Comments on: Vale End – possible demons http://hollowhill.com/possible-demons-at-vale-end-cemetery/ real ghosts and ghost hunting Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:05:48 +0000 hourly 1 By: Fiona Broome http://hollowhill.com/possible-demons-at-vale-end-cemetery/comment-page-1/#comment-1687 Fiona Broome Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:07:05 +0000 http://hollowhill.com/ghosthunting/possible-demons-at-vale-end-cemetery/#comment-1687 Thanks, Steve! The stones noted "Esq." are rare at Vale End. That's one reason why my friend Nancy was so sure about which stone she'd been near. Generally, people around Wilton were involved in agriculture, and I think that may be one reason why that headstone seems unusual. However, you're absolutely right about <em>Esquire</em> being a term used for attorneys and anyone else noted as a "gentleman." My copy of the Oxford American Dictionary says, as the third definition, "A title allowed by courtesy to all who are regarded as gentlemen. In the U.S. it belongs officially to lawyers and public officers, and is freely used in the addresses of letters." That particular use is dated to 1552. The 1824 definition is, "A gentleman who attends or escorts a lady in public." Of course, back then the words <em>lady, gentleman</em> and <em>escort</em> all had slightly different meanings than what we think of, today. Cheerfully, Fiona Thanks, Steve!

The stones noted “Esq.” are rare at Vale End. That’s one reason why my friend Nancy was so sure about which stone she’d been near.

Generally, people around Wilton were involved in agriculture, and I think that may be one reason why that headstone seems unusual.

However, you’re absolutely right about Esquire being a term used for attorneys and anyone else noted as a “gentleman.” My copy of the Oxford American Dictionary says, as the third definition, “A title allowed by courtesy to all who are regarded as gentlemen. In the U.S. it belongs officially to lawyers and public officers, and is freely used in the addresses of letters.” That particular use is dated to 1552.

The 1824 definition is, “A gentleman who attends or escorts a lady in public.” Of course, back then the words lady, gentleman and escort all had slightly different meanings than what we think of, today.

Cheerfully,
Fiona

]]> By: Steve Holliday http://hollowhill.com/possible-demons-at-vale-end-cemetery/comment-page-1/#comment-1682 Steve Holliday Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:41:08 +0000 http://hollowhill.com/ghosthunting/possible-demons-at-vale-end-cemetery/#comment-1682 I enjoy your podcasts and ghost-hunting experiences immensely. One minor note on the description above where you discuss the attorney's headstone. It was very common--up to the late 19thC., especially in England but also common in America--to give the title "Esquier" to any person who would otherwise be called a gentemen. I'm not sure when the word began to be used as an honorific term for attorneys, but that usage probably dates from the early 20thC. On a more important note--I see why you might be hesitant in discussing this event. Best regards. I enjoy your podcasts and ghost-hunting experiences immensely. One minor note on the description above where you discuss the attorney’s headstone. It was very common–up to the late 19thC., especially in England but also common in America–to give the title “Esquier” to any person who would otherwise be called a gentemen. I’m not sure when the word began to be used as an honorific term for attorneys, but that usage probably dates from the early 20thC.

On a more important note–I see why you might be hesitant in discussing this event.

Best regards.

]]>