Determining ages of folks
In looking over old accounts of American History have noted that several states or colonies set the draft age for the folks to serve in the revolutionary war at between 16 and 45 thus we can and might assume that a male could buy and sale land as early as age 16.
This being the case and based on findings of a Francis Harrell of Nansemond County Virginia being named as a buyer on land as early as 1718 one can consider him to be born around 1702..and since by 1775 he would be well over 45 not called into service during war.. but his children such as Jacob born by most accounts about 1734 would be almost young enough to still be required to join or find a suitable replacement for them who was of age and hadn't already been called up to serve under his on requirements.As have seen where one was obligated to find his own replacement if he couldn't serve himself.This might explain why say a son served more than one three year term, as he may have taken the place of his father or brothers or even another elder relative.This would also give this younger person claim to all land grants given for service thus one person could aquire a large homested if he made it home after war and claimed all his due land.This would account for some folks having a large estate by the 1800's in the new areas of America where these grants were given to the REV WAR vets... and they moved to... with their family..Also would explain why we might find one person with several children listed in his household who aren't his natural children as he is simply supporting those of his relative off at war or even someone who might have taken his place to serve while he stayed home.Thus accouting for odd surnames shown in a given house and they not actualy related to the main family surname...Also might account for orphaned children and a spouse being taken under the care of another family should the person get killed in war that0 went to serve time for the head of the other house...As I think most of our ancestors would be obligate to do this should they be able to stay home while another person dies fighting for them...Anyway it might explain some of the reasons early tax listings and such reflect large family around REV WAR period then after members split back to their own houses as separate family...or in reverse small family before REV WAR become large family after war because they took in children of other family lost father in war.The same would hold true for the Civil War as far as spouses and children of soldiers joining together under the roof of an elder male in the family in one house or several in a single area who becomes the head of the family group.
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Re: Determining ages of folks
Marilyn Hartin 5/02/03