when a question as to their right of freedom came before them for decision.[1]
When the servant was discharged, upon the expiration of his term, there were certain privileges bestowed upon him which it is improbable that he ever failed to claim. Reference has already been made to the benefits conferred on the laborers who, during the early existence of the Company, were imported to cultivate the public lands. At the close of their periods of service, each was granted one hundred acres, and, when this tract had been seated, each was probably entitled to an additional tract of the same extent. When the apprentices bound out to the tenants were set free, their position was still more advantageous. They had an allowance of corn for twelve months, and for each a house was erected; each was presented with clothing and a cow of the value of forty shillings. As much land as each could till was placed in his control, together with gifts of armor, implements, tools, and utensils. At the expiration of the tenancy, which continued for a term of seven years, — during which time one-half of all the increase of the earth and of the cattle was theirs, — a tract of twenty-five acres was granted to each one in fee simple subject to the payment of an annual rent of a few pence. They could, however, continue tenants of the Company if they wished to do so.[2]
After the dissolution of the Company, the amount paid
- ↑ Numerous instances of this fact will be found in the Records of the General Court, preserved among the Manuscript Collections of the Virginia Historical Society.
- ↑ Abstracts of Proceedings of the Virginia Company of London, vol. I, pp. 41, 42. The following reference to one of these apprentices is of interest: “Whereas it appears to ye court that one Henry Cayman, late servant to Mr. Saml. Sharp, and one of those fifty boys which were by James R. commanded to be sent over hither, and arrived here in 1610, the condition of whose service was appointed to be for seven years at first to their masters
