cultivate 5 acres (20,000 m²) of land during the first year;
• build a house on the lot during the first year;
• the land should be two or more miles away from a garrisoned military post.

The total land to be granted should not be more than 200,000 acres (800 km²) under the act.