In my volunteer job at an LDS Family History Center, I try to help people tackle some of their genealogical problems. Some are willing students, and others *know it all*--you know the type. As some past pyschologists have called them, *the yes, but* types!!! When I mentioned to a person trying to do southern US research of early date that deeds often helped establish relationships, she asked in horror, Why should I want to read deeds? Before I could explain, she was off to her *yes, but* research!!! Anyway, here is a deed in a *foreign* Southside Virginia county [the English call such persons *strays*] which refers to persons who later were in at least two North Carolina counties, and, in one instance, a South Carolina district, and I cannot even speak to the other two persons (Irby and Tunstall named in the deed, as they are not in my scope of research). Halifax Co., VA (DB 7-320): "Nov 1, 1768 from Thomas Tunstall of H[alifax] to William Nunn of King and Queen Co. 90 pds. about 400 acres which is the upper part of a greater tract of land patented Apr 10, 1751 to William Irby and by him sold to Daniel Williams who devised the same to be equally divided between his 2 sons James Williams & Joseph Williams by the conveyance from William Irby to Daniel Williams & by his will & the same was conveyed by Joseph Williams to Thomas Tunstall by deed recorded in H[alifax]. Signed - Thomas Tunstall. Wit - none. Recorded 19 Jan 1769 after a commission examined Ruth, the wife of Thomas Tunstall." (TLC, HALIFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA DEEDS 1767-1772, p. 25) Beginning at the beginning, here is some information on some of the person named in the above deed: William Nunn - Possibly he migrated to Orange Co. NC. At least we should consider him a suspect [a candidate] 1755 Tax list of Orange Co.: William Nunn wt. [with] Sarah, Hanna, Joss & Jean, Negroes 1-4 (William Perry Johnson, "1755 Tax List of Orange County, North Carolina," THE NORTH CAROLINIAN ..., P. 103) At Orange Co., NC court, Aug 1764: "William Nunn, Sheriff, complains about the Prison." Probably a younger William Nunn was later in Caswell Co. NC, where he married Ede Simpson, date of marriage unknown. (She was one of the numerous daughters of Richard Simpson, Sr. of Caswell Co., formerly of Orange Co. in the 1760s and his wife Mary Kincheloe, both formerly of Fairfax Co., VA.. We can verify the Simpson couple's origins in Fairfax Co. by a deed made by Richard's father to the married couple at an earlier date.) Daniel Williams (wife Ursley [unknown surname which bothers a LOT of descendants who demand she be given a surname]). Daniel died testate in 1759 in Granville Co., NC after acquring by patent and by deed much land in Southside Virginia (he previously was of Hanover Co.) Daniel died quite a wealthy man, judging by his will. (widow Ursley married Joseph Reid in Granville Co. two years later; their whereabouts after their marriage are unknown to me. Some surmise they went to South Carolina.) Two sons of Daniel Williams named above, whose will indicates five sons and at least two daughters:: Joseph Wiliams - in Granville Co. he married ca 1766 Sarah Lanier, dau. of Thomas Lanier, in Granville Co., NC. He died after the birth of his daughter Mary, and Sarah Lanier ca 1774 married his cousin Robert Williams of Pittsylvania Co., VA. Joseph's will was recorded in Granville Co., NC late 1773. James Williams - he is the noted Col. James Wiliams who was killed at the Battle of King's Mountain. His wife is believed to be Mary Wallace, but again, there seems to be no documented proof of her maiden name. His will and probate were filed in Caswell Co., NC where he had taken refuge from South Carolina. We suspect that these two patents refer to the same James Williams: Virginia Land Office cards at Virginia State Library give the following information on a James Williams, Lunenburg Co. patents: Williams, James, 16 Aug 1756, 400 A On the head branches of Sneeds Creek adjoining Brown (Pat Bk 33, p. 44) Williams, James, 16 Aug 1756, 810 A beg. at the mouth of Hounds Creek (Pat Bk 33, p. 46) Daniel Williams, the father of these later men, had three other sons: Henry Williams of Caswell Co., NC, where he died testate. Henry had also owned land in Southside Virginia, but that is to be posted in another message--one of these days. Here are some brief notes on Henry: Henry Williams died testate in Caswell Co., NC before January court 1786, when his will was proved. It had been written 12 April 1785. In the will (abstracted) he named his wife Elizabeth; his sons, Daniel, Joseph (land purchased from Henslee), Nathan (land purchased of Thomas Hart), Henry (McVier's old tract). He named his daughters: Nancy Rice, Elizabeth Williams, Susannah Rice, Ursley Duke Peoples, Salley Brookes, Jane Williams; graanddaughter Mary Slade; son-in-law William Rice. His executors were to be his wife and son-in-law, Wm. Rice, and his son Daniel when he arrives at 21. Wit: John Henslee, Wm. Brown, Thomas Rice. (Adapted from Katharine Kerr Kendall, CASWELL COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA WILL BOOKS, 1777-1814 [N.p., Privately published, 1979], p. 17) John Williams S.D. [son of Daniel] This suffix S.D. was noted in some of the colonial Granville Co., NC tax records and apparently followed him wherever he resided. He resided in District 96 South Carolina, which was later called Laurens Co. A correspondent sent this information, taken it is said from Mecklenburg Co., VA marriage records. p. 118: "16 Mar 1759. WILLIAMS, John and Mary Atwood. James Atwood consents. Wit. to consent, Dan Williams, Junr. and George Forest. Sur. Richard Atwood. p. W-1" Daniel Williams the younger. This refers to his marriage in Granville Co. NC. He is believed [not yet proved by me] that he migrated to South Carolina. Marriage in Granville Co., NC: Daniel Williams & Ann Henderson, 31 Jul 1765, Samuel Henderson, Joseph Williams, bm. Charles Bruce, wit. (Brent H. Holcomb, MARRIAGES OF GRANVILLE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 1753-1868 [Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., p. 354) Genealogical information is where you find it--nearly anywhere a document has been made!!! Submitted by E.W.Wallace