Hi All, I am confused as to the Robert Mills involved in the following. I hope someone can clear it up for me. I am at my wits end. My question will be at the end. All the proof is up front. Worcester co., MD Orphans Court Proceedings Vol. 1 (1777-1800) by David V. Heise states: April 9, 1782 -SARAH MILLS (of Robert) 4 yrs. Appointed guardian: Josiah Merrill Sureties: Joseph Schoolfield, John Ayres Page 82 F. 317 - Dec. Court 1785 Orphan: JOSIAH MERRILL (of Josiah) 3 Appointed Guardian: James Smith Sureties: George Stevenson, LEVI BALL F. 318 Dec. Court 1785 Orphan: HETTA MERRILL (of Josiah) 5(?) Appointed Guardian: LEVI BALL Sureties: James Smith, George Stevenson P. 83 F. 320 Feb. Court 1786 Orphan: SARAH MILLS (of Robert) 9 Appointed Guardian: NOBLE DRYDEN Sureties: LEVI BALL, John Blades P. 128 - F. 495 Oct. Court 1788 Orphan: Robert Mills (7 July next), Samuel Mills (4 last Oct.) (of Robert) Appointed Guardian: ELIZABETH MILLS (Couldn't write) Sureties: LEVI BALL, Joseph Stevenson P. 219, F 309 June 7, 1796 Court Orphan: HETTY MERRILL (of Josiah), over 14 Chosen guardian: THOMAS MERRILL, SEN. Sureties: LEVI BALL, THOMAS MERRILL p. 256 F. 271 Apr Term 1797 LEVI BALL & ELIZABETH, his wife, guardian to SAMUEL MILLS (DECEASED) P. 256 F 271 - Apr. term 1797 LEVI BALL & ELIZABETH, his wife, guardian to ROBERT MILLS ( of Robert) June 10, 1800 - LEVI BALL & ELIZABETH, his wife, guardian to SAMUEL MILLS ( of Robert) ELIZABETH BALL had a will in Worcester Co., MD F. 163 Written: Aug. 8, 1807 (the day that her husband Levi's will was probated) To son Samuel Mills - land and plantation left me by my father To grandchildren Milla Houston and Betsy Houston - personal property. Executor: son, Gillett Mills My questions are: 1. If Apr. term 1797 Levi Ball and Elizabeth were guardian to Samuel Mills who is marked deceased, why would they still be the guardians for Samuel on June 10, 1800. Why would Elizabeth name Samuel as her son in the 1807 Will that she wrote? 2. I have seen many postings that Ann Dryden, b. 1761, Worcester, MD, dau. of Noble Dryden married 1st Robert Mills and then married Josiah Merrill after 1780. Noble Dryden also had a dau. Elizabeth. The above documentation lists the same children as children of Robert Mills. How can Ann Dryden and Elizabeth ??? both have married Robert Mills? 3. According to the Leslie P. Dryden Records from the NABB - Ann Dryden b. 1761, Worcester Co., MD; died between 1784 & 1786; m. Robert Mills 1771. Robert Mills died May 12, 1780. They had a child Sarah Mills. Ann then married Josiah Merrill and had Hetty and Josiah. Is this correct? 4. Could Elizabeth have taken Ann's children after Ann died? The only problem is that the ages of the children do not match the dates that they could be the children of the Robert Mills who married Ann Dryden in 1771. According to the court documents: Sarah Mills was 9 in 1786 so she would have been born ca 1775. Robert Mills was 6 1/2 in 1788 so he would have been born ca 1782. Samuel Mills was 4 in 1788 so he would have been born in1784. The Robert Mills who was married to Ann Dryden died May 12, 1780. Thanks for taking the time to digest all of this. Were am I wrong? Clare