Please feel free to comment on my understanding of these terms. It will help
me make certain that I am on the right track.

 

Warrant - The first step in the process of acquiring land was a Warrant and
/ or an Entry in the county Surveyor's book which secured the right to a
survey of the land. The Entry included a description of the land and the
number of acres. In the 17th century the primary method of gaining a Warrant
was the "Headright" system: 50 acres of land for each person imported into
the Colony. This was augmented after 1699 by the "Treasury Right" at the
rate of 5 Shillings Sterling for 50 acres. The latter could be purchased
from the Land Office in Williamsburg or locally from the county surveyor.
Warrants could be bought and sold.

 

Patent - In the Colony of Virginia, a Patent conveyed land from the colonial
Governor, in the name of the King of England, to an individual. The term
applied to documents issued by the Land Office in Williamsburg prior to
1774. An exception was the Northern Neck land Grants issued by Lord Fairfax,
the proprietor of the Northern Neck. A Patent, or a Fairfax Grant, was the
last legal step in the process of acquiring land. After the Patent or Grant
was issued a structure must be built on the land within three years and
three acres of land cultivated for every 50 acres of land owned.

 

Grant - Beginning about 1650, Northern Neck land Grants were issued by Lord
Fairfax, the proprietor of the land between the Potomac and Rappahannock
Rivers, to convey land to an individual. After October 10, 1779, the
Commonwealth (state) of Virginia issued Land Grants to convey land to
individuals, instead of Patents. In both cases a Grant was the last legal
step in the process of acquiring land. After the Grant was issued a
structure must be built on the land within three years and three acres of
land cultivated for every 50 acres of land owned.

 

William Milam

 

 


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