Since we're discussing ancestors named William BO*L*N*, and since Lee County, Virginia, has been mentioned, here's some info on my William BOWLINGs. If anyone might connect, please holler! William BOWLING (parents unknown) b. ~1821-2 VA, res. Lee Co. VA, d. bef 1900 VA? (not found in census) Probably had younger brother John. m. ~1840 Cynthia HALL (parents unknown) b. ~1825 VA, d. bef 1900 VA? Son: Hiram C. BOWLIN b. Dec 1840 Lee Co. VA, d. 14 Apr 1921 Madison Co., KY ~14 other children (younger) Possible ancestors of William b. ~1821-2: William BOWLING b. ~1740s, d. bef 1830 (widow Ann head of household in the 1830 census that Donald Chesnut quoted) m. Ann ___ b. 1749, d. Nov 1853 Lee Co. (age 104) They had a daughter and probably sons William & John; from early censuses I think John was probably father of William b. ~1821-2. Carol Botteron (that's French Swiss) botteron@alum.mit.edu