My quest for Richard Lawrence of VA & NC has made no progress. Following are some of the notes (in blue) that I have collected in my database from various people over the years. Does anyone know anything about the ancestry of this particular Richard Lawrence? He's the one who died intestate in Surry Co, NC in 1796, and left many heirs to dicker over his estate for a number of years. He's the one who married twice: first wife's name unknown (might be Susannah Claiborne) and second wife's given name was Isabella (some say Isabella Ross). 1741 - Found 1741 in Fredericksville Parish Records in Louisa Co. Va. 1760 - bought 200 ac. St. Ann's Parish, Albemarle Co. Va. from Charles Smith. John (x) Lawrence, wit. 1763 - bought 75 ac Amherst Co. Va. from Chas. Smith. John (x) Lawrence, wit. 1765 - sold 75 ac Amherst Co to Jos. Morris. 1772 - bought 264 acres on Hickory Crk, Albemarle Co. Va. from John Maxwell. John (x) Laurence wit. Joseph Laurence wit. 1772 - Had 49 ac surveyed Amherst Co. 1773 - bought 46 ac Hickory Crk, Amherst Co. Va. from Jas. Douglas. Joseph Lawrence, James Lawrence wit. 1777 - Sold 46 ac Amherst Co. to Thos Johnson and 200 ac Amherst Co to Jos Morris. 1778 - Listed as a Juror in Surry Co. NC. 1779 - Bought land in Surry Co. NC. 1784 - On Surry Co., NC State Census: 1 male over 16, 7 males under 16, 5 females." These 11 children are probably all from the second marriage [that is, to Isabella], since the children from the first marriage would have been in their mid- to late-twenties. It's conceivable that even some of the children from the second marriage might also have left home by 1784. Note that the above land transactions in Virginia reflect the fact that the county in which he bought land in 1777, Amherst Co, VA had been formed out of Albemarle Co, VA which in turn had been formed out of Louisa Co, VA, the original county in which he was found. So, it appears that he may not have moved from county to county, but that the county changed its name around him.