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Guardian in socage

Defined in 2 dictionaries — Ballentine's (1916), Burrill (1850)

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

One next of kin to a child from whom it was impossible for the former to inherit, as guardian of the socage land and person of the child, until the child was fourteen. See 2 Wend. (N. Y.) 153, 19 Am. Dec. 568.

A New Law Dictionary and Glossary

Alexander M. Burrill · 1850

A species of guardian who has the custody of the infant's lands as well as of his person, until the age of fourteen. This kind of guardianship springs wholly out of tenure, and applies only to lands which the infant acquires by descent. By the common law it devolves to the next of blood to whom the inheritance cannot possibly descend, and for this reason it is supposed that it can hardly be said to exist in this country. 1 £1. Com. 461, 462. 2 Steph. Com. 338. 2 Kent's Com. 221, 223.