Daily AncestorFreehold
A freehold is ownership of land for an unlimited time or for life, as opposed to renting or holding it for a fixed term.
A freehold estate is ownership of real property without a fixed end date, including both full ownership and an interest for life. It is contrasted with a lease, which lasts only a set term.
A freeholder is a person who holds such an estate. Lists of freeholders in county records identify landowners at a given date.
As seen in a recordCounty court minutes, 1700s
List of freeholders of the township qualified to serve as jurors, 1790.
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Daily Ancestor. "Freehold." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/legal-land/freehold. Last checked 2026-10-01.