The first American settlement in what is now Missouri was in 1787. Until 1803, France and Spain passed control of the Louisiana Territory back and forth. In the Louisiana Purchase, ownership passed into the hands of the United States. In 1805, Missouri became part of the Territory of Louisiana and remained so until 1812 when it became a Territory in its own name. At that time the population was 20,000 inhabitants. This area of Missouri Territory included the present states of Arkansas and Oklahoma until 1819 when Missouri applied for statehood. Congress then created the Arkansas Territory and included the area that is now the state of Oklahoma.

This three-volume series presents land grants in present day Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, 1787 to 1835. The grants included in this volume are those which were presented and confirmed until 1835. Many of the citizens had lived on their land for many years. The applicant gave the information regarding how he acquired the land, how long he had lived on it, and frequently gave information as to his occupation and the size of his family. Much genealogical and historical data is included in these land records: names, claims, time in Territory, children, marital status, etc. A full-name index adds to the value of this work.