My two cents.... Having read through the same boilerplate text in dozens of similar court orders, I think this transcription should read (asterisks where I've made changes): > Administration of the Estate of ELIZABETH GUMMERSON deceased is granted > EDMUND BUTLER in right of MARY DAVIS, the *decedent's* [deceased's] > Daughter, he having >taken the Oath of an Administrator and Entered into and Executed a Bond >according to >Law. > 39/17 Gummerson Admin. granted Ordered that JOHN SUMMERS, WILLIAM BOLING, >WILLIAM DULING, and WILLIAM JEWELL or *any* three of them being *Sworn* *do* >Inventory and appraise the Estate of >ELIZABETH GUMMERSON IN Current Money and the Administrator do return the >same to the >next Court. 39/18 Appraisers "In right of" usually means that is the source of his authority--doesn't say by whom appointed. Just means (I think) that he is acting on her behalf. It seems from this that Mary was Elizabeth Gummerson's daughter. If the deceased was an Elizabeth GUMMERSON, hard to see how Edmund BUTLER could be her husband? If Elizabeth was married only once, than Mary's maiden name was probably Gummerson--but if not, who knows? I guess more research called for! :) Good luck! Martha Grenzeback graymatters@alltel.net At 03:17 PM 08-02-2004 -0500, Doug Park - The Mystical Gravehunter wrote: >Hampshire/Frederick County Friends, > >Need some help regarding the court record that follows (I have reason to >believe that the Mary Davis below (1st husband, John Park II, 1707-1758) may >be my 6th GGM). > >My Questions: > >In your opinion, would Edmund Butler as listed below in the court record, be >a previous husband of Elizabeth Gummerson or a court-appointed >representative (does word descendant refer to Elizabeth or Edmund)? > >According to the wording in the record, did Mary Davis, give Administrator >rights to Edmund Butler (is this what "in right of" means)? > >If Edmund Butler is not Elizabeth Gummerson's husband (ex), does anyone know >who her husband was? I am trying to determine whether my Mary's maiden name >(2nd husband was John Davis) is BUTLER or GUMMERSON! Mary Davis was still >living and approximately 40 years of age at the time of Elizabeth >Gummerson's will. > >Thank you in advance for any help you can provide. > >Court records on Mary Davis from Northern Neck records in Frederick County, >VA - 1749: > > Administration of the Estate of ELIZABETH GUMMERSON deceased is granted > EDMUND BUTLER in right of MARY DAVIS, the descendants Daughter, he having >taken the > Oath of an Administrator and Entered into and Executed a Bond according to >Law. > 39/17 Gummerson Admin. granted Ordered that JOHN SUMMERS, WILLIAM BOLING, >WILLIAM DULING, and WILLIAM JEWELL or and three of them being Sword >Inventory and appraise the Estate of >ELIZABETH GUMMERSON IN Current Money and the Administrator do return the >same to the >next Court. 39/18 Appraisers > >Sincerely, > >Doug Park >Hurricane, WV