Quit rent was a land tax.

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary (1856):

QUIT RENT. A rent paid by the tenant of the freehold, by which he goes
quit and free; that is, discharged from any other rent. 2 Bl. Com. 42.

2. In England, quit rents were rents reserved to the king or a
proprietor, on an absolute grant of waste land, for which a price in
gross was at first paid, and a mere nominal rent reserved as a feudal
acknowledgment of tenure. Inasmuch as no rent of this description can
exist in the United States, when a quit rent is spoken of, some other
interest must be intended. 5 Call. R. 364. A perpetual rent reserved
on a conveyance in fee simple, is sometimes known by the name of quit
rent in Massachusetts. 1 Hill. Ab. 150. See Ground Rent; Rent.

On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 10:50 PM, Janice <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> For years I have heard the term 'quit rent'.

To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at
http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html