In a message dated 11/20/04 7:01:46 PM Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: a handmade map of Borden's Grant in Augusta (Rockbridge) County, shows Hays Creek forming the border between the land of Joseph Culton and his brother Robert Culton, then turns North and continues thru Joseph's land. Another creek - unable to decipher the name - runs across the Western portion of Joseph Culton's land. Any small "branch" off either of these creeks might be labeled Culton's Branch. Thanks, Larry! You present an excellent theory. And I see exactly the features you mention on my copy of J. R. Hildebrand's excellent map of the Borden Grant. Robert and William Brown got adjoining grants on Culton's Branch on 1 June 1741. Trouble is, these grants don't show up on the Borden Grant map -- making it seem they were in another area. (Also, I don't find them on Hildebrand's map of the Beverly Patent.) Another problem is that the Culton brothers' grants are shown on the map as having been made in 1742. One wonders how the waterway in question would have been named for the Cultons at least a year earlier than their land ownership was formalized. Are you related to the Cultons? I am descended from one of these brothers - probably Robert It wouldn't surprise me to learn I'm related, but so far I haven't found the evidence. My reason for seeking info on Culton's Branch is that I want to sort out the several Brown families of early Augusta, about whom I know precious little at this stage, and my first step is to try locating them geographically. Additional thoughts always appreciated! Best regards, Jim Brown Arlington VA