It sounded as if that was what happened. There were some deed papers that I have that name John GRISHAM as "next friend" and not too long bef. Thos. WATSON died. Next, you find John GRISHAM md. to Elizabeth COATES WATSON, and then she dies leaving all her property to her daughters. I don't think I would appreciate the "next friend" idea if it means the wife has to marry the dude! Seriously, I think he may have been some type of in-law, neighbor who served as guardian of an estate for the wife, etc. I think that their properties may have joined. Thanks, Dolores -----Original Message----- From: Audrey E. Pool [mailto:ddpool@madnet.net] Sent: Wednesday, July 03, 2002 8:31 PM To: SC-Genealogy-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [SC] "next friend" No wonder John GRISHAM was "next friend", he married the widow after the death of husband. Maybe GRISHAM helped take care of Thomas. Audrey ----- Original Message ----- From: Charles Compton <ccompton@visionsix.com> To: <SC-Genealogy-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, July 03, 2002 5:28 PM Subject: RE: [SC] "next friend" > Delores: > > My super-super 40 year old, 80 lb Webster's defines "next friend": > > "...in law, a person who, though not legally a guardian > acts for another unable to act for himself." > > Charlie > > Charles Compton > > > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: Dolores Pringle <dmpringle@sc.rr.com> > > To: <SC-Genealogy-L@rootsweb.com> > > Sent: Wednesday, July 03, 2002 1:37 PM > > Subject: [SC] "next friend" > > > > > > > I know that the meaning of the phrase "next friend" - > > often mentioned in > > old > > > wills and estate settlements - was discussed on this list > > a couple of > > years > > > back. [At least I think it was this list!] Can anyone > > tell me what it > > > means? > > > > > > My ancestor, Thomas WATSON, mentioned John GRISHAM in > > some papers as his > > > "next friend." A few yrs. later Thomas WATSON died and > > his wife, Eliz. > > > COATES md. this "next friend" John GRISHAM. > > > > > > I would greatly appreciate any input on this! Thank you, > > and Happy > > > Independence Day! > > > Dolores Miller Pringle > > > > > > > > > ==== SC-Genealogy Mailing List ==== > > > To UNSUBSCRIBE > > > Write SC-Genealogy-L-Request@RootsWeb.com > > > Plain Text with just the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of letter > > > Change the "L" to "D" if you have Digest Mode > > > > > > > > > ==== SC-Genealogy Mailing List ==== > > Thank you RootsWeb for all the genealogy resources you have > > given us! > > > > > > ==== SC-Genealogy Mailing List ==== > > Need some help getting started with irc (INTERNET RELAY CHAT)? > > Try: http://home.flash.net/~gen4m/ > > > > > ==== SC-Genealogy Mailing List ==== > To UNSUBSCRIBE > Write SC-Genealogy-L-Request@RootsWeb.com > Plain Text with just the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of letter > Change the "L" to "D" if you have Digest Mode > ==== SC-Genealogy Mailing List ==== To contact the list maintainer SC-Genealogy-admin@rootsweb.com