I very much suspect that, at least in the instances I have seen, the failure to list guns was because almost universally those were taken from the house by men of the family before any appraisers came by. Virtually every man owned a gun, especially those on the frontier or out near the edge of settlement, and those were prized possessions. They owned those for many reasons other than the perceived (but largely non-existent) threat from American Indians, namely because of the need to kill bears, wolves, coyotes, foxes, bears, "painters", wild hogs, and those other animals and people who would intrude on their homes or families, and also to kill game food which was EVERYWHERE and universally eaten ! ----- Original Message ----- From: sara5d To: Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 1:36 PM Subject: Inventories Paul, Nan and Listers I have seen very few inventories associated with wills, but those that I have, never mention rifles, shotguns, hand guns, firearms of any type. I would think firearms would be a necessity for the farming life. Not so?? Any ideas? Sara ==== OHPICKAW Mailing List ==== OHGenWeb Pickaway County, Ohio Website: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohpickaw/ -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.22/97 - Release Date: 9/12/2005

Greetings All! The Surry County, Virginia, Historical Society and Museums, Inc. now has more than a dozen books about Surry history available at our website. Most of these are not available elsewhere. Ethel Rowell's history of Lawne's Creek Church is the latest addition to our list. We have a wealth of information about Surry history at our website. Visit us and satisfy your curiosity! Eve S. Gregory, Web Mistress Surry County, Virginia, Historical Society and Museums, Inc. http://www.rootsweb.com/~vaschsm/ Surry County VaGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~vasurry/ >From: VA-SOUTHSIDE-D-request@rootsweb.com >Reply-To: VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com >To: VA-SOUTHSIDE-D@rootsweb.com >Subject: VA-SOUTHSIDE-D Digest V05 #168 >Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2005 02:00:31 -0600 > >Content-Type: text/plain > >VA-SOUTHSIDE-D Digest Volume 05 : Issue 168 > >Today's Topics: > #1 Fw: Inventories ["Paul Drake" ><pauldrake@charter.ne] > #2 Fw: deseretnews.com | LDS to put m ["Paul Drake" ><pauldrake@charter.ne] > #3 Re: Benjamin Harris of Goochland C [janethunter703@aol.com] > #4 Fw: Genealogical Information After ["Paul Drake" ><pauldrake@charter.ne] > #5 Re: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] Fw: Inventori [tonin1@airmail.net] > #6 Fw: Fw: [VAROOTS] Fw: Inventories ["Paul Drake" ><pauldrake@charter.ne] > >Administrivia: >To unsubscribe from VA-SOUTHSIDE-D, send a message to > VA-SOUTHSIDE-D-request@rootsweb.com >that contains in the body of the message the command > unsubscribe >and no other text. No subject line is necessary, but if your software >requires one, just use unsubscribe in the subject, too. > >______________________________ >X-Message: #1 >Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2005 08:42:16 -0500 >From: "Paul Drake" <pauldrake@charter.net> >To: VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com >Message-ID: <068401c5b6d6$a0195b00$cbab9e18@oemcomputer> >Subject: Fw: Inventories >Content-Type: text/plain; > charset="iso-8859-1" >Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > >From Joe Drake of S'hampton Co, VA, and of interest to all >*** >.... Question: What was the purpose of the estate inventories when >someone died. Did they have estate or death taxes in the 1700 and 1800's? >Educate me if you would be so kind. > > Question: What was the purpose of the estate inventories when someone >died. Did they have estate or death taxes in the 1700 and 1800's? Educate >me if you would be so kind. > > Thank-you >Joe >*** > >Hi, Cuz Joe. In answering your question, it is necessary to speak of the >whole matter of intestate proceedings. The overriding purpose of such >activity is to once and for all resolve all debts owing by and those >payable >to the dead person, to learn of everything he/she owned at the moment of >death and of the value of those assets, to determine who of the survivors >is >to have what share of those assets, and then to conclude and close forever >the worldly affairs of that deceased. > >For about 800 years the power to determine who and in what percentage the >assets of a person who died intestate are to be divided among those who >survived has rested in the court. Before then, it was largely up to the >family. The legislatures have over the same period established the order >of >priority among the survivors in intestate deaths. Those statutes are >loosely >known as "Statutes Of Descent and Distribution". Land "descends" and >personal property is "distributed", thus the name given to those statutes. > >In addition to the taxes that from time to time and in varying amounts have >been levied on estate property, both real and personal, it is the division >of those assets that has been and is most significant to the family. > >The inventory is ordered by the court to be done by reputable/honest people >who quite usually must also be deemed acceptable by the family. Those folks >are to list EVERY asset, in order that sometime long after the settlement >of >the last affairs of the dead person no one can spring up out of the bushes >and say that the inventory was not complete. > >Across those centuries, those appointed appraisers - usually three - take >the inventory by visiting the premises (almost always), and then after >swearing to the truth of their findings and lists, they file that summary >with the court as part of the permanent estate file. It is from that list >of >sums of money and all other funds derived from the sale of any or all those >assets that the court divides the total value between the heirs. > >When someone family member wants some particular piece of personal property >or asset, the court will usually approve that IF - IF - no other heir >objects. The value of that item to be taken "in kind" by an heir, as shown >in the inventory entry of that piece, is then deducted from the total sum >to >which that heir otherwise would have received. > >It is this process that has caused myriad fights among families where one >of >the heirs enters the house and carries off what he/she want before the >appraisers come by. > >Hope this answers your estate question > >Paul > >______________________________ >X-Message: #2 >Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2005 09:08:16 -0500 >From: "Paul Drake" <pauldrake@charter.net> >To: VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com >Message-ID: <06d301c5b6da$41ecf060$cbab9e18@oemcomputer> >Subject: Fw: deseretnews.com | LDS to put microfilm in vaults on >Internet---FYI! >Content-Type: text/plain; > charset="iso-8859-1" > >Thanks to Pam Drake, and FYI. Worth remembering for all of us. >----- Original Message ----- > >http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,605153189,00.html > > > >-- >No virus found in this incoming message. >Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. >Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.21/96 - Release Date: 9/10/2005 > >______________________________ >X-Message: #3 >Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2005 13:24:49 EDT >From: janethunter703@aol.com >To: VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com >Message-ID: <be.30db3aa9.3055c261@aol.com> >Subject: Re: Benjamin Harris of Goochland Co. - 1737 >Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" > >In a message dated 9/4/2005 6:30:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Hdanw writes: > > > > Question: Is Soblet a Huguenot name? I know Manakin Town, where many >of > > the *French refugees* settled is or was in Goochland Co. For a time, > > Goochland Co. extended below the James River. > > >E.W. > >I am quite behind in my email correspondence, so apologize for this late >reply. I believe the answer to your question is yes, and that the French >version >-- Soblet --became later bastardized shall we say to "Sublett" in most of >the >Goochland then Cumberland then Powhatan Co. records. I have concluded at >the end some references online from the first Powhatan County Court Order >book >referring to Subletts. > >There are also a number of gedcoms at Worldconnect about this family, about >which I know next to nothing in terms of their accuracy. Here is one: >http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=REG&db=:2664901&id=I525203727 > >Regarding Goochland extending south of the James, it is always a mystery to >me (and I wonder what politics played a part in) why those geographical >areas >that were part of Goochland south of the James weren't given to >Chesterfield >when it was created about 20 years after Goochland since it is the logical >neighbor. But then Gooch may have been the most popular governor of >Virginia ever. > >Best Regards, Janet (Baugh) Hunter > > >http://www.rootsweb.com/~vapowhat/orders/powob1.htm > >The last will and testament of William Banton senr. deceased was presented >in >court by Anthony Martin and Isaac Porter Executors therein named and bing >proved by the oaths of the witnesses. William Sublett and John Dupey >securities. >Bond in the penalty of twenty thousand pounds. >[p130] Ordered that Daniel branch, William Harris, peter Sublett and George >Smith or any three of them do appraise the slaves (if any) and personal >estate >of William Banton deceased. > >[p237] The last will and testament of Daniel Branch deceased was presented >in >court by Daniel and Thomas Branch two Executors therein named and being >proved by the oaths of the witnesses thereto was ordered to be recorded. >And on the >motion of the said executors who made oath according to law and entered >into >bond with Isaac Porter and Peter Sublett junior their securities in the >penalty of three thousand pounds Probate thereof is granted them in due >form with >leave to the other Executor to come in hereafter. > >[p310] On the motion of Peter Sublett who made oath according to Law >Letters >of Administration granted him on the Estate of Peter Sublett deceased he >giving Security whereupon he together with Anthony Martin his Security >entered into >and acknowledged their bond in the Penalty of four thousand pounds >according >to law. >Ordered that William Harris, Daniel Branch, Anthony Martin and George Smith >or any three of them do appraise the Slaves (if any) and Personal estate of >Peter Sublett deceased within this County. > >[p371] Articles of Agreement entered into & agreed upon by and between >Elizabeth Sublett, Peter Sublett, William Sublett, John Sublett, Benjamin >Sublett, >Francis Merryman and Mary Merryman, With a Writing Purporting the Last Will >& >Testament of Peter Sublett deceased Annexed thereto; Was Presented in >Court, >Proved by the Oath of Anthony Martin & John Harris two Witnesses thereto as >to >all the Paraties (Except Benjamin Sublett who Acknowledged it in open >Court) >and by the Court Ordered to be recorded. > >______________________________ >X-Message: #4 >Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2005 13:10:53 -0500 >From: "Paul Drake" <pauldrake@charter.net> >To: VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com >Message-ID: <0c6601c5b6fc$26ae5420$cbab9e18@oemcomputer> >Subject: Fw: Genealogical Information After 1936 for the Railroad---FYI! >Content-Type: text/plain; > charset="iso-8859-1" > >FYI, thanks to Pam Drake for the URL, and important and dealing with the >Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) records. Paul > > >http://www.rrb.gov/geneal.html > > > >-- >No virus found in this incoming message. >Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. >Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.21/96 - Release Date: 9/10/2005 > >______________________________ >X-Message: #5 >Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2005 15:48:04 -0500 (CDT) >From: tonin1@airmail.net >To: VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com >Message-ID: <1124.66.94.147.121.1126471684.squirrel@webmail.airmail.net> >Subject: Re: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] Fw: Inventories >Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1 >Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit > >Thank you for the explanation on Inventories. This should serve as a >warning also to those of us who do not have a good Will. In Texas the >courts still march in and appoint someone (usually an attorney) to >administer the estate and when he gets his charges deducted from the value >of the estate and if there are several heirs, the heirs usually can count >on getting very little. >Also states do have laws designating who is an heir. So if you don't like >your cousin or sibling or step-mother, you had better draw up a will >because they are going to have a share of anything you leave behind. Many >folks say they don't have anything, but a look around the house says >differently. The house, car, boat, greatgrandpa's watch, etc. are >property. >Tree Mother > > > > > >>From Joe Drake of S'hampton Co, VA, and of interest to all > > *** > > .... Question: What was the purpose of the estate inventories when > > someone died. Did they have estate or death taxes in the 1700 and >1800's? > > Educate me if you would be so kind. > > > > Question: What was the purpose of the estate inventories when >someone > > died. Did they have estate or death taxes in the 1700 and 1800's? > > Educate > > me if you would be so kind. > > > > Thank-you > > Joe > > *** > > > > Hi, Cuz Joe. In answering your question, it is necessary to speak of the > > whole matter of intestate proceedings. The overriding purpose of such > > activity is to once and for all resolve all debts owing by and those > > payable > > to the dead person, to learn of everything he/she owned at the moment of > > death and of the value of those assets, to determine who of the >survivors > > is > > to have what share of those assets, and then to conclude and close >forever > > the worldly affairs of that deceased. > > > > For about 800 years the power to determine who and in what percentage >the > > assets of a person who died intestate are to be divided among those who > > survived has rested in the court. Before then, it was largely up to the > > family. The legislatures have over the same period established the >order > > of > > priority among the survivors in intestate deaths. Those statutes are > > loosely > > known as "Statutes Of Descent and Distribution". Land "descends" and > > personal property is "distributed", thus the name given to those >statutes. > > > > In addition to the taxes that from time to time and in varying amounts > > have > > been levied on estate property, both real and personal, it is the >division > > of those assets that has been and is most significant to the family. > > > > The inventory is ordered by the court to be done by reputable/honest > > people > > who quite usually must also be deemed acceptable by the family. Those > > folks > > are to list EVERY asset, in order that sometime long after the >settlement > > of > > the last affairs of the dead person no one can spring up out of the >bushes > > and say that the inventory was not complete. > > > > Across those centuries, those appointed appraisers - usually three - >take > > the inventory by visiting the premises (almost always), and then after > > swearing to the truth of their findings and lists, they file that >summary > > with the court as part of the permanent estate file. It is from that >list > > of > > sums of money and all other funds derived from the sale of any or all > > those > > assets that the court divides the total value between the heirs. > > > > When someone family member wants some particular piece of personal > > property > > or asset, the court will usually approve that IF - IF - no other heir > > objects. The value of that item to be taken "in kind" by an heir, as >shown > > in the inventory entry of that piece, is then deducted from the total >sum > > to > > which that heir otherwise would have received. > > > > It is this process that has caused myriad fights among families where >one > > of > > the heirs enters the house and carries off what he/she want before the > > appraisers come by. > > > > Hope this answers your estate question > > > > Paul > > > > > > ==== VA-SOUTHSIDE Mailing List ==== > > VAGenWeb > > http://www.rootsweb.com/~vagenweb > > > > ============================== > > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > > > > > >______________________________ >X-Message: #6 >Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2005 18:44:49 -0500 >From: "Paul Drake" <pauldrake@charter.net> >To: VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com >Message-ID: <049701c5b72a$ccf75d80$cbab9e18@oemcomputer> >Subject: Fw: Fw: [VAROOTS] Fw: Inventories >Content-Type: text/plain; > charset="iso-8859-1" > >From: Harold Gill >To: pauldrake@charter.net ; VA-ROOTS@LISTLVA.LIB.VA.US >Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2005 6:06 PM >Subject: RE: Fw: [VAROOTS] Fw: Inventories > >It might be worth noting that if the testator requested it and the estate >was solvent the inventory would not be appraised. > >Because of Harold's helpful comment, it may be important to speak a tad >about testate inventories. Though not always, testate inventories are >widely ordered by courts where the decedent has directed distribution of >the funds gained from some asset or assets having values not easily >determinable for some period after the death, short of agreement, court >order or sale, such as slaves, crops and businesses, agreements that are >contingent upon some future event such as a child reaching maturity, where >one or more legatees do not fully trust the executor or his/her >co-legatees, and also because almost all wills have a so-called "rest and >residue" provision. > >Where there is such a will provision, it usually appears near the end of >the will, and provides that should any assets or funds remain after the >debts and costs are paid and the bequests and devises are accomplished, >then that residue is to be disposed of by the terms of that residue clause. > Since what constitutes such a residue often can not be determined without >an inventory revealing what assets were owned at the moment of death, such >an inventory sometimes becomes very valuable in the courts' determinations. > >Paul

Excellent advice, Karen, that all should heed. Paul ----- Original Message ----- From: DAVID KAREN DALE To: VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 12:29 PM Subject: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] Re: Inventories Let's also point out that the NAMES OF THE APPRAISERS are important--they were immediate neighbors and knew the family--and may even be related by marriage. I believe Paul did point out that the family had to agree to them--so the names of appraisers are very important. Since so many early land records have been lost in VA counties, you can use estate inventory appraisers to begin establishing the neighborhood and begin to establish what families yours probably married into. There were two contemporary William Masons in Stafford Co. The ONLY way I was able to distinguish between them most of the time was by looking at the combination of family names each joined with in appraisals. They were quite different, indicating that the two Williams lived in very different neighborhoods. They were also consistent--the same names together over and over, actually for two generations. It is my hunch that in one of those names on estate appraisals I'm looking at a relative of "my" William's unknown wife. Of course I need other evidence, but at least I can use the estate appraisals to give me some focus in searching for Jane's surname. Even the items themselves are important. When one Mason was willed six silver teaspoons and a generation later six silver teaspoons show up in another Mason inventory--whoa! Could be the same spoons--not a common item among simple farmers in Colonial Virginia--especially since both documents referred to them as a SET of six silver teaspoons! The names of people who bought property at estate sales, if one was held and recorded, are important for the same reason--because they often imply neighborhood and family connections. Usually only family members bought old, "retired" slaves, for example. Neighbors bought farm implements--but personal household items were often bought by family members. So read those appraisals carefully--even if your ancestor was just the appraiser! Karen Dale ----- Original Message ----- From: Paul Drake<mailto:pauldrake@charter.net> To: VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com<mailto:VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 10:38 AM Subject: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] Re: [VAROOTS] Fw: Inventories All of us neglected to mention that in some of the colonies in a testate death the "inventory" was only that, and the values of those entries were not required when the list was first written. In other states and colonies - VA, NC, TN, for examples - that activity was known as "inventory and appraisement", the appointed men listing both all the assets and, in their best and agreed estimate, the value of those items as is, where is. It is interesting that very often by noting the order of the items listed, one may draw an approximate picture of the interior rooms of the home. In that regard, note that the first items listed in that inventory likely will be those in the parlor, main room, or kitchen, whichever had the door through which the appraisers were admitted. Thereafter, one will often find that those men went room to room until they were done, making it easy to see what was in the parlor, the main "living room", the bedrooms (chambers), and the pantry and accessory buildings. Some inventories start in the barn or outdoor building housing tools, wagons, etc. Try that with the inventory of some ancestor; it might surprise you what you can envision thereby. Paul ----- Original Message ----- From: Paul Drake To: VA-ROOTS@LISTLVA.LIB.VA.US<mailto:VA-ROOTS@LISTLVA.LIB.VA.US> Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2005 12:47 PM Subject: Fw: [VAROOTS] Fw: Inventories >From Joe Drake of S'hampton Co, VA, and of interest to all ***.... Question: What was the purpose of the estate inventories when someone died. Did they have estate or death taxes in the 1700 and 1800's? Educate me if you would be so kind. Thank-you Joe *** Hi, Joe. In answering your question, it will be helpful to speak of the whole matter of intestate proceedings. The overriding purpose of such activity is to once and for all resolve all debts owing by and those payable to the dead person, to learn of everything he/she owned at the moment of death and of the value of those assets, to determine who of the survivors is to have what share of those assets, and then to conclude and close forever the worldly affairs of that deceased. For about 800 years the power to determine who and in what percentage the assets of a person who died intestate are to be divided among those who survived has come to rest in the court. Before then, it was largely up to the family. The legislatures have over the same period established the order of priority among the survivors in intestate deaths. Those statutes are loosely known as "Statutes Of Descent and Distribution". Land "descends" and personal property (including intangibles) is "distributed", thus the name given to those statutes. In addition to the taxes that from time to time and in varying amounts have been levied on estate property, both real and personal, it is the division of those assets that has been and is most significant to the family. The inventory is ordered by the court to be done by reputable/honest people who quite usually must also be deemed acceptable by the family. Those folks are to list EVERY asset, in order that sometime long after the settlement of the last affairs of the dead person no one can spring up out of the bushes and say that the inventory was not complete. Across those centuries, those appointed appraisers - usually three - take the inventory by visiting the premises (almost always), and then after swearing to the truth of their findings and lists, they file that summary with the court as part of the permanent estate file. It is from that list of sums of money and all other funds deducted from the estate as expenses, paid as debts, or derived from the sale of any or all those assets that the court ultimately divides the total value between the heirs. When someone family member wants some particular piece of personal property or asset, the court will usually approve that IF - IF - no other heir objects. The value of that item to be taken "in kind" by an heir, as shown in the inventory entry of that piece, is then deducted from the total sum to which that heir otherwise would have received. It is this process that has caused myriad fights among families where one of the heirs enters the house and carries off what he/she want before the appraisers come by. An estate ends with a final order by the court stating what he did with the totality of the assets. That document is usually known as an "order of distribution", a "final account", or a "final settlement", depending largely upon the local practice. Hope this answers your questions. Paul ==== VA-SOUTHSIDE Mailing List ==== The USGenWeb Project http://www.usgenweb.org<http://www.usgenweb.org/> Do Not Post Chain Letters, Virus Warnings, etc. to this list. This list is for Genealogy, History and Related Topics. ============================== Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx<http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx> ==== VA-SOUTHSIDE Mailing List ==== VAGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~vagenweb Please contact List Administrator if you experience problems getting unsubscribed from this list. glh@naxs.com ============================== Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.22/97 - Release Date: 9/12/2005

Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 12:32 PM Mitzi wrote: Paul, you may do a service to some on the VA list to mention checking estate settlements in court records as an excellent source of info. I have found children absent from the list due to either their departure to another state or the fact they have passed away. If the kids aren't at the sale there is a reason. (I found an unknown daughter this way. She wasn't mentioned in the will as she was married and the will dealt with placement of underage children....but boy she was there when her father's possession were sold.! Also most of the participants are either kin or neighbors...giving a larger picture of the scene. Mitzie Preston

Constance asked: From: Constance J. To: pauldrake@charter.net Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 10:06 AM Subject: Estate inventories Hi Paul, I've gotten estate inventories, but then I've been unable to get others. Do they always have estate inventories? I've gotten wills and then could not find an inventory. **** Hi, Ms. Constance. If the death was intestate, unless the court had determined that it should be a "no asset" administration because the belongings of the decedent were minute or of very little value and so not worth the court costs and expenses to the heirs, then it is 99% sure that an inventory was taken in any of the colonies. Your problem is that not all those have survived the centuries. In testate deaths, though after the mid-18th Century if all the legatees agreed, occasionally inventories were not done in VA , NC, SC, etc. The same likelihood is there, and your problem is that the paperwork in the file is simply long gone. You might have noticed that very often while nothing else remains of the original paperwork in many estates, the inventories and also the listing of sums rec'd for items sold at public sale, were quite usully kept by the clerks, etc., thereby revealing the importance of those listings in the minds of all. I have also found that many Sheriffs' offices in old counties have a wealth of loose papers, no small number of which are the product of the sherriffs serving of summons and warrants on folks. As with inventories and many other "papers" once needed, the officers of govt. thought that some SHOULD be kept for many years, (thankfully for genealogists). Paul :-)

All of us neglected to mention that in some of the colonies in a testate death the "inventory" was only that, and the values of those entries were not required when the list was first written. In other states and colonies - VA, NC, TN, for examples - that activity was known as "inventory and appraisement", the appointed men listing both all the assets and, in their best and agreed estimate, the value of those items as is, where is. It is interesting that very often by noting the order of the items listed, one may draw an approximate picture of the interior rooms of the home. In that regard, note that the first items listed in that inventory likely will be those in the parlor, main room, or kitchen, whichever had the door through which the appraisers were admitted. Thereafter, one will often find that those men went room to room until they were done, making it easy to see what was in the parlor, the main "living room", the bedrooms (chambers), and the pantry and accessory buildings. Some inventories start in the barn or outdoor building housing tools, wagons, etc. Try that with the inventory of some ancestor; it might surprise you what you can envision thereby. Paul ----- Original Message ----- From: Paul Drake To: VA-ROOTS@LISTLVA.LIB.VA.US Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2005 12:47 PM Subject: Fw: [VAROOTS] Fw: Inventories >From Joe Drake of S'hampton Co, VA, and of interest to all ***.... Question: What was the purpose of the estate inventories when someone died. Did they have estate or death taxes in the 1700 and 1800's? Educate me if you would be so kind. Thank-you Joe *** Hi, Joe. In answering your question, it will be helpful to speak of the whole matter of intestate proceedings. The overriding purpose of such activity is to once and for all resolve all debts owing by and those payable to the dead person, to learn of everything he/she owned at the moment of death and of the value of those assets, to determine who of the survivors is to have what share of those assets, and then to conclude and close forever the worldly affairs of that deceased. For about 800 years the power to determine who and in what percentage the assets of a person who died intestate are to be divided among those who survived has come to rest in the court. Before then, it was largely up to the family. The legislatures have over the same period established the order of priority among the survivors in intestate deaths. Those statutes are loosely known as "Statutes Of Descent and Distribution". Land "descends" and personal property (including intangibles) is "distributed", thus the name given to those statutes. In addition to the taxes that from time to time and in varying amounts have been levied on estate property, both real and personal, it is the division of those assets that has been and is most significant to the family. The inventory is ordered by the court to be done by reputable/honest people who quite usually must also be deemed acceptable by the family. Those folks are to list EVERY asset, in order that sometime long after the settlement of the last affairs of the dead person no one can spring up out of the bushes and say that the inventory was not complete. Across those centuries, those appointed appraisers - usually three - take the inventory by visiting the premises (almost always), and then after swearing to the truth of their findings and lists, they file that summary with the court as part of the permanent estate file. It is from that list of sums of money and all other funds deducted from the estate as expenses, paid as debts, or derived from the sale of any or all those assets that the court ultimately divides the total value between the heirs. When someone family member wants some particular piece of personal property or asset, the court will usually approve that IF - IF - no other heir objects. The value of that item to be taken "in kind" by an heir, as shown in the inventory entry of that piece, is then deducted from the total sum to which that heir otherwise would have received. It is this process that has caused myriad fights among families where one of the heirs enters the house and carries off what he/she want before the appraisers come by. An estate ends with a final order by the court stating what he did with the totality of the assets. That document is usually known as an "order of distribution", a "final account", or a "final settlement", depending largely upon the local practice. Hope this answers your questions. Paul

Let's also point out that the NAMES OF THE APPRAISERS are important--they were immediate neighbors and knew the family--and may even be related by marriage. I believe Paul did point out that the family had to agree to them--so the names of appraisers are very important. Since so many early land records have been lost in VA counties, you can use estate inventory appraisers to begin establishing the neighborhood and begin to establish what families yours probably married into. There were two contemporary William Masons in Stafford Co. The ONLY way I was able to distinguish between them most of the time was by looking at the combination of family names each joined with in appraisals. They were quite different, indicating that the two Williams lived in very different neighborhoods. They were also consistent--the same names together over and over, actually for two generations. It is my hunch that in one of those names on estate appraisals I'm looking at a relative of "my" William's unknown wife. Of course I need other evidence, but at least I can use the estate appraisals to give me some focus in searching for Jane's surname. Even the items themselves are important. When one Mason was willed six silver teaspoons and a generation later six silver teaspoons show up in another Mason inventory--whoa! Could be the same spoons--not a common item among simple farmers in Colonial Virginia--especially since both documents referred to them as a SET of six silver teaspoons! The names of people who bought property at estate sales, if one was held and recorded, are important for the same reason--because they often imply neighborhood and family connections. Usually only family members bought old, "retired" slaves, for example. Neighbors bought farm implements--but personal household items were often bought by family members. So read those appraisals carefully--even if your ancestor was just the appraiser! Karen Dale ----- Original Message ----- From: Paul Drake<mailto:pauldrake@charter.net> To: VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com<mailto:VA-SOUTHSIDE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 10:38 AM Subject: [VA-SOUTHSIDE-L] Re: [VAROOTS] Fw: Inventories All of us neglected to mention that in some of the colonies in a testate death the "inventory" was only that, and the values of those entries were not required when the list was first written. In other states and colonies - VA, NC, TN, for examples - that activity was known as "inventory and appraisement", the appointed men listing both all the assets and, in their best and agreed estimate, the value of those items as is, where is. It is interesting that very often by noting the order of the items listed, one may draw an approximate picture of the interior rooms of the home. In that regard, note that the first items listed in that inventory likely will be those in the parlor, main room, or kitchen, whichever had the door through which the appraisers were admitted. Thereafter, one will often find that those men went room to room until they were done, making it easy to see what was in the parlor, the main "living room", the bedrooms (chambers), and the pantry and accessory buildings. Some inventories start in the barn or outdoor building housing tools, wagons, etc. Try that with the inventory of some ancestor; it might surprise you what you can envision thereby. Paul ----- Original Message ----- From: Paul Drake To: VA-ROOTS@LISTLVA.LIB.VA.US<mailto:VA-ROOTS@LISTLVA.LIB.VA.US> Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2005 12:47 PM Subject: Fw: [VAROOTS] Fw: Inventories >From Joe Drake of S'hampton Co, VA, and of interest to all ***.... Question: What was the purpose of the estate inventories when someone died. Did they have estate or death taxes in the 1700 and 1800's? Educate me if you would be so kind. Thank-you Joe *** Hi, Joe. In answering your question, it will be helpful to speak of the whole matter of intestate proceedings. The overriding purpose of such activity is to once and for all resolve all debts owing by and those payable to the dead person, to learn of everything he/she owned at the moment of death and of the value of those assets, to determine who of the survivors is to have what share of those assets, and then to conclude and close forever the worldly affairs of that deceased. For about 800 years the power to determine who and in what percentage the assets of a person who died intestate are to be divided among those who survived has come to rest in the court. Before then, it was largely up to the family. The legislatures have over the same period established the order of priority among the survivors in intestate deaths. Those statutes are loosely known as "Statutes Of Descent and Distribution". Land "descends" and personal property (including intangibles) is "distributed", thus the name given to those statutes. In addition to the taxes that from time to time and in varying amounts have been levied on estate property, both real and personal, it is the division of those assets that has been and is most significant to the family. The inventory is ordered by the court to be done by reputable/honest people who quite usually must also be deemed acceptable by the family. Those folks are to list EVERY asset, in order that sometime long after the settlement of the last affairs of the dead person no one can spring up out of the bushes and say that the inventory was not complete. Across those centuries, those appointed appraisers - usually three - take the inventory by visiting the premises (almost always), and then after swearing to the truth of their findings and lists, they file that summary with the court as part of the permanent estate file. It is from that list of sums of money and all other funds deducted from the estate as expenses, paid as debts, or derived from the sale of any or all those assets that the court ultimately divides the total value between the heirs. When someone family member wants some particular piece of personal property or asset, the court will usually approve that IF - IF - no other heir objects. The value of that item to be taken "in kind" by an heir, as shown in the inventory entry of that piece, is then deducted from the total sum to which that heir otherwise would have received. It is this process that has caused myriad fights among families where one of the heirs enters the house and carries off what he/she want before the appraisers come by. An estate ends with a final order by the court stating what he did with the totality of the assets. That document is usually known as an "order of distribution", a "final account", or a "final settlement", depending largely upon the local practice. Hope this answers your questions. Paul ==== VA-SOUTHSIDE Mailing List ==== The USGenWeb Project http://www.usgenweb.org<http://www.usgenweb.org/> Do Not Post Chain Letters, Virus Warnings, etc. to this list. This list is for Genealogy, History and Related Topics. ============================== Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx<http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx>

From: Harold Gill To: pauldrake@charter.net ; VA-ROOTS@LISTLVA.LIB.VA.US Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2005 6:06 PM Subject: RE: Fw: [VAROOTS] Fw: Inventories It might be worth noting that if the testator requested it and the estate was solvent the inventory would not be appraised. Because of Harold's helpful comment, it may be important to speak a tad about testate inventories. Though not always, testate inventories are widely ordered by courts where the decedent has directed distribution of the funds gained from some asset or assets having values not easily determinable for some period after the death, short of agreement, court order or sale, such as slaves, crops and businesses, agreements that are contingent upon some future event such as a child reaching maturity, where one or more legatees do not fully trust the executor or his/her co-legatees, and also because almost all wills have a so-called "rest and residue" provision. Where there is such a will provision, it usually appears near the end of the will, and provides that should any assets or funds remain after the debts and costs are paid and the bequests and devises are accomplished, then that residue is to be disposed of by the terms of that residue clause. Since what constitutes such a residue often can not be determined without an inventory revealing what assets were owned at the moment of death, such an inventory sometimes becomes very valuable in the courts' determinations. Paul

Thank you for the explanation on Inventories. This should serve as a warning also to those of us who do not have a good Will. In Texas the courts still march in and appoint someone (usually an attorney) to administer the estate and when he gets his charges deducted from the value of the estate and if there are several heirs, the heirs usually can count on getting very little. Also states do have laws designating who is an heir. So if you don't like your cousin or sibling or step-mother, you had better draw up a will because they are going to have a share of anything you leave behind. Many folks say they don't have anything, but a look around the house says differently. The house, car, boat, greatgrandpa's watch, etc. are property. Tree Mother >>From Joe Drake of S'hampton Co, VA, and of interest to all > *** > .... Question: What was the purpose of the estate inventories when > someone died. Did they have estate or death taxes in the 1700 and 1800's? > Educate me if you would be so kind. > > Question: What was the purpose of the estate inventories when someone > died. Did they have estate or death taxes in the 1700 and 1800's? > Educate > me if you would be so kind. > > Thank-you > Joe > *** > > Hi, Cuz Joe. In answering your question, it is necessary to speak of the > whole matter of intestate proceedings. The overriding purpose of such > activity is to once and for all resolve all debts owing by and those > payable > to the dead person, to learn of everything he/she owned at the moment of > death and of the value of those assets, to determine who of the survivors > is > to have what share of those assets, and then to conclude and close forever > the worldly affairs of that deceased. > > For about 800 years the power to determine who and in what percentage the > assets of a person who died intestate are to be divided among those who > survived has rested in the court. Before then, it was largely up to the > family. The legislatures have over the same period established the order > of > priority among the survivors in intestate deaths. Those statutes are > loosely > known as "Statutes Of Descent and Distribution". Land "descends" and > personal property is "distributed", thus the name given to those statutes. > > In addition to the taxes that from time to time and in varying amounts > have > been levied on estate property, both real and personal, it is the division > of those assets that has been and is most significant to the family. > > The inventory is ordered by the court to be done by reputable/honest > people > who quite usually must also be deemed acceptable by the family. Those > folks > are to list EVERY asset, in order that sometime long after the settlement > of > the last affairs of the dead person no one can spring up out of the bushes > and say that the inventory was not complete. > > Across those centuries, those appointed appraisers - usually three - take > the inventory by visiting the premises (almost always), and then after > swearing to the truth of their findings and lists, they file that summary > with the court as part of the permanent estate file. It is from that list > of > sums of money and all other funds derived from the sale of any or all > those > assets that the court divides the total value between the heirs. > > When someone family member wants some particular piece of personal > property > or asset, the court will usually approve that IF - IF - no other heir > objects. The value of that item to be taken "in kind" by an heir, as shown > in the inventory entry of that piece, is then deducted from the total sum > to > which that heir otherwise would have received. > > It is this process that has caused myriad fights among families where one > of > the heirs enters the house and carries off what he/she want before the > appraisers come by. > > Hope this answers your estate question > > Paul > > > ==== VA-SOUTHSIDE Mailing List ==== > VAGenWeb > http://www.rootsweb.com/~vagenweb > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > >

In a message dated 9/4/2005 6:30:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Hdanw writes: > Question: Is Soblet a Huguenot name? I know Manakin Town, where many of > the *French refugees* settled is or was in Goochland Co. For a time, > Goochland Co. extended below the James River. E.W. I am quite behind in my email correspondence, so apologize for this late reply. I believe the answer to your question is yes, and that the French version -- Soblet --became later bastardized shall we say to "Sublett" in most of the Goochland then Cumberland then Powhatan Co. records. I have concluded at the end some references online from the first Powhatan County Court Order book referring to Subletts. There are also a number of gedcoms at Worldconnect about this family, about which I know next to nothing in terms of their accuracy. Here is one: http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=REG&db=:2664901&id=I525203727 Regarding Goochland extending south of the James, it is always a mystery to me (and I wonder what politics played a part in) why those geographical areas that were part of Goochland south of the James weren't given to Chesterfield when it was created about 20 years after Goochland since it is the logical neighbor. But then Gooch may have been the most popular governor of Virginia ever. Best Regards, Janet (Baugh) Hunter http://www.rootsweb.com/~vapowhat/orders/powob1.htm The last will and testament of William Banton senr. deceased was presented in court by Anthony Martin and Isaac Porter Executors therein named and bing proved by the oaths of the witnesses. William Sublett and John Dupey securities. Bond in the penalty of twenty thousand pounds. [p130] Ordered that Daniel branch, William Harris, peter Sublett and George Smith or any three of them do appraise the slaves (if any) and personal estate of William Banton deceased. [p237] The last will and testament of Daniel Branch deceased was presented in court by Daniel and Thomas Branch two Executors therein named and being proved by the oaths of the witnesses thereto was ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of the said executors who made oath according to law and entered into bond with Isaac Porter and Peter Sublett junior their securities in the penalty of three thousand pounds Probate thereof is granted them in due form with leave to the other Executor to come in hereafter. [p310] On the motion of Peter Sublett who made oath according to Law Letters of Administration granted him on the Estate of Peter Sublett deceased he giving Security whereupon he together with Anthony Martin his Security entered into and acknowledged their bond in the Penalty of four thousand pounds according to law. Ordered that William Harris, Daniel Branch, Anthony Martin and George Smith or any three of them do appraise the Slaves (if any) and Personal estate of Peter Sublett deceased within this County. [p371] Articles of Agreement entered into & agreed upon by and between Elizabeth Sublett, Peter Sublett, William Sublett, John Sublett, Benjamin Sublett, Francis Merryman and Mary Merryman, With a Writing Purporting the Last Will & Testament of Peter Sublett deceased Annexed thereto; Was Presented in Court, Proved by the Oath of Anthony Martin & John Harris two Witnesses thereto as to all the Paraties (Except Benjamin Sublett who Acknowledged it in open Court) and by the Court Ordered to be recorded.

FYI, thanks to Pam Drake for the URL, and important and dealing with the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) records. Paul http://www.rrb.gov/geneal.html -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.21/96 - Release Date: 9/10/2005

Thanks to Pam Drake, and FYI. Worth remembering for all of us. ----- Original Message ----- http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,605153189,00.html -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.21/96 - Release Date: 9/10/2005

From Joe Drake of S'hampton Co, VA, and of interest to all *** .... Question: What was the purpose of the estate inventories when someone died. Did they have estate or death taxes in the 1700 and 1800's? Educate me if you would be so kind. Question: What was the purpose of the estate inventories when someone died. Did they have estate or death taxes in the 1700 and 1800's? Educate me if you would be so kind. Thank-you Joe *** Hi, Cuz Joe. In answering your question, it is necessary to speak of the whole matter of intestate proceedings. The overriding purpose of such activity is to once and for all resolve all debts owing by and those payable to the dead person, to learn of everything he/she owned at the moment of death and of the value of those assets, to determine who of the survivors is to have what share of those assets, and then to conclude and close forever the worldly affairs of that deceased. For about 800 years the power to determine who and in what percentage the assets of a person who died intestate are to be divided among those who survived has rested in the court. Before then, it was largely up to the family. The legislatures have over the same period established the order of priority among the survivors in intestate deaths. Those statutes are loosely known as "Statutes Of Descent and Distribution". Land "descends" and personal property is "distributed", thus the name given to those statutes. In addition to the taxes that from time to time and in varying amounts have been levied on estate property, both real and personal, it is the division of those assets that has been and is most significant to the family. The inventory is ordered by the court to be done by reputable/honest people who quite usually must also be deemed acceptable by the family. Those folks are to list EVERY asset, in order that sometime long after the settlement of the last affairs of the dead person no one can spring up out of the bushes and say that the inventory was not complete. Across those centuries, those appointed appraisers - usually three - take the inventory by visiting the premises (almost always), and then after swearing to the truth of their findings and lists, they file that summary with the court as part of the permanent estate file. It is from that list of sums of money and all other funds derived from the sale of any or all those assets that the court divides the total value between the heirs. When someone family member wants some particular piece of personal property or asset, the court will usually approve that IF - IF - no other heir objects. The value of that item to be taken "in kind" by an heir, as shown in the inventory entry of that piece, is then deducted from the total sum to which that heir otherwise would have received. It is this process that has caused myriad fights among families where one of the heirs enters the house and carries off what he/she want before the appraisers come by. Hope this answers your estate question Paul

I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to Mr. Eric G. Grundset, Library Director, DAR Library, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution for the URL of Antient Press and to Paul Drake for sending along to VA-SOUTHSIDE LIST Mr. Grundset's letter. In the past I bought many books of its excellent abstracts that I continue to value and use. I knew that some time after the passing of Mr. Sparacio, Ancient Press disappeared from my world. I am so pleased that it has resurfaced. It has been there all along, but I and many other interested genealogists did not know how to contact. This morning I called and ordered a number of books. Again, thank you, Janelle Via McKown

I am looking for parental and vital information on Cornelius Dabney, b. 1730. I believe that my Cornelius Dabney is not the same one as the Cornelius born in 1740 and married to Sarah Jennings. My Cornelius was born about 1730 in Hanover Co., VA and died between May 1792 (date of his will) and 1814 (date of probate) in Bedford Co. Va. His will was filed in Bedford Co., VA, and lists his wife Mary (she is Molly in some records) and his children and the married names of his daughters (at least those who were married when he died). This is what I know about them (the marriages were found in the Bedford Co. VA marriage register): Cornelius (b. unknown) no other info on him Benjamin (b bet. 1750-1760) married Nancy Wheeler, daughter of Mildred Lyle and Achilles Wheeler. Benjamin appears to be the first Dabney to migrate to Wayne Co. KY Nancy (b. abt. 1756) married 1st Thomas Lane in 1783, and 2nd John Overstreet in 1785 in Bedford Co., VA and migrated to Sangamon Co. Illinois. George (b. Sept 15, 1760) married Elizabeth Eckhols (daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Eckhols) in 1793 in Bedford Co., VA and migrated to Clinton Co. KY Molly (b. abt 1770) married James Turner in 1790 in Bedford Co. VA Charles (b abt. 1772) married 1st Lusanny Blankenship in 1796, 2nd Betsy Hale in 1798 in Bedford Co. VA Sarah (b. Sept 1773) married Stephen Pratt, in 1791 in Bedford Co. VA and migrated to Wayne Co. KY. William (b. bef 1775) married Rebecca Eckhols, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Eckhols, in 1793 in Bedford Co. VA John (b. 1776, d. April 1849 in Wayne Co., KY) married Lydia Jones in 1801; she was probably the daughter of Robert Jones III and Martha Riley. John and Lydia were married in Montgomery Co. VA and migrated to Wayne Co., KY (John and Lydia are my direct line) Agatha or Angnes (b. abt 1778) married 1st John Kennett in 1801, 2nd Jacob Snidar in 1809 in Bedford Co. VA Anna (b Abt 1780) married Mordecai McClain/McClane in 1810 in Bedford Co. VA So, I hope this helps to clarify which Dabney line I am researching. Does anyone have any ancestral or birth/marriage/death information on this Cornelius (b 1730) and family? Any information on this family would be greatly appreciated. Also in Bedford Co. VA at the time were Nathan Dabney (married Jenny Younger in 1789 and migrated to KY then MO), Fanny Dabney (daughter of Rachel married, John Jackson in 1790) and Lucy Dabney (daughter of Anna, married Thomas McReynolds in 1781). I do not know how these folks connect to Cornelius and family or to any other Dabneys. Thanks for your help, Colleen Beck-Domancio

OLd address:: nagshead@dfnow.com New address: naghd12@epix.net

Title Survey book, 1729-1762 Authors Virginia. County Court (Caroline County) <http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp? display=authordetails&authorno=389214&name=Virginia%2E+County+Court+%28Car oline+County%29%2C+null> (Main Author) Notes Microfilm of photocopy of original at the Virginia State Library in Richmond, Virginia. _____ This book is a photostatic copy of the original in the county clerk's office in Campbell County, Kentucky (as of 16 Feb 1923). The first page states it is "John B. Taliaferro's Book, November...". _____ Surveys were made by R.C. Brooke, surveyor of Caroline County. Most were ordered by the County Court. _____ Contains surveys of lands in St. Margaret's, Drysdale and St. Mary's parishes in Caroline County, Virginia, and also "on the Mattapony". The information above is taken from the Family History Library website in Salt Lake City. They have a copy of the Caroline County Survey book, call letters 975.5362 R2. From this information it seems the Virginia State Library in Richmond, VA also has a copy. If all goes well I will be making a trip to the SLC library next month. If anyone wants a "quick look-up" from this book, send me a surname and your home email address and I will see what I can do. Please keep your query short. Alice Sanders sanders922@msn.com

Thanks to Eric, I have located the book. Here is his letter. Paul ----- Original Message ----- From: Grundset, Eric To: Paul Drake Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 12:26 PM Subject: RE: apology Paul, The book was published in 1997 by Ruth Sparacio, Antient Press, McLean, VA (since moved) with the title: Caroline County, Virginia County Surveys, 1729-1762; Proceedings of the Committee of Safety, 1774-1776. I imagine that Willow Bend might sell it, but then again Antient Press has a website that I just looked at this morning: antientpress.com. The Caroline book is listed near the bottom of the titles for that county. Eric Eric G. Grundset Library Director DAR Library National Society Daughters of the American Revolution 1776 D St., N.W. Washington, DC 20006-5303 202-879-3313 (phone) 202-879-3227 (fax) egrundset@dar.org -----Original Message----- From: Research and writing about Virginia genealogy and family history. [mailto:VA-ROOTS@LISTLVA.LIB.VA.US]On Behalf Of Paul Drake Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 1:16 PM To: VA-ROOTS@LISTLVA.LIB.VA.US Subject: apology I am sorry; I was mistaken. If the survey book has been published, I do not know by what company or organization. Here is the URL for the Caroline Co. materials to which I mistakenly referred. Paul http://www.willowbendbooks.com/index.asp To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.344 / Virus Database: 267.10.18/90 - Release Date: 9/5/2005

I am sorry; I was mistaken. If the survey book has been published, I do not know by what company or organization. Here is the URL for the Caroline Co. materials to which I mistakenly referred. Paul http://www.willowbendbooks.com/index.asp

Forgot; this survey book is available from <Heritagebooks.com> Subject: Fw: [VAROOTS] Lost Book--Found FYI The "lost book", that is the Caroline County Survey Book, which started May 22, 1729 and was somehow transported to Kentucky, has been located. A copy of the book is in the Central Rappahannock Heritage Center at 300 Central Road in Fredericksburg, Va. with the mailing address of P.O. Box 8533, Fredricksburg, Va. 22404. The hours are from 10:00 to 4:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Phone 540-373-3705. A modern copy was obtained from Kentucky. Ken Thompson.