Bob, The book "WATKINS The Lineage of the Children of James Martin Watkins CSA and Martha Wise of South Carolina and Pike County, Alabama" by Patsye H. Lucas, copyright 1998, lists Malinda Hawkins as the first wife of James M. Watkins. Ms. Lucas states there were no children of that marriage, but doesn't offer proof of either statement. However, circumstantial evidence does support her conclusion. As I'm sure you know, there is a marriage record in Barbour County for James M. and Malinda; legally, marriages had to occur in the bride's county of residence. However, I find it interesting there appears to be no parental consent for the marriage and James is apparently underage, according to census dates. I have found parental consent forms in Barbour County for all other under age marriages I have researched. However, since James lived out of the county, his age was probably unknown to the county clerk so he may have fibbed. James is listed in his father's household in Covington County in the 1850 census (no Malinda) but James' father clearly had ties in Barbour County. Have you searched for Malinda's tombstone under the name WATKINS and HAWKINS? It was not unusual for young married women who died without surviving children to be buried with their family and the tombstone marked with their maiden name. Hope this helps. Claire On Thu, 31 Aug 2000 19:30:47 -0700, you wrote: >I have a Malinda Hawkins who married a James M Watkins in Barbour Co. >Jan. 1847. Trouble is, the only James M Watkins I can find would have >been barely 17 years of age and should have been in Covington County at >that time. Am trying to ascertain if this is the same James M Watkins >who married Martha Wise in Barbour Co. in Jan 1856. Any clues >appreciated. -bob