Wednesday, January 31, 2007

British Calendar Act of 1751 For The Year 1752

For years I have wondered what happened to rents, interest payments, etc. that fell due during September 1752 in England. That was the month when England converted to the Gregorian calendar, at a loss of eleven days.

Did tenants see the landlord come around eleven days early? Did someone who lent overnight on the 14th collect eleven days' interest? Did youths attain majority eleven days early?

Here is the text of the Act of Parliament. The members legislated that all such rents, annuities, sums of money, leases, etc., on the same Natural Day "in case this Act had not been made."

That was sensible.