Since the subject is being discussed, this seems to be a good time to ask for help. I have an ancestress who got a land grant in her married name while still living with her husband. I say her married name since "tradition' says she was a Floyd before marriage but not proof of that. Catherine Floyd Garrell/Gerrald m. ca 1790 Samuel Garrell in Georgetown Dist/Horry Co. SC and in 1798 she recieced a state grant of 225 acres in her name beside the land of her husband Samuel Garrell. A Benjamin Garrell had entered a grant in1796; he died before the grant was final and it was granted int he name of a Richard Garrell. I included that bit just in case Catherine could have been a Garrell by birth and married a cousin Samuel. Catherine died ca 1817 and her husband remarried and deeded everything to his second wife; and when he died in 1836, the first set of children sued the widow and second set of chilren to get more of his estate. They were not successful and the only thing recovered was the 225 acre grant that their mother Catherine had in 1798. As far as we know and of record, there was no marital contract, no evidence she had ever been made a free trader or femme sole and she was having children for Samuel Garrell regularly during this period. A will or deed of gift would not apply in this case since it came from the state. (None found anyway). It was my understanding that a married woman could not hold property in her own name. Sorry this is so long but hope some the keen minds on this list can come up with an answer. Someone, please help me. Could Catherine's maiden name be Garrell? Nula PS: SC Archives had no answer.