May 1, 1762- John Conard rents land from the 5 million acre Fairfax Estate. Thomas Fairfax (1693-1781), sixth Baron Fairfax of Cameron, was the proprietor of the Northern Neck Proprietary, a vast landholding that lay between the Rappahannock and the Potomac Rivers, and extended to the Blue Ridge. In this deed, it is said that, first, John Conard himself shall be held accountable for the payment of rent, then his brother Jonathan, and thirdly, Joseph, the son of his brother James.
But, James was John's uncle, not his brother.
This was likely deliberate. Lord Fairfax (shown in image) was canny and untrusting. In each land rental, three close relatives were made responsible, one of the three preferably a young boy. This would account for the choosing of young Joseph, instead of his father. And referring to his uncle James as John's brother made the relationship appear closer.
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