I have been searching old (1765-1780) tax lists of Chester Co., PA and found the listing "inmates" under which various amounts of men are named. The dictionary gives the description in essence: Someone who resides with another party. My question is: Is there an old or archaic meaning for the word "inmate"? I have found the person I'm researching on the 1779 & 1780 inmates list but not on the others & I'm supposing these men could be of any adult age but living somewhere other than a parents home and also unmarried. Freemen is a separate listing on these Tax Lists. Any help is greatly appreciated as always.