You know Steve, the thing that has always confused me about this deed is that it was made between William Smoot and Dorothy Durham. Their spouses were mentioned in passing, Dorothy is described as Thomas' wife, Jane Smoot gives up her dower rights, but the transaction is obviously between Bill and Dot. And then if Dorothy dies, the property goes to the children, in order of birth, no mention of Thomas getting or sharing it. >From what little I know of property rights at the time, this has always struck me as peculiar, as it is the reason we've gone to such tortuous lengths to figure out how William Smoot and Dorothy are related. (And if any of you don't know, Ann Fox is Dorothy's niece, the daughter of her sister). I have nothing new to add here, but it is interesting that the property given to Dorothy is contiguous to property she and Thomas Durham already own. I don't recognize any of the other names. I guess we just keep picking at the knot! Michelle Robertule@aol.com Ukiah, CA