This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.alabama.counties.colbert/131.2.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Julie, I think your Joseph W. Patterson could be Ellison's brother. Was he born in SC? Is Mary Maxwell his second wife? I've recently been in contact with the descendants of Thomas W. Patterson, born 1819. He is also from Lawrence County AL and I believe he also could be a brother. Thomas W. Patterson and his wife Elizabeth moved to Clay County Arkansas and I know that it was common in those days for families to follow each other. Thomas's family tells me that James was a common family name. Cheryl