In a message dated 8/20/02 10:42:24 AM Eastern Daylight Time, jcs12367@juno.com writes: << "Today the most common use of the title is with attorneys, however old graves bearing this title after the name of the deseased don't necessarily indicate that the person was a lawyer... Later it bacame a titile of courtesy, placed after a man's full name" >> I don't know when the practice started ( likely with the Revolution and the sloffing-off of birthright titles & that whole landed gentry stuff), but in the Federal Period a Justice of the Peace (an appointed position) was allowed to put Esq. after his name. A Justice of the Peace can perform marriages, settle very small disputes ( when the $takes are small), witness the signing of legal documents, and I think he can read the Riot Act. He really was responsable for keeping peace and he could be punished for refusing to attempt to break-up an unruly crowd. I don't remember all the details of the JP's powers & responsibilities but, if this becomes topical, I will add a few more words on the subject. John Nichols, Esq. (a J. P. @ O. S. V.!) P.S. If "where you are from" you don't know what O.S. V. is go to osv.org. P.S.S. I agree w/ Kimberly, John's responce was very informitive, Thanks.