Thanks to everyone who responded. A small scanned image of the two signatures from the xeroxed copy of the land deed can be seen here: http://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-elusive-parents-of-james-p-j-purvis.html I think this is a Father & Son witness of a land deed for an Uncle in the case of James P. J. and a 1st Cousin in the case of James Purvis Charlie Purvis On 12/15/2012 1:18 PM, Fredric Z. Saunders wrote: > Another thing regarding a "slanted E" is that if was a mark used for a > signature, the angle "might" depend on where the signer was sitting in > relation to the person who wrote the deed. I've seen recorded marks for the > same person in different documents that were a regular "E", a "backwards E" > (which is really just an upside down E), and an E laying on it's side. > > I don't think that the person changed the way they wrote the E (assuming it > was transcribed accurately by the clerk), but that the angle depended on > where the person was when they made it. If they were sitting across from the > person who wrote the deed, and he said "put your mark here" without turning > the deed "right side up" for them, the E would be "upside down" [the same as > backwards]. If they were sitting to the side, the E could look like it was > laying on it's side on the original document. > > When a clerk tries to makes an accurate rendition of a mark, I don't think > the orientation is as important as the actual shape. I've also what would > be read as a "3" as a mark in one record, be a rounded "W" or rounded "M" or > rounded "E" in another. > > Try writing a three a turn it, and you have a W, M, or E. The initials of > the signer "might" give a clue as to which it actually is. > > Rick Saunders > > -----Original Message----- > From: transitional-genealogists-forum-bounces@rootsweb.com > [mailto:transitional-genealogists-forum-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of > Chaelie > Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2012 9:43 AM > To: TGF Mailing List > Subject: [TGF] Brands & Signature Marks > > > I have a Land deed from Clarke county, AL (DB6:366-367) in which one of the > witness singed his name with an "X" followed by a slanted E. > > Are there Signature Marks recorded like Cattle Brands in the said county or > at state level? > > Charlie Purvis > > > The Transitional Genealogists List was created to provide a supportive > environment for genealogists to learn best practices as they transition to > professional level work. Please respect the kind intentions of this list. > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM-request@rootsweb.com with the word > 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > ----- > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 2013.0.2805 / Virus Database: 2637/5960 - Release Date: 12/14/12 > > The Transitional Genealogists List was created to provide a supportive environment for genealogists to learn best practices as they transition to professional level work. Please respect the kind intentions of this list. > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message