>Does anyone know Legal talk and can translate this? >In Chalkey's Chronicles: >NOVEMBER 21, 1772. > (463) Michael Mallo vs. Valentine Maleer.--Abates by plaintiff's >eath ---does this mean he was killed or killed someone? No. It does prove, however, that Michael died prior to this court date. For some reason, Michael Mallo filed a suit against Valentine Maleer. When Michael Mallo died, there no longer was a plantiff and the suit was dropped. Although this is not proven, we might surmise that the matter did not affect the $$$ value of the estate. If you looked at earlier court dockets, there might be mention of the suit. >Also pg 122 "wife Mary was unable to administer her husband's estate" ---- >Chalkey's says "refused to administer" does anyone know the reason why? By Virginia law at that time, the widow was automatically appointed to administer an estate. If she chose not to for any reason, she had to officially inform the court that she refused. A few times I have seen this refusal in the county court minutes as the ONLY instance where the wife at time of death is named. Chalkley's is only an abstract. And, remember that his goal was to "Chronicle the Scotch-Irish." At times he read German names very poorly and at other times he totally ignored them. I would suggest that you obtain the microfilm of the original court minute book (through a LDS Family History Center). It may give move complete details. Nedra Nedra Dickman Brill, Certified Genealogist brillnd@pacifier.com Historian, Henckel Family National Association Coordinator Pendleton County, WV, wvpendle-l@rootsweb.com