Can anyone advise what happened to a wife and children when the husband died without a will in NC about 1837? In many states, when the deceased was intestate, the estate was equally divided among the surviving spouse and children. Sometimes this only included the 'infant' children of the marriage, which meant whatever the definition of 'infant' was in that state. Sometimes under 18, sometimes under 21. I have a copy of a petition of Elizabeth (nee Nichols) ROYCROFT in 1839 petitioning for a year's 'widow' support, and mentioning some 'infant children' who do not include son Jerome B ROYCROFT, who would have been about 19 at the time of his father's death, and about 21 at the time of the petition. What was the law when a husband died intestate, leaving wife and both younger and older children? Have the laws changed in NC since that time? -- Regards, Marion Paterson, San Diego <maripat2@san.rr.com> Rootsweb Donor ******************************************************* Researching ROYCROFT, BRITTAIN & BOOTH - NC & AL 1700+ *******************************************************