This is only the 2nd time I have posted even though I have been enjoying this site for over 2 years. I have a variant surname. In 1994 we began searching our SMITH surname. Relatives had said that a Cherokee Indian with the last name of SMITH had married an English woman with the last name of BOWER. We have found nothing to verify this unless it was before 1775. With so many duplications of first names I am having a terrible time sorting out my 163 BOWERSMITH'S. I would really appreciate any suggestions or help. Thanks BOWERSMITH, Jacob b. 1775-1780 in MD. (great great grandfather?) m. Mathilda JENKINS 1815 in Loudon Co., VA. she died in 1838 in OH. (May have been his 2nd marriage) moved to OH 1820 to 1830 m. Olive KENT 1840 in Union Co., OH moved to Clay Co., IL in 1863 d. in Effingham Co., IL in 1878 (I am trying to sort out 6 Jacob Bowersmith's) BOWERSMITH, Hosea Wm. (great grandfather) b. 1838 (probably in OH) m. 1859 Sarah Ann WOOD in Montgomery Co., IL was in 1860 Hardin Co., OH Census moved to Clay Co., IL in 1863 1864 listed in court case in Clay Co., IL 1865 5th child was born 1868 another court case in Clay Co., IL disappeared after April 1868 1870 2 of the middle children were indentured 1870 this branch began using the surname SMITH with BOWER being used as a middle name. 1872 Sarah Ann married George W. TOLBERT BOWERSMITH, George (grandfather) b. 1860 Hardin Co., Hale Twp., OH parents moved to Clay Co., IL 1863 m. Elizabeth Jane DYER 1882, Clay Co., IL (don't know what happened to her) m. Cecelia GENTIL in Perry Co., MO in 1888 1909 family moved to IL BOWERSMITH, Isaac b. abt. 1800 (the Jacob born 1775-1780 was probably his father) Have not found any listing for this Isaac's wife. Sept.1838 acquitted of a murder in Delaware Co., OH d. Union Co., OH in 1840 leaving 9 children, 7 had to have guardians appointed for them. BOWERSMITH, Isaac b. abt. 1820 listed as a clergyman in 1850 Delaware Co., OH Census (father may have been Jacob) m. Harriet Thompson 1842 in Union Co., OH had 7 children BOWERSMITH, Isaac b. abt. 1837 (son of the Isaac b. abt. 1800) I have a lot of Civil War information which may belong to this Isaac but nothing else.