Sherry, That is so very interesting! I recently found a deed where John Ritter/Rutter sold to George Knisely 150 acres in Powells Big Fort in 1799. Along with the land, he sold everything on the place it seems. Listed on the inventory going to George Knisely were quarry tools! He also used a block I:MR in place of where the "x" should have been between his first and last name on the deed. I still can not find where he purchased the land or when he purchased it. I wonder if there was iron on the land? Now there are two John Rutters listed on the Personal Property Tax List going upwards from the 1782. On one year, one of the John Rutters had written behind his name (North fork); but I can't say for sure which John Rutter was on the North fork. I consulted the 1815 Shenandoah County landowners and found George Knisely's property10 miles south east of the Woodstock Courthouse. I consulted a cemetery listing and found George Knisely and his family buried around Dietrick. A lister said that Dietrick was over the mountain from Powells Big Fort (I am from California so all I see is the maps flat surfaces). You are absolutely right about these families coming into the valley together. Do you know about where in Shenandoah County your Birds lived? Got to get to bed. I am in the process of painting my kitchen so I need to get up bright and early. Thank you for the great information. It will be interesting to find out if the Birds were close neighbors to the Rutters. Chocy