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N ……often see in scholarly works, the immigrant ROLFE (who married Pocahontas) called a Sir ... are you saying he was the first one in his family to gain the title of Sir?
J…... I have never read those 'scholarly works' so I have never seen him given the title Sir.
In all the 17 thC C records I have read he was recorded as Mr John Rolfe, Gent never a Sir.
Now a very brief explanation on English 'ranks'. Many books as have written on the subject so this is a brief insight.
As the meanings of words change over time and place it is important to look at the written word in the correct time and place context.
Again I must emphasise that this is but a brief insight and very simplified explanation and not every title, status etc is mentioned!
The terms I describe here were in use in the period before 1700 in England when many immigrants left England took the terms and meanings with them to the English colonies as America had yet to become independent.
British ranks [different in Europe] these are hereditary titles and handed down in the one family. It was possible to move up the social scale. Titles could become extinct if there were no male heirs. Strict rules apply.
King - Queen
Prince - Princess- When Queen Elizabeth 11 dies her son Prince Charles will become King Charles.
Peers are
Duke & Duchess
Marquis Marchioness
Earl & Countess
Viscount: Vistcountess
Baron Baroness [addressed as Lord - Lady]
********
Below this are the 'wealth and position' status titles which can change in a family from father to son- up and down.
SIR [awarded to a person for a worthy deed] Later became, and remains, a form of address to all males of any status when writing a letter, Dear Sir, or to ladies- though used less often- Dear Madam
ESQUIRE was a knightly rank but over the centuries became Esq. and was by the 19th C was tagged on as a courtesy title, ie Mr John Hale esq., to all males but meant nothing
The next in rank were GENTLEMAN- before the 17thC it was a social rank, writers of the time said you would know a gentleman by his manners and way of living. It was also a sign of wealth. Many Gentlemen owned and ran farms but did not personally till the land, as they employed farm workers, mostly husbandmen or 'servants' . Gentlemen often made their money trading as MERCHANTS or went into LAW. Their sons might be sent to University or to London to learn to be merchants.
In the parish register the Rector would record- John son of John Hale, GENT or John son of MR [Master] John Hale
[whereas the rank and file would be John son of John Hale.] A female would be recorded as Joan Hale but MRTRIS [Mistress later shortened to Mrs] Joan Hale also meant a refined unmarried lady.
YEOMEN [from mid 18th C they were known as Farmers] were the richer owners of farms free/copy/ leasehold.
As they became richer they often moved up the social scale and became gentlemen. The term "Yeoman farmer" is often written today but it is incorrect, as a 'yeoman' meant a 'farmer'. No document has been found which uses the term 'yeoman farmer' for it is a modern term which is incorrectly used to indicate a richer farmer.
Many Yeomen became 'planters' in the New World as they had the capital to finance their trip along with their family and servants. Also many yeomen accumulated enough wealth to become gentlemen and sent their sons to University.
Land might be FREEHOLD [ie he had paid money and he owned it outright] this would be inherited [in most cases] by his eldest son. Often he would buy more property to leave to younger sons.
Or LEASEHOLD - he paid a sum of money and held it for a stated number of years, 7 & 21 being the most common,
which reverted back to the owner at the end of the term. Often there were conditions as to whether trees could be cut and how the land was to be farmed.
or COPYHOLD [he held from the manorial court- paying an entrance fee [fine] and a low quit [annual] rent. When he died a HERIOT [usually best beast was due to the Lord of the manor]. On entry the next owner had to pay a 'fine' and swear FEALTY to the Lord of the manor. Each manor held a court BARON or LEET where they could make rules which applied to their manorial tenants. Meaning that within a parish men might be subject to different rules depending on the manor
A FARMER before the mid 18th century farmer meant something different. If money [taxes] were to be collected [often by the Crown [Parliament] then instead of employing paid collectors, the collection of the duty would be put out for a fixed fee which the 'farmer' would pay, anything above the amount he had paid was his profit. Sometimes a bit of a gamble for the Farmer but the Crown was assured of it's money.
HUSBANDMEN farmed the land but were less wealthy. Their land could be free/ lease or copyhold but usually in smaller amounts than a yeoman. Many saw a new start in 'the New world' as attractive way to owm more land, but might have to work 7 years as unpaid servants to repay the outlay spent on transporting and clothing them.
According to the times and their acumen in finance yeoman and husbandman might move to the other class
TRADESMEN -they could also become richer than yeoman or husbandmen and move to up the social scale to become gentlemen. Their sons often became gentlemen. If trade was bad then they could become 'servants' or even paupers.
SERVANTS [they were not slaves as I have seen written] but someone who worked and was paid by an employer. Those going to the New World would agree to work unpaid for 7 years, though receiving housing, food and clothes during their 'servitude' in order to repay the outlay of the cost of their travel, and goods needed.
Nobility were termed 'servants' when they served other nobility and the King.
PAUPERS - relying on parish support, at various times sent to other countries in order to alleviate the burden of supporting them and their often numerous by their parish for years
Joyce
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