Thanks to those knowledgeable folks who responded to my query as to what 'private examination' of Joseph McDonald's wife Elizabeth meant in a 1763 entry of Chalkey's 'Scots-Irish in VA' record. (See summary answers below, good info for all, thanks again.) The subsequently found entry follows these answers: (from Chalkey's 'S-I in VA') p. 397, same, Deed Book No. 11, p. 215 -- 8th February 1763. Joseph McDonald and Elizabeth to William Preston, (pound sterling sign)180, 142 acres on Tinker's Creek; line Geo. Robinson's land; line of land of heirs of Edward McDonald; corner land said Preston now dwells on; Capt. Robinson's line. Teste: Samuel McKnab. Delivered: William Preston, December 1763. Note that Chalkey's work may be researched on-line at the following link: http://www.rootsweb.com/~chalkley/index.htm Research may also be conducted at http://www.ancestrycom and http://www.familytreemaker.com/index.html Summary of responses to my query: -- .....They wish to talk to her separate and private as to not influence the information they are seeking..... Yes, they did take women's word but not without flack generally if an outsider was involved.... -- ...It was common to examine the wife in private to determine that she willingly signed deeds, etc. This was to protect her dower interest in her husbands estate... -- My guess is that she was being examined by a justice of the peace separately from her husband regarding a sale of land. This was to assure that she was not being coercied by her husband. This was common procedure for land sales during that era. -- And the most informative, of likely interest to all: In my "experience," limited as it is: Private examination of a wife was usually done when the husband sold property that the wife had dower rights in. You might check and see if Joseph was "selling some property" about that time. Since all property was in the HUSBANDS name, whether she inherited it, or they bought it when they were married, the wife in VA legally had 1/3 "DOWER RIGHT" to the property. To "protect wives" from being co-oresied into selling land by her husband when she really didn't want to, the Court Official conducted a "private examination of the wife" to be sure she was really ready to release her dower. (Not that it really worked, because if you knew you were going to get a beating if you didn't say what hubby wanted you to, you'd release it anyway.) Just a fact of life in those days.(and even today) If she were giving a deposition et., the record would probably refer to her by her given name, not as the wife of, and a deposition would probably be "public" in court. Thanks again for everyone's help. Neil McDonald Neil McDonald, [email protected]