My wife is a descendant of the John Deer who married Mary Blankenbaker and had son Simeon Deer who had son Fountain Deer/Dear etc. This John was supposed to be John Elijah Deer and his father John Jeremiah Deer/Hirsch etc. However, there were two John Deers who died in 1781 and they both had sons named John. How do we know which one ties back to the Hirsch line? Here are the two 1781 wills: Dear, Jno 1781 Will Book 3, 1778-1801 reel 24 p. 34-35 Will probated 25 Oct 1781, Part of index to Orange Co. Wills and Administrations, Orange Co. VA Deer, John 1781, Will Book B, 1770-1783 Reel 31, p. 422-423 Will probated 18 June 1781, p. 429-430 Inventory and Appraisal recorded Aug 20, 1781. Part of index to Culpeper County Wills and Administrations, Culpeper Co. VA. Here is the will of the John "Dear" in Culpeper Co. Said to be John Jeremiah Hirsch. (An 1838 land transaction in Orange county was signed by Jeremiah Dear and his wife Rebecca!) AIn the name of God Amen I John Deer of Culpeper County being weak and sick but in perfect sence and memory and calling to mind the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death do make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament revoking all other wills heretofore made. I recommend my body to the grave to be buried in a Christian like manner at the discretion of my executors and secondly my soul unto God who gave it to me. Item I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Catherine one third part of all my estate both real and personal during her life and at her death to be equally divided among my children. Item I give and bequeath to my Daughter Mary Deer seven pounds ten shillings cash in the old way to be raised out of my estate to her and her heirs forever and if she should die before marriage that to fall to my daughter Elizabeth. Item I give and bequeath to my Daughter Elizabeth Deer seven pounds ten shillings cash in the old way to be raised out of my estate to her and her heirs forever and if she should die before marriage that to fall to my daughter Mary. Item I give and bequeath to my son Moses Deer the tract of land whereon I now live to him and his heirs forever after those legacies paid out of the balance of my estate be equally divided between John Deer, Moses Deer, Catherine Rider, Susanna Brown, Mary Deer and Elisabeth Deer to them and their heirs forever. Item I give and bequeath to Dorothy Fleshn three pounds cash the old way to be raised out of my estate to her and her heirs forever. Also I give and bequeath to Eve Bohon three pounds cash the old way to be raised out of my estate to her and her heirs forever. Item I do appoint my friend Ambrose Bohannon and my son John Deer my executors. In whitness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 28th day of March 1781. In presence of his George Cowiven (?) John J Deer (L S) Reuben Fleshman (mark) Moses Fleshman@ (I forgot where I got this, but did the origninal really have the J middle initial?) At a court held for Culpeper County the 18th day of June 1781. This last Will and Testament of John Deer deceased was exhibited to the Court by the executors, and was proved by the oaths of the Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. An on the motion of John Deer one of the executors therein named certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in dur form he having made oath thereto and given bond & security according to law, Liberty being reserved for the other executor to join in the probate when he shall think fit. ---------------------------------- The will of John Dear of Orange County Orange County Will Book 3, pp. 34-35 Will of John DEAR, .. to my beloved wife, Catherine Dear, all my whole estate during her life .. my granddaughter, Frances Jones Dear, four pounds hard money .. my son Thomas Dear, ten pounds hard money .. after my wife's decease, to my son, Reuben Dear, all my lands and plantations as I now own (if he should die without heirs) .. divided equally among all my children: Edmon Dear, John Dear, Thos. Dear, Charles Dear, Betty Goodridge, Lucy Stanisler (?), Frances Dear, Lissey Dear .. Catherine Dear, Joseph Chandler, James Smith executors .. this 10th day of September 1781. Witnesses (signed - his mark) Stephen I. K. Smith John Dear Alex. Homes, John Chandler At a court held .. 25th October 1871 .. Stephen I. K. Smith, Samuel Thompson and John Oaks, securities .. bond in the penalty of on hundred thousand pounds.