Dear Breedlove Researchers, I agree with the information that Tom Jones forwarded, concerning there being no pattern or rule, for the gathering of the names of witnesses to deed. Sometimes the witnesses were neighbors; sometimes the witnesses were relatives; sometimes the witnesses just "happened by" conveniently at the court house when a signature was needed. Since beginning to do genealogical research twenty years ago, I have literally read hundreds of deeds. I always notice the names of the witnesses, to see if I can learn anything additionally about the the Grantor/Grantee. If relatives witnessed, it was usually because they were also neighbors and happened to be convenient. Marilyn Owen