This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/4YB.2ACEB/36.228.258.1 Message Board Post: Your William doesn't ring a bell, however, there is no data about what time frame or state in your inquiry. Check Pa., New York, the Delmarva Penninsula, for Atwells in the 1700's, and coming down the coast, and mid Va., through N.C. later--early to mid 1800's. About then, they spread to the west via several routes ( Civil War, Gold Rush?) and then , were found in Texas, Indiana, California, etc. Hope this helps.