headright certificate
headright certificate. Hist. A certificate issued under authority of a Republic of Texas law of 1839 providing that a person was entitled to a grant of 640 acres if the person (1) had immigrated to the Republic between 1 October 1837 and 1 January 1840, (2) was a head of household, and (3) actually resided within the Republic with his or her family. • The grant was to be held under the certificate for three years and then conveyed by absolute deed to the settler.