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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