Charley wrote: Of course we are all aware of instances where a child's biological father is not his father of record, so DNA testing sometimes forces us to reconsider who our ancestors were. I believe we all know they were double dating in this period. I believe they had to be 18yrs old to witness a deed, ect. That being the case, both Gideon and David were born by 1731. Margaret Bowles was married to Drury Ragsdale his will dated 17 Nov 1749. Margaret was big with child when his will was written. The Ragsdales have accounted for the child that Margaret was big with, when the will was written in 1749. It is said that Margaret married Thomas Puryear in 1749 because of the signing of the deed for Thomas Puryear. The signing of the deed was before the will of Drury Ragsdale was written so she was married to Drury Ragsdale in March 1749. Margaret did marry Thomas Puryear and had at least one child, Ann Puryear who married John Wright in 1786. I believe Margaret Bowles is the mother of Elijah Bowles born 1751 and Daniel Claiborne the father. In 1767 David Bowles was guardian of his sister Margaret's children which had a estate. In 1769 David and Elijah are witnesses to a sale. Elijah would be 18yrs old at this time. In David's will he speaks of his lawsuit family, I think he was refering to his sisters children estate. Davids and Elijahs DNA don't match. Elijah named his first son Claibourne (probably Daniel Claibourne Bowles?) Elijah's son John Fleming Bowles named sons Claibourne and Daniel. In 1785 David, Martha, and Winney witness a will. Anybody know who this Martha Bowles is? Could she be Elijah's sister? Don't think because your DNA don't match, you are not part of a family. But first, get your DNA done, so you will know where you came from. Leathel, 27 Mar 1749, Witness to deeds; John Morgan, Gideon Bowles, David Bowles, sale between Edward Johnson of Hanover Co. to Thomas Puryear of same. Part of a patent to William Harlow and sold to Johnson by Thomas Harlow. Book 5 1757-1760 6 Oct 1760. Margrett Pryeer[Puryear] of St. John's Parish, King Wm. Co to David Hopkins of Cumberland Parish, Lunenburg, 60#s 150a, s side Falls Cr, N side Little Hounds Cr. Granted to Drury Ragsdale 12 Jan 1746 & by his will devised to sd Margrett then his wife. Wit; Jaimes Craig, Richard Witton, Daniel Claiborne. Aug.3,1767, Nathaniel Bacon & Isaac Winston are among those appointed to examine David Bowles account of his wards estate. Aug.3,1767 Ibid.p 99 6 June 1769 William Lawless to Michael Johnson for 32 pounds and 10 shillings, 134 acres on the branches of Eastern Tuckahoe; adj Benjamin Johnson, William Henley, William Wade, Augustine Woody, William Harding and Michael Johnson. Wit: David Bowles, Elijah Bowles, Benjamin Johnson (Tidewater Virginia Families,Volume 11, Number 2 Aug / Sept 2002, 116) Dec. 23, 1785. Will of Michael Johnson. Henrico co. "sick and weak, perfect sense and sound Memory". Item to sons Benjamin Johnson, David Johnson, Thomas Johnson, James Johnson, William Johnson, daughters Alice Johnson, Martha Johnson, Sarah Johnson, Frances Johnson and Jane Johnson all lands to be sold and money equally divided. Legacy given deceased wife by her father also divided. Those of age may choose guardians, others under care of executors. Executors: Benjamin Johnson, David Johnson, John Miller, John Hughes. Wit: Winney (X) Bowles, Martha (X) Bowles, David Bowles. Signed: Michael Johnson. Prob. Henrico Ct. no date. Securities: John Price & William Gathright. (Tidewater Virginia Families, Vol. 7)