The Florida

Florida

Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...

 Armed Occupation Act of 1842 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.
(a East/West line about three miles (5 km) north of Palatka

Palatka, Florida

Palatka is a city in Putnam County, Florida, United States. The population was 10,033 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 10,796. It is the county seat of Putnam County and includes East Palatka. Palatka is the principal city of the Palatka...

 and about ten miles (16 km) south of Newnansville

Newnansville, Florida

The Newnansville Town Site was where the town of Newnansville was located. It is approximately 1.5 miles northeast of Alachua, Florida, on S.R. 235 off of US 441...

) to any head of a family as long he satisfied the following conditions:

• 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 (20,234.3 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 last statement implied that the person should bear arms for his own protection.

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