This exchange on the Inshelby-L list is useful:
From: "amruby" <amruby(a)email.msn.com>
To: <INSHELBY-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2001 3:06 PM
Subject: Minor Children
Hi List,
Does anyone know when children reached the age of majority in the early
1800's? I'd like to know at what age children could be removed from
guardianships in the 1830's. Was it age 21 or much earlier?
Thanks,
Anne
From: "Phyllis Miller Fleming" <PhyllisMillerFleming(a)starband.net>
Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2001 21:39:51 -0500
Definitely 21. Earlier if female and married to someone over 21.
At fourteen you graduated from infant to minor and were eligible to chose
your own guardian (approved by the court, of course).
Mothers were not granted guardianship of their own children unless a
gentleman would and could post security. Don't even get me started on the
widow's allowance!!
Children were often called orphans, even if their mother was still living.
Reading through fifty years of estate papers was quite educational!
P