We recently had the joy of going to the courthouse in Quitman, and noticed some deeds like you're speaking of, where they deeded their land (and even a mule) for a debt to be paid off to Kirkland. My husband tells me that Kirkland owned a feed store, but I also noticed on a death certificate from 1894, that Kirkland was the undertaker. Could it be that she was in debt for a funeral? By the way, tell me more about your CHAPMANS and WOODWARDS. I am researching GRAYSONs in Clarke County, and there was a SAMUEL C. GRAYSON that married a MARY ANN CHAPMAN. Marion in Texas :) In a message dated 9/18/00 7:53:41 PM Central Daylight Time, Jackiefeld@aol.com writes: << Listmembers and Bennie, I am curious if it was unusual for a woman to file a Deed of Trust in 1870 in Clarke County using 1/4 of her crop and livestock as collateral? We have Rebecca A. Woodward who filed a Deed of Trust June 16, 1870 in Deed Book L 1870-1872 on p. 83/84. She was indebted to Kirkland & McDonnald in Quitman with Samuel W. Chapman as trustee. I think she was still married to William Woodard/Woodward at the time but he was not enumerated with Becky Woodard and her children in Enterprise, MS in Dwelling #612, page 94 of the census. Could someone tell me where I should check to make sure there was not a divorce? The deed was to be paid by Dec. 1, 1870 and I don't know if she paid off her debt or not. Thanks so much! Jackie Feldman Sammamish, WA >>