In an agreement between Mr. Reeves, a citizen of Henrico, and a fellow-countyman named Bridgewater, it was covenanted[1] that during the occupation of the land of the former by the latter, the houses, orchards, and other properties were to be kept in good condition, and that upon the failure to comply with these requirements, the lessor should have the power to oust the tenant. Reeves at a later date entered into a contract with William Arrington,[2] which gave Arrington the right to cultivate tobacco in any part of Reeves’ plantation except in that part which the owner himself had in tillage; he was also to be permitted to keep six head of cows and calves, two horses or two breeding mares, and to appropriate both fodder and grain for their maintenance. He bound himself further to lease an additional tract containing one hundred acres, for which he was to pay annually one ear of corn, and his tenure was to continue for his life, and after his death, his holding was to be transferred to his wife if she happened to survive. On this land he was to be allowed to erect a house, and to plant an orchard of one hundred apple trees. Reeves agreed to furnish Arrington, when he entered under the lease, with eight barrels of maize and three hundred pounds of meat; and he was also to have the use of a dwelling-house, which was at that time standing. All the crops produced by Arrington during the first year of his tenancy were to belong exclusively to himself; in return for this, he was to help Reeves for a period of thirty days in the cultivation of his maize, and to supply his household with wood and water, servants of Reeves to aid in transporting these articles. Arrington further bound himself to assist in ploughing in several bushels of wheat, and also to maul six hundred rails. Reeves, on
