I think the biggest factor in the sale of an estate would be the mater
of outstanding debts --  creditors would have to be satisfied even if
oit took a long time.  I think in the case of William Byrd III-- he of
famous debts -- his widow Mary Willing Byrd was able to hold off
creditors by selling off pretty much everything but the Westover
plantation, but when she died even that went on the block.

David Kiracofe
Grand Valley State University

David Kiracofe
History Department
MAK 1060
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI 49401
[log in to unmask]
>>> [log in to unmask] 08/25/04 7:34 AM >>>
Hello,

I have been conducting some research using estate inventories that date
from 1780-1860 in Virginia.  Can anyone tell me what determined whether
or not an appraisement and sale was done on any given individual's
estate?  Originally, I thought that perhaps if someone died without
having a will that an appraisement would be done, but then I began to
notice that some folks had wills, appraisements, and sale bills, while
some folks didn't have a will, but had appraisements and sale bills.

If anyone could help me figure this out, I would greatly appreciate it!





Kimberly Burnette-Dean
Lead Historical Interpreter
Virginia's Explore Park
P.O. Box 8508
Roanoke, VA 24014
540-427-1800, ext 330
[log in to unmask]
www.explorepark.org
P.O. Box 8508
Roanoke, VA 24014
540-427-1800, ext 330
[log in to unmask]

To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the
instructions
at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html

To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html