Several of us have been e-mailing back and forth and posting to the various e-mail lists in this section of Georgia about the FREEMAN families in Greene County, Georgia, and their earlier locations back in Wilkes County and their migrations west as new counties were formed and county lines changed. I am still seeking to further identify my John G. (Glenn?) Freeman who married Martha Jane Durham in Greene County, Georgia, in 1852. In 1875 she remarried to her Reynolds cousin, John (Jack) Reynolds. I know most everything about the Durhams, but Freeman is a "stonewall" of over 35 years duration. The most likely connection is to the family of Littleberry Freeman and Elvira Porter who were also members of Bethesda Baptist Church east of Union Point. They are seen earlier in Taliaferro County. Have not been able to find a "spare" John Freeman in the Freemans around Schull Shoals area who were a spill over from/into Oglethorpe County. Littleberry (bury?)Freeman may have been from an entirely different group. Have not been able to tie him to the Schull Schull group. Neal Freeman of Oklahoma is seeking an Ann Freeman who may or may not be his ancestor. An Ann Freeman is seen on the early tax lists and the 1820 census in Rankin/Porter District in Greene County. Might this be her family in the following two will abstracts. This is from Freda Reid Turner's book of will abstracts, but I also have the originals on microfilm at my house. I also have the Deed index on microfilm at my house up to the 1880's. The deed index goes further than the microfilm of deeds at the Archives done by the Mormons. Later than the 1870's must be researched at the courthouse in Greensboro unless additional later records have been microfilmed since the 1960's. WILL BOOK E PAGE 73. State of Georgia, Greene County. 15 March 1808, will of Jacob Freeman, deceased. To wife Anna Freeman (could this be Ann Freeman that Neal Freeman is seeking???-VTC), land whereon I now live during her natural lifetime, then at her death to my son John Freeman. To son Samuel, livestock. To daughter Mary, a negro named Vinny. To son Thomas, $5 in money. Appoint wife Anna Freeman and sons John and Jacob Freeman executors. Wit.: Thomas Hall, William Batchford and Samuel Atkinson. Recorded 5 April 1809. Henry Carleton (He was the either the Inferior/Ordinary Clerk or deputy clerk, or the ordinary himself.-VTC) WILL BOOK G, PAGE 190. State of Georgia, Greene County. 24 February 1857, will of Jane Freeman, deceased. To son Samuel B. Freeman, negro woman Lucy about 45 years of age, livestock, ox and cart, household and kitchen furniture. Son Jehu F. Freeman has been previously advanced his share plus a negro boy named Elijah. At the death of Samuel his share to go to his heirs, Sarah, Susan, Elizabeth, Jacob and Nancy. Appoint Thomas M Fambrough executor. Wit.: W. H. Partee, James T. Findley and William C. Marton. Recorded 4 May 1858. Eugenius L. King. (Could Jehu actually be John???_VTC) This second will does not mention any land so I will not discuss that one. I am not sure how the two are connected. So many of the same names and so confusing!!! The way the first will is written, Anna's name would most likely never appear in the deed records for this piece of land. It was to go to son, John, at Anna's death. Depending upon how long John lived and what he did with the land, it might be years before this piece of land ever shows up in the deed records of Greene County, Georgia. There would only be a deed if the land were sold. If it was sold by an executor or administrator who last name was NOT Freeman, it might not even be listed under Freeman in the deed index unless a Freeman bought it. The land could go through a number of wills, etc., and never show up on the deed records if it was passed by will. On the tax lists it could be listed is a variety of ways. In the widow, Anna's name, as the estate (est.) of Jacob Freeman or even returned in son, John's name for his mother. In the early days of Georgia, it is my understa nding that land was returned for taxes in the county where the owner lived and not in the county where the land was located. Hence, if this John Freeman did not live in Greene County and he was returning the land for taxes, it might not even appear on the Greene County, Georgia, tax rolls. There is a marriage recorded in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, for Jacob Freeman to Ann Clark, on January 29, 1796, that might fit this first will. If this marriage and the first will are a match, then it would mean that Anna/Ann was a later wife and only the step-mother of the children Jacob Freeman named in his will. His children of the 1796 marriage would mostly likely in some way be indicated as minors with some phrase or similar wording "until they react 21 or under 21, etc." Then guardians and/or trustees would be name in the will or appointed or chosen later. There is sometimes more data/information generated after the will than in the will itself. So much for the free genealogy lesson!!! Vivian Toole Cates, Rt. #2 Box 52-A, Alto, Texas 75925 1-936-858-3801 vcates@balllistic.com http://www.ballistic.com/~vcates