Joan- The old handwriting of the letter "s" had a tail making it look like an "f" to us - if that helps any, but you may already be taking that into account. An unfamiliar surname is often very hard to read. Where did you get the 1733 account record? I am interested in getting estate papers (Deakins) from 1744 (about the same time period). I wrote PG Co. Court House as I thought they might have the loose papers (sometimes called estate packets) but they tell me EVERYTHING is at the MD archives Hall of Records in Annapolis. Ruth in Illinois -----Original Message----- From: Joan Marie Meyering <joantoni@open.org> To: MDPGEORG-L@rootsweb.com <MDPGEORG-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Wednesday, July 11, 2001 8:55 AM Subject: SURNAME TOLLE__IN >OK, everyone, I am back at square one trying to figure out who was >listed as WILLIAM HARBIN's next of kin in his final account in 1733. >His oldest son, John Harbin, (aged 22), was one but the other is someone >I have never even heard of, and that is the puzzle. It is James Villars >TOLLE___IN (it looks like an "sc" written almost on top of each other, >followed by an "f", then "in"). What would that be in 1733 >handwriting? TOLLEFSIN? Does anyone have that name in their line? The >VILLARS part of it intrigues me no end - the last son (b 1731) has a >middle name of Villers/Villiers/Villars/William too, but why we do not >know. Some say it was after his mother's family, but I am skeptical, >for one thing because there were other sons before him mothered by her. > >Comments, please. > >Joan Marie in Oregon > >______________________________