A more thorough explanation:

Definition: Entry on the roll is a historical term used to describe a clerk's notation on a parchment roll of the proceedings and issues in a particular case. It was used before parties began submitting written pleadings, and they would appear in open court and state their respective contentions orally until they settled on the issue or precise point in dispute. During the progress of these oral statements, an appointed officer of the court would make minutes of the various proceedings on a parchment roll that then became the official record of the suit. Even after the practice of oral pleadings had fallen into disuse, proceedings continued to be entered “on the roll.” This practice was abolished early in the 19th century.

Example: In the past, when someone had a legal dispute, they would go to court and argue their case in front of a judge. The judge would then make a note of what was said on a parchment roll, which was the official record of the case. For example, if someone was suing their neighbor for cutting down a tree on their property, the judge would make a note of what each person said and what evidence they presented. This would be entered on the roll and used to make a decision about the case.

Example: Another example of entry on the roll is a future interest created in a transferor who conveys an estate on condition subsequent. This means that if someone transfers ownership of their property to someone else, they may still have a future interest in the property if certain conditions are met. For example, if someone sells their house to their son on the condition that he lives in it for at least five years, the seller may have a future interest in the property if the son fails to meet this condition.

Explanation: These examples illustrate how entry on the roll was used in the past to keep a record of legal proceedings and how it was also used to create future interests in property. The first example shows how the practice of making notes on a parchment roll was used to keep track of what was said in court and how it was used to make decisions about legal disputes. The second example shows how entry on the roll was used to create a future interest in property, which means that someone may still have a stake in the property even after they have sold it to someone else.