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