<<As I recall, there were numerous references to tobacco in court records for Russell Co and sometimes defendants were ordered to pay the plaintiff in tobacco, so this crop must have been used for cash as well as sold for cash. Wasn't Russell Co referred to as a "breadbasket" during the Civil War, because it provided so many food staples to the military? Would assume somebody made perhaps not a few dollars for this cause? I imagine lots of land was given in return for military service, which could then be sold. My ancestors sold inherited land in NC and used it to buy land in Russell Co. Records indicate my line didn't own huge numbers of slaves, but they had some and I'll bet they sold some from time to time as well. Also how about dowry income? Couldn't you come by a few acres by marrying somebody's daughter? Would be interesting to see a survey of how the majority of acres were arrived at during selected time frames, huh?>>>>>>>>>> Do you recall the dates, or the earlies date, of these court records. This is an excellent point that tobacco was the currency of choice. You raise the 2d question. WHERE did the cash for slaves come from? Yes, they would have made money, worthless Confederate money, selling commodities to the gov't. It is surprising to me how often land was exchanged during this period. Recall that corn and tobacco would have sucked all life out of the soil in five years or less. -eddie "Toto, I don't think we are in NH any more."