Kenneth, I was very interested in reading the Hyer family history as I have seen Leonard (Landred), Michael, Adam, and Rudy in numerous early (1740s-1750s) South Branch documents from Augusta, Frederick and Orange Counties. The earliest reference I found was on the 1742 Orange County Road petition for a road from the South Branch starting at "Hayard's Town" down the South Branch to John Upton's mill and east. While the Hyers did not sign the petition, I am convinced that Hayard's Town is a reference to the area settled by the Hyers near Petersburg. In other records, their name is often spelled Hyard, Hire, Hider, Highter, Hard, etc. As to the actual location of Leonard's farm on Lot 61 of the South Branch manor, you mention it was west of the Petersburg Airport. When I was doing some research in Hardy County, I came across a reference to Ft. George as being on or adjacent to this parcel but placing it closer to the mouth of Mill Creek which would be on the east side of Petersburg. Any comments from any Hardy Co researchers as to location of Ft. George? My George Zeh/See also settled that area in the late 1740s, locating at "the Gap" as mentioned in the Moravian missionary journals--which I take to be just down river from the mouth of Mill Creek east of Petersburg. I believe this is also where James Coburn had his mill when visited by Washington when he was doing surveys for Fairfax. I'd love to hear from anyone familiar with the geography of this area. Sara Patton -----Original Message----- From: kenneth w colby <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Saturday, September 11, 1999 7:29 PM Subject: HYRE / HEYER FAMILY > The Hyre land was located on the south side of the South Branch >and west of Petersburg beyound where the airport is located today, and near the site >of Old Fort George.