required to distinguish them by a mark peculiar to the tribe.[1] In 1655, twenty head of swine belonging to the estate of John Thomas, of York, were valued at the rate of thirteen shillings apiece, ten shoats at the rate of three shillings, and four at the rate of five.[2]
It is an interesting fact, that every tithable person was still required to cultivate two acres in maize; this regulation was originally established to prevent the recurrence of the famines which were so liable to follow from the gross inattention to every product except tobacco, and the repeated reenactments of the law indicate that, although the Colony had expanded so much in population and wealth, it was still subject to the influences and vicissitudes observed thirty years earlier. It is, however, worthy of attention, that in the same Act the planter was allowed, if this was his preference, to substitute one acre in English wheat for the two acres in Indian corn. The object of this was stated to be to promote the sowing of the former grain.[3]
If the prices of grain in 1666 are compared with the prices in 1682, as prescribed by law, it will be seen that there was in this interval no substantial change in them.[4] Wheat sold at four shillings a bushel both in 1666 and 1682, barley at three shillings and six pence in 1666, and three shillings seven and one-quarter pence in 1682, oats
- ↑ Hening’s Statutes, vol. II, p. 317.
- ↑ Records of York County, vol. 1664-1672, p. 78, Va. State Library.
- ↑ Hening’s Statutes, vol. II, p. 123. There are entries in the county records showing that this Act was strictly enforced. Many planters were from year to year prosecuted for neglecting to comply with its requirements. See Records of Lower Norfolk County, original vol. 1656-1666, pp. 195, 362; original vol. 1675-1686, p. 197.
- ↑ Hening’s Statutes, pp. 233, 506. Figures in money sterling were used merely to measure the quantity of tobacco, which was the real consideration in the sales.
