This Day in Georgia History
February 17, 1784
Public Land Legislation
Georgia’s House of Assembly enacted new legislation for distributing public land in the state. The 1777 headright formula was continued – 200 acres to each head of a family, plus 50 acres for each family member (including up to 10 slaves) – but the maximum number of acres per family was increased to 1,000. To retain their grants, grantees had to clear and cultivate at least three acres out of every 100.
