Update: Since posting this, we’ve concluded – with your help – that “dec’d” actually reads “viz”. This new reading means that Benjamin Maddox (1770-1864) did not die in 1811, and allows us to clarify his narrative, which is explained in a new posting.
In our lengthy assessment of at least five Benjamin Maddoxes living in the Abbeville County and Laurens County areas of South Carolina in circa 1800, we wrote that an 1811 Laurens County deed described Benjamin Maddox — the son of Benjamin Maddox (I) of Maryland — as “dec’d” (deceased). This assessment was based on a transcription obtained from the Laurens County Court many years ago.
A close look at the 1811 deed, including the word long believed to be “dec’d”.
After reading our assessment, fellow family researcher Samantha Nifong kindly retrieved the original deed, which does appear to include the word “dec’d” (deceased) after Benjamin’s name… or is it the word “viz” (legalese for “that is”)? If anyone can provide an accurate transcription of these few letters, we’d appreciate it.
The description of Benjamin as “dec’d” in 1811 has important implications for the Maddox lineage in South Carolina, Kentucky, Illinois, Alabama and Georgia. For example, if he died in 1811, he cannot be identifiable with the Benjamin Maddox who died in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1864. But if he went on to live after 1811, it potentially contradicts our long-held assessment of Benjamin Maddox (II).
Hopefully this won’t become a #thedress phenomenon.
hisXmark 
Are there more deeds with the same clerk’s handwriting for comparison?
Decipherers on RootsChat have assessed today that the word next to Benjamin’s name is “viz.”, meaning that this Benjamin did not die in 1811.
The letters “dec”, are actually “dex” (supposed to be “dox” for Maddox. The “vis” is correct. Thank you for the shout out. it is much appreciated.
Hi,
I have seen the word deceased in many documents and this doesn’t resemble any of them. I haven’t seen “viz” either but it seems pretty clear that the it is Benjamin Maddox VIZ”
Cheers,
David pugh
Professor Maddox, please see http://www.dippam.ac.uk/ied/records/24605. My line for Benjamin Maddox is listed under 1753 at the confluence of Cane and Camp Creek in present day Lancaster, SC. At that time, this area was considered Craven County SC and depending on who you talked to then Anson County NC. The family lived in that area for 80 years. Some of the family moved to Anson County, NC which then became Union County NC. Other parts of the family moved to Kershaw County, SC.