James,
Whose will in what location are you referring to?
Lee Anne
-----Original Message-----
From: Research and writing about Virginia genealogy and family history.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Paul Drake
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2004 9:16 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [VA-ROOTS] Cousin
Hi, Jim. Your question may serve many on the list. Some of my NC and VA
rural 4th and 5th cousins regularly address me as "cousin". Thereby, they
are displaying what they consider "good manners", since they do not feel
sufficiently acquainted to address me as "Paul", yet presume to be closer in
relationship than to address me as "Mister". That practice is common in the
South, and - I presume - elsewhere as well.
So, I would very much suspect that she was a cousin, or at a least a
relative. While "Sister", "Companion", and "Dearest Sally" were rather
common usage, I know of no instances IN A WILL where anyone other than kin
was labeled "cousin". Better bet that she was just that - maybe a second or
third or even more remote.
----- Original Message -----
From: James W. Tiller
To: Paul Drake
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2004 7:14 AM
Subject: Cousin
Paul,
Have been doing a lot of work on a family and have come across a will in
which the statement is made, to the effect: to my COUSIN Sally Smith,
widow of George Smith, I leave 50 acres.
By my research, the will writer and the deceased George Smith were
IN-LAWS, the deceased being the WIFE of George Smith's BROTHER, Sam.
During the 1830s period, would addressing such a relative as "cousin" be a
term of family affection/endearment or is it possible (I guess anything is
possible) that Sally Smith MUST be a cousin to the will writer? That too
is possible, though seemingly at this point from a migration standpoint
not likely.
Appreciate you assistance,
Jim Tiller
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