As a rule of thumb, most seals were reserved for a small number of
people who had seal rings or seals. These seals usually belonged to the
upper classes, and thus were  a reflection of their social status. For
example, one ancestor of mine signed his name and then sealed the
document with his seal ring in 1653. (Some of the seals were reflections
of family crests as well.)

-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Diane Ethridge
Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2007 10:03 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Use of seal

Would the use of a seal on letters & documents signify a particular
status of the individual involved  or would every family have had an
identifying seal?   

Thanks,
D. Ethridge
TX

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