On the following page will be found a copy of both sides of a "Land Office Treasury Warrant" commonly referenced in early land grants. Almost every genealogist has seen a land grant or survey which reads something like: "Bill Clinton, assignee of Al Gore, who was assignee of Bob Dole, surveys 400 acres by virtur of Land Office Treasury Warrant (or LOTW) #9,876,595...etc.". The document on the following page is an example of the document referred to in such an example.

The warrant only entitled an individual to a given number of acres, which could be taken up anywhere. This entitlement could be assigned several times prior to any actual land location being attached to it, much like a check can today be endorsed several times before any money is actually given for it.

The example which follows is in the loose records of Harrison County now available at West Virginia University's Colson Hall West Virginia Collection. On the top (front) document the black spot is a wax seal. On the bottom (back) document can be seen the assignments.