The dictionary definition of Esquire is: Title appended to name of one regarded as gentleman by birth, position or education, especially in address of letter. When I went to Secretarial College (more years ago than I care to remember) we were taught the correct way to address people and Esq. was used for those in authority and Mr. for others. When I got out into the real world it was more convenient to use Esq. for all. In the village where I now live Esq. was always used for those living on the large estates, particularly in newspaper reports, the parish magazine and sometimes in the parish registers. Jane