This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/gAC.2ACE/2715.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Pauline, Yes, it would mean he was deceased at the time and the property was being handled by his heirs. There should be land records showing the transfer of property at some point after this date. Also, the other landowners listed with "estate" after their names indicates the landowner is deceased and the property is in probate. In addition, I found in "Cartmell's History" by T. K. Cartmell (written in 1909) under "Winchester Presbyterian Church" page 178: Woodstock Presbyterian Church (this is in Shanandoah Co.) ROBERT GRAY, 1858-59 (pastor). "Some Worthy Lives Mini-Biographies Winchester and Frederick County" by Garland R. Quarles Page 244-245 (This is from a biography for JOHN JAMES WILLIAMS, 1842-1899) In 1877, Col. WILLIAMS married EMILIE WATERMAN GRAY, daughter of ROBERT W. GRAY of Leesburg. Page 247 (This is from a biography for PHILIP WILLIAMS III, 1888-1942) PHILIP WILLIAMS, son of JOHN JAMES WILLIAMS and EMILIE WATERMAN GRAY was born July 21, 1888 in Winchester. Page 248 (This is from a biography for ROBERT GRAY WILLIAMS, 1878-1946) ROBERT GRAY WILLIAMS, more familiarly known as R. GRAY WILLIAMS, the son of JOHN JAMES WILLIAMS and EMILIE WATERMAN GRAY, was born July 10, 1878 in Leesburg in Loudoun County, the home of his mother. Page 37 (This is from JOHN BELL, II, 1773-1838) He (JOHN BELL, II) was an elder and one of the founders of the Old Stone Presbyterian Church------------------------When the schism occurred in that church in 1826, he was one of the five elders (the other four being JOSEPH GAMBLE, ROBERT GRAY, JAMES LITTLE, and Col. AUGUSTINE SMITH) who withdrew and formed the Kent Street Presbyterian Church. Page 121 ROBERT GRAY is mentioned again in the REV. WILLIAM HILL, D.D. (1769-182) article as being one of the elders of Stone Church. "A History of the Valley of Virginia" by Samuel Kercheval (written in 1909) Page 185 "Establishment of the Towns" In the same month and year, Middletown, in the County of Berkeley, (commonly called Gerrardstown), was established. This town was laid off by the late Rev. DAVID GERRARD, and contained one hundred lots. WILLIAM HENSHAW, JAMES HAW, JOHN GRAY, GILBERT M'KEWAN and ROBERT ALLEN, were appointed trustees. (October, 1787)