1) On 28 March 1780, Major Thomas Massie of New Kent County, VA purchased 1000 acres of Fauquier Co. land from Col Thomas Marshall & wife Mary (Fauquier Deed Bk # 7, pp533) of Fauquier Co. The 1000 acres was described as being "part of the tract on which said Thomas Marshall now resides" and as having been purchased (by Marshall) from Thomas Turner (no date specified). In the metes and bounds of the 1000 acres "....to a stake at the flat branch then West 320 poles....." The Indenture further mentions the rights to all buildings, water courses, etc. While the reference to "water courses" appears to be just boiler plate language, my question concerns the two words "flat branch". With "branch" meaning a small stream (water course), is the term "flat" the proper name of the branch, in this case, or simply a reference to some characteristic of the branch. In case it is a "proper" name, where is the "flat branch" in Fauquier Co and what larger stream does it ultimately flow in to ? Or alternately, where was the 1000 acre tract located geographically in Fauquier County ? 2) c1775 to c1800 there were apparently three Thomas Massies in or around Fauquier Co. a. The Major Thomas Massie (named in item @ 1 above) b. Thomas Massie (probable Father of line "c" below. The Fauquier Co grantee index uses the designation "Sr" in at least one instance). c. Thomas Massie (son of "b" ? ) The first Indenture in the Fauquier Grantee Index for a Thomas Massie is 1775, and the Indenture in # 1 above for Major Thomas Massie, New Kent Co, VA is dated 1780 so "a" & "b" would appear to be two different individuals. I don't research Massies, so is there anyone who can confirm (or deny) that assumption ? Thanks.