"Squire" was but a contraction of "esquire". Shakespeare used the term to mean an asst. or attendant to a judge.  (Don't ask me for play, act and scene; I simply do not remember. :-)    


Genealogy without documentation is nothing.
                     Paul Drake JD
                Genealogist & Author
            <www.DrakesBooks.com>
                    

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Don Trent 
  To: [log in to unmask] 
  Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2005 3:09 PM
  Subject: Re: Fw: "Gentlemen"


  Along the same lines I would like your opinion about the use of the term
  Squire. William Marvel in his book "A Place Called Appomattox", refers to
  one of my ancestors as Squire Trent. In several places he is addressed as
  Squire Trent while other prominent citizens are addressed by their first and
  last name. The time period is 1850 and an excerpt is, ".William Trent, a
  substantial farmer who lived a couple of miles south of the courthouse;
  Nelson Kelly, a wheelwright in his late fifties.  Squire Trent, a former
  Whig, ran without party affiliation." In your opinion why do think he would
  be the only person addressed as Squire. His brother, Thomas Trent, lived
  nearby and was also a farmer with 26 slaves and was referred to as simply
  Thomas Trent.

  Regards,
  Don Trent
  Family History Web Page:
  http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/t/r/e/Donald-Trent-TX/index.html

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