I suppose the first thing that should be done is too see if Micajah Via or Molly Via gave a deposition in this case. I don't know why the researcher I use would not have included it but maybe he thought it was of no value.....but I would like to see the whole case. As far as Mary - Molly goes.....two of Micajah's sons were married to women named Mary. William Via was married to Mary Craig. Micajah Jr was married to Mary Mills. But I don't know why one of their wives would give a deposition with a father-in-law. Here's what I have of this Chancery case.... Judy THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA To Wm Meeks, Thomas Garth Senr, Robert Davis, & Joel Harris or any two of you Gentlemen, Justices of the Court of Albemarle County Greetings KNOW YE, That we, trusting to your fidelity and provident circumspection in diligently examining James Douglass, Micajah Via, Molly Via, William Michie, William Hall and Susanna Hall in a Certain Matter of Controversy now depending in our Said County Court of Albemarle between John Ballard and others plaintiffs and James Ballard and Thomas Pettit Executors of Thomas Ballard deceased Defendants Command you or any two or more of you, that at such time and place as you shall appoint, you assemble yourselves and the witness aforesaid before you, you call and cause to come and diligently examining on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, and their examination aforesaid unto our said Court of Albemarle County distinctly and openly without delay, you send and certify enclosed, returning also to us this writ Witness John Nicholas Clerk of our said Court of Albemarle County at the Courthouse, the first _ day of March 1806 in the 30th year of the Commonwealth. John Nicholas CC William Hall being duly sworn deposeth & sayeth that he heard Thomas Ballard in his life time demand a Hire of Jas Ballard for the Negroe Boy then in his possession, stating that a Ear or Grain of Corn would be better than nothing but the sd James laughed at him & said that he did not know that he should have to pay him any hire. This conversation passed __ this depon't was overseer for sd Thomas Ballard & he believes between seven & eight years ago but the said James said if he would go over with him he would pay him & the old man did go in a short time after but did not say for what 1st Ques by Deft - Do you know whether the old man rec'd the sd grain of corn for hire? Answer - I do not know - I did see __ receive it Ques 2nd by Do - You say that James Ballard laughed at his father's demand. Did not the whole conversation seem to be of a jocular cast? Answer - the old man I think was in earnest, but James laughed. Susanna Hall, being duly sworn deposeth & sayeth that she lived on the plantation of Thomas Ballard the first year that James Ballard had the Boy in dispute & that the sd Thomas furnished the Boy with clothing for that year, as to the other years she knows nothing & that she has frequently heard him say that he had lent the Boy to this Son as a Hand but did not hear him say anything about taking him home Quest. To William Hall by Pltfs Atty - do you know anything of old Mr Ballard's lending money to his son James. Answer - I heard him say he had lent his son James Two Hundred Dollars when about to go to Kentucky & but for it he did not know what James would have done as his Horse gave out & he had to buy another - after this dep't left Thos Ballards employment the Hands of Thomas & James Ballard worked together one year at least but the Boy did not work among them but remained at the house of James Ballard. And further this depon't say not. Susanna Hall (her mark) James Douglas William Hall (his mark) Molly Via (her mark) Micaj. Via Taken before us this 5th day of April 1806 in presence of both Parties Wm Michie Thos Garth Robert Davis Albemarle County, Virginia Chancery Case 1811-005, John Ballard vs Exors of Thomas Ballard, Library of Virginia