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The link below begins to explain what the headright system was. The system in the Carolina colony was very similar.
http://www.virginiaplaces.org/settleland/headright.html
I’ll c&p some of the other thread over here to continue the general headright discussion.
C&P from NC archives thread:
In the earliest days of Va and Carolina settlement, land was granted based on the number of people the grantee transported into the colony. This was the headright system. It was designed to encourage those with means to pay the ship passage of those without means. In return, the colony (representing the crown or a proprietor) would reward a certain acreage of available land for each person, or “head” brought into the colony.
There were those who worked the system to their advantage. In many cases, it seems that ndns were dressed as europeans and given euro names, then paraded before the official as recent arrivals so their “handler” was granted massive quantities of land.
Additional comments:
As I read the above, I imply that ndns were only being used in a scam to grab land. Far from it, many ndns were interested in making legitimate claims to land that they will live on and improve as they seek to live by the colonial rules. That some would soon sell out and move on to the next frontier is also understandable.
I have suspected that this is what brought my Greens/Butts to WVA from Maryland. They lived on land that was awarded to Lord Fairfax and ended up involved in the problem with Hite who claimed the same land. George Washington surveyed the land for Fairfax when he was 17. Yet pictures show that they were not wholly white people who settled Fairfax’ land.
Techteach
Thanks for posting on the headright system, I had been meaning to ask someone about that. Something else in the colonial records Iām trying to understand are tithables. I have read there was also fraud involving that.
Loved the outfits worn in the wedding.
Shad
In NC, from 1663 until 1712, there was no residency requirement to claim a landgrant. This meant that anyone could claim a grant, immediately transfer title to another, and move on. After 1712, a 6 month residency was required to claim land.
Similarly, in the period before 1712, multiple importations of the same person was allowed. A notable example of this is John Blaney, who, in 1697, successfully claimed a headright of 50 acres for each of the 33 times that he “transported” himself into the colony. for a total of 1,650 acres! …… without bringing anyone else into the colony!
Also before 1734, oaths for claims could be proved before a single magistrate….. possibility for abuse of power in that scenerio should be obvious.
Shad,
here is a link that sorta explains tithables.
http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwehave/tax/rn17_tithables.htm
C&P from NC archives thread …….. I will continue to use this thread for all the future headrights info that I post from the book.
Example from NC Headrights p 97:
Robert BEASLEY proved 6 rights: Robert Beasley, Sarah Beasley, Johanah Beasley, Richard Cheston, Sarah Cheston, James Beasley. Certified 7 Feb 1693.
or this one:
Bertie county court minutes Nov 1742: John COLLINS SR proved his rights videlicet Jno Collins, Martha Collins, David Collins, Joseph Collins, Michael Collins, Damsey Collins, Jesse Collins, Absolom Collins whites, Tony, Judith, Robin, Venus, Rose blacks.
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There are some that I have seen who bring in 20 or more people with their surname. How likely is it that they rounded up 20 relatives in England and shipped them all over to the colony? My Roundtree brought in a total of 36 Roundtrees in several different claims. None of them trace back to England or any ship’s log that I have seen.
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Richard Davenport proved his rights to 200 acres by the importation of: Richard, Johannah, Richard Jr, and John Davenport. (General Court, Perquimans, 25 Mar 1701)
There are claims for Hawkins indexed as being on 14 different pages, many of them indexed to the same first name John or Jno. Hawkins would appear to be one of the surnames working the system. š
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the index shows 18 Hugh(e)s headrights in 12 different claims.
The 2 below are quite interesting…… notice any similarities? š
(General court 6 Oct 1697) Mr James Damerell proves his right to 800 acres by importation of William Stephens, William Neal, James JONES, William JONES, Elizabeth EVINS, William Rig, Frederick JONES, Jno Kent, Adam Gamball, Jno Figgis, Michael LINCH, Jno Crummell, Jacob Stephens, Mary Stephens, Ann HUGHS, Thomas Pinor.
James DANIEL proves his rights 25 Oct 1697. Mr Stickey, Wm Keel, James JONES, Wm JONES, Eliza EVANS, W Rig, Fred JONES, John Keat, Adam Gamball, John WIGGINS, Nice LYNCH, John Crumwell, Jacob Stephens, Mary Stephens, Mr HUGHS,Sr
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