In a Sale advertisement, a Freehold Estate with a Rental Value of £68 at Elton, in the County of Durham indicates that enquiries were to be made to Mr Thomas Fawell of Barwick, near Yarm, or Mr Richard Rymer of Yarm. Newcastle Chronicle, 2 March 1765. Name appears in other mid 18th Century newspapers.
I was told by my Grandfather that Esquire (Esq.) comes from, or linked to the word 'Squire', being a Leader in the Community, or a Lord (or one of the Lords) of a Manor, usually landowners of Estates let to Farmers and Tenants.
I see Gent. or Gentleman used in documents of farms and some Inns etc., but not everyone owning several properties or more was a "Gent. or Gentleman. Our 19th Century local Inn owning "Gent." is found providing Mortgages and loaning money to other buyers of property.
Regarding, the comments about the Sailor, I noticed some Females were Mariners of Vessels, so perhaps Gent. denoted him being male, OR perhaps he had inherited via a Will, or other property transaction, property?
Regards Mark
