orphan

A minor or Infant who has lost both of his or her parents. Sometimes the term is applied to such a person who has lost only one of his or her parents. 3 Mer. 48; 2 Sim. & S. 93; Aso & M. Inst. bk. 1, tit. 2, c. 1. See 14 Hazz. Pa. Reg. 188, 189,-for a correspondence between the Hon. Joseph Hopkinson and ex-President J. Q. Adams as to the meaning of the word "orphan." See, also, Hob. 247.

A minor or infant who has lost both of his or her parents. Sometimes the term is applied to a person who has lost only one of his or her parents. 2 S. & S. 93; Heiss v. Murphey, 40 Wis. 276. See 14 Hazzard, Penn. Reg. 188, 189, for a correspondence between Joseph Hopkinson and expresident J. Q. Adams as to the meaning of the word orphan; see also, Hob. 247; Jackman v. Nelson, 147 Mass. 300, 17 N. E. 529.

A minor or infant who has Jost both (or one) of his or her parents. More particularly, a fatheriess child. 33 Pa. St. 9.

' A fatherless child; a minor who has lost either or both parents: A child who has lost one or both of its parents.^ Stephen Girard devised property to the city of Philadelphia in trust for the founding of a college for white male orphans, preference being given to orphans bom in that city. Francis Lieber, who drew up the plan of government, was of the opinion that the word "orphan," meant a fatherless child. In support of this opinion he had the private views of Chancellor Kent and Judge Story, and, subsequently, a decision by the supreme court of Pennsylvania.' In Wisconsin, a devise for the benefit of the " Roman Catholic orphans " of a diocese was held void for un- ' New Haven, &c. E. Co. v. Chapman, 38 Conn. 66 (1871). "L. origo, beginning; oriri, to rise. ' 1 Greenl, Ev. § 558; 1 Whart. Ev. § 74. * Conover v. Roach, 4 Fish. 16 (1857), Hall, J. ' Gk. irphanos', bereft, destitute. « Beardsley v. Bridgeport, 63 Conn. 493 (1885), Parcertainty, for the reason, among others, that it did not appeg.r whether whole or half orphans were meant.i Orphans' court. In Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and perhaps in ot^er States, the title of the court having jurisdiction to settle the estates of decedents. See Guardian, 2; Probate, Court of.

A fatherless child. Jacob. A fa.therless child, or minor, or one deprived of both father and mother. Wharton. A minor, or infant, who has lost both of his or her parents. Sometimes, the term is applied to such a person, who has lost only one of his or her parents. Bouvier. " Orphan " may mean either a minor, who has lost both parents, or one who has lost only one. A devise for the benefit of the Roman Catholic orphans of a specified region is void for uncertainty, for the reason, among others, that it is impossible to determine whether whole or half orphans are meant. Heiss v. Murphy, 40 Wis. 276, 290. Orphanage part. That portion of an intestate's effects which his children are entitled to, by the custom of London. This custom appears to be a remnant of what was once a general law all over England; viz., that a father should not by his will bequeath the entirety of his personal estate away from his family, but should leave them a third part at least, called the children's part, corresponding to the " bairns' part," or legitim, of Scotch law, and also (although not in amount) to the legitima quarta of Roman law. Orphans' court. A term sometimes used in the United States, as the title of a court having jurisdiotiou over the probate of wills, and the administration and settlement of decedents' estates, usually called probate court. The title orphans' court is applied to courts of this character, in Delaware and New Jersey.

A minor or infant who has lost both of his or her parents. g Sometimes the term is applied to such a person who has lost only one of his or her parents. 3 Mer. 48; 2 Sim. & Stu. 93.