Paul, thanks for the explanation on surveyors. Would anyone happen to know of any lists of surveyors for Virginia and North Carolina? I have a pssoble distant realitive, John Hilurn, who worked as a "second chain" with John and Ruebin Procter surveying land. thanks folks! Jeannie researching Hilburn/Vaughan/Simmons/Upchurch/Procter familes of 1680 to 1769 in Virginia and North Carolina.