Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

In force, Feb.[February] 28, 1839.

AN ACT to provide for the dedication of lots, in towns situated on canal lands, to public purposes.
1

Lots donated to religious societies.

Conditions.

Title, how vested.

Sec.[Section] 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That for the purpose of adding to the value of town lots owned by the State in towns laid out and established by the Board of Commissioners of the Illinois and Michigan canal, by encouraging public improvements, the said Board shall designate lots in each of said towns, to be donated to religious societies or congregations, whereon to erect houses of worship; and one lot shall be granted to every society or congregation desiring the same, upon condition that such society will erect or build a church or chapel thereon, and use and occupy the same for that and no other purpose. The lots so donated shall be unalienable by the society or congregation; and whenever abandoned or used for any other purpose than is expressed in this act, shall revert to the State, together will all improvements made thereon. The title to lots shall be vested in societies or congregations, by an entry to be made by the Board of Canal Commissioners upon the recorded plat of the town, of the name of the society or congregation for which the donation is intended; but the title shall be subject to the provisions of this act.2

Lots for school-houses

Sec. 2. The Board shall also set apart and designate, in the manner aforesaid, not exceeding four lots in each town, on which the inhabitants of such towns may erect school-houses, for the use of common schools; said lots to be unalienable, and to be occupied and used as aforesaid, under the direction of the proper authorities of the town. The provisions of this act shall extend to towns hereafter, as well as towns already, laid out.

Approved, February 28, 1839.

1On February 4, 1839, William Stadden introduced SB 180 in the Senate. The Senate referred it to the Committee on the Judiciary. On February 8, the committee reported the bill back with an amendment, in which the Senate concurred. On February 12, the Senate passed the bill as amended. On February 26, the House of Representatives passed the bill. On February 28, the Council of Revision approved the bill and the act became law.
Illinois House Journal. 1838. 11th G. A., 1st sess., 393, 463, 516, 549; Illinois Senate Journal. 1838. 11th G. A., 1st sess., 268, 296-97, 317, 419, 447, 463.

2In 1840, the General Assembly passed an act amended this section by allowing the canal commissioners to grant parts of lots. In 1841, the General Assembly passed another act extending the provisions of this section.