"natural and lawful son of ..."

[SmallTownGirl]

I understand that "natural son of … " usually means the child was born out of wedlock, but does "natural and lawful son of … " have a different meaning, please?  Or is it just a different way of saying the same thing?

Thanks
STG

[andrewalston]

I think that it means a biological, rather than adopted, son. Thus, he would be eligible to inherit under normal rules.

I believe that it gets used in some probate documents, and is more common in America.

The event description in The Master Genealogist changed from "Son-Biological" to "Son-Natural" at a major version change. I adjusted mine back because of our more common "illegitimacy" usage.

[jim1]

I take it this is from a will.
It might depend on the context. Natural or lawful would be different from natural & lawful but generally speaking it's the same thing.
Natural or lawful may include an illegitimate or adopted child regarded as a son to be mentioned in the will.

[ShaunJ]

I would suggest that natural and lawful means born within a lawful marriage.

[a-l]

I've always thought it meant a biological son born inside a legal marriage.

[majm]

I would suggest that natural and lawful means born within a lawful marriage.

Yes, I agree.

In New South Wales,  my Grandfather and his 11 brothers are named indiividually and then described as 'the natural and lawful sons of' in their Dad's probate papers. The same expression is used  for the girls too.  My  Great grandfather was born in NSW in 1849, married 13 months prior to birth of first chilld.

JM

[SmallTownGirl]

It's from an English probate document set from the 1830s.

Seems that the father died without leaving a will so his "natural and lawful son" was granted authority to administer his late father's estate.

Son and father are shown with the same surname.

Thanks for all your help
STG