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In cursive, a handwritten title to land fills a page.
Handwritten land patent. (Photo: Library of Virginia)

The "headright system" is created to attract new settler-colonists to the colonies.

1618

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Handwritten land patent. (Photo: Library of Virginia)

With the emergence of tobacco farming, a large supply of workers is needed. Under the headright system, settler-colonists who pay their way to Virginia can receive 50 acres of land. However, most of the workers who arrive in Virginia are indentured servants who do not receive this benefit.