Dorothy: Thank you for your prompt reply to my query re: James Ellison's will. Another researcher sent me the following: Will of James Ellison Dated December 22, 1838 Presented at Court February 18, 1839 Recorded at Monroe County, VA Will Book 3, page 411. He mentions his wife, Elizabeth Ellison, and gives her "the whole of my estate both real and personal during her natural lifetime..." He gave his two servant girls Jeanny and Barsheba "their freedom together with the use and sole control of the dwelling house I now live in including two acres of land which is to include the garden spring and as much of the best ground near the house as can be included in a respectable form..." Also "the privilege of firewood and pasture for a cow on the place that I live on forever...provided they continue to live on it but no power to sell or convey to any person or any way." He also gave them, after the death of his wife "one featherbed, bedstead and furniture and one yearling heifer and heifer calf, one ewe and lamb to each and to Barsheba I give my loom and weaving utensils; to each I give a trunk now called their own." He gave "my son Francis," after the death of his mother, all the land he owned in "the old survey supposed to be two hundred and twenty acres..." [except the privileges granted to the servants and 3 acres sold to Johnson McPherson]. He gave "my grandson" Abraham Ellison land "supposed to contain one hundred and eight acres joining the old survey..." Gave "my daughter" Massy Cantly twenty dollars; "my daughter Nancy Halsted" twenty dollars; "one dollar to my daughter Elizabeth Shumate;" "one dollar to my son Joseph Ellison;" "one dollar to my daughter Ruth Smith;" "one dollar to my daughter Polly Wilson;" "one dollar to my son Francis Ellison." Appointed "my son Francis Ellison and Abraham Ellison to be executors..." Signed "this 22nd day of December 1838." Test. Benjamin B. Peck, James Harvey Presented in court 18th February 1839; James Ellison was "dec'd;" proven by the oaths of Benj. B. Peck and James Harvey. I am very interested in the book "WV Estate Settlements" that you mentioned in your E-mail. Who is the author? Thanks again for your reply. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Mike Peters npeters102@aol.com