I have a deed which I would like to be able to "read" some genealogical information out of. Perhaps one of y'all could be of help. In 1825, Henry Cross of Giles County sold a parcel of land to my 4th great-grandfather, Robert McGill. This deed was not entered with the county, however, until 1837. Why the delay? Robert's wife, Betsey McGill, died in 1825, and their kids were tken in by several families including the Leggs, Walkers and Hogans. Is it likely that 1837 is when Robert died, and the deed had to be formalized before an estate settlement? Also, there were four witnesses to the deed, the first of whom was a James Craig. I think that Robert McGill's wife Betsy may have been Mary Elizabeth Craig, but I'm not sure. Is there any fairly reliable interpretation of relationships of witnesses to parties cited in deeds? Any insight will be appreciated. Jim Davis