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Homesteading in Manitoba - Homesteads
 RBC, JV-60 Im6, Box 5. To encourage immigration, the Department of Agriculture and Immigration (1890-1959) published and circulated literature on agriculture, farming, and other interests in Manitoba through its Publications Branch. This branch published "Fruitful Manitoba" in 1892. |
The cornerstone of settling western Canada was the quarter-section homestead. The Dominion Lands Act (1872) set out the conditions under which a prospective settler could obtain a 160-acre quarter section of land upon payment of a $10 entry fee. The Act required a potential farmer to improve their homestead before the Dominion Government would award a Land Patent on the grant. Improvements generally included the construction of a residence, breaking of 15 to 50 acres and planting of another 10 to 30 acres of crops within a given time limit, usually 3 years. The applicant also had to reside on the homestead for a period of time, usually 6 months of the year. Prospective settlers could also apply for a pre-emption which allowed them to purchase another 160-acre quarter section.
The Averills homesteaded near present-day Clanwilliam, Manitoba. They submitted their application on July 28th, 1880 and received Land Patent on the grant on July 2nd, 1885. The Dominion Government kept various records of the granting of homesteads to individuals, including homestead files.
Most homestead files include the legal land description of the homestead, the application for entry showing the name and signature of the applicant, their place of birth and nationality, their place of residence, and the date of entry, and the legal land description they chose to homestead. Other documents include sworn statements in support of the application for Land Patent. The applicant provided information regarding his or her family, the length of residence on the land, the cultivation done on the land, and the value of his or her residence, buildings, and other improvements. Two witnesses were required to verify the information provided by the applicant providing proof that he or she had met the requirements of The Dominion Lands Act. Homestead files may also contain inspectors' reports and a copy of a document that notified the homesteader that a Land Patent was issued in his or her name. This document confirmed that they were eligible to apply for a certificate of title at their Land Registration district office.
 Averill Application for Letters Patent The Averill's application for Letters Patent. A of M, NR0215, GR 2060, NE36-16-18W, R-2714. |
 Affidavit in support of Application An affidavit in support of the Averill's application for Letters Patent. A of M, NR0215, GR 2060, NE36-16-18W, R-2714. |
 Octavious Averill's letter to the Dominion Lands Branch Letter written by Octavius Averill to the Dominion Lands Branch regarding the deferral of an interest payment on their pre-empted quarter section, page 1. A of M, NR0215, GR 2060, NE36-16-18W, R-2714. |
 Octavius Averill's letter to the Dominion Lands Branch Letter written by Octavious Averill to the Dominion Lands Branch regarding the deferral of an interest payment on their pre-empted quarter section, page 2. A of M, NR0215, GR 2060, NE36-16-18W, R-2714. |
| Transcript of Octavius Averill's letter to the Dominion Lands Branch | |
Find out more… search Emma Averill in the Keystone Archives Descriptive Database.
