Clark's Grant - Apportionment

Apportionment

Clark's Grant was the basis of the establishment of the first American settlements in the modern state of Indiana. The land was allotted during 1784. Clark himself received the largest tract, containing over 8,000 acres (32 km2). Officers were also granted large tracts, and the 236 privates each were given an 108-acre (0.44 km2) tract. The sergeants were each given tracts of 216 acres (0.87 km2). Higher ranking officers were given progressively larger tracts. Each person was given one or more large tracts in the countryside, and one smaller tract. The smaller tracts were grouped together around the entire grants and were intended to become settlements. It was hoped that the soldiers would build their homes on the small tracts that were near together, and sell or farm the larger tracts granted to them in the countryside. There was some controversy over the grant, because privates were promised at least 300-acre (1.2 km2) tracts at the start of the war as reward.