Patty, The record below is from Richmond County, North Carolina Estate records and is one of the McGilvray references in my book, OUR NATIVE HEATH. There is a connection between the McGilvrays and the McDonalds in this area. It is known that many McDonalds left this area in 1839 for Barbour County, Alabama. I have included in one chapter several letters from Alabama to Rockingham, NC Richmond County. Most were written about the same time. Wonderfully warm letters. 1848 January 23. State of North Carolina. Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Richmond County. The Petition of Jane McGilvray, Catherine McDonald, Alexander McDonald and Sarah McDonald against Archibald McDonald, Peter Blue and Mary his wife and James McDonald, represent that sometime in the year 1847 Catherine McDonald departed this life intestate leaving personal estate consisting of nine Negroes, one large bond and some other articles of personal property. That at October term of this Court James McDonald was appointed Administrator of all and singular the rights and credits of the said Catherine McDonald. That your petitioners with defendants and the children of the deceased and by law entitled to distribution of said personal property. They further show to your Worships that Archibald McDonald and Peter Blue (who intermarried with Mary McDonald) and wife Mary are not inhabitants of this State and pray that publication be made in some Gazette designated by the Court for the said Peter Blue and wife, Mary, and the said Archibald McDonald to come forward at April Term and show cause why this peitition may not be granted. They further pray your Worships after all legal steps shall be taken to appoint three freeholders unconnected with the parties to divide and distribute the said personal estate of the said Catherine McDonald among your petitioners and other ... Estate Records 1772-1933 CR.082.508.35 My website is: http://home.att.net/~hbridges/myrtle.htm if you would like to browse the index to my book. Good luck to you in your family search, Myrtle Bridges