The Florida Armed Occupation Act of 1842 (5 Stat. 502) was passed as an incentive to grow the population of 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 white male 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.