What rights did single men aged 17 or older receive under the First Class Headright?

Under the First Class Headright system, single men aged 17 or older were entitled to receive one-third of a league of land, which is approximately 1476.1 acres. This land grant was part of the early settlement policies aimed at encouraging migration to the area. The system was designed to distribute land among eligible individuals, incentivizing settlement and development.

The specific allocation of one-third of a league for single men reflects the intention to offer a significant but manageable amount of land to those who were starting their lives independently. The concept of a "league" pertains to land measurement, where one league equals approximately 4428.4 acres, thereby making one-third of a league a substantial, yet not overwhelming, portion for a young individual.

Understanding this allocation in land grants reveals the historical context of land distribution practices designed to populate and cultivate regions in Texas and the broader United States during periods of expansion.