In a message dated 7/29/01 1:38:33 AM, tshands@lv.rmci.net writes: << Hello, Hope someone can answer this for me: In 1652 Surry Co VA , would a boy 17 or under have been signing a petition ? And how old would a young man have to be to have been called upon to view a body for an inquest in those days ? I'm trying to narrow down the approximate age of an ancestor. Thanks for any help. Teresa >> Hi Teresa, If no other adult is available, youngsters could be called into service for witnessing and viewing bodies for inquest. If adults were available, no use of younger people would made; there were almost always older people available, especially around court houses, churches stores and other public buildings.