Not knowing what the court order was for I would assume that it is a form of description. ----- Original Message ----- From: Steve Worrel<mailto:[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Sent: Monday, December 07, 2009 4:56 PM Subject: [VA-ROOTS] Slave ages In the court order books for Southampton County in the mid-18th century, there are often short entries where the court estimates the ages of given slaves. Does anyone know why this was done? Was it to determine when they became tithable? To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html<http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html> To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html