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During the 18th century a fatherless child was called an orphan, regardless of whether the mother was alive. Guardians could be appointed by the courts to orphans. To be appointed, individuals were required to prove sufficient security by showing that they were able to manage the orphan’s estate. As guardians they kept financial accounts detailing how money was spent each year. These accounts were primarily focused on the orphan’s property and education. For example, guardians could arrange for apprenticeships.
When the child became an adult, the guardian provided the orphan with their estate including any enslaved individuals, household items, or animals. Since guardianship could last a long time there were some understandable discrepancies. The items had to be delivered as they were received or in their value in money. Because of this, detailed accounting of the orphan estate’s income and expenses were necessary and is why they were recorded by the court.
HRC has many guardian related documents. A few from HRC’s collection have been selected and highlighted below.
HRC has an indenture between Bryan Fairfax and John Parke Custis. Since John was not yet 21, it was handled by his guardian. The document specifies this clearly stating “John Parke Custis by George Washington, his Guardian" (Figure 1). Written in 1775, this document discusses the money Custis had lent to the Bryan Fairfax and that Bryan Fairfax was giving Custis property.
 Figure 1 - X-I-OS-0032 Indenture between Bryan Fairfax and John Parke Custis. Line emphasized where it is stated George Washington is the guardian.
Outside of this brief mention as the guardian, George Washington is not mentioned again. However, the document is interesting too for the property it discusses.
Bryan Fairfax’s property is described as “Being in the county of Fairfax and colony aforesaid containing about fourteen hundred acres commonly called and distinguished by the name of Springfield, being the tract of land on which Fairfax Old Courthouse stands.” (Figure 2).
 Figure 2 - X-I-OS-0032 Fairfax Courthouse Reference underlined
Bryan Fairfax’s property is identified in the map created in the 1980s showing the various property owners in Fairfax County in 1760. The yellow property showing Bryan’s Fairfax’s property shows the landmark of the “Old Courthouse’ and how it was within Bryan Fairfax’s property (Figure 3).
 Figure 3 - Detail, Fairfax County 1760 property owner map. Created by Beth Mitchell. Edited by Donald M Sweig. Published by Office of Comprehensive Planning, County of Fairfax, 1987
Custis had loaned one hundred ninety-six pounds four shillings and two pence sterling, with interest. As seen in this example, guardians could manage large amounts of money and property, showing the important goal guardians played.
Another Guardian account is found in Will Book D1 on page 223. Written in 1871, it is titled “Francis Mason orph. To John Reardon, deceased.” John Reardon had married Francis Mason’s mother, Ann, and became Francis’s guardian.
This Will accounted for items John Reardon paid for on behalf of Mason. It gives insight into the types of items paid for by a guardian account (Figure 4).
A great deal of textiles including linen, cambric, broadcloth, brown and Irish linen are discussed. There are payments for shoes, a felt hat, and buttons. School, boarding, and a spelling book were paid for. Reardon also paid Mason’s land taxes for several years.
 Figure 4 - Will Book D1 p 223. Francis Mason guardian account discussed.
Credits were also listed. Mason’s earnings were largely valued in crops. These credits were matched against the debits to show the income of the estate (Figure 5 ).
 Figure 5 - Will Book D1 p 224. Credits as well as the difference between debits and credits listed.
Since Reardon was deceased this account was provided by Ann Donaldson the administratrix of Reardon’s estate.
Guardian records in HRC collection provide insight into the daily life of young individuals, the important role the court played in recording the management of young people’s property, and an exploration of relationships of the 18th century.
Drake, Paul. What Did They Mean by That? A Dictionary of Historical and Genealogical Terms Old and New. 2003
Evans, Barbara Jean. A to Zax A Comprehensive Dictionary for Genealogists and Historians. 1995
John T. Phillips, II. The Historians Guide to Loudoun County VA and County Court Orders 1757-1766.
Mitchell, Beth. Fairfax county 1760 property owner map. Edited by Donald M Sweig. Published by Office of Comprehensive Planning, County of Fairfax, 1987. (1760-1) Fairfax County - Overview
Flat file drawer 3 x-1-os-0032 George Washington Guardian – John Parke Custis from Fairfax Bryan. Mortgage. Fairfax County Circuit Court Historic Records Center. January 1775.
Francis Mason ward of John Reardon and son of French Mason. WB D1 p 223-224 1770 p 43. 6-19-1770. Fairfax County Circuit Court Historic Records Center.
“George Washington to Bryan Fairfax, 30 June 1779,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-21-02-0251. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 21, 1 June–31 July 1779, ed. William M. Ferraro. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2012, pp. 301–302.]
“Bryan Fairfax to George Washington, 29 March 1778,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-14-02-0321. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 14, 1 March 1778 – 30 April 1778, ed. David R. Hoth. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2004, pp. 349–350.]
“Guardian Accounts, 3 November 1773,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/02-09-02-0284. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Colonial Series, vol. 9, 8 January 1772 – 18 March 1774, ed. W. W. Abbot and Dorothy Twohig. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1994, pp. 366–374.]
John Parke Custis | George Washington's Mount Vernon
Orphans & Guardians | Bob’s Genealogy Filing Cabinet
Maryland State Archives. Guide to Government Records https://guide.msa.maryland.gov/pages/viewer.aspx?page=probate-former#guardianaccounts
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