Hi, The title "Squire" was often used in New England during the 19th century, for a man of substantial means in the neighborhood - he might be a man who had a large property, perhaps several farms, and hired a number of laborers, and he would be known as "the Squire", and deferred to and would be one of the weighty men of the town, to whom others might go for advice, or to seek a job. The address for letters would often be: John Smith, Esquire, to show that John Smith was an important or respected man. Maida in Nova Scotia