Scope and Content Note
This series consists of petitions to a Supreme Court justice, commissioner, or judge of a court of common pleas for appointment of a guardian for an infant-defendant, or a next friend (prochein ami) for an infant-plaintiff (a minor could not appear in court).
The petition states the age of the infant and summarizes the cause to which he or she is a party. Causes involved matters such as slander, negligence, assault, recovery or partition of lands, promissory notes, breach of promise to marry, and so on. Accompanying the petition are: the signed consents of the person designated to be the guardian or next friend; the affidavit of a court officer attesting to the signatures of the infant and guardian or next friend; and the order admitting the guardian or next friend to appear for the infant in court. Appointment of guardians or next friends was governed by legislation of 1829.
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