Hi Margie! (and Everyone), [Lyn, I see where you got your info now!] I have been thinking about you and wondering if you were still on the list! Glad to hear from you. I've been going to write you a 'real' letter in case you weren't on line, but just haven't gotten to it. I think spring has come to New Hampshire. The maple sugar people all have their cans out on the trees. Always a good sign! I just read Anne's note too. She is right. Unfortunately we don't really have any good primary documents with proof beyond a shadow of a doubt linking William Brisbin (with wife Sarah Moore) as the son of Capt. John. And the marriage in Maryland of Elinor Adcock & John Brisbin could be any John Brisbin. I recently received a copy of a letter written by James Sanks Brisbin in 1861. IF it is true, or even the general gist of it, then our William may have been an immigrant and he may not have been a son of Capt. John. This is all pretty unsettling! Previous genealogists seem to have made the decision that William was John's son and they published the information. But, where are their proofs? I have always accepted it too, up to now. We have had a message from some folks who found that William Brisbin of Westmoreland county was a son of Capt. John. This is possible. Arthur is in Westmoreland county, and he looks like he may be a son of Capt. John's too. There are many problems with this letter, I might add. William and Sarah (Moore) had more children than he lists. And I don't even agree with all the information he gives on them. I feel like James Sanks Brisbin didn't really know his family very well. But, he was the youngest son of a youngest son, so a lot of time had gone by. I sure do wonder who the 'Mr. Brisbin' was that he was writing to! I have never heard the story of a William Brisbin fighting at the Alamo either. He is not on any official list. This may be pure family lore! But, again I have lost the William who was my John Brisbin's brother. He could have gone to Texas. Wish some of his descendants would show up on our list! I'll copy & paste the letter below. All for now. Hope you have something that can help. Jackie The following was sent to me by John Lyon Brisbin, Jr. (Feb 1998) His copy says that this letter was written August 1861. The original is located at the Montana Historical Society Archives, Helena, Montana. I have copied it exactly as it was sent to me. Special Statement Mr. Brisbin DrSir [sic] Feeling confident that a statement relative to our family will be highly satisfactory to you I beg leave to communicate the following information which I have from time to time gathered from many sources. So far as I can learn there was originally but one family of the Brisbins who dwelt in Ireland near Dublin City. From this stock all the Brisbins now in America have descended One branch of the Brisbin family in Ireland lived in Cork. My great grandfather lived in Dublin and was engaged in one of the Irish Rebellions. My grandfather was a citizen of Dublin also and to [sic] part in the rebellion of 1798. The rebellion failed and he was compelled to leave Ireland. He escaped from the Irish Coast by being put into a Hogshead and rolled on ship board in the night. In thus he remained until the vessel was three days at sea and clear of the English Cruiziers [?] It is said to be a fact that the British officers actually boarded the ship on which my grandfather was and that one of the British officers actually rolled over the Hogshead in which my ancestor was concealed. After coming to this country my grandfather first settled in West Chester, Pennsylvania but afterwards removed to Boalsburg Pennsylvania in Centre Co. His family joined him soon after coming to America and he lived for many years at Boalsburg and finally died there. He left to my knowledge five sons and one daughter Amos, William, Joshua, Samuel and Ezra and Mary Amos was out in the War of 1812 and died soon after the close of the war William fought in the War of 1812 and afterwards removed to Texas He was also engaged in the ______ Texan War and died at the fall of the Alamo. He is said to have been one of the seven who when all their companions had fallen were asked if they would surrender They said No and died fighting The wonderful David Crockett the world wide known Mike Fink and the brave and celebrated James Bowie the inventor of the Bowie Knife were among the seven who refused to surrender William Brisbin has now a son William living in Lower Texas who is a sheepherder My Uncle Joshua was out in the War of 1812 and died on his way home after its close He is said to have been a powerful man measuring four feet across the shoulders and six feet four inches in height My Uncle Samuel lived for many years with my father but afterwards went to Arkansas where he had a son and daughter living. Soon after arriving in Arkansas he died. My father still live [sic] as Boalsburg in Centre County on the old family homestead of his father. Mary married a man by the name of Boal and removed to Clarion Co. Pennsylvania where she was living a few years ago a widow my father married a lady by the name of Packer They had eleven children of whom eight are living Joshua, Ellen, Eliza, Sarah, Bethsheba, Charlotta, Isabella & James. Eliza married a man by the name of Jamison and resides at Blainsville, Pa Ellen is married to Dr. R. Hunter a man of celebrity Isabella and Charlotta married two brothers Jesse and John Morgan the [sic] reside in Centre Co Bethsheba married to Col. Wm W Brown a man of some note. They also live in Centre Co Joshua is married to a lady by the name of Neil and lives in Center Co Sarah the youngest daughter is unmarried My wife's name was Wagner a daughter of David M. Wagner's formerly of the firm of Wagner Thomas & Sons I was born at Boalsburg Centre Co. And brought up on a farm I read Law with Bro-in-law [sic] Col Brown and afterwards brought and printed a paper in Centre Co I recd an appointment of 2d Leiut [sic] in the Regular Army soon after my connection with the newspaper I retired from the paper and soon after engaged in the war I was at the Battle of Bulls Run and twice-wounded in that engagement I was promoted a Captain on the 5th of August 1861 which position I now hold If you will desire it I can furnish you a sketch of the people by the name of Brisbin that I have met at different [sic] times and places. I will be glad to receive any information concerning our people and will feel truly greatful [sic] if you will write out what you may know about them. Very Respectfully Your obt Sevt James S. Brisbin Capt 6th Cavalry US Regular Army