I have heard is stated several times that often (but not ALWAYS) the first witness to a deed was a representative of the wife's family, this being done to protect her potential dower rights later on down the line. As to why it took so long to register the deed, who knows? Perhaps the Circuit Court did not meet at a time your ancestor could get to the courthouse to register it and he "forgot" for a period of years. Or, it could be where he lived in the county of Giles in relation to the court's meeting place. I have read accounts of Giles Co in its early years that speak to the vegetation being somewhat jungle like and terrain difficult to travel, but this was in the early early days (1809, 1810...) and surely buy the 1830's it was easier. However, the court then may not have met in a courthouse, but in someone's barn or house, intermittently. It is usual for a delay of months to maybe 2 years for a deed registration, but 12 years seems pretty excessive. I also have a few deeds with that kind of lapse, and have never been able to explain it either. Maybe someone can enlighten us both. Regina