Garnett Oklahoma Homestead

James E. “J.E.” Garnett hailed from an old, established Kentucky family. Yet, he wanted his own property. The Adair County (KY) News, his hometown newspaper, printed this little tidbit on August 13, 1902:

However, J. E. Garnett knew exactly where he was going. Because on August 15, 1902, he filed a claim under the provisions of the 1862 Homestead Act. His claim was 160 acres in Harper County, Oklahoma Territory.

The National Archives in Washington D.C. stores the original Homestead Land Entry Case files. In April 2022, I held the packet of papers for file #5879 in my hand. I called it Christmas at the Archives.

Homestead Application

J.E. Garnett’s application file (August 15, 1902) contained the following items:

• Application for a homestead (NW 1/4, Section 11, Township 27N, Range 25W) of 160 acres
• Affidavit of his eligibility (age, citizenship by birth, and head of a household)
• Affidavit that he did not occupy land in Oklahoma Territory before September 16, 1893 (He was not a “Sooner”)
• Non-Saline Affidavit (no salt springs nor any saline deposits on the claim)
• Filing Fee Receipt: $14.00

Final Homestead Proof

One of the requirements of the 1862 Homestead Act was that claimants needed to reside on the land for five years. So, in 1907 J. E. Garnett began the paperwork process to “prove up” and claim his homestead. In the Homestead Proof – Testimony of Claimant (September 24, 1907), J.E. Garnett lists the following improvements to the land:

• October 15, 1902: He built his house and established an actual residence on the land
• Sod house size: 14 feet x 26 feet
• Frame granary size: 8 feet x 16 feet
• Hen house size: 12 feet x 16 feet
• Cave size: 12 feet x 14 feet
• Well
• Pump
• 110 acres of cultivated land used for farming, grazing and prairie
• 116 fruit trees
• 1500 forest trees
• 1 mile of wire fence
• Property value: $2000.00
• Wife and 3 children [Dollie (Pile) Garnett, May Pettris Garnett (Rector), Ferris Francis Garnett (Porter, Baker) and John E. “Bud” Garnett]

This 1910 map shows Harper County, Oklahoma, Township 27N, Range 25W.¹Western Publishing Co. Plat book of Harper County, Oklahoma: containing maps of villages, cities and townships of the county, and of the state, United States and world: portraits of representative citizens and leading men of the county. Ashland, Kan.: Western Publishing Co, 1910. Map. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2007633237/>. James E. Garnett’s 160-acre homestead is highlighted. Also note the Milton A. Rector homestead just to the south of the Garnett place.

Old Kentucky Home Farm

The final pages of the 1910 plat book of Harper County contains a list of County Patrons and several pages of photographs. Unfortunately for us, there are no photos of James, his family or his Old Kentucky Home Farm. However, J.E. is listed in the patron section:

GARNETT, J.E. Farmer and Township Trustee. Settled in County 1902. Native of Kentucky. Sec 11, Twp 27 N. R25 W. Upland farm of 160 acres, all of which can be cultivated. 120 acres in cultivation. 80 acres fenced. 50 fruit trees and 700 forest trees. Two room sod and frame house. Frame stable 32×16, granary, cave and well.

What Research is Next?

When did the family sell the Old Kentucky Home Farm?
Do you have photos of the farm?