Velma - there is no doubt about the parents of Joseph Marion Birdwell. They were Joseph (born 1809, not the one born 1803) ... Joseph Marion went by "Marion" ... I have a picture of him at an advanced age at a family reunion (taken around 1903) and the reunion is at his brothers' place - John J. Birdwell, my great great grandfather ... Let me sepearate the two Josephs for you: Joseph Birdwell (b. 1809and died after 1870 but before 1880) married to Elizabeth Chaffin (b 11 Apr 1811 died 7 Sep 1901) Their Children: Lucinda (b abt 1832 -believed to md John Petty) Louverna (b abt 1834 - md to James Billingsley) William C. (b 1836 - married Feraby Jackson) Serena (b abt 1838 - I think she md Joseph Jones) Melvina (b abt 1839 - nothing else known about her) John J. (1840-1915 ... married Mariah Kirby) Joseph Marion (1842-1911 ... married twice) Sarah (b abt 1843 - married Wm H. Flatt) Amanda Ruth (b abt 1848 - married Wm Ragland) Johnson (1849 - 1860) George W. (1849 - ?? married Samantha E. Jackson Mary J. (b abt 1852 - married Wm Polk Billingsley) Joseph Birdwll born 13 Mar 1803 and died in Clay County Tenn on 12 Aug 1870 ... he married Elizabeth Jane (Thaxton?) born 12 Mar 1809 and died Clay County on 14 Nov 1884 Their Children: Temple (b 12 Dec 1827 in ALABAMA ...) Elizabeth (b 9 Oct 1829 in ALABAMA) Margaret Joanna (b 9 Jan 1832 in TENNESSEE) Phoebe Jane (b 9 Sep 1833 in TN) Mariah (b 5 May 1835 in TN) George W. (b 20 Feb 1836in TN) Joseph, Jr. (b18 Mar 1839 in TN) Willima (b 5 Apr 1844 in TN) Benjamin Franklin (b 18 May 1846 in TN) Blake Thaxton (b 4 Jan 1849 in TN) Walter Birdwell and I both belive the above Joseph Birdwll (born 1803) was the son of this mysterious Birdwell who was married to Margaret McKaughan (she ended up in Clarksville in the 1830s). We also think the "mysterious" Birdwell was the William that was hanged in Alabama. But, family tradition of Margaret McKaughan say her husband was - ready for this - Joseph Birdwell !! but, we have found no other Joseph Birdwells in the area at that time. One thing that always made the "two Josephs" confusing, both lived in Smith County 1840s to early 1850s, then both moved to Jackson County for the next 15 - 20 years ... Hope This Helps ... Jerry www.members.home.net\j.r.anderson\personal.html