In a message dated 2/18/2003 8:01:48 PM Pacific Standard Time, [email protected] writes: > Because of the above date of 1766 and David Laird as a witness, do you think > > that the "Francis Viah" portrayed as a male, could have been Frances Via, > widow of David Via? > Edna, I too have wondered about this. I have tried a few times to get copies of these court papers but so far no luck. I have a researcher I use sometimes in Richmond and use to use one in Albemarle but neither could get these records. I'd like to see the promissory note. I have not been able to find any other reference anywhere to a Francis Via for this time period. That of course doesn't prove anything but it does lead me to believe the Francis Viah most likely was Frances Stringer Via. I have not given up on this quest and hope someday to be able to obtain a copy of the note. The same thing goes for the "items" referenced to John Via for being indebted to James Johnson and John Branch. I'd like to see those papers too. Judy