Cousins, Jim, thanks for the praise. I only got through a thir of the Surry Co books in the High Point NC library research room. I'll look at the others ASAP. As I said Surry has an excellent Genealogical Society and volunteers who have published the records. I wanted to pass along a URL of a website that has most of Alleghany Co. NC citizens in it. This file contains over 55,000 persons, but be warned, some of it is not correct. I have tried to contact him 5 times and no answer. If you have an interest in western NC try the Blevins file at: http://www.oblevins.com/ Sheila, you may find some folks in this file! I have tried and tried to locate my copy of a census record that Jean sent me. Jean will you please repost the 1830 Grayson Co. VA census listing all the Spence households ? Those of you who are stuck on a William Spence, did you notice that William Spence who married Hannah Morris disappeared from the Surry NC tax lists in 1795-96 ???? Some theories are coming to mind on this Thomas in Surry County. Under NC law, and it is still in place today, a widow is only allowed a third of the property. The children are allowed the lion's share of two thirds. This settlement proves there were children involved. The dates confirm there may have been friction in settling the estate because it took so long. It looks as if Lucy may have been a 2nd wife. It has always been assumed that Lucy Spence McGrady, born about 1790, was a sister to Burwell Spence. Following this theory, she may have been a half-sister, a daughter of Lucy. Peter Spence also could have been a brother to Lucy. Both Peter and Lucy the daughter were known to be in Ashe County NC at some point in time. I''m speculating here..... working on digging under the brick wall.......... Carolyn