he had a stock of untamed cows and oxen running at the head of Lynhaven River, but it would be possible to gather only a few into one body.[1] The law inflicting a fine on all who killed wild cattle, without having the proper authority, was strictly enforced in this county.[2] In 1659, cows were valued in York at two pounds and five shillings apiece; yearling steers at thirty-five shillings, and bulls, three years of age, at one pound and fifteen shillings.[3] In 1682; fourteen cows, belonging to Robert Hodges of Lower Norfolk, were appraised at fourteen pounds sterling, or one pound apiece, but there was probably a special reason for so low a figure.[4] In 1674, a bull was valued in Lancaster County at two pounds sterling.[5] In 1649, the number of horses in Virginia, as has been already stated, was only three hundred, and their subsequent increase seems to have been at a moderate rate. In 1665, there were two hundred and sixty-eight of these animals in York,[6] and in Lower Norfolk, sixty-four.[7] The extraordinary esteem in which they were held was shown by the appraisement, in the former county in 1659, of a gelding, fifteen years old, at thirteen pounds sterling.[8] A mare and a foal in that county were entered, in 1688, as equal in value to eight cows.[9] A yearling colt was listed at four pounds sterling, an excess of three
- ↑ Records of Lower Norfolk County, original vol. 1675-1686, f. p. 12.
- ↑ Ibid., 1666-1675, f. p. 74.
- ↑ Records of York County, vol. 1657-1662, p. 195, Va. State Library.
- ↑ Records of Lower Norfolk County, original vol. 1671-1686, f. p. 116.
- ↑ Records of Lancaster County, original vol. 1674-1689, Feb. 8, 1674. In 1663, cows were valued in Rappahannock at two pounds and ten shillings apiece; heifers at two pounds; steers at three, and bulls at one pound and fifteen shillings; original vol. 1656-1664, p. 294.
- ↑ Records of York County, vol. 1664-1672, p. 37, Va. State Library.
- ↑ Records of Lower Norfolk County, original vol. 1656-1666, f. p. 313.
- ↑ Records of York County, vol. 1657-1662, p. 195, Va. State Library.
- ↑ Ibid., vol. 1664-1672, p. 332, Va. State Library.
