Durivage v. Vincent

Adoption was unknown at common law and is wholly statutory. RSA ch. 461; Morse v. Osborne, 75 N. H. 487. “As adoption is in derogation of the common law right of the parent, consent of the natural parents is generally required and is a most important item of adoption proceedings.” Blue v. Boisvert, 143 Me. 173, 179. In its earlier form the statute of this jurisdiction providing for adoption required that the natural parents should consent thereto, or in the event of the death of either that the survivor should do so. Laws 1862, c. 2603, s. 2. The authority of the probate court to enter a…