Conditions Governing Use

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Preferred Citation

John Tyler land grant, Special Collections Research Center, William and Mary Libraries.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Barry '56 and Carolyn Martin.

Processing Information

The collection received container level processing. This finding aid may be updated to reflect new descriptions and acquisitions to the collection.

Biographical / Historical

Robert Tyler (1816-1877) was born September 9, 1816 to President John Tyler and his first wife, Letitia Christian Tyler. While his father was in office, he served as the president's private secretary. He also served as the Confederate Register of the Treasury during the American Civil War. President, John Tyler oversaw land grants operating under the Land Act of 1820 which decreased the price of public land and required speculators to pay for land grants with cash in advance, abolishing speculation.

Content Description

This collection includes a Presidential land grant for Abraham C. and Meacon A. Shelton of Lincoln County, Missouri. The grant was signed by President John Tyler and his son Robert Tyler. The grant referred to the Shelton's making a full payment for eighty acres "subject to sale in Palmyra, Missouri." The grant was under the provisions of the Land Act of 1820, which ended the ability to purchase the United States' public domain lands on a credit or installment system over four years, as previously established.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Land grants
• Missouri--History--19th century