The enactment of the Homestead Act revolutionized land ownership and settlement in America, fundamentally reshaping the nation’s westward expansion. Often hailed as one of the most significant pieces of legislation for the welfare of the people, this law allowed individuals to claim 160 acres of land free of charge, provided they lived on and improved it for five years. While the concept of free land was revolutionary, it took considerable political will to pass, with early American history seeing settlers forced to purchase land, often losing it due to poverty. The story of the first homestead under this groundbreaking act begins with one determined individual: Daniel Freeman.
The Genesis of the Homestead Act
For the first 80 years of United States history, settlers were obligated to buy their land. Although prices were often low, many pioneers were impoverished and lost their improved lands because they lacked the funds to complete payments. This pressing issue fueled a national movement for land reform.
In 1852, the Free Soil Party spearheaded the demand for free homesteads, advocating for accessible land for all citizens. Congressman Galusha A. Grow of Pennsylvania introduced the first free homestead bill in 1854. The proposal garnered immense support from Western populations and the poor across the nation but faced strong opposition. An initial version, passed in 1860, required a payment of 25¢ per acre and was subsequently vetoed by President Buchanan. It wasn’t until May 20, 1862, amidst the turmoil of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln finally signed the Free Homestead Act into law, a pivotal moment in American history. The legislation officially took effect on January 1, 1863.
Daniel Freeman: America’s First Homesteader
The distinction of claiming the first homestead in the United States belongs to Daniel Freeman. Born in Ohio in 1826, Freeman moved to Illinois with his parents in 1835. He followed the progress of the Free Homestead Bill with keen interest, expressing his fervent wish to be the very first to claim land under the act.
When the Free Homestead Act was signed, Daniel Freeman was serving as a soldier in the Union Army. A few months later, granted a brief leave, he journeyed to Nebraska to scout for a suitable home in the largely vacant, beautiful territory. He found his ideal spot on Cub Creek in Gage County, Nebraska, approximately five miles northwest of Beatrice. His path then led him to the nearest United States land office, located in Brownville, Nebraska, where he arrived on December 31, 1862.
Brownville was abuzz with settlers eager to claim land under the new law. On New Year’s Eve, many attended a party at the local hotel, all aware that the Homestead Act would take effect the following day. However, New Year’s Day was a federal holiday, meaning the land office wouldn’t open until January 2.
Facing orders to rejoin his regiment soon, Mr. Freeman explained his extraordinary desire to be the nation’s first homesteader. Recognizing his unique ambition, his fellow prospective settlers supported him. Together, they persuaded a clerk at the land office to open the office briefly, just a few minutes past midnight on January 1, exclusively for Daniel Freeman.
Thus, Daniel Freeman made homestead entry number one and later received homestead patent number one for 160 acres on Cub Creek near Beatrice, Nebraska. This historic act forever linked Nebraska to the origins of the Homestead Act, a law that would eventually lead over one million homesteaders to claim more than 120,000,000 acres of land as a gift from the government. The promise of free land became a powerful magnet, significantly accelerating the settlement of the West. A popular song of the era captured this spirit with the refrain: “Come along, come along, make no delay, Come from every nation, come from every way, Our lands are broad enough, have no alarm For Uncle Sam is rich enough to give us all a farm.”
Life and Legacy on the Homestead
After the Civil War concluded in 1865, Daniel Freeman returned to his Nebraska homestead with his bride, settling into their new life. Here, their seven children grew to adulthood, and the farm remained the family home for decades. Mrs. Freeman continued to live there with her children and grandchildren. Mr. Freeman passed away on December 30, 1908.
The first homestead was a picturesque farm, situated in a valley where prairie met timberland. While the original log cabin with a sod roof, the Freeman family’s first home, eventually disappeared, a brick house and an orchard later graced the property. A section of the old freighting road, connecting the Missouri River to the mountains, ran for nearly a mile through the farm, lined with giant cottonwood trees planted by Mr. Freeman himself. On a hill overlooking the valley and the historic road, Daniel Freeman’s grave serves as a quiet testament to his pioneering spirit.
Preserving the Landmark: Homestead National Monument of America
Following Daniel Freeman’s death, his wife, Agnes Suiter Freeman, continued to live on the homestead until shortly before her own passing in 1931. The profound historical significance of Freeman’s claim was formally recognized in 1936 when the United States Congress designated the site as the Homestead National Monument of America. This designation ensured the preservation of the original homestead and its surrounding historical elements.
Today, the national monument encompasses Daniel Freeman’s original claim, the Freeman School—a one-room schoolhouse constructed in 1872—another historic cabin, Freeman’s grave, and various tree plantings that reflect the agricultural efforts of early homesteaders. Administered by the National Park Service, the Homestead National Monument of America stands as a vital educational and historical site, located in southeastern Nebraska, 40 miles south of Lincoln and four miles west of Beatrice on NE Highway 4.
Conclusion
The Homestead Act and the pioneering efforts of Daniel Freeman embody a pivotal chapter in American history, symbolizing opportunity, resilience, and the relentless drive to build a future. Freeman’s determination to be the first to claim land under the act not only secured his family’s destiny but also inspired countless others to seek new lives in the West. The preservation of his original homestead as a national monument ensures that the legacy of this transformative law and the spirit of the American homesteader continue to resonate, offering valuable lessons about land, self-sufficiency, and the foundational elements of American expansion.
