Virginia & Old Kentucky Patents Legislation Overview

The Virginia General Assembly (prior to June 1, 1792) and the Kentucky General Assembly (after June 1, 1792) approved legislation that established the process for appropriating land in early Kentucky. 

This website includes the complete text of early Land Laws that applied to land acquisition in Virginia and Kentucky. Patents for Kentucky land prior to June 1, 1792, are filed with the Virginia Patent Series. Patents for Kentucky land after June 1, 1792, are filed with the Old Kentucky Patent Series.

Among the provisions of  "Land Law 1779 (A)" are the following:

• Usage of French & Indian War Military Warrants
• Certificates of Settlement & Preemption Warrants
• Importation Warrants
• Village Rights
• Lands claimed by Survey Companies
• Establishment of Land Commissions to hear claims

Among the provisions of "Land Law 1779 (B)" are the following:

• Establishment of a Land Office in Virginia
• Treasury Warrants
• Bounty Land Warrants for Revolutionary War soldiers
• Appointment of County Surveyors
• Location of Revolutionary War District
• Lands subject to patenting
• Patenting Process
• Penalties for altering Warrants

As additional legislation is identified, it will be added to this website.