Hi Beky, Thanks so much for your message re: Mary Barber, Thomas Jefferson Smith, Littleton Barber and others. Mary Barber has been a deadend for me for a while. I have seen some of the records you mention and suspected Frances was Mary's mother and that her father might have been named George. I believe I have also seen a Winborn - Barber marraige because I remember wondering if I might have a Winborn in my tree somewhere (I have a friend named Winborn so it stuck in my mind). In addition to the records you mention I believe I saw a census record that shows Frances Barber living with TJ Smith and Mary. TJ Smith and Mary are my great great grandparents, they had dau Frances Smith who m James Absalom Powell, their son Ralph Smith Powell m Mattie Rebecca Belyeu, their dau Mattie Grace Powell m John Phillip Hamill, these were my parents. I will definately start researching George Wade Barber and Frances Winburn and their families including possibly Littleton Barber. I will send you what I can find on them in my notes and keep you posted. Wondering if it might be possible to get a copy of the marraige certifcate you mention for Thomas Jefferson Smith and Mary Barber? I have quite a bit on TJ Smith, including some colorful bits on his family, and will be glad to share whatever you might be of interest to you. Thanks again for your help, I think this counts as a breakthrough! David Hamill In a message dated 02/14/2000 9:38:30 PM Eastern Standard Time, bstriggo@peachnet.campuscwix.net writes: > Dear David, (and anybody else who's interested) > Here's what I know about Mary Barber and Thomas J. Smith. First, a > little background. I am searching for the parents of my great-great > grandfather, Littleton Barber. He was married in around 1841-43 in > Columbia County to Mary Anne Johnson. I suspect that she may have died > shortly after childbirth, although I can't find proof. He remarried > around 1847 to Mary Massengale Patman in Commerce, Ga. > I think that Mary Barber may have been Littleton's sister, but need to > find proof. > Littleton Barber was the executor of the estate of George Wade Barber. > George Wade's widow was named Frances Winburn Barber. > In the 1850 Columbia County census Mary Barber was listed as 27 yr. > old, wife of Thomas Smith.(she would've been married shortly before > that) Living in the household with them was Elizabeth Barber, probably > the daughter of George Wade Barber. In the same county a 3 year old > child named Mary Barber was staying with Frances Winburn Barber. I think > that she may have been the daughter of Littleton. > Mary Barber Smith and Thomas Smith moved to Mt. Vernon, Georgia. A > child Mary Barber moved with them.(right age for the child Mary who had > been living with Frances Barber) Thomas Smith asked for education money > for Mary Barber, the child. > Mary Barber Smith died in 1890. Thmas J. Smith died in 1897. They are > buried in the graveyard next to the courthouse. My dad has the > certificate of marriage and pictures of the graves. > A lady from Valdosta named Ola Barber wrote us and told us the stories > told in her family. She said that Mary Barber Smith was Littleton's > sister. She also told us that Littleton was the cousin of Thomas Holden > Barber, son of Holden Barber of Burke County. Thomas Holden told his > family that he helped his cousin Littleton "steal" his bride Mary > Massengale Patman. Littleton's daughter Virginia Barber married a > Nathaniel Truitt and was listed in a Barber family bible page, along > with George Wade, Holden Barber and some others. Littleton was not > listed in that bible...( I don't know why) > Hopes this helps some. Maybe we can help each other if it turns out > that we can prove Littleton and Mary were siblings! > beky > > DNHAMILL@aol.com wrote: > > > > > Hi, > > I don't remember if I asked you this earlier, but wonder if you know the > fate > > of your Mary DeVaughn Barber. I am searching for the ancestors of a Mary > > Barber b abt that time, who lived in that area with her husband Thomas > > Jefferson Smith. Any ideas? > > David Hamill > >