This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: archaeoamy Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.phillips/5776.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: There was a Joel Phillips whose father, William Phillips, died in Orange co., NC, abt 1798. Granted, this would be a little older than your Joel. But the name "Joel" and "Rainey" caught my eye and I thought I'd bring it to your attention: William's will, dated 1794 in Orange co., states his two sons were Joel and David. His wife was Elizabeth. A William "Rainey" signs as witness. I have seen the Rainey name on a couple of other docs. for the Phillips family and I think that it might be the family name of a Phillips wife, or that of a close family friend. Below are 3 wills: William Phillips (son, Joel; wit. William Rainey); Rainey Phillips; and William Rainey (Bakers in his will have possible ties to Phillips). From: Abstracts of wills recorded in Orange County, North Carolina, 1752-1800 (found on Heritage Quest) Vol. 1, p. 2 Will of William Phillips of Orange Co., NC, dated 9 may 1794 wife: Elizabeth son Joel, son David "tract where he now lives" (100 acres) son William "tract where he now lives" bounded by Trousdell...on Haw River daus: Susannah and Pheby and Elizabeth "My four daughters by my first wife" Mary, Lucy, Hannah, Sarah. Executors: wife Elizabeth, sons David and Joel Witnesses: William Rainey, Mary Simmons. Note on back of will: "widow and Joel Phillips qualified". Vol. 1, p. 115, C-117. Dated 31 Mar 1798, proved May 1798 Rainey Phillips wife Mary gets "estate to raise my children" stepson: Henry stepdaughter: Leander dau: Polly "100 acres on N. Side of Haw River bought of Widow Parks" dau: Rachel, Hannah Johnston, Lucretia. Son: Ben Rainey Executors: wife, and brother William Phillips. Witnesses: Sarah Phillips, William Madray. Vol. II, p. 55, D-379, dated 24 Jul 1797, proved Aug Court 1813. William (x) Rany, wife: Mary son: David Rany Grandsons: William Baker (under age), Wm. Rany Gwin (under age), William Rany John Baker (no relationship stated) brother: David Rany Executors: wife mary, and son David Rany Witnesses: Wm. Thrailkill, John Gil, Robert Duncan Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.