I had to enter the discussion as I am enclosing a minor part of a will from a man in S.C. that in a way sort of answers the question. Maybe it all depends on the state. ************************* Item: I give and bequeath to Margaret Crocker and the five children I had by her all my plate and household furniture, plantation tools at Rose Duc, boats and all the cattle, hogs at Rose Duc to be equally divided between her and the aforesaid five children that I have by her and each of the children is to have a home. ************************** In other parts of the will he had left each of the above children so many slaves and so much property. He had earlier in the will given his children by his "first wife" land and property, etc. But I have always assumed these were his illegitimate children by a woman he never married. No marriage has been found for them. The below more or less says the same thing-I received from another genealogist looking for Butler records. In 1754, his first wife, Mary, died and he moved to Savannah, GA, where he lived until he died in 1775. While in Savannah, he met Margaret Crocker and had five children by her. The wording in his will suggests that they might NOT have been formally married. Does this help in any way? I always give to Paul as feel he is more knowledgeable than I altho I have done reserach for almost 50 years. I am still not satisfied that I have covered all the bases or done it all right. Srah Browder To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html