PreÃ«mptioner

PreÃ«mption + -er (suffix denoting an agent)

Full definition of preÃ«mptioner

(plural preÃ«mptioners)

One who possesses the right of preÃ«mption over certain land; compare: preÃ«mptor.

1877: William Wallace Beach, The Indian Miscellany: containing papers on the history, antiquities, arts, languages, religionsâ€¦, p118â€¦the modern preÃ«mptioner looks with jealousy at the stranger, and imagines that the corners of sections, quarter sections, and forty acre tracts, exite his curiosity, or awaken the avarice of the speculating land hunterâ€¦
1888: James M. Hutchings, In the Heart of the Sierras: Chapter XII: Congressional and State Enactments Concerning Yosemite, Rulings of the Supreme Courtsâ€œIf a qualified preÃ«mptioner enter upon a portion of the public domain, with the intention to preÃ«mpt the same, and performs all the acts necessary to perfect his preÃ«mptive right, except the payment of the purchase price, the government may, nevertheless, at any time before the price is actually paid, or tendered, devote the land to another purpose, and thereby wholly defeat the right of preÃ«mption.â€ â€” California Reports, July, 1871, Vol. 41, pp. 658-9.
1917: Gertrude S. Mathews & James T. DuBois, Galusha A. Grow, Father of the Homestead Law, p210Green himself was reactionary, a preÃ«mptioner who wanted strengthening of these laws alone.