I'm trying to figure out a Bridges puzzle, concerning this line of Bridges: James S. Bridges, born 1893 in Providence, KY; (married Rosetta Johnson) William H. Bridges, born 1861 in Livingston County, KY; (married Virginia Bruce) John R. Bridges, born 1835 in Livingston County, KY; (married Mary J. Hood) John H. Bridges, born 1812 in KY; (married Lucretia ----------------) probably John Bridges, who married Mary Miller in 1810 in Livingston County, KY This is where the line is in question. On the Livingston County tax rolls, John Bridges claims land in 1812, citing 200 acres in Christian County, patented under the name of Walter Bridges. Walter received a land grant for 200 acres on the East Fork of the Pond River in 1799. Before that, he is on the tax rolls for 1786 (?), and one other year, in Logan County, KY. Walter died in 1806 in Christian County. His widow, Mary Scott Bridges, died in 1809/1810, and her estate was handled by relatives John Scott, and Benjamin Hardin. They leave at least 3 sons: John, William, and Alney/Abney. (Christian County Court records - John Hardin is given guardianship of Alney Bridges, orphan of Walter Bridges). Now -- are my John Bridges of Livingston County the descendants of Walter? I have always thought so, from the tax records. They remain on the tax records from 1806-1860. As for the census records: they are there in 1810 and 1820, 1840 and 1850. Supposedly, they are not there in 1830. However, I have not checked the entire Livingston rolls to be sure. They are also not listed in 1840, but I found this to be an error -- they were listed as living in Smithland in Lincoln county, but I pulled the rolls for Smithland in Livingston County, and there they were. BUT - many of the Scott and Hardin families moved to Arkansas. There is a John Bridges and Cynthia Spivey Bridges buried there along with the Scotts and Hardins. This has been assumed to be Walter's son. If so, who is my John who seems to be remaining in Livingston County, who claimed Walter's land? And what eventually happened to Walter's land? What happened to William? Alney/Abney ends up in Mississippi with a John Hardin; Alney died there in the 1850's. The Scotts and Hardins came to Livingston County via Rowan and Rutherford Counties in NC. There are Benjamin and Moses Bridges names close to their land there. However, I've never heard of a Walter there, and there are no marriage/family records which include him. To further compicate things: 2 of the children of Charles Miller, son of Ebenezer Miller, marry Bridges in Livingston County. Charles Miller's wife is Jane Calhoun of Abbeville, SC. The Thomas/Bridges family history also includes Calhouns. Does anyone have any ideas about Walter Bridges, or my Johns? Thanks much. Dawnene Bridges Young