nuary
27, 1688/89. Despite efforts that were again made by the colony to
eliminate the proprietary grant, it was confirmed to Culpeper's
survivors and passed by marriage to the Fairfax family.

After the 1669 charter, the proprietors opened an office in the colony
and an agent was designated to handle land grants and collect fees. The
scant records that survive indicate that from 1670 to 1673, Thomas
Kirton was agent in the land office in Northumberland; from 1673 to
1677, William Aretkin was appointed the proprietor's "agent in
Virginia"; and from 1677 to 1689, Daniel Parke and Nicholas Spencer were
agents in the land office in Westmoreland.

Beginning in 1690 land patents in the Northern Neck were entered
separately and the grant books that have survived give a good account of
the land policy under the proprietors. Philip Ludwell served as agent
from 1690 to 1693 and began an orderly handling of the proprietor's
interest at the land office in Westmoreland. Throughout his term as
agent he used a form for land grants in establishing his authority which
reviewed a part of the checkered history of the Northern Neck. The
introductory portion of this form was as follows:

_Whereas_ King Charles the Seacond of ever blessed memory by his
letters pattents under the broad seale of England beareing date at
Westminister the eighth day of May in the one and twentyeth yeare
of his reigne Annoqe Dom. 1669, His Matie was gratiously pleased to
give graunt and confirme unto Henry then Earle of St. Albons, John
Lord Berkley, Sir William Morton, Knt., & John Trethewy, Esqr.,
there heires & assignes all that intire tract territory or parcell
of land lyinge & being betweene the two rivers of Rapah. and
Patomack and the courses of the said rivers and the Bay of
Chesapeake, as by the said graunts, recourse beinge had there unto,
will more at large appeare, and

_Whereas_ all the rite and title of in and to the said lands &
premisses is by deed enrold and other suffentient conveyance in law
conveyed and made over to Thomas Lord Culpeper, eldest sonn & heire
of John late Lord Culpeper, his heires & assignes for ever, who is
thereby become sole owner and propriator of the said land in fee
symple, and

_Whereas_ Kinge James the Seacond hath beene gratiously pleased by
his letters pattents bearinge date at Westminister the 27th day of
September 1688, and in the