Glossary

ABSOLUTE PARDON; Pardon given by the Governor with no conditions attached,
APOPLEXY;    A stroke,
ASSIGNED; Allocated for work,
ASSIZES; Court of Law.
BANNS; The proclamation in church necessary for a regular marriage,
BARTERING; Trade, exchange for goods,
BILL OF EXCHANGE; Receipt.
CERTIFICATE OF FREEDOM; Given to prove sentence, or part of sentence had expired. Person was then an Emancipist,
CHATTELS;    Property, excepting real estate,
CIRCA; ...Approximately,
CONDITIONAL PARDON;    A Certificate of Freedom with a condition that return to England was prohibited,
COUNTY; Divisions within England, similar to Shires,
DIVERS; Various,
DOWER; Widow's share of her husband's estate.
EMANCIPIST; A Convict who has been freed,
FIERI FACIAS; To be auctioned,
GOVERNMENT STORES; Goods collected by the Government to provide relief for all,
HULK; Disused ship used as a prison,
INDENT (INDENTURES) ; Contract; Document listing convict details,
INDULGENCE; Something granted as a favour (by the Government in this case),
MEMORIAL:    A letter from an individual to the government stating facts,
MUSTER; A Gathering of details on inhabitants, sometimes included stock and land,
MESSUAGE;    A dwelling-house with adjacent buildings,
NATIVE BORN; Born in the colony of either free or convict stock,
NON ALIENATION; A condition placed on land grants prohibiting sale or alienation of the land for a period of five years from the original grant -- this was supposed to prevent the land changing hands without being developed, but the system was much abused.
ON STORES/OFF STORES: Relying on the Government for food and clothing.
PARISH REGISTER: Records kept by the church officials regarding births, deaths and marriages. (birth dates were sometimes given at the time of baptising).
PETITION:    As for memorial, A letter by an individual or group to the Government.
PLAINTIFF: One who sues in court.
PLETHORIC: Overdone or excessive.
PROMISSORY NOTE: An old fashioned I.O.U. Could be passed on as legal tender until payment was demanded. New owners added their names as endorsement and the onus to pay moved back down the chain of owners.
PUBLIC-HOUSE: An inn or shop for the retail of spirituous liquors.
QUIT RENT: A rate payable after the expiration of 5 years upon the grant given.
SIC: Thus; usually inserted in brackets to show that the word is quoted as it was found to be.
TICKET OF LEAVE: Given to a convict to enable him to work and to give him permission to move around in a permitted area of the colony.
TRANSCRIPT: Copy of proceedings.
WARRANT OF ATTORNEY: Here used to mean a guarantee to pay.
WRIT OF CAPIAS: A case to be answered.

Page last updated - 7 July 2006