Sir William Blackstone, an English attorney wrote this in 1750 about seizing property of parents who did not support their children… (Funny how some things just don’t change)

“The duty of parents to provide for the maintenance of their children is a principle of natural law…by begetting them, therefore, they have entered into a voluntary obligation, to endeavor, as far as in them lies, that the life which they have bestowed shall be supported and preserved.  And, thus, the children will have a perfect right to receiving maintenance from their parents…and if a parent runs away, and leaves his children, the church wardens and overseers of the parish shall seize his rants, goods, and chattels, and dispose of them towards their relief.”

-Blackstone, 1750