>In May 1686 William Fitzhugh advertised for french Protestants to come to his plantation with the following offer:
>"...I will either sell them in fee at L17 sterling for every hundred acres, or else lease it to them for three lives paying 20 shillings p. annum for every hundred acres, and they may have the liberty of renewing one two or three lives at any time, paying for each life to be renewed one year's Rent ..."    Nan Netherton, "Fairfax County Virginia, A History,"  pp. 13-14.
>
>What is the meaning of three lives and how does that relate to the payment of rent?


-My interpretation is that the land lease would allow the renter be able to pass the contract to
any 3rd generation heir and have the ability to extend it 3 more generations by paying a one
year rent premium per generation extended.

John Garrett

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