Texas Surveyors Practice Exam

What was a key requirement for the fourth class headright certificate that differentiated it from previous ones?

1. Applicants must pay a fee to receive land

2. Applicants must live on the land and cultivate at least 10 acres

3. Land grants were increased for families

4. Land was granted without any conditions

The correct answer is: Applicants must live on the land and cultivate at least 10 acres

The key requirement for the fourth class headright certificate that distinguishes it from prior certificates is the stipulation that applicants must live on the land and cultivate at least 10 acres. This requirement emphasizes the commitment of settlers to establish a presence and contribute to the development of the land by engaging in agricultural activities. This focus on cultivation reflects the intent of the land grants to promote not just ownership but active utilization and improvement of the land. Prior classes of headright certificates did not have such explicit conditions regarding residence and cultivation, which set the fourth class apart. This requirement can be seen as a strategy to encourage sustained settlement and productive use of the land, thereby fostering stronger communities and facilitating growth in the region. The other options do not represent a distinctive feature of the fourth class headright certificate; for instance, while some land grants may have required fees or increased land amounts for families, the specific focus on residence and cultivation is what defines this class of headright.