Orphanage
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary · Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
In English law
The share reserved to an orphan by the custom of London. By the custom of London, when a freeman of that city dies, his estate is divided into three parts, as follows: One-third part to the widow; another to the children advanced by him in his lifetime, which is called the "orphanage;" and the other third part may be by him disposed of by will. Now, however, a freeman may dispose of his estate as he pleases; but in cases of intestacy, the statute of distribution expressly excepts and reserves the custom of London.
Lovelace, Wills, 102, 104; Bac. Abr. "Custom of London" (0).