In the 1830 and 1840 Franklin Co Mo. census there is a Mathew Blankenship. He bought two pieces of land Oct 1, 1840. One was located in Franklin Co NWSE Sec 34 Twp 42N Range 3W and the 2d was SESE Sec 34 42N 3W. [My line Elisha Blankenship, did not buy land in Franklin Co. until 1848. His location was SENE Sec 19 Twp 43N Range 1E Elisha is not on the census until 1850 with children from ages 21 to 2 years of age.] I have not found a grave or death for this Mathew. There was suposed to be a Mathew in the family of John Blankenship and Elizabeth Hudson who was born abt 1748. It does not seem likely that the Mathew in Mo. is the same Mathew. I have been trying to prove or disprove the family story that our Blankenships were once Emorys . I thought this Mathew might give me some clues but I don't where he fits in. There were over the years other Blankenships in the counties around Franklin and Emorys in New Madrid Co. south east and other counties around Franklin. Any ideas about who this Mathew is? Muriel