At 11:48 4/28/99, der@redrose.net wrote: >Hi Helen, Donna and Linnea, > >> Hi Helen and Donna, >> <snip> When children chose guardians in those days >( those who were over 14, under 21), did they usually choose a family >member, or could it just be a good friend? I can't help but wonder why >Hermanus chose this Jacob RUDY, if he were a relative or whatever. It >might provide me with some clues to this family. <snip> > >Donna > >Donna >~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Oftentimes it is a relative who is appointed guradian for these minor children. But I have also seen "prominent" people in the area also being appointed guardians - the name coming to mind is Valentine Schauffler (of Bethel twp) who is shown to be guardian for quite a number of children during his time (including some Stroh minors.) He served in the Revolution, becoming an officer, was a large land owner, and was elected to the State Legislature. So far, I have found no family connection to him. Most children did have guardians appointed when their father died, even though the mother was still living. I must ask was this just the convention of the time or was it a law? Thanks. -Linnea