I'd sure apprecaite it if someone who knows more about old deeds and old deeds of trust could help me figure out who's doing what in this one below. Who actually owns the land? Thanks, Audrey Surry Co, VA deeds book 5: page 293 This Indenture made the 24th day of Oct in the year eighteen hundred and sixteeen between William S. Lucas of the county of Surry and the sate of Virginia, of the first part, and Stephen Sorsby of the county of Northampton and the state of North Carolina, of the second part, and Wilie Davis of the other part. Witnesseth that the said William S. Lucas, in order to secure the payment of tweo bonds bearing date the first day of Jan'y eighteen hunderd and eighteen for the sum of six hunderd and seventy two dollars, which will more fully appear by haveing reference to the said bonds and in consideration of the sum of one dollar to him the said William S. Lucas in hand, paid by the said Wilie Davis at or before the ensealing and delivery of these presents (the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged) the said William S. Lucas hath granted bargained and sold and by these presents, doth grant bargain and sell unto the said Wilie Davis one certain tract or parcell of land lying and being in the county of Surry and adjoining the lands of William Milby, the estate of James Kee dec'd John Peter and the lands of said William S. Lucas and Henry Bilbro, and contains thwo hundred and sixty three acres be the same more or less, together with the reversions remainder and remainders, yearly and other rents issues and profits thereof both at law or in equity of him the said William S. Lucas in, to or out of the lands tenements here?ilaments and premises. To have and to hold the said two hunderd and sixty three acres of land herein mentioned to be hereby granted with their and every of their appurtenances unto the said Wilie davis his heirs Ecors: admors: or assignes forever Upon special trust and confidence nevertheless that the said Wilie Davis shall when teherto required by the said William S. Lucas or the said Stephen Sorsby, whichever may first make the request after the first day of June, in the year Eighteen hundred and nineteen, after giving legal notice of the time and place of sale proceed to sell the before mentioned tract or parcel of land, or so much thereof as shall be sufficient for the discharge of the debt herein before mentioned with the legal Int's (interest) which may accrue thereon and all cost attending the same at publick auction for reddy money and out of the money arising from the sale in the first place to pay and satisfy all reasonable charges attending the execution of this trust and then the debt above mentioned, and the residue (if any) arising from such sale to the use of said William S. Lucas, his heirs Ecors: or admors: or ? such other person or persons as shall be thereto legally entitled. In attenstation where of the said William Lucas hath here unto set his hand and affixed his seal as also the said Wilie Davis and Stephen Sorsby the said Wilie Davis for the due execution of this trust and the said Stephen Sorsby as sanction to the present instrument of of writing. Signed William S. Lucas, Stephen Sorsby, Wilie Davis. Sign'd seal'd and acknowledged in the presence of Arch'd Davis, James (+ his mark) McGuriman, and Wm (+his mark) McGuriman 1816 Oct 24th Received of Wilie Davis the sum of one dollar in full of the consideration money within mentioned. Signed William S. Lucas witness: Arch'd Davis At a Court held for Surry County October 28th, 1816. The within written deed of trust from William S. Lucas to Wilie Davis trustee for Stephen Sorsby was proved to be the act and deed of the said William S. Lucas, Wilie Davis, and Stephen Sorsby by the oaths of Archibald Davis- James McGuriman, and William McGuriman the witnesses thereto and by the court ordered to be recorded. a receipt endorsed was proved by the said Archibald Davis the witness thereto and is also oredered to be recorded. Ex'd Teste (not signed)

Dear friend, here is my interpretation: On the 24th of October, 1815, William Lucas in Surry, VA and Stephen Sorsby of Northampton, NC, along with Wilie Davis agreed to a deed. William Lucas, wanted the payment of two bonds bearing the date January 1, 1818 for $672.00. Wilie Davis paid Lucas $1.00 and Lucas sold Wilie Davis a tract of land being in the county of Surry that contained 263 acres (more or less)and other rents and profits both by law or in equity that would have gone to William Lucas. This included any tenants who lived on the land. This is to be valid until William Lucas or Stephen Sorsby, who ever makes the first request AFTER June 1, 1819, after giving legal notice that the land will be sold to discharge the debt and any interest and all costs for the auction, to pay for the the above debt ($672.00). Now my guess is that Lucas bought the land from Sorsby who probably moved to NC and in 3 years Lucas had to pay the $672.00 plus interest to Sorsby. So......Lucas sold to Wilie Davis the land to run/work/make money/rent/ etc. for Lucas so he could pay the debt. If Lucas has not paid Sorsby the debt on time, then the land will be sold to satisfy the debt. It is not clear what Wilie Davis will get out of this deal, but obviously he wanted to do it. Probably as an overseer. Just my interpretation, Margaret Driskill [email protected]