Have you checked to see if there is a pension or bounty land certificate for his service during the War of 1812? Those applications sometimes contain a wealth of information. Check the NARA website for instructions on obtaining those records. On May 14, 2006, at 7:00 PM, BALTGEN-D-request@rootsweb.com wrote: Hello Listers, I have been looking for about 20 years for the origin of my ancestor Richard THOMAS. He says he was born in Baltimore, Maryland, but the accounts vary anywhere from 1780-1797 according to which census record we look at. He only had one child in his later years who did not know anything about his childhood in Baltimore. Here is what is written in the Linn county, Iowa history about him and is our only clue- RICHARD THOMAS OF MARION- farmer, Sec. 36, T. 83, R. 6; born about 1791, in Baltimore, Md.; in 1819, came to Wayne Co., Ohio; in 1824, removed to Richland Co., Ohio; in 1837, came to Iowa; According to Obit-came to Iowa territory 1837-1839, and to Linn in 1840. Was born about 1780. Teamster in city of Washington D.C. and rode on carriage which carried body of George Washington. He was about 17 when Washington died. In Marion paper on Nov. 2, 1958. Thomas Park is named after him. Born in Baltimore Maryland came to Iowa Territory and built first mill in Linn Co. in 1841. He acquired title from the U.S. government to the land now Thomas park and gave the land to the city for a nominal sum. He was a widower before marrying in 1865 in Marion to Julia. Richard Thomas was in War of 1812.