PABUCKS-L Archives

Archiver > PABUCKS > 1999-06 > 0929882777


From: <>
Subject: [PABUCKS-L] Esquire
Date: Sun, 20 Jun 1999 08:46:17 EDT


<<Does anyone know what esquire meant? I have two individuals, C W Biles
and
John Shaw. Both are entitled "esq". Each officiated a marriage: C W Biles
of my great-great grandparents in 1842, and John Shaw my great-great-great
grandparents in 1812. Both marriages took place in Bucks County.
Thanks,
Sharlene

I have to agree with Gene on this one, when taking in the time period and
context - in the US, esquire was meant to indicate a lawyer and is still used
today as such. In the above the key is "each officiated a marriage",
indicating that they were most likely Justices of the Peace, which would mean
that they were lawyers.

Below was published in the Bucks County Intelligencer, 10/4/62 concerning the
death of Colonel Samuel Croasdale, who was a lawyer from Doylestown, when he
went off to fight during the Civil War. He was the Colonel of the 128th Pa
and killed at Antietam. They used the term esq. frequently to note that
these men are lawyers, not "country gentlemen". And also note that nowhere
did the article explain what esq. meant - it was assumed that it was common
knowledge what it meant.

That is not to say esquire doesn't have other meanings, but in the context
the question was asked - it is what the term means.

Death of Col. Samuel Croasdale - Meeting of the Bar

The members of the Court and Bar of Bucks County assembled in the Court
House, on Friday morning, to take action in realation to the decease of col.
Samuel Croasdale, a member of the Bar. Judge Chamna announced the death of
Col. Croasdale, and on his motion, C. E. DuBois, Esq. Was chosen President,
on motion of Elias Carver, Esq., unanimously adopted. . . .

The Committee, through their chairman, Mr. DuBois, reported the following
preamble and resolutions, which were, on motion of Elias Carver, Esq.,
unanimously adopted:

Whereas, we have heard with deep regret of the untimely death of our friend
and fellow member of the Bar, Col. Samuel Croasdale, who has fallen in the
service of his country; therefore,

Resolved that in his sudden and unexpected decease, the Bar has lost a
youthful and highly esteemed member, who in the opening career of his
profession, had abandoned it for a season, to attend to the call of his
afflicted country; and who, by his gentlemanly deportment and social
qualities, gained a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Resolved that we deeply sympathize with the family of the deceased, in their
affliction; and that a committee of three be appointed by the Chair, to
communicate to them a copy of these proceedings.

Resolved, that, as a testimony of our appreciation of his worth as a member
of the Bar, and as a man, we will attend his funeral in a body, and wear the
usual badge of mourning.

The Chair appointed Elias Carver, H.P. Ross and Joshua Beans, Esqs., the
Committee to communicate the proceedings to the family of the deceased.

On motion of Mr. Thompson, it was resolved that the proceedings of this
meeting be presented to the Court, with a request that they be filed among
the records of the Court; and that they be published in the papers of the
county.

C. E. DuBois, President

This thread: