Nanci: I am attaching a census record for Handy from 1840-1880. I have found him in all years. I know he was in Tennessee before 1840 as his brother was born in Coffee County (actually created in 1839) in 1826 per his military records. John Wesley was Handy's son. I have JW everywhere but the 1870 census and he was married to Frankey in 1869. My dad says John Wesley often talked about the fact that he built their bed in the corner of the cabin when they first got married. It is possible they were living in the DeShields Cave during the census taking and were missed. But thought I would see if anyone else had seen them in surrounding townships. You asked about the children. Here is Handy's children and who they married. 1)William DeShields b 1847-48 died 1865 at Alton Prison, Ill. POW unmarried 2)Sarah DeShields b 1848-1849 died before 1860 3)John Wesley DeShields born Sept 18, 1849 died Nov 28, 1939 married Frankey Green on November 28, 1869 4)Marion Ceeborn DeShields born May 6, 1852 married Sarah E Stiles 5)George Calvin DeShields born February 1855 died March 3, 1926 married Minerva Ann Hughey, February 10, 1878 6)William Brice DeShields born May 14, 1856 died February 13, 1940 married 1)Lucinda Lou Dodson 2) Lizzie Shepherd 7)David Clayborn DeShields born Oct 10, 1859 died March 13, 1907 married 1) Nancy Richey 2) Mary Ellen Richardson 8)Mary Frances Elizabeth DeShields born 1861 died 1945 married John Richey Feb 7, 1878 9)Jacob DeShields born January 16, 1866 died December 5, 1952 married 1) Lou Ida Wood Allen, 2) Sarah M Dodson, 3) Martha 10) Alice A DeShields born April 1870 married Elonzo Richey Children of John Wesley DeShields: 1)Dennie DeShields born March 25, 1886 died May 7, 1969 married Ruby Lee Austin on September 21, 1910 2) James E DeShields born March 21, 1871 died Nov 3, 1872 3)John H DeShields born March 11, 1873 died Oct 24, 1875 4)Lillian DeShields born July 11, 1875 died Aug 8, 1879 5)Leota DeShields born May 19, 1879 died June 19, 1880 6)Louella (Lucy) DeShields born March 26, 1881 died April 27, 1966 married James William Wilmoth on Oct 10, 1897 7)Edna Eddie DeShields born March 28, 1883 died March 2, 1909 married Burt Lee Wilmoth on May 15, 1898 8) Minnie May DeShields born July 31, 1888 died April 2, 1966 married Marion Columbus (Frank) Wilmoth on November 3, 1942 (she was 54 when she married the first time). 9) Unnamed DeShields born 1898 died 1898 Handy and John Wesley both lived their lives in Sugar Loaf Township, Marion/Boone County, Arkansas. Handy was born in Tennessee and his parents were born in Va. Handy has 2 brothers we have verified William and John. We believe he has at least another brother (Daniel) and sister (Elizabeth). This has not been proven. Most of Handy's sons went to Oklahoma. Handy's brother William went to Oregon in 1853-54. He arrived in Oregon City, Or in 1855. Would be interested in your connection with this family. Thanks for the help. I have lots of information I would be glad to share. Reta DeShields Parton [email protected] In a message dated 06/12/2002 4:12:03 AM Central Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: > I see Wesley with his parents, Handy and Nancy [Womack] DeShields, in 1860 > SugarLoaf/Marion:971. But neither they nor he are still in the county for > the 1870 census. > Can you tell me anything more about Handy's family? Whom those children > married? > Nancie Todd Weber >