This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/oV.2ADE/783.1.1 Message Board Post: My earliest known Ward ancestor is John M. Ward, born September 20, 1852 according to his tombstone, and died March 6, 1904. It's unclear where he was born but it appears that he was born in Alabama. He died in Texas and is buried in Minerva, a small town in Milam Co., TX. John first married Francina A. Harrell on November 21, 1871 in Tupelo, Tippah Co., MS. Francina died in 1883, probably from the yellow fever epidemic going on a the time. They had the following children: Lula Ward – born 1873 – died Jul 1957. Married Charley Coor. Martin Benjamin Ward – born 1878 in Hazelhurst, Tippah Co., MS. Died September 9, 1961, place unknown. Married Bessie Dennis. Rose Parlee Ward – born 1881 in Hazelhurst, Tippah Co., MS. Died 1885. After Francina died John married Francina’s sister, Mollie Catherine Harrell Foster on November 16, 1882 in Tippah Co., MS. Her first husband had died in the yellow fever epidemic probably in Mississippi Co. AR.. I think they lived close to Tupelo. The two sisters were the children of Charles Harrell and Elvina Kitchens. Elvina's parents were Benjamin Kitchens and Delphia Yancy. Charles supposedly came from Georgia. I have no information on his parents. The children of John and Mollie are: Dalton Al Fonza (b. 3-28-1885 - d. 9-3-1958) my great grandfather. Tishie (1890-1895) Effie Bate (1892- ?) Edgar (1893 - 1963) John Henry (1895 - ?). In an 1890 "reconstructed" census of Mississippi Co., AR, there is a J. M. Ward located in section 7, township 10, and range 9 per the real estate records. Unknown if this is my John Ward but this may confirm a story that he moved back and forth between AR and MS. The family moved to Texas later in life. This John M. Ward has been a real mystery. No one has been able to find out who his parents were. There are several stories about him that may provide clues as to his parentage. There is a story that he ran away from home at an early age. Another relative said that he moved back and forth between Tippah Co., MS and Mississippi Co. AR. I haven't found any evidence of that yet so it could be that his family lived there. I think my great grandfather (Dalton) was born in Jackson Co., MS so John's family could have lived there. It's said that as a young man that he lived with his wife's family before they were married. His wife's father had died and her mother had remarried to a man named Bryant. They all lived in Tippah Co. There's also speculation that he had changed his name to Ward from something else. I don't know if he had any brothers or sisters which would be very helpful in locating him in the 1860 Census. I am told that he had a cousin named "Shady Ward" who lived in Witchita Co. Texas who married a woman whose last name was Reynolds. I've yet to trace him. That might be worth it. I would be glad to send you what information I have but I'm afraid I don't have much. Please let me know. Thank you very much for your help. Sincerely, Shannon birdwells@usa.net