Stafford Co VA Order Book 1690-1691; THE ANTIENT PRESS
Page 152 Court held 10th June 1691
109. Ordered by this Court that SARAH and WILLIAM MATHENY shall by the sheriff be summoned to the next Court to bring in all deeds papers and conveyances relating to the hope Land being a tract of land of five hundred acres purchased formerly by DANIEL MATHEY and SOMOMON DAY. JOHN DAVIS and SUSANNAH his wife late the relict of Solomon Day of this County deced humbly sheweth that Solomon Day during the coveture with your petr Susanna was seised in fee of a messuage Tenement and tract of land in this County called hope Scituate upon Acquia Creek being the half of five hundred acres that Solomon Day and Daniel Matheney purchased of HENRY PEYTON and JOHN FOSSAKER which grant was made to them in common and not by Joint Tenancy as your Petra are informed by which means your Petr Susannah bath right of Dower of in and out of the same but so it is may it please your worships that the heir and widow of Daniel Maiheny have gotten into their hands all the deeds and evidences of the land and keeps them from your Petr and pretending by them a Joint Tenancy and that Solomon Day died first have therefore entred into all the premises and will not permit your Petr to have Dower therein Therefore they have brought their petition that the deeds may be produced in Court by Sarah Matheny and William Matheny whereby your Worships may judge if the tenure be such as that your petitioner Susannah be barred in dower and if not that she may have her dower set out according to Law And the Court having fully and maturely considered of the premises doe accordingly order Therefore tis ordered that the sheriff shall summon Sarah Matheny and William Matheny her son to the next Court to bring in all deeds conveyances or other papers concerning the hope Land formerly soe purchased by Solomon Day and Daniel Matheny to the Intent the Premises above prayed for may be fully knowne and discovered and that each party may have a Quiet possession and Enjoyment of their Right.