Hi Gwen, My only suggestion is that it is not at all uncommon to find things in wills of that age, which are either misspelled, or perhaps written in old English. After SEVERAL various searches, the only thing I came up with was either a "cow stable" or a "cow house" for byre. I really can't think of what the hook might be, but maybe it was either something to secure the "barn door", or a hook to toss the hay into the stall???? Sorry, but that was the BEST I could do!!! Happy hunting! Joan In a message dated 7/21/2002 4:58:42 PM Eastern Standard Time, GHCHOCTAW@aol.com writes: > Can anyone help me with a term from the 1875? On Schedule F, a list of > Personal Goods and Chattels, is listed "one Byer hook" valued at $1.00. > This > item falls right in the middle of these other items: one Steel plow - > $2.00, > one Corn planter - $5.00, one Mower - $30.00, one Grain Cradle - $1.00, one > hay Rack - $2.00, one harrow - $2.00. > > I find the term "byre" meaning a cow stable, but I can find nothing for the > term "Byer." > > Any suggestions appreciated. > Gwen Joslin Hiles >