I have several documents we've been examining....wills, estate sales, etc. One thing has popped up on an estate sale that I have never, ever seen before. The estate sale, listing of people who purchased, with the same surname and with, "H.S.", or "G.H.S.", and "B.S." behind their names. The actual "S" looks like and 'L', but I think that was the way it was written in 1835. If anyone has advise on how to tell the difference between and 1835 'L' and an 'S', I would be most grateful. And also any thoughts on the initials. Someone told me they thought the 'B.S.' stood for bastard son and the 'H.S.' stood for his son, but I'm not sure. Thanks to all. Sherry

Sherry, B.S. does not stand for bastard son, and H.S. does not stand for his son. Shame on whoever told you this. All legal terms and abbreviations can be found in "North Carolina Research, Genealogy and Local History" by Helen F. M. Leary and Maurice R. Stirewalt. and the "North Carolina Gazetteer" by William S. Powell. the Gazetteer will, also, identify where the creeks and rivers lay. These books may be found in most NC libraries. Additional information may be found in Volume II of the "Lincoln County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, July 1796 - January 1805", by McAllister and Kathy Sullivan. Also information may be found in Volume One of the "Lincoln County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, July 1796-1805" B.S. = Bill of Sale The initials are usually for an officer of the Court. For example "J.P." is a justice of the peace. C.C. is the Clerk of Court. I am so glad you asked this question. Anne ----- Original Message ----- From: <Gray6064@aol.com> To: <CATAWBA-WEST-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2004 10:06 AM Subject: [CATAWBA-WEST] Deciphering documents > I have several documents we've been examining....wills, estate sales, etc. > One thing has popped up on an estate sale that I have never, ever seen before. > > The estate sale, listing of people who purchased, with the same surname and > with, "H.S.", or "G.H.S.", and "B.S." behind their names. The actual "S" > looks like and 'L', but I think that was the way it was written in 1835. If > anyone has advise on how to tell the difference between and 1835 'L' and an 'S', I > would be most grateful. And also any thoughts on the initials. Someone > told me they thought the 'B.S.' stood for bastard son and the 'H.S.' stood for > his son, but I'm not sure. Thanks to all. > Sherry > > > > ==== CATAWBA-WEST Mailing List ==== > ==== CATAWBA-WEST Mailing List ==== > Sharing info on the region West of the Catawba River, NC > For further info, see http://www.rootsweb.com/~nccatawb/ > Our thanks to RootsWeb for hosting this list and web page > >