Ezekial Ratliff is sort of a mystery man. I have not been able to connect him to my Jeremiah line who came to Blount Co. before 1830. he first shows up as purchasing land from the government in 1858. This land is within a mile or two from land owned by my Ratliffs. Ezekial first appears in the Ala, census of 1870. He is shown to be 51 years old and married to a 47 year old Mary, both from S.C. they list one child, an 8 year old William (maybe a grandson). The 1880 Ala. census lists a 73 year old Ezekial with a 64 year old wife, Polly living with his son Richard and 5 of Richard's children one of which is named Calahan. It seems Ezekial has aged 22 years and changed wives during the preceding 10 years. The 1850 Ga. census lists a 42 year old Ezekial, his 40 year old wife, Mary and 7 children including a 5 year old S. Caroline. Some researchers think this is the Ezekial that came to Blount Co. It remains a mystery to me. Dean