IF there is a chance that he didn't have much, then why would bondsmen type guys be needed? As you can tell in my ripe ole age of 21, I have thankfully not had to deal with probate info! And does "security to ensure that she distributed the estate according to law", mean that she had to give her husand's stuff or land away? One last thing, in the book where I found this info, he is listed on the Probate Index with the date of May 6, 1867 found by his name. There are dates by everyone's name. What does this date mean? Oh yeah .... ATTENTION ALL ATTORNEYS retired or not, what in the world is a letter of administration mean ... How does that quote by Denzel Washington in Philidelphia g... something like ,"Explain it to me like I am a 5 year old?" Well thats what I feel like I am asking you guys to do! Again thanks a lot, I am learning a ton of new stuff and I am enjoying every minute of it! Misty Wright (Researching: Adkins (Texas Co, MO, then CA), Blankenship (Texas CO, MO), Bradley (NC then Fulton, CO, AR), Caste/Easte (Crawford and Dent Co, MO), Gatewood (Fayette CO,IL then to MO), Madison(Jackson CO, MO), Matherson, McCaslin, Montgomery (Izard CO/Fulton CO,AR), Moore (Fulton CO, AR), Neal (Fulton CO, AR), Smith (MS then Dent CO, Mo then Texas Co, MO) Stricklin (Crawford Co, MO then Dent CO, MO)