I, too, have hit that proverbial brick wall with one Mahala Thompson. Several of us are likening finding her to the lpossibility of coming upon the holy grail... Nonetheless, I am trying here. Her data: b. 1772 [NY or CT] resided Rhinebeck NY at some point mar. John VanBenschoten and lived in NYC they had several children she died 1834 in New York City; buried in Cypress Hills Cemetery, Brooklyn NY. The VanBenschoten family book states she is "of Connecticut parentage". A cousin is theorizing that perhaps the rivers and canals in the Connecticut-New York area are a clue to her whereabouts and the identity of her parents. Any help from anyone? Thanks in advance~ Carole Kessel Kenney ex-NY, now PA / USA