Thanks for your help Steve. I will try and look at the deeds. I have explored the Cornelius angle as there were not too many in the Watauga with that name. I thought I read somewhere that Michael was at some Fort with Gov. Servier during the Rev War. Would you know if this was true and where that Fort was? >> His pension application says that his home in east TN was a fort against Indian attacks. He "spied, forted, and guarded". The building was used as a tobacco grading shed in recent times and was only torn down in the 1960's. I descend from Michael. I noticec that Daniel was not listed as taxible until 1790 in the Watauga. I wondered if he might have been further south or have tried his luck in North Carolina or Kentucky first. I can't find record of him in Virginia. >> Do tax lists exist prior to 1790? If not, or if there's only one for example, it would be rash to conclude he wasn't there prior to 1790. Tax records, even if kept yearly, often skipped the less wealthy inhabitants. On the other hand, if there are regular records and he is not found on them until 1790, then I'd agree with your interpretation.