headright

[hed-rahyt]

headright Definition

  • 1a legal grant of land to settlers in the 13 colonies, typically given in exchange for paying for the passage of an indentured servant or a slave
  • 2a legal right to receive a certain amount of property or money upon the death of the holder

Using headright: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "headright" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The headright system was used to encourage the settlement of Virginia.

  • Example

    The headright of the deceased was passed on to his heirs.

📌

Summary: headright in Brief

The term 'headright' [hed-rahyt] refers to a legal grant of land given to settlers in the 13 colonies in exchange for paying for the passage of an indentured servant or a slave. It was also a legal right to receive a certain amount of property or money upon the death of the holder.