I have a (probable) ancestor who evidently emigrated to Virginia in the mid 1600s. His name was John KEETON, and he shows up in some of the Manakin Town and other Huguenot info (I am not positive he was a Huguenot, but he was supposedly known as the "Dutchman" and was naturalized along with a lot of other (possibly) Dutch Huguenots (i.e. Doodes Minor, etc. were naturalized previously). My main point is that they were naturalized in the colony of Virginia in 1679 "to enjoy all of the same rights as natural born Englishman" and members of the colony. I believe prior to about 1671, non-English émigrés were not allowed to own property or, at least, to pass it on to their heirs. I know that you were asking about London, but I have a feeling it would be pretty similar. Here is a link to some of those naturalization records (from Henings' Statutes): http://vagenweb.org/hening/ http://vagenweb.org/hening/vol02-21.htm LAWS OF VIRGINIA, APRIL, 1679−−−31st CHARLES II ACT X. An act for the naturalization of Abraham Vincler, John Michaell, Jacob Johnson, John Pimmitt (a) and John Keeton WHEREAS at a grand assembly holden at James Cittie the twentieth day of September, in the twenty third yeare of the reigne of our soveraigne lord king that now is, and in the yeare of our Lord God 1671, It was enacted and ordained that any stranger desireing to make this country the place of their constant residence might upon their petition to the grand assembly, and takeing the oathes of allegiance and supremacy be admitted to a naturalization, whereupon Abraham Vincler, John Michaell, Jacob Johnson, John Pimmitt and John Keeton, aliens makeing humble suite as afforesaid; It is therefore enacted by the governour, councell and burgesses of this present grand assembly, and the authority thereof, that the said Abraham Vincler, John Michaell, Jacob Johnson, John Pimmitt and John Keaton, and every of them be and are by vertue hereof, and the afore recited law whereon this is grounded capeable of free traffique and tradeing of takeing up, purchaseing, conveying, deviseing and inheritting of lands and tenements, and from henceforth be, and are declared, deemed and holden, and in all constructions of law, stated, vested and indulged with all priviledges, liberties and immunities whatsoever relateing to this collony that any naturall borne Englishman is capeable of according to the true intent and meaning of the said act. Tim Keeton -----Original Message----- From: smdtarry@bellsouth.net [mailto:smdtarry@bellsouth.net] Sent: Monday, February 27, 2006 11:16 AM To: HUGUENOTS-WALLOONS-EUROPE-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [HWE] Restrictions on Huguenots Hey Folks, Is anyone aware of restrictions being placed on strangers in London that prevented them from owning businesses? I'm not aware of such a thing but thought I would ask around. I have an ancestor who in the late 1600s owned an inn outside of London and he might have been a Huguenot or the descendent of one. Thanks, Shane ==== HUGUENOTS-WALLOONS-EUROPE Mailing List ==== Have you submitted your surnames for our list web site? To do so will make your names accessible to others on the Web. For more info, contact Andrea (list admin)at andreav@island.net. ============================== Find your ancestors in the Birth, Marriage and Death Records. New content added every business day. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13964/rd.ashx