I'm curious about something. I was researching a distant cousin, and I find him and his new wife in the 1850 Census. He is listed as "William Young, Esq." He gives his profession as farmer.
His real estate holdings seem substantial for the time. He gives the value as $10,000.
I'm wondering if he was also an attorney, or if the British usage of "esquire" may have spilled over here, and he was considered a person of high social standing ???
I've also seen where the Freemasons used this title.
Here's the census listing -- William Young, Esq is on line 24.
I'd love to include a line in his bio about this if anyone can shed some light.
Thanks!