Hello all, I have a question regarding a land transaction that I am working on. In addition to the deed, I have found this "acknowledgement" dated two years after the deed. To the untrained eye, it seems as if something nefarious was going on, but I would expect that the following proceeding is much more mundane. Any thoughts? The text is below (blank lines indicate unreadable script): The Commonwealth of Virginia __ Samuel __ Harrison & John M. Gordon Gentlemen Justices of the Corporation of Lynchburg ____ whereas John Lynch and Mary Lynch his wife by them certain indentures of bargain & sale bearing date the 6th day of August 1812 have sold and conveyed unto Agatha Dicks, a certain half acre lott of ground in the Town of Lynchburg with the appurtenances there unto belonging; and whereas the said Mary Lynch cannot conveniently travel to our court of hustings for the corporation of Lynchburg to make acknowledgement of the said conveyance. Therefore we do give unto you, or __ __ or more of you, power to receive the acknowledgement which the said Mary Lynch shall be willing to make before you of the conveyance aforesaid contained in the said indenture, which is hereunto ____ and we do therefore command you that you do personally go to the said Mary Lynch and receive her acknowledgement of the same, and examine her privately and apart from the said John Lynch her husband, whether she doth the same freely and voluntarily without his persuasions or threats, and whether she be willing that the same should be recorded in our said court of hustings for the corporation aforesaid, and when you have received her acknowledgement, and examined her as aforesaid that you distinctly and openly certify us thereof in our said court under your seals sending then there the said indenture and this writ. Witness William Norvell Clerk of the said court this 20th day of July 1814 and in the 39th year of the Commonwealth. Corporation of Lynchburg ___ Pursuant to the ____ ____ ____ decided we did this day examine the above named Mary Lynch, privately and apart from John Lynch her husband, and do certify that she did before us acknowledge as her act and deed the indenture hereto ____ which was by us then shewn and explained then. The said Mary Lynch declaring to us that she made the said acknowledgement freely and voluntarily without the persuasions or threats of her said husband and was willing the said indenture should be recorded in the Court of Hustings above mentioned. Certified under our hand and seals this 8th day of August 1814. S. Harrison, Mayor John M. Gordon -Margin Note: “Returned 10th August 1814” To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html