Thanks to everyone who have responded to my posting thus far. That was fast indeed. But, to further explain my "Bowden brick wall", I am posting again. My great-great-grandfather, John Bass of Warren County, Mississippi, was a slave before the Civil War. Somehow, someway, he and at least four siblings (Eliza, Minnie, Oscar, & Thomas Hatcher) ended up in Warren County, Mississippi, perhaps around 1860. John Bass (still don't know why he took the Bass surname and his siblings chose Hatcher) was born in North Carolina in 1845. He was found in the Freedman's Bank Records of Vicksburg and his father's name was given as Tom Bowden. His mother was named Beady. There were no Bowdens in Warren County MS (as far as I can tell), so apparently his father, Tom/Thomas Bowden, remained in North Carolina. Somehow, John Bass received an education before the War. I have a record showing his signature. Also, he was a corporal in the Civil War with the 49th Regiment of the USCT. So, that's basically my brick wall in my Tom Bowden link. Much of my future research will have to be trying to figure out this Bowden link to North Carolina. Somewhere in No. Carolina, there may have been a Bowden family who had a slave named Thomas. Any leads, clues, etc. will be greatly, greatly appreciated. Also, does anyone have Bowdens with ties to a Hatcher/Hatchell Family in N.C. Again, thanks. Melvin J. Collier