That's pretty much what I am asking for: a range of ages. Old enough to be usefully apprenticed so that no money need be given with him when he is put out. It appears he was apprenticed as a carpenter. If I knew how old he was at the time he apprenticed I'd know approximately when he was born. I have not found his birth in the Quaker records, and in fact, I do not think his father was Quaker, though his mother was most likely a birthright Quaker. It appears that James West Sr. was in Philadelphia before the arrival of Penn, and had six children, some most likely born before his arrival in America. The son James who was "put out" was likely the youngest. Birth dates for two older siblings were 1690 (Charles) and 1681 (a prior James whose death date is not known). The other three children I have no birth dates for. The son Jonathan she mentioned in her will died in 1704. They likely came from Bristol, England and she mentions a Roger Harrow (Barrow?) as a "kinsman" in her will. I have no birth dates for Prudence or her husband, and therefore estimate her birth to be about 1658. On Mar 24, 2012, at 10:38 AM, rob stace wrote: > how old was the boy at the time he went to apprentice? > > On Sat, Mar 24, 2012 at 5:38 AM, Carol Thompson <ctgd@mac.com> wrote: > Hello Listers; > > My 8g grandfather James West died in 1701. His wife Prudence died in 1702. Her will (1702 July 1) mentions two minor sons, James and Jonathan. Their mother appointed "William Southebe, John Kinsey, Pentacost Teague, and Joseph Stine" her Executors in her will. > > I have found this reference also regarding James West: > Early Quaker Records of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Volume 1, 1682-1750: > p. 194: 26-9-1708: Pentecoast Teague reports that an orphan child of James West's wants a place to be put out apprentice. > > p. 195: 28-11-1708: Pentecoast Teague reports that he has provided a place for James West with Jacob Usher, carpenter, but the meeting thinks there is no need to give money with him, considering his age and the time he is to be with him. > > 25-12-1708: Pentecoast Teague is desired to continue to care to provide a place to put James West. > > > Is there a way to calculate the approximate birth date of the child James West, knowing he was old enough to not need a stipend sent with him in 1708? Suggestions for my further research? > > Thanks, > Carol T.