Antedate

To put a date to an instrument of a time before the time it was written. A NT EN AT I (Lat. born before). Those born in a country before a change in its political condition such as to affect their allegiance. The term is ordinarily applied by American writers to denote those born in this country prior to the Declaration of Independence. It is distinguished from postnati, those born after the event. As to the rights of British antenati in the United States, see Apthorp v. Backus, Kirby (Conn.) 413, 1 Am. Dec. 26; Miller v. English, 6 N. J. Eq. 305; Adams v. Ryerson, 6 N. J. Eq. 337; Kilham v. Ward, 2 Mass. 236, 244; Jackson v. Wright, 4 Johns. (N. Y.) 75; Hunter v. Fairfax's Devisee, 1 Munf. (Va.) 218; Com. v. Bristow, 6 Call (Va.) 60; Jackson's Lessee v. Burns, 3 Binn. (Pa.) 75; Dawson v. Godfrey, 4 Cra. (U. S.) 321, 2 L. Ed. 634; Inglis v. Sailor's Snug Harbor, 3 Pet. (U. S.) 99, 7 L. Ed. 617. As to the use of the term in England, see 7 Coke 1, 27; 2 B. & C. 779; 5 id.

771;. 1 Wood. Lect. 382; Postnati.