How we cite our quotes: (Section)
Quote #1
[…] That no certificate shall be given or patent issued therefor until the expiration of five years from the date of such entry […] (Section 2)
The government was basically daring homesteaders to stick it out for five years. They dangled the carrot of the deed to land, which only increased in value as the West was settled, and said, "Have at it." Given the increasing poverty and crime in the cities, people took that dare.
Quote #2
[…] shall prove by two credible witnesses that he, she, or they have resided upon or cultivated the same for the term of five years immediately succeeding the time of filing the affidavit aforesaid, and shall make affidavit that no part of said land has been alienated, and that he has borne rue allegiance to the Government of the United States ; then, in such case, he, she, or they, if at that time a citizen of the United States, shall be entitled to a patent[…] (Section 2)
Not only did they have to work the land for five years, but homesteaders also couldn’t really leave their land. At all.
So yeah, they may have known what they were getting into, but this little gem meant no trips home for family, since travel plus visiting could last up to a couple of months. Nope, settlers were in it for the duration and they went in knowing it, determined to make their homestead work.
Sure, some people probably did take off now and then, but it basically came down to who they got to witness for them. You’d definitely want a buddy who could overlook the occasional escape from bad weather or vacation from working the land. Nobody likes a tattletale.
Quote #3
[…]That no lands acquired under the provisions of this act shall in any event become liable to the satisfaction of any debt or debts contracted prior to the issuing of the patent therefor. (Section 4)
Congress flat out eliminated any get-out-of-jail-free card for people in trouble. Can’t just go file a claim then turn around and use the land to pay off any debts. Nope, folks who filed a claim were dead set on making a living off their land. No ulterior motives here, just pure cussedness and determination.