Either, and to whom often depended not the choice of the child. I believe
that the children were bound out EITHER to a relative or to a parishioner,
and it was not a matter of who could BEST afford it; the questions was, "Of
those able to afford a child, who would be best overall for a) the future
likelihood that the child would again become a charge to the parish, b) the
relative, and c) the child, and in that order".  

Children unable to fend for themselves were a significant and substantial
cost to the parishes, some of which had very little money by which to pay
for such care and keeping.  Then too, to whom the child went depended on
which family or person most needed and also could afford a child of that age
and sex.   

-----Original Message-----
From: Research and writing about Virginia genealogy and family history.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jeanine Scholz
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 7:56 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [VA-ROOTS] Bound out children

I have found a record for my ancestor, Samuel Sharp, who was bound out
11/1768 in Frederick Co, VA. The church warden was order to bind him to John
Painter. I am wondering if children were, as a general rule, bound out to
relatives when possible or if they were sent to a family that could best
afford to keep them.

Jeanine Scholz


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