Linda, I am not a descendant of Fleming, but i need some help with him and cronies. My ggggrmo Margaret Bates married a guy named Alexander Clark. They appeared in old Abbeville District about 1779, about the time, or shortly before the arrival of Stephen and Fleming Bates. Altho Stephen died in 1788, he and Fleming were thick as thieves with my grandpaw Alex. Clark. I have been studying Alex for 30 years and cant find anything about him. The repetion of names, similarities, etc, indicate that my Margaret Bates HAS to be related to Fleming and in some way. The Old Bates Family of Virginia has assured me that she is not, but I cant buy that yet. Alex and Margaret had a daughter, Elizabeth, b.19 Dec 1790 who married Robert Foster Jr. on 28 Dec 1802. Then Fleming died in 1804, and Alex Clark Jr. went to Illinois in 1805 and Alex Clark Sr. drops off the records in Abbeville. wha happened? Any suggestions appreciated. renwick bradley