Berkeley County, Virginia Tax Lists (1838-1844)

Berkeley County Tax Book, 1838-1844
FHL film 531234 Items #2

Year/
 Page		 Name Number
 of Acres		 Property Location Distance
from court
 house		 Value
 of
 Land
 (per acre)		 Value
 of
 Buildings		 Total
 Value		 Tax
1838 Whiteneck, Henry (?) 200 River Opeckon 4 m S 9.16 150 1832 1.84
1839 Whiteneck, Henry (?) 200 River Opeckon 4 m S 9.16 150 1832 1.84
1840 Whitenah, John 200 River Opeckon 4 m S 5 100 1000 1.00
1841 Whitenah, John 200 Near Opeckon 4 1/2 m S 5 150 1000 1.25
1842 Whitnah, John 200 Near Opeckon 4 m S 5 150 1000 1.25
1843 Whitnah, John 200 Near Opeckon 4 m S 5 150 1000 1.50
1844 Whitnah, John 200 Near Opeckon 4 m S 5 150 1000 1.25

From 1824 to 1839, there is a symbol or abbreviation following Henry's name. This might stand for "heirs" or possibly "widow."
Is it possible that Henry's wife, Margaret, was living until 1839, after which time the property began to be listed under John's name?