You got it -- the purpose was to set the tax rate. There might be an article about it on the Virginia State Library web site. http://www.lva.lib.va.us/dlp/index.htm Lynne Hundley -----Original Message----- From: HHaden@aol.com <HHaden@aol.com> In trying to trace my Albemarle ancestors I have come across the term "processioning" used in court or legal documents. For example, "Ordered into one precinct for Processioning the lands of John Darracott, John Haden, etc etc...In obedience to the within Order, we the Subscribers have seen all the within lands...only one Line as did formerly belong to Cloptons Orphans and no one appeared to show us that line....." then signed by the landholders. I am guessing that land was grouped into precincts and that periodically - every year or couple of years - the owners of the land in each precinct literally walked the boundaries of their properties to confirm them. Is this guess correct? Can anyone shed anymore light on this custom for me? Louise Galaska