Although there were fewer than 400 houses in the area that became Washington, DC (excluding the port city of Georgetown), the land making up what is now downtown was owned by some eighteen individuals, many of whom had farms and orchards. These "settlers" ceded their land to the United States government to begin the Federal City. Most were not paid for the land occupied by Federal buildings, although they were allowed to sell adjoining lands to be used for residences and commercial establishments.