Early Federal laws governing Michigan
Settlement of Michigan by the French. Michigan becomes part of French Canada.
French and Indian War 1754-1763. Britain wins. Treaty of Paris - Michigan becomes part of British Canada.
1775 American Revolution begins. Canada declines to join.
1776 - Declaration of Independence
1 Mar 1781 - Articles of Confederation for the operation of the New United States of America.
1783 Treaty of Paris ends American Revolution. Britain, unexpectedly, surrenders Michigan.
1785 - Land Ordinance for surveying new territory outside the borders of the 13 colonies.
1787 - Northwest Ordinance
or An Ordinance for the Government of the Territory of the United States,
Northwest of the River Ohio
1787 - U S Constitution written
1788 - U S Constitution adopted
4 March 1789 - U S Constitution in effect
7 August 1789 NW Ordinance affirmed under new constitution.
What is now Michigan was part of French Canada until the end of the French and Indian War in 1763, then Britain took over until the end of the American Revolution in 1782. When the United States gained its independence from Britain and while still under the Articles of Confederation some of the original 13 colonies, such as Virginia, claimed this unsettled land around the Great Lakes. On 13 July 1787, the Continental Congress, under these Articles of Confederation, passed the commonly termed Northwest Ordinance or "An Ordinance for the Government of the Territory of the United States, Northwest of the River Ohio" which covered the region around the Great Lakes. On 7 August 1789 it was affirmed and modified under the new Constitution.
Articles of Confederation You can read the whole thing for yourself.
My Index to the Articles of Confederation
North West Ordinance You can read the whole thing for yourself.
My Index to the North West Ordinance
Land Ordinanc of 1785 You can read the whole thing for yourself.
My Index to the Land Ordinance of 1785
The Western Michigan Genealogy Society, under President Barb Madison, developed two books on early land patents. These books are available at the Grand Rapids Public Library although no credit is given to Barb Madison.
State Land Patents: R929.377455 St29
Federal Land Patents: R929.377455 F317 more information
From Heading Geography and the City of Grand Rapids
From web site: MyCityofGrandRapids.info