| Title: |
An Act, to encourage Settlements on the Southern Boundary of this Colony.
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| Source: |
Hening, William Waller, ed. The Statutes at Large, Being a Collection of All the Laws of Virginia, 1820.
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| Overview: |
Virginia's colonial government exempted from taxation for ten years those who settled "upon Roanoke river" above the mouth of "little Roanoke, otherwise called Licking Hole." The exemption lasted ten years.
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NOVEMBER 12, 1758
I. WHEREAS the lands lying upon Roanoke river Maps: , on the southern boundary of this colony, are for the most part unseated and uncultivated; and a considerable number of persons, as well of his majesty's natural born subjects, as foreign Protestants, are willing to import themselves, with their families, and effects, and to settle upon the said lands, in case they can have suitable encouragement for their so doing: And whereas the settling that part of the country, will add to the strength and security of the colony in general, and be a means of augmenting his majesty's revenues of quit-rents: therefore, for encouraging the said intended settlement,
II. BE it enacted by the Lieutenant Governor, Council, and Burgesses, of this present General Assembly, and it is hereby enacted, by the authority of the same, That all and every person and persons whatsoever, who, within ten years next after the passing this act, shall import themselves into this colony, and settle upon Roanoke river Maps: aforesaid, on the south branch of the same, above the fork thereof; and on the north branch of the said river Maps: , above the mouth of little Roanoke Maps: , otherwise called Licking Hole; including all the lands on all the said branches, and the lands lying between them, now deemed to be in the county of Brunswick Maps: , and parish of St. Andrew, shall be exempted from the paiment of public, county, and parish levies, until the expiration of the said ten years; and be at liberty, at all times hereafter, to pay and discharge all officers fees wherewith they shall be chargeable, in current money, at the rate of three farthings per pound for tobacco, without any deduction: And at all times, after the expiration of that time, shall be at liberty, to pay and discharge their public, county, and parish levies in current money, at the same rate.
III. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That it shall and may be lawful, for the governor, or commander in chief of this colony, for the time being, to grant letters of naturalization to any alien settling there, as aforesaid, upon a certificate from the clerk of any county court, of his or her having taken the oaths appointed by act of parliament to be taken, instead of the oaths of allegiance and supremacy; and taken and subscribed the oath of abjuration, and subscribed the test in like manner, as he may do, upon taking and subscribing the same before himself. Any law, usage, or custom, to the contrary, notwithstanding.
IV. Provided always, That the persons so settling upon the lands herein before mentioned, shall, during the said ten years, support their own poor; and make and maintain their own roads and bridges, without any charge upon the rest of the said parish of St. Andrew, and county of Brunswick Maps: ; and shall not, during that time, be entitled to any reward for killing of wolves.
Banner image: From the Collection of The New-York Historical Society. Accession number 1867.306.
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