Hi Mickey, It is not unusual for close friends, if they have no heirs, to leave their property to their closest friends. Throughout my line, their are single siblings of my ancestors, that left lands to friend. A clue here is that they named one of their children Anderson Watts, may be the clue that they were close friends. I have a will from a gggaunt and she gave her property and land to various church members and not her family members. I know it is more exciting though if there is more 'juice' to the story, as I love the misfits and 'juicy' stories in my family history rather than those that followed straight and narrow lives.(;-) Sincerely, David Anderson > > From: "Mickey Watts" <ma.watts@comcast.net> > Date: 2005/12/28 Wed PM 01:22:43 EST > To: ANDERSON-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [ANDERSON-L] WATTS, ANDERSON, REEDER, READER, BRUMBELOW > > Anyone with info on WATTS, ANDERSON, REEDER, READER, BRUMBELOW your help in deciphering the reason for the generosity mentioned below is needed. > Anderson Watts married Martha Reeder who was living in the household (1860 Fed Census) of James Anderson and his wife Mary (Brumbelow). Martha's mother had died during childbirth of her sibling. I understand the love James may have had for Martha if he was raising her as his own..BUT!!!! There must be more to this story with the James Anderson Watts and James Anderson names. I feel they are to close to be a coincidence..... > Thanks, > Mickey > > JULY 5TH, 1869....JAMES ANDERSON to A. & MARTHA WATTS > BOOK 14, pg 436, LAND DEEDS of ROBERTSON COUNTY, TN > > I, James Anderson, of Robertson County, state of Tennessee , for the love and affection I bear to Anderson Watts and his wife Martha (REEDER)Watts give, grant, and convey unto them the following described parcel of land. Bounded as followed, lying in Tennessee, Robertson County, > > > > ==== ANDERSON Mailing List ==== > List web page - http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/surname/a/anderson.html > GENEALOGY LINKS - http://www2.netdoor.com/~cch/GEN-links.htm >