DCHP-1 Online

land agent Hist.

• 1 n. a broker who assists settlers in obtaining or selling land.

  See also: land-guide  

  • 1828  He settled in Upper Canada, and immediately set up in business as a land-agent.
  • 1858  Over speculation is at an end, and land agents in despair.
  • 1916  It . . . became the home of all adventurous spirits--land agents, company promoters . . . saloon keepers. . . .

• 2 n. a government officieal or the representative of a land company who is responsible for assisting settlers to occupy new land.

  See also: land company  

  • 1832  Now hear the passions that self interest puts in motion, "If I oppose the bill, I incure the displeasure of the "executive, and lose my office of"---of what? "Of Surveyor, Post-Master, Registrar, Collector of Customs---of Col., of Magistrate, of Land Agent &c, &c, &c.
  • 1900  The Canadian Pacific Railway land agents had no interest in Prince Albert (where the land is owned by another company), and said as much, refusing to give any information about the Saskatchewan country.