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Archiver > LONDON > 2001-03 > 0983463091


From: Eve McLaughlin <>
Subject: Re: [Lon] Infant?, affidav?, felmonger?
Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2001 16:11:31 +0000
In-Reply-To: <001201c0a245$c5a14ea0$f3926fd4@oemcomputer>


In message <001201c0a245$c5a14ea0$>, Betty
<> writes
>I have been looking through some old Parish Records, which has raised a few
>questions which I am sure some experienced "looker in" will be able to answer.
>
>1. Up to what age would a child be referred to as an "infant"?

In law, someone is an infant till he is 21. In practice, many are
genuine recently born babies, not making it safely through the first
weeks. Up to a year or two is certainly an infant. A number of clergy
refer to children up to c 5 as infants, after which they are 'younge
boyes/girls' to about 14 or so, when they become youths and maidens
(well supposing they stay maidens that long).
>
>2. Why, in the early 1700's was the word "Affid" or "Affidav." appended to
>most
>notices of a burial.

It was to show that the body had been buried in woollen shroud (not
silk, linen etc) in accordance with the law. A fine was payable if this
was not done. 8 days were given to bring the affidavit (the family or a
layer-outer went and swore before a magistrate)

>3. What is a felmonger?

Fellmonger, treated animal skins and sold them to leather workers.

--
Eve McLaughlin

Author of the McLaughlin Guides for family historians
Secretary Bucks Genealogical Society

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