Meg <[email protected]> wrote: "During the 1870's and 1880's, a large cluster of families from Sharp Co ... moved to No TX" Meg, Thanks for the insight on the Sharp Co to TX info. I found my Gr-grandparents in the 1870 Sharp Co Census in Evening Shade. They are Liston TOWNSEND and Mary WILLETT TOWNSEND. More WILLETT family lived closeby. I found the TOWNSEND's in Missouri 1880 Howell Co Census with children: Leona, Orah, John, Corah, & baby. Their son (my grandfather) William Mose TOWNSEND was born in 1883. His SS5 form lists his place of birth as Denison, Grayson Co, OK. In later census he lists Arkansas as birthplace. He told stories to his children of living in Indian Territory. Denison is of course in TX not OK as stated on the SS5. In 1883 OK was Indian Territory. Did he live in OK, TX, or IT? Or were they so close he interchanged them? I'm not sure if this migration from Sharp Co to Missouri to Indian Territory has anything to do with the "free land School" you mentioned. It is still a puzzle to me. Any one have any clues or where to search for more info? Any Info appreciated. Thanks, Kathy [email protected]