If the common usage of a term defines its meaning, then wills and deeds 
prior to about 1850 refer to a plantation as any tract of land which was 
planted. An 1806 will refers to a plantation of 19 acres, an 1807 will 
refers to a plantation of 15 acres, and the words farm and plantation were 
used interchangeably in an 1844 will.
One could determine the common usage by reading enough wills and deeds from 
the period in question.
Paul 

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