Martha,
You will likely find the answers to your questions in Richard Starke, "The Office and Authority of a justice of peace," 1774.
Harold

---- Martha Katz-Hyman <[log in to unmask]> wrote: 
> In connection with research I am doing for the new museum that will replace
> the Yorktown Victory Center, I am investigating the life of Edward Moss,
> one of the members of the very large Moss family of York County.
> 
> This Edward Moss (there were many of that name!) was the son of James Moss
> (son of William Moss & Elizabeth Goodwin) and an unknown wife who evidently
> predeceased him (no wife is named in his will). James died in 1762 leaving
> 3 children (John, Edward and Ann/Anna) all under the age of 21. James's
> estate appears not to have been finally settled until December 1772, when
> 16 slaves were divided among the three children (not all of the slaves
> named in the inventory are included in the division). By 1772 John was no
> longer an "orphan" and Ann was married, but I am assuming that this is the
> year that Edward also reached his majority.
> 
> My questions:
> 
> 1) What was the age of majority in Virginia for both genders in the third
> quarter of the eighteenth century?
> 2) Am I correct in assuming that the slaves were not divided until 1772
> because before that date Edward was still an "orphan"?
> 3) There are records in the York County Guardians Accounts from 1773-1775
> for the expenses Thomas Smith incurred as guardian of Edward Moss. Was
> Edward Moss still an "orphan" or are these accounts (recorded in 1774 &
> 1775) "after the fact" accountings that Thomas Smith presented to the court?
> 
> Thanks for your help in figuring this out!!
> 
> Martha Katz-Hyman
> Curator
> Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
> Williamsburg, VA
> 
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