I found a land patent in the name of Wilson Hunnicutt, dated 5 Aug 1837. The Wilson Hunnicutt I'm interested in was born 17 Dec 1819 and was therefore not quite 18 years old as of the date of this patent. Is this possible? I mean, would he have been of legal age to enter into a contract for real estate at this time?

He was born in Belmont Co, Ohio and was married in Athens, Ohio in 1842. If this is 'my' Wilson, his father sold the family farm in Belmont County in 1836, removing to Morgan Co. Ohio. So I can see how the timing would have worked for the eldest son to strike out on his own, possibly with his 'share' of the farm proceeds in hand.