One who pre-empts land under the general laws of the U.S.
1841. [I am not] saying harsh and unkind things of those who are called pre-emptioners.—Mr. Southard of N.J., U.S. Senate, Jan. 16: Cong. Globe, p. 368, App.
1846. Judge Story. [See Worcester’s Dict.]
1850. If I were going to hunt for patriots…. I would go among the poor, the squatters, the pre-emptors, the hardy sons of toil.—Mr. Brown of Mississippi, House of Repr., July 26: Cong. Globe, p. 1458.
