William, Got your letter by a post to Rootsweb. Pardon and the others you mentioned seem to be in the same family. I believe them to be sons of Thomas Austin who appeared on the census with them but was gone the next census. There is a Thomas who is a descendant of Robert Austin of Rhode Island who married Mary Dawley. They end up further west and died in Exeter,Otsego,New York. I cannot make the bridge from the one to the other but after checking all the men named Thomas Austin who were born around 1745 that seems to make the most sense. Any info you can give on the family would be much appreciated. I have a lot on Pardon and family and Freeman who is my wifes line. Be very interested in exchanging info. There are others who are also from this line who are very anxious to solve this puzzle. Thanks Don Challis