I was really interested to see the information about the petition from Alabama residents objecting to the possibility that Alabama lands west of the Mobile and Tombigbee Rivers would become part of the state of Mississippi because I think I know who Alexander Autrey was. I really do not know about William. In any event, Alexander strikes me as the sort of fellow who would sign such a petition, even though he did not live in the area west of the Mobile and Tombigbee Rivers. Here is some of the information I have collected on Alexander and William Autrey. Janey E. Joyce in San Antonio, Texas ALEXANDER2 AUTREY (Absalon1) was born 4 Jan. 1780 in North Carolina, the son of Absalom and (---) Autrey. He died 22 Sept. 1857 at his home in Conecuh County, Ala. On 27 Feb. 1803 Alexander "Otrey" obtained a marriage bond in Rutherford County, N.C., to wed "Theny Irvine." Bondsman was Absalom "Otrey." Alexander Autrey and PARTHENIA B.(BETHANY) IRVIN married 5 March 1803. She was born about 1786 in North Carolina, according to the 1850 census. Alexander Autrey moved to Georgia in 1810 and to Monroe County, Ala., shortly after the establishment of peace with Great Britain in 1815. Conecuh County was carved out of Monroe County in 1818 so it is quite likely that he never moved after settling in Monroe County. He is said to be the second "white man" to settle in Conecuh County, Ala. He built Fort Autrey in 1816 on Section 23, Township 5-N, Range 10-E, in what is now Conecuh County, to provide protection from Indians for the settlers of Hampden Ridge and for those traveling the Burnt Corn-Pensacola Trading Path. Alexander Autrey was on the 1818 tax list of Conecuh County and was justice of the Quorum of Conecuh County on 10 May 1819. Alabama became a state in 1819 and the first federal census of Alabama was taken in 1820. Only eight of Alabama�s 1820 county censuses have survived, including that of Conecuh County. Alexander Autrey and a William Autrey were enumerated in the 1820 Conecuh County, Ala., census, apparently not living near one another. William Autrey and Alexander might have been related in some way, possibly even were brothers. William, then above age 21, was too old to be one of Alexander and Parthenia�s sons. Here is what one of Alexander�s grandsons wrote about him:back in 1881: "In stature, Mr. Autrey was tall, rather disposed to stoop, and of lean physique. He practically illustrated in his life what could be achieved by genuine pluck and perseverance. The odds encountered and the dangers braved by him in coming to Conecuh, only served to stimulate him to more vigorous exertions. He came up from the most straitened circumstances, enduring all the privations of pioneer life, and yet when he died he was one of the wealthiest men in Conecuh. The controlling traits of his character were an indomitable will and a vigorous energy. Whatever engaged his attention at all, fired him with an ardent enthusiasm. He reared a large family, both of sons and daughters, of whom only one remains � Mrs. C.P. Robinson of Vermillionville, Louisiana."