Laws of intestacy vary with time and place and are very intricate, as you know. They varied by state / colony / province. When replying to your posting, I was thinking of the situation where possibly John Crow died intestate but had no children. (I wasn't considering the very early date.) Regarding land ascending lineally through laws of intestacy, most definitely it does occur. Where there were no children, and after the widow's dower, frequently intestacy laws state that the estate was to be distributed: "equally to the next of kin of the intestate of equal degree and those who represent them" With that in mind, here in Nova Scotia (mind you, after 1758), the above was applied as follows: That either of the intestate's parents would take to the exclusion of his siblings, which was later modified by directing that if the intestate's father predeceased him, the mother shared equally with the intestate's siblings and their representatives. etc. For degrees of consanguinity, see: http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/22/title22sec2843-A.html Regarding the land in question, is there no way you can determine how the neighbor Jeremiah Risling or even Richard Risling himself, obtained their land (other than John Crow's land)? Are there no early land transactions or probate records for the families? Personally, I would also study the neighbors, witnesses and associates (as also suggested by Cheryl), platting the land over time, etc. I note there is "common or undivided land" to the east of Samuel Risling, suggesting an inheritance: either testate or intestate. Possibly a Risling? Or another relative? Good luck! Gwen -- Gwen P. King, B.Sc., M.L.I.S. Lorneville, Cumberland County, Nova Scotia e-mail: [email protected]