From: the site A Law Dictionary by Bovier (publ 1856) and found on-line at: http://www.constitution.org/bouv/bouvier.htm It states: DISTRACTED PERSON, This term is used in the statutes of Illinois; Rev. Laws of Ill. 1833, p. 332; and New Hampshire; Dig. Laws of N. H. 1830, p. 339; to express a state of insanity. CONSERVATOR. A preserver, a protector. 2. Before the institution of the office of justices of the peace in England, the public order was maintained by officers who bore the name of conservators of the peace. All judges, justices, sheriffs and constables, are conservators of the peace, and are bound, ex officio, to be aiding and assisting in preserving older. 3. In Connecticut, this term is applied to designate a guardian who has the care of the estate of an idiot. 5 Conn. R. 280. Janet ----- Original Message ----- From: <RSPRGV@aol.com> To: <ILCHAMPA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, March 16, 2001 5:03 PM Subject: [ILCHAMPA-L] Court Records | Hi Folks, | | I just recently received a group of documents for my G-G Grandfather, Aaron | F. Pittman from the IRAD. He and the Pit(t)man family lived in both Piatt | co., and Mahomet and Champaign in Champaign co. Anyway, I would like to know | if anyone knows about some of the terms used in legal documents between | about 1896 and 1900. I have several docs. which has Aaron F. Pittman, | distracted and George W. Pittman as conservator. What would the "distracted" | and "conservator" mean? I assume that for some reason Aaron F. was unable to | conduct his financial affairs and therefore his son George W. was assigned | the task, but I would like more detail. | | I also want to give praise to the IRAD at ISU. I have delt with them 3 times | and the people there have been most kind. It is a good deal., they sent me | 14 copies and the cost was $1.90. She also sent me a copy that of a record | that didn't quite fit but thought that I might be interested in free of | charge. Those of you searching in IL, the IRAD is a good source at a | reasonable price. | | Thanx for all of your help. | | Scott Pittman | rsprgv@aol.com | |