Hi Dolores, Because the COATES family were Quakers, could that mean "Friend" as they called themselves, however, it may simply mean closest relative, and/or a good friend. I didn't reply to have a definite answer for this, but to ask what WATSON family is yours? In Brunswick Co, VA, John JACKSON's dau Rebecca JACKSON married John WATSON. John WATSON died in 1763, but his descendants went to Upper SC. Sons: William, John (m. Elizabeth POOLE), Burwell, Henry, Isaac, James and Jacob. William POOLE, Sr or Jr of Elizabeth's family also married Elizabeth WATSON, d/o John WATSON. Talk about keeping it all in the same family! You can understand my interest in a WATSON of SC. Audrey ----- 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 >