Re: Mary, Wife of James Landrum, Essex Co. Virginia

Those marriages of Old Rappahannock and Essex County are a bit mis-leading in that they include what the author calls "inferrential" marriages.Sometimes she gives the date of a document that proves a man was married to a certain woman,but the date is that of the document--NOT the date of the marriage.I looked up her reference showing that William Brown had married Margaret Cloutson and it is such a document.In May 1722 William Brown and Margaret sold some land to William Golding that had come to Margaret as "one of the surviving sisters of Cornelius Clouson".Therefore,it is probable that Margaret had been married to William Brown for some time.I imagine it was the same William Brown Jr,son of William and Elizabeth Allen Brown.The deed indicates that William could sign his name,as Wm Jr was known to do.At this early date there are not so many William Browns in the area.Margaret made a mark as she did on William Brown's (Jr) other deeds.

I think I have at least two records in which my William Brown (Sr) who made the mark "WB" witnessed or appraised together with Charles Brown.Then,in addition, "Susannah Berry" witnessed the 1685 deed of George Lambert to William Brown.I believe there is evidence that about 1686 Susanna Berry married Charles Brown.In 1700 Charles Brown and William Brown appraised the estate of Susannah Davis.I can't find the other document,at the moment,in which they witnessed together.Then,at William Brown's death in 1706,Charles Brown was one of the appraisers of the estate.A fairly close relative could be an appraiser if he had no financial interest in the estate.Of course,all the above maybe the result of the two men being close neighbors and not suggestive of kinship.

One thing that helps distinguish men of the same name is a careful observation of their marks.William Brown who married Elizabeth Allen made the con-joined WB, as I have mentioned.Wm Brown Jr could sign his name in full.It appears that Wm Brown 3rd made the mark "W".Perhaps you might keep the above in mind.

A few other puzzles: A William Browne sued John Landrum of Spotsylvania County for his freedom dues in May 1727.Don't know who he was.I have an un-dated note mentioning a William Browne (wife Dorothy) of Spotsylvania who purchasedland from John Noel and later sold it to James Landrum.This must be an Essex record which I will try to locate.Very interesting!