OK, now don't get TOO excited! :-) I actually was only able to get the appraisals of property, and the 1856 returns typed up tonight. I still have the 1859 returns to do. I will try to do those tomorrow some time. You can access these papers from Ransom's group sheet at http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~marykozy/Shiver_files/ransshiv.html or from the Shiver Text File page at: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~marykozy/text_files/shivfile.html. Just look in the "R"s. Kenneth - I think I've solved part of your BRINSON problem. Note that one of the merchants that Ransom traded with regularly (and who is mentioned extensively in the estate accounts) was an N. P. BRINSON. Often children were named after good friends and admired acquaintances, as well as after other family members. It is still possible of course that there was some sort of familial connection there, but there doesn't always have to be... Just for everyone else's information, I have also typed up the royal land grant for John Shiver of Kershaw Co., SC. It can be accessed either from his family group page: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~marykozy/Shiver_files/johnshiv.html or from the Shiver Text File page: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~marykozy/text_files/shivfile.html. Again, just look in the "R"s. Enjoy! Mary Kathryn -- Mary Kathryn Kozy mkozy@attglobal.net My Home Page: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~marykozy/ South King Co. Gene. Soc. page: http://www.rootsweb.com/~waskcgs/ Dougherty Co., GA USGenWeb: http://www.rootsweb.com/~gadoughe/ Monroe Co., GA USGenWeb: http://www.rootsweb.com/~gamonroe/ Lawrence Co., IL USGenWeb: http://www.rootsweb.com/~illawren/