pre-emptor

The broad stretch of fertile loam, where prosperous wooden towns are rising fast among the wheatfields, lay to the south of them, and the arid tract through which they journeyed had so far no attraction for even the adventurous homestead pre-emptor.

The Intriguers Harold Bindloss 1905

Provided, the entry in such cases shall be made in favor of "The heirs" of the deceased pre-emptor, and a patent thereon shall cause the title to inure to said heirs, as if their names had been specially mentioned.

Ordinances and constitution of the state of Alabama: with the constitution of the provisional government and of the Confederate States of America 1861

Although pre-emption offered a means of obtaining Crown Land at little or no cost, it required the pre-emptor to make improvements to the property, which cost money.

BC Bloggers 2009

The pre-emptor could acquire a piece of land from the government at a discounted price, or at no charge, if he made certain improvements on it.

BC Bloggers 2009