Your welcome Joan, Apparently James Upton deeded his land to his 3 sons in a deed dated Mar. 6, 1819. Sons James Edward & Reuben. To his daughters he deeded slaves and personal property. Daughters Mary, Nancy, Caty, Elizabeth & Lucy. This was probably what is known as a deed of gift. My husbands Knight ancestor made a deed of gift of his land, salves and etc to his children before his death. Which was good because he left know will. :-) James Upton's will in 1825 made this 1819 deed null and void. Prior to Nancy Upton's (his second wife) death son Reuben died leaving no wife or issue and son James died leaving a Nelson and Elizabeth Smith. If you contact the Smith Co. H&G society ask them also if they can get you a copy of the 1819 deed. If they can't contact the Register of Deeds Turner Building, 122 Turner High Circle Carthage, TN 37030 (615) 735-1760 http://www.smithcountychamber.org/govt.htm Call them first and see what it will cost you for a copy of the deed. You need to ask for Carol Gibbs if she is still County register. She was very helpful to me when I was there and was the only one that could copy some of the very old deed books because they are so fragile. I have the chancery info typed and will send it to you shortly. Also, if you want actual copies of these Chancery records you can probably ask the H&G society about those also two see if they can get them from the courthouse. If they don't get those for you you can simply go to your nearest library that has a microfilm reader and have them order the microfilm of the Chancery records covering the dates you need on interlibrary loan from the Tennessee State Archives. Mary Knight Hi Mary..... Thanks so much for answering my e-mail. I am looking forward to receiving the info you have regarding James Upton and family. Thanks too, for letting me know where I may obtain a copy of James' will.... Joan