Liz asked, "What actually would make more sense on this thread is to state what the point is of proving someone was at least 21 and what the link was to Philadelphia." Since I posted the question I will answer. The point is to identify my family, who the kids were, and how old they were, thus perhaps also determining where they were born! The land in question was purchased in Philadelphia, which is why the question was posted here. My ancestor Joseph Ashton Sr had land in Lower Dublin in 1681 -- it shows on the maps of the time. I found a land deed in which Joseph Jr purchased 500 acres of land in 1698, however, he was "generally" believed to have been b ca 1682 in PA, making him about 16 years old in 1698. IF he was older, that's a huge difference, and may also indicate he was born prior to his parents immigration, which may also aid in tracking the entire family down overseas. In 1703 Joseph Jr sold this same land (500 acres) purchased in 1698 to his father Joseph Sr. Granville Leach notes at this sale that "Joseph Jr was 'of age'" implying that he was at least 21 and that comment is probably why he was listed as b ca 1682. In 1708 Joseph Sr died. His will explicitly states, "I give & bequeath unto Joseph my Eldest Son 250 acres of Land . . . upon the same that 'I purchased'', and the remaining 250 was to be inherited by Joseph Jr's oldest son when he came of age. So we have a son who buys land, sells it to his dad several years later, Dad subsequently claims he bought the land and wills it back to his son and grandson. So if anyone can explain this to me, I'm very interested. Sharon **************An Excellent Credit Score is 750. See Yours in Just 2 Easy Steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222585042x1201462767/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=62&bcd=Jun eExcfooterNO62)