Allen Parker is somewhat confused about the relationship between James Skinner and Peter Parker. James Costen Skinner was actually Peter's brother-in-law. Though James Skinner was probably a figure of authority in Allen's eyes (he was Annie's uncle and quite well-to-do), it was James's brother, William R. Skinner, who became the original guardian of Annie upon Peter's death. James C. Skinner was a surety for the bond of $10,000 posted by William on 4 November 1839. The amount of bond required of a guardian was usually about twice the value of the estate, according to Mr. George Stevenson, Personal Papers Archivist, North Carolina State Archives. Guardianship of Daughter Ann F., Peter Parker 1839+ Estate Papers, Chowan County Record of Estates, 1811-1868, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina; Guardian Records for Annie Parker, Chowan County Guardians' Records, 1741-1913, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina; Oral Interview with Raymond Winslow, Perquimans County, North Carolina, 6 October, 2000.