doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com A Question on Titles of People

Having time on my hands and a subscription to Ancestry I was wondering if any of our English readers could help me. I have a Joseph Lang #1 made in 1885 as per the records. It is listed as having been sold to a mister "D. Davidson, Esquire". As noting the Esquire would have been important to Mr. Davidson I was wondering if this could help me establish his place in life. I found a D. Davidson in the 1881 census in London and he was listed as a retired Naval Officer. Would the use of Esquire been appropriate for him or what level of society would allow this usage

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esquire

Usage in India

Before 1947, the term esquire was used by senior officers of the Indian Civil Service and other members of the government. In keeping with the criteria established centuries earlier, the title was mostly used by government officials who studied or trained in England, especially in the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, or London or other professional organisations managed by the government. Barristers were especially included in the order of the esquires. Members of the armed forces as well as those who were inducted in to it from other services, temporarily or permanently, were also called esquires.[6]

Thanks skeettx that does help and it make sense. The first possible one I found he is living with his mother and father (retired Army officer) and several domestics. This was a London Best so he would have been a person of means.

The British “National Archives” is a treasure trove of military records. I paid £5 for a certified copy of one officer’s service record who originally (and boldly) ordered a pair of 29” ST Green O/U’s in 1912.

Esquire, or Esq. as an abbreviation, was used to denote a man who was regarded as a “gentleman” but not otherwise of a specific rank.

Amongst retired officers it was regarded as “bad form” to use their former rank as a title in civilian life unless of Field rank (i.e Army Major or above).

Thus a retired Army Captain would be unlikely to describe himself as Captain Smith in civilian life, whilst a retired Navy Captain (equivalent to a full Colonel ) would call himself Captain Smith R.N.

It is not unusual although rarely used these days unlike, as I recall, in the 50's and 60's. It was used as a formal address for Untitled Gentlemen. Letter would be address John Smith Esq. and letter commence Dear Sir. Sir used, as it still is, even though the person is not Knighted as in Sir John Smith. Very commonly used years ago even on a letter to a young boy. Just polite form. Maybe the practice should be revived.

A copy of Debrett's Correct Form from Amazon or wherever will explain all. You'll be pleased with the purchase next time you take tea with the Bishop or attend a Royal Garden Party. :-)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/37459711...msclkid=e076cf524a5111917964abc3e4233b0f

I like to think of myself as Esquire