This came on the Longhunter list. Maybe the explanation will he of help in understanding the Land deals.......Lois ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Just found this on the Library of VA website. Thought it might help clarify it for someone like it did me. Etta A land patent is a land transaction during the Colonial period from the Crown to an individual. A land grant is a land transaction from the Commonwealth to an individual. A deed is a land transaction between individuals or private parties. "Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly."