For those of us wondering about lost records, here is an example of one possible cause I found: "232. Replacement Deed. 10 May 1779. Bridget Spencer of Hun. & Co. of NC, widow, for the further sum of 5s grant unto James Eves, farmer, lot of land containing 50 acres, situate at Swanwich in sd Co. It bounds SE by River Delaware; to NE & NW by land of sd Eves; to SW part by sd Eves & part of land late of John Eves, dec'd. This is land that William Spencer, late of sd Hun., innholder, dec'd., was seized of from Peter Peterson & Jane his wife. In sd Spencer's Last Will, dated 12 Sept 1765, he gave his three sons, William, Richard and Stephen, and his only daughter, Elizabeth, one shilling sterling each & no more and then: ‘I devise unto my dearly beloved wife, Bridget, & to her heirs, all my real estate.... I ordained her and Richard McWilliam, my brother-in-law, Execs'. Then later sd Bridget, by her Deed for £280, sold to James Eves, farmer, the afsd lot. Papers were later carried away by a detachment of the British Army & lost. Signed: Bridget Spencer (mark). Wit: Rich Janvier, Jno Stapler. Ack by John Jones & James Latimer. Gunning Bedford, Pro. Rec: 22 June 1779. (D2-157) 233. Replacement Deed. 20 April 1779. Isaiah Lewis of Mill Creek Hun. in NCC, taylor, and Mary his wife, for £540 & further 5s grant to Moses Bartram of City of Phila., apothecary, a tract of land containing 112 acres, situate in sd Hun. & Co. This is land that sd Lewis was seized of by indenture dated 18 Aug 1772, from Alexander Ogle of Frederick Co. in Prov. of Maryland, wheelwright, and Martha his wife. It began by White Clay Creek & bounded lands of Thomas Ogle jun., Francis Graham and David Ogle, (Book/A Vol/2 pp/235). Then sd Lewis, on 3 Jan 1777, sold sd land & premises unto afsd Bartram for £540. Deed was captured with others & carried off by the British Forces acting against America & lost. James Booth, Attny. Signed: Isaiah Lewis, Mary Lewis. Wit: Jas Latimer, John Thompson. Rec: 26 July 1779. (D2-158)"