The Palestine Land District Office was created by act of Congress of May 11, 1820. It assumed responsibility for part of land north of baseline for second and third principal meridians which formerly was attached to Shawneetown District. Some of land in new district had also been part of Vincennes (Indiana) District before boundaries for State of Illinois were established. In 1831 all land in Palestine District north of line separating townships sixteen and seventeen north of baseline was transferred to newly created Danville District. Palestine Land District Office was discontinued on August 14, 1855, and responsibility for selling all remaining public land in district was transferred to Springfield Land District Office.
From the description of Papers relating to land in Palestine District, ca. 1821-1961. (Illinois State Archive). WorldCat record id: 37886008
