Judy, Because of the loss of so many of Hanover's records in the 1865, out-of-control Richmond fire set by the Confederates to prevent the Yankees from gaining access to munitions, firearms and other supplies, trying to piece together family groups is convoluted torture. From the VESTRY BOOK OF ST. PAUL'S..., which I have studied thoroughly for years, I have developed the theory/premise that Robert I probably died ca 1760 (which, at that, would have given him a long life, especially for that time period), because there appears in November, 1759, Gideon, Josias and Robert (II) with Robert I in Precinct 18, Robert Via and Charles Barker, Overseers, p 388. The Orders and Returns are missing for 1763, but in 1768, there is only one Robert with Gideon, Josias and a William (perhaps a son of Robert also, but he has disappeared from the land or property tax rolls by 1782. It is definitely not the William who removed to Albemarle earlier). As the Revolution approached, the entries in the Vestry Book become less frequent and are not as thorough until they commence in 1782, under County jurisdiction as opposed to Parish. All this is preface in an attempt to answer (certainly not validated by anything except the records that are available to which I have had access in Hanover and educated deduction) your inquiring about my thoughts about Robert II and wife (ves). He was processioning his own land by 1759, so it can be assumed, I think, that he was of age, say at least 21, so born by ca 1735, which would be in line for his being son of Robert I. In 1788, in a deed of gift (Robert Sr. or II to Robert, Jr. or III), gives son a number of slaves with the stipulation that wife, Fanny Ann, have use of two of them during her widowhood providing she treats them well. In 1789, there appears in the Personal Property Tax Roll for the first time Fanny Ann Via. Robert Via is there also, but I think this is Robert, Jr (III). If Robert II or Sr. as husband were living, Fanny Ann would not be listed, but her tithes must be paid by her because she is head of household (presumably she is a widow), and significantly, I think, she is listed with 2 slaves (and a horse). Robert Via is listed on the Property (Land) and Personal Property Tax Rolls, but again, I think this is Jr. or III, and he inherited from Sr. or II his land (128 acres). Fanny Ann continues on the Personal Property Tax Roll through 1794 (and Robert, Jr. or III is listed beyond 1794, and also on the Land Tax Roll ). Fanny Ann has disappeared from Hanover completely by 1795. Is this about the time she appears in Patrick County? Are our dates consistent that the Fanny Ann of Hanover is the Fanny Ann of Patrick? She is listed with one free white male tithable above 16 years of age in 1794. I think Robert, Jr. (or III) was of age when his father gave him the slaves in 1788, or his father would have made guardian provisions in the deed, I surmise (only a guess, because I do not know the law at the time without looking it up). Also, Robert, Jr. (III) estate (land) is listed in 1804, and it continues until 1814, when it is finally settled on Robert IIII (after some of it had been sold), who was the father of Louisiana. He died 1823-24. Although her mother, Mary, was living, a guardian was appointed for Louisiana because she was a minor (age, about 15) and inherited land from her father (either 43 or 48 acres), and on 7 Jan. 1828, when Louisiana was 20 and married Carter Via, her guardian posted bond (Henrico County). I have not followed Fanny Ann after she disappeared from the Hanover Personal Property Tax Roll. I think it is entirely possible that Robert, Sr. (or II) could have been married more than once, that Fanny Ann could have been second wife. I think it is also possible (speculating, based on interpretation of existing records) that Robert Via, Jr./III was married more than once also, 2nd being a propertied woman, and the results of this second union may have been Gilson Via and Nancy Via. They were brother and sister, and Gilson's father's name was Robert, ergo so was Nancy's. Nancy was the Nancy who married John Gibson. Gilson married 1st Cynthia Hughes, Dec. 22, 1812, and had one son, Richardson, who died young and left life estate to his father. Gilson married 2nd Mary "Polly" White, Aug. 1, 1816 and had Susanna, Mary Elizabeth who married Wiliam A. "Billy" Jones, Margaret Ann who married Thomas Gallatin Turner, Robert who died without issue before his father, and Virginia A. who married Francis W. Johnson. Gilson married 3rd Jane S. Talley, May 18, 1848, and had two more daughters, Alice Newell who married Christopher R. Hughes and Kate D. who married Patrick Henry Hughes, brother of Christopher. I believe it is a descendant of one of Kate's children who is in possession of the Hughes, Via, Turner, Hughes family Bible, typescript pages of which are in The LVA. Gilson's will is handwritten, and he dies in 1865, will probated Oct. 21, 1865. What are Fanny Ann's children's names in Patrick County? When do they come of age? When did she die? This is an interesting revelation that she moved on and did not just die in Hanover when she disappeared. Did she remarry? In the Patrick County Personal Property Tax Roll is she listed with the 2 slaves? She did not have right by law to dispose of them. Oh, Hanover is forever a challenge. I imagine that is the reason that I stay fascinated with family there, and why I keep going back over all the records that I have assembled to try to determine if I have missed something. I do not know the surnames of any of the wives until Carter marries Louisiana Via. I assume that Lucy (her given name and wife of Littleberry) was Carter's grandmother, but I know no surnames until Louisiana is born in 1807-08. The strongest evidence that Josias (also listed alias Cyrus or Joseph at times on the tax records, but is definitely synonymous with Josias), Gideon, Robert (II) and Littleberry are the sons of Robert I is that in 1782, when their lands are first taxed by the county, they are listed with roughly the same amount of land each, they are appraised on the same day, April 25, and after the appearance of the "Designation and Situation of Land" column these lands are adjacent, or to be more precise, portions and/or all of several are adjacent to each other. All four of them can write as could thier father and grandfather. There are extant examples of their signatures. Have I just muddied the waters? Janelle