I have a court record, from Isle of Wight Co, VA in the 1600s, which states that Luke Kent was the son-in-law of Robert Edwards. I have been told that the term "son-in-law" did not mean then what it means now. Does anybody know what term son-in-law meant in the 1600s? Thanks. Catherine Kent Walker

"Son-in-law" quite usually meant exactly as it does now, however it occasionally - though very rarely - referred to a male young person who, by reason of a will or estate proceedings, an assumption of duties as a father by one who was not such, yet had assumed that duty as by marrying tyhe mother, or through the VERY, VERY rare adoption procedure that existed even then, was a "son as a matter of law" or a "son in the eyes of the law." If you seek the Robert Edwards who married Mary Hunt circa 1668, he had 3 daughters (as I recall) and a son, Robert, Jr., however all were under 12 at his death in very near 1680. ----- Original Message ----- From: "C.J.Walker" <cjwalker@alltel.net> To: <VAISLEOF-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2001 7:32 PM Subject: [VAISLEOF-L] RE: Terminology > I have a court record, from Isle of Wight Co, VA in the 1600s, which states that Luke Kent was the son-in-law of Robert Edwards. I have been told that the term "son-in-law" did not mean then what it means now. Does anybody know what term son-in-law meant in the 1600s? > > Thanks. > > Catherine Kent Walker > > > > > > ==== VAISLEOF Mailing List ==== > To subscribe to other county mailing lists visit http://www.rootsweb.com >