I already sent this note to people I knew were working this line, so please excuse the duplication in this ransom-l posting. This posting also includes the link to the database. BUTE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA COURT MINUTES, 1767-79 To search this database [which is "free for 10 days" unless you are a member of Ancestry], go to: http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/inddbs/5420.htm I got 191 hits at this database, mostly James RANSOM, a few Richard RANSOM, a RANSON and RANSOME. The possibilities for confusion are endless, with three guys named James RANSOM in the county! It was fun reading, and tring to notice the McLAMORE, MACON and other family connections, along with AMY's children and grandchild. There's lawsuits and juries and guardians galore. There's a lot of MACON info, lawsuits against RANSOM and deeds and land. Jameses abound, from the sheriff, juror, justice of the peace, witness and slave owner, to sitting on the board at many sessions. such as this example: >> Bute County, North Carolina Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1767-1779 11 February 1778 Amy Ransom and Betsy Ransom orphans of James Ransom dece'd came into Court and made Choice of Amey Ransom their mother Guardian to them, who with John Willis, Benjamin Hill and Richard Ransom her Securitys Entered into and Executed a bond for her faithfull performance of her said Trust. Amey Ransom is appointed by the Court Guardian to Sally Ransom, Nancy Ransom, Cleveirs Ransom, Samuel Ransom and Davis Ransom orphans of James Ransom Esq'r dece'd who with John Willis, Benjamin Hill & Richard Ransom her Securitys Entered into and Executed a bond for the faithfull performance of her said trust. << This description is from Ancestry.com: >> The single most important record for any North Carolina county is the minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions. The Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions is the lowest court of record for the county. More people's names appear in this court record than in any other body of county records. Lists of deeds proved and recorded are found in the court minutes, as well as lists of wills proved or administrations on intestate estates taken out. Source Information: Holcomb, Brent, comp. "Bute County, North Carolina Court Minutes, 1767-79." [database online] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2000. Original data: Holcomb, Brent. "Bute County, North Carolina Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Session, 1767-79." Columbia, SC: SCMAR, 1994. To search this database, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/inddbs/5420.htm << Enjoy! Mike RANSOM P O Box 1754, Albany OR 97321 mransom@peak.org 541-926-1199 RANSOM FAMILIES: http://go.to/ransom 1843 Wagon Train: http://travel.to/1843