In a message dated 9/6/2000 10:30:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time, mblankenship@mindspring.com writes: << Thomas Rice, born about 1811 [aged over 21 on 1836 Des Moines Co., Iowa Territory census.] Married: September 19, 1849, Patrick Co. VA, Ann T. Potter, daughter of William and Nancy Potter, surety J. R. Brown. 1850 Patrick Co. census shows Ann Blankenship, aged 18, living in the household of William and Nancy Potter. Ann T. Blankenship, petitioned for divorce January 8, 1850, divorce grated by act of the Virginia General Assembly. [Acts of the General Assembly 1850-1851, page 197, VA State Archives; Journal of the (1850) House of Delegates, pages 128, 330, 447, VA State Archives. The first sentence of the original divorce petition found at the VA State Archives reads: "The petition of Ann T. Blankenship of the county of Patrick respectfully presents that on the 19th day of September 1849 she was married to one Thomas R. Blankenship of the County of Giles."] 1) Child mentioned in act of divorce. >> Hi all, I have been reading all the posts for the last month or so and I find this one very interesting. I think by now all of you know I show a keen favor to Ann Blankenship and her family in Mass. I have so many questions about her and James that I want to find out more and more. I just when into my database looking for a William Blankenship that married Nancy Potter. I do not have that family listed. But what I did find is a Eliza Ann Potter married to George II Bonum Nye. I already know from my research that the Blankenships in Mass. (Ann and James) were kin to the NYE family. So while I can not help with the Nancy Potter, you may have helped me with a lead to research more in Ann's family. Thanks, Sue