I was reading some messages posted to this list back in Mar 2003 concerning Joseph Howell being referred to as "planter of South Carolina" and the uncertain boundary between North Carolina and South Carolina was mentioned as possibly being an explanation for it; that where Joseph had settled in Anson might have been considered as being in South Carolina. There was also a posting concerning this that referred to an article by Brent Holcomb. I have read that article (in fact I have a copy of it). North Carolina, at times, had considered its border to run down into the present counties of Marlboro, Chesterfield, Lancaster, York, Chester, Union, Cherokee, Spartanburg, Greenville, Laurens and Newberry which are in SC; that is, at the time we're speaking of, North Carolina was issuing land grants in these counties. IAW Brent Holcomb, there were over 1,000 of these grants issued (he has published a book on them). Therefore, doesn't this work in just the reverse fashion in explaining that, because of the boundary, Joseph could have been referred to as being "Of South Carolina" while living in North Carolina? In any event, the first record I have found of a Joseph Howell land grant down there was on Brown Creek (200 acres in 1767). Later grants were issued on Jones Creek and Rocky River. By any authority I've ever seen, this area has never been considered, or referred to, as a part of South Carolina. If anyone on our list can cite an instance where it was, would they post it to the group. I, for one, would appreciate it for my research and, most likely, others would, too. Brent Holcomb explained the entire controversy over the disputed boundary and the results of it in an introduction to one of his books. I have the title of the book here somewhere but can't locate it right now. I know you all have seen it...it's something like "North Carolina Land Grants Issued in the State of South Carolina". I can copy the first paragraph of the introduction (which contains the meat of the whole thing) and post it to the list if anyone wants. You'd have to allow me a little time though. I'm getting on up in age and can't see (or type) like I used to. <G> Bill Miller