Spanish Land Grants
In 1821 Spain ceded Florida to the United States government. Prior to that date the Spanish King had granted land grants to individuals in Florida. This created a problem for the United States government that wanted to sell unowned parts of Florida to encourage development and recover some of the cost of purchasing Florida. In 1822 Land Office Commissions in St. Augustine and Pensacola were established to review the validity of the land grant claims and identify the land owner.
The claims files include a wide variety of documents that were submitted to the Land Office Commissions. Some of the files are in Spanish, but the are often accompanied by translations. The claims were finally sent off to Washington, but the State of Florida has microfiche copies in the State Archives in Tallahassee, and they have put the images online.
Sad to say most of the Pensacola claims have been lost.
Spanish Land Grant Claims documents can be founds at:
http://www.floridamemory.com/Collections/SpanishLandGrants/index.cfm
There are 14 listed with the SANCHEZ surname, but if you are searching a maternal line check the husband's surname.
As a bonus check out "Maps: Past and Present." These are examples of the old land grant maps, the early survey maps, and modern USGS maps. Plus example #1 Map is the San Felasco grant in Alachua County; Francis Roman Sanchez' ranch.
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