In the Cumberland County Virginia Court Order Book for 1774, I found an orphan who came "into Court and made choice of " an individual "to be his master". The Court ordered the Church Wardens of Southam Praish to bind the orphan to the individual he had chosen. A later entry that same year ordered the Church Wardens to bind the orphan "according to law." Is this similiar to an orphan chosing his own guardian at age 14 or older? Would this indicate that an orphan chosing his master was at least 14 years old? Thanks for any information you can give me. Jyl Hardy To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html