Esquire is a term that meant an attorney. "I am confused by the term "Esquire". In the 1700's in Chester County John Taylor has Esquire after his name. What does this mean at this point in time? Does it mean he is an attorney? Or is it just a pretentious title?" >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> "I have looked at many of the Orphans Court records and it seems that often times the minor is allowed to choose their guardian, (provided the wished-for guardian agrees, I'm sure). Did the courts try to appoint a guardian who was related to the minor before they would try to appoint a non-relative? Would a non-relative have often been a friend of the family?" I believe that the courts tried to name a known individual or family member to care for orphaned children....and, by orphaned we mean that the child's father died - mothers were not legally capable of serving as sole guardian to their own children, so an 'orphaned' child of the day may well have had a living mother, and so was not orphaned as we know the term. Often, mothers were named guardians, along with an uncle of the children, or other male family member, to serve together. This was not a reflection on the mother, but rather the way women were considered, in general.....rather second class citizens, I'm afraid, who were not even allowed to own things in their own right, unless unmarried or widowed! ( I found this to be the case in several of my own lines....mother and her brother to serve as guardians for her children...with the eldest children coming to court and requesting their mother) I don't believe the age of majority was ever less than 18 years of age..... Sandra -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.7/436 - Release Date: 9/1/2006

I believe that in the 1700s, Esquire more often meant a member of the landed gentry, a carryover from the English country Squire. Black's Law Dictionary (Sixth Edition) has the following under the definition of "Esquire" "In English law, a title of dignity next above gentleman, and below knight. Also a title of office given to sheriffs, serjeants [sic], and barristers at law, justices of the peace, and others. In United States, title commonly appended after name of attorney: e.g., John J. Jones, Esq." Sandra Ferguson <ferg@ntelos.net> wrote: Esquire is a term that meant an attorney. "I am confused by the term "Esquire". In the 1700's in Chester County John Taylor has Esquire after his name. What does this mean at this point in time? Does it mean he is an attorney? Or is it just a pretentious title?" >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> "I have looked at many of the Orphans Court records and it seems that often times the minor is allowed to choose their guardian, (provided the wished-for guardian agrees, I'm sure). Did the courts try to appoint a guardian who was related to the minor before they would try to appoint a non-relative? Would a non-relative have often been a friend of the family?" I believe that the courts tried to name a known individual or family member to care for orphaned children....and, by orphaned we mean that the child's father died - mothers were not legally capable of serving as sole guardian to their own children, so an 'orphaned' child of the day may well have had a living mother, and so was not orphaned as we know the term. Often, mothers were named guardians, along with an uncle of the children, or other male family member, to serve together. This was not a reflection on the mother, but rather the way women were considered, in general.....rather second class citizens, I'm afraid, who were not even allowed to own things in their own right, unless unmarried or widowed! ( I found this to be the case in several of my own lines....mother and her brother to serve as guardians for her children...with the eldest children coming to court and requesting their mother) I don't believe the age of majority was ever less than 18 years of age..... Sandra -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.7/436 - Release Date: 9/1/2006 ==== PA-OLD-CHESTER Mailing List ==== Unsubscribing. To leave PA-old-chester-l, send mail to PA-old-chester-l-request@rootsweb.com with the single word unsubscribe in the message or subject slot." NO VIRUS WARNINGS - if you are concerned contact me PERSONALLY ferg@ntelos.nettp://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/pa-old-chester this site allows you to browse by month.. please visit the Chester Co rootsweb site...it is full of area photos, helpful URLs and lots of county information http://www.pa-roots.com/~chester/ if you have a problem contact ME ferg@ntelos and NOT the list ============================== Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx