Burgage
Defined in 8 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Kinney (1893), Black's (1891), Stimson (1881), Burrill (1850)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
A species of tenure, described by old law 'writers as but tenure In socage, where the king or other person was lord of an ancient borough, in which the tenements were held by a rent certain. Such boroughs had, and still have, certain peculiar customs connected with the' tenure, which distinguished it from the ordinary socage tenure. These customs are known by the name of "Borough English" (q. -v), and they alter the law in respect of descent, as well as of dower, and the power of devising. By it the youngest son inherits the lands of which his father died seised. A widow, in some boroughs, has dower in respect to all the tenements which were her husband's; in others, she has a moiety of her husband's lands so long as she remains unmarried; and with respect to devises, in some places, such lands only can be devised as were acquired by purchase; in others, estates can only be devised for life. 2 Bl. Comm. 82; Glanv. bk. 7, c. 3; Litt. § 162; Cro. Car. 411; 1 Salk. 243; 2 Ld. Raym. 1024; 1 P. Wms. 63; Fitzh. Nat. Brev. 150; Cro. Eliz. 415.
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
A species of tenure, described by old law-writers as but tenure in socage, where the king or other person was lord of an ancient borough, in which the tenements were held by a rent certain. Such boroughs had, and still have, certain peculiar customs connected with the tenure, which distinguished it from the ordinary socage tenure. These customs are known by the name of Borough-English; and they alter the law in respect of descent, as well as of dower, and the power of devising. By it the youngest son inherits the lands of which his father died seised. A widow, in some boroughs, has dower in respect to all the tenements which were her husbaud's; in others, she has a moiety of her husband's lands so long as she remains unmarried; and with respect, to devises, in some places, such lands only can be devised as were acquired by purchase; in others, estates can only be devised for life; 2 Bla. Com. 82; Glanv. b. 7, c. 3; Litt. § 162; Cro. Car. 411; 1 P. Wms. 63; Fitzh. N. B. 150; Cro. Eliz. 415. The tenure at a money rent would become the typical tenure of a burgage tenement; Maitl. Domesday & Beyond 198.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
A Law Dictionary and Glossary
George C. Kinney · 1893
Burgaginm, I. I.
In English law. A tenure by which houses, or lands formerly the site of houses, in ancient boroughs, are held of the king, or other lord of the borough, — a species of socage tenure; a dwelling-house in a borough town, anciently so called.
A Dictionary of Law
Henry Campbell Black · 1891
A name anciently given to a idwelling-house in a borough town. Blount.
Glossary of Technical Terms, Phrases, and Maxims of the Common Law
Frederic Jesup Stimson · 1881
A tenure by which houses, or lands formerly covered with houses, in an ancient borough, are held of the King or lord of the borough. It is a kind of socage, affected by some old Saxon customs, v. Borough English.
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary
Alexander M. Burrill · 1850
A dwelling-house in a borough town, anciently so called. Blount.