Judy, I have not been ignoring your posts containing Edmund Via data. I appreciate so much your sharing all of them. I believe that you once asked me if I knew the name of Gilson Via's father. It was Robert. Lots of help, huh? There were so many Robert Via's in Hanover, it is difficult to separate them. What brought this to memory was your posting the bit about Edmund's repairs to Dumases. Gilson Via bought and lived at "Dumases Old Plantation." I believe the purchase was after 1805. Edmund and William Via lived in the same vicinity. James inherited the land of his uncle, William, brother of Edmund. Do you remember our postings tossing around the idea [probably accurate] that Fanny Anne Via was the second wife of Robert Via, he of the deed of gift to his son, Robert Via III? I don't think I replied to you that I descend from this Robert Via's first wife through their son, Robert III who had son, John. John lived on Robert's original land and eventually inherited some of it. His daughter was Louisiana Via [my ancestor] who married Carter Via who was son of Josiah [not Josias] Via, son of Littleberry Via, brother of the second Robert Via whose second wife was Fanny Ann, all descendants of the first Robert Via. The third Robert Via in the direct line of Roberts fell off the tax lists for a decade or so and then reappeared with a wife, Elizabeth. That is unless, this is a different Robert Via. My Louisiana would have been his granddaughter, but I find little or no connection between the two [she did inherit her father, John's, land. However, Gilson seems to have been somehow connected to this Robert, probably younger son, because he inherited some of more recently purchased land by Robert in the location of Dumases old plantation. Edmund and his brother, William, lived in the same general area that was near old Bethesda Church [since burned] and Studley. The land tax records establish location and their proximity to each other. I know that Nancy Via [married John Gibson] was this Robert's daughter; Gilson was her guardian as she was underage when their father died. Oh, how I wish someone were researching all these Hanover Vias who would work with me to get relationships straightened out! It is very difficult with little extant data except for a few marriages, deeds, and those wonderful tax lists. When I commenced researching my Via family in New Kent/Hanover about 30 years ago, I was undaunted that these were designated "burned record counties." I was new and very inexperienced, and my ignorance was a big help also. I simply "knew" I could find my family. It is my contention that if you can trace your direct line for 350 years or so in a burned record county, you are prepared to research and be successful any place. It just takes patience, perseverance, and a working knowledge of history and how to use libraries and courthouses. It helps to have luck on your side also. Janelle Janelle