Wendy-- I think what you have is a lease. Usually on the next page will be the Deed for a more normal amount. A prohibitive tax had to be paid on land sales (during Colonial period anyway), but if they had been leasing the property, they didn't have to pay the tax. Most land transactions will have a Lease on one day, then a Deed of Sale the following day or later. The Lease was usually for a minimal amount. The wording of both documents is so similar, you have to look real close--or I do. I'm not positive that same law applied in VA 1849, but I think it did. Donna