There is some ambiguity here, but I believe *possibly*: if sold, the recipient would be buying a fee simple title (all rights); and, if 100 acres were leased, the lessee could name three people on the lease, and usually the lease would be valid so long as the rent of 20 shillings was paid every year by each living person. Any of the three lives could be renewed in case one died by paying a year's rent. Marilyn On 8/20/2012 1:56 PM, CLAUDE RICHARDS wrote: > In May 1686 William Fitzhugh advertised for french Protestants to come to his plantation with the following offer: > "...I will either sell them in fee at L17 sterling for every hundred acres, or else lease it to them for three lives paying 20 shillings p. annum for every hundred acres, and they may have the liberty of renewing one two or three lives at any time, paying for each life to be renewed one year's Rent ..." Nan Netherton, "Fairfax County Virginia, A History," pp. 13-14. > > What is the meaning of three lives and how does that relate to the payment of rent? > > Thanks. > > Claude Richards > > "Government is not reason. It is not eloquence. Government is force; like fire it is a dangerous servant -- and a fearful master.” > > —George Washington > > > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at > http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html