I'm not sure what you mean by "property." The 1709 Statute of Anne, which provided for a limited term of copyright, specifically used the words "property" and "

I'm not sure what you mean by "property." The 1709 Statute of Anne, which provided for a limited term of copyright, specifically used the words "property" and "proprietor" in regards to it. There are different kinds of property and limited-term monopolies are one kind of property.