Forgive me, but what exactly is a "Hot Diet"?

I truly am enjoying and learning  (and printing off!) this exchange of
info.  Thanks to all who are contributing!

Shirley Cox Schroeder

On Sun, Nov 9, 2008 at 1:16 PM, William Milam <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> In Spotsylvania and Orange Counties during the 1730s and 1740s, Court
> Orders
> repeatedly use the phrase:  "500 lbs tobacco  & cask or 50
>
> Shillings" for their fines. Of course, one Shillings was worth one
> twentieth
> of an English pound (like our Nickel is worth one twentieth of a
>
> Dollar). One Pence was worth one hundredth of an English Pound (like our
> Cent is worth one hundredth of a Dollar). Therefore, 500 lbs of tobacco was
> worth 2 ½ English Pounds. One pound of tobacco was worth one English Pence,
> an easy way to remember the relationship.
>
>
>
> Annually, the  county Justices (of the Peace) set certain fees. For
> example,
> a court record for Orange County dated March 16, 1735/36 set the fee for a
> Gallon of Rum at 8 Shillings and a Hot Diet at an Ordinary (Inn) at 1
> Shilling. During these decades, most court fines were stated in pounds of
> tobacco since it appeared to be the common currency. Indeed, the county
> budgets were made and calculated in pounds of tobacco.  The Orange County
> Justices at court on October 19, 1736 set the Poll Tax per Tithable at 17
> pounds of tobacco for the year or 17 Pence.
>
>
>
> William Milam
>
>
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