The bill of sale is FROM Gaston Mear(e)s, to Mr Foy, which is why it is still in the Foy family: it is proof of ownership. Gaston was born in 1819 to William Meares, state senator, and his wife Catherine Davis Meares, daughter of Brigadier General Thomas Davis, who commanded NC troops in the War of 1812. Gaston attended West Point in 1837 but failed math but attended UNC. Upon his father's death his brother Thomas Davis Meares got pretty much everything. During the Mexican War, he was a Captain in the Arkanss Militia; became a merchant in NY after the war; and was the Commander of the 3rd NC Infantry in the Civil War. He died on the last day of the Seven Days Battle, the battle of Malvern Hill, east of Richmond. He is buried in Oakwood Cemeter, Wilmington with an obelisk. His name was given to Ft Meares on the Cape Fear River; his hat is in the NC History Museum in Raleigh. He and his wife Katherine de Rossett had six children but most died very young.