Jerry Vandiver sent this to the Dutch Colonies list and gave me permission
to forward it to the list. There is also a web site with the information
at
http://www.usgenweb.org/researchers/misc.html
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2002 22:05:48 -0400
From: jerry vandiver <j.vandiver(a)lycos.com>
To: Dutch-Colonies-L(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: Re: [D-Col] Age Requirement to be witness at baptism
A Lawyer/Historian friend of mine gave me this guideline when dealing with English Law of
the 17th Century. This has appeared to apply to religious equivalents as well, I believe
witnessing a baptism would fall under the first age category:
Age 14 for Males (age 12 for females), one could: Witness documents, Testify in Court,
Select their own Guardian, Serve as an Apprentice, Be punished for a crime, Show land to
Processioners, Sign Contracts, Act as Executor, Bequeath Property by Will
Age 16 for Males, one could: Be listed as Tithable, Be Mustered into Militia, Serve as
Processioners, Take possession of land holdings
Age 18 for Males, on could: Be Licensed to practice a trade
Age 21 for Males, (age 18 for Females), one could: Release their Guardian ( or @ time of
marriage), Be married without parential (or guardian) consent
Age 21 for Males, one could: Plead/Sue in Court, Own Land, Devise Land by will, Be
eligible for most public offices, Serve on a jury (grand, petit, coroner), Vote
I do not know that this is accurate when applied to the Dutch, but it has held up on the
South River so far. He gave me a list of the English Documents he used as sources to
prove this list, but I was more interested in the principles than the complex legal
documents of the period. I suppose he would send me the list again.
In any case, maybe this will help.
Jerry
--
On Wed, 26 Jun 2002 21:39:05
NYHuguenot wrote:
As far as I know any Christian may be a witness at a baptism. Those
who make
profession of saving faith in the work of Christ on the cross are determined
by that confession to be so and are eligible
Bob