Dear Mary, Perhaps my daughter can help concerning John -- she lives in Smithers, B. C. She has a little interest in genealogy and may get involved when her kids grow up. Her name is Ruth. Please state just what you want to know about your possible Smithers connection and e-mail to me. I will snail-mail to her (sorry, they still prefer to phone and haven't hooked up to e-mail yet). Keep it simple, and I believe she will do some work for you and reply. I have recently subscribed to several lists. Cancer has slowed my travel to research but has increased my involvement with computer genealogy. I always enjoy sharing even more than receiving. But, I have never researched my Carpenter ancestor. She was Eunice Carpenter, b. 1774 in Massachusetts, m. John Preston (b. May 26, 1775, in Bradford, Orange Co., Vermont; d. May 10, 1858, near Blissfield, Lenawee Co., Michigan). Both are buried in Crane Cemetery in Blissfield. I do not have a death date for Eunice; I know nothing of her sibllings, parents, or additional ancestors. The Preston family scroll (first researched in 1949) begins in the 900's and continues to present -- yet most of the children of John and Eunice somehow got "lost." Cousin Marge is doing a great job on this and has gathered the following to date: Joseph, b. 11 March 1800 in Stratford, Orange Co., Vermont. Nothing more known at present. Harriet, b. 26 Dec. 1808 in Cabot Twp., Washington Co., Vermont *John, (my ancestor) b. 17 Feb. 1809 in Bolton, Chittenden Co., Vermont; m. 23 May 1830 to Jane Eliza Ray in Kedzie's Grove, Blissfield Twp., Lenawee Co., Michigan; d. 10 March 1872 near Blissfield, Lenawee Co., MI. John joined the Presbyterian Church in Blissfield on Feb. 21, 1830, was an active member. Yet today, a stained glass window in the church bears his name. **John Preston was a Ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church at Blissfield in 1863. John and Jane had 11 children. *Samuel, b. 11 Sept. 1812 in Perry, Genessee Co., New York; m. Lucretia Gilbert on 23 May 1838 in Ogden, Lenawee Co., MI; d. 22 Dec. 1892 near Blissfield, Lenawee Co., MI; buried in Franklin Cemetery in Tipton, Lenawee Co., MI. Samuel and Lucretia had 14 children. Lydia -- more info. is available here, but I don't have it -- a descendant of Lydia who is a genealogist has been located recently. Philomela -- It is said that she married a man named Saunders/Sanders in Illinois, but nothing has been documented yet. Franklin, b. 27 Feb. 1818 in Northfreed, Washington Co., Vermont -- nothing more presently known. *After Samuel died, the children of Samuel and John began a Preston reunion, which still continues to meet each July, over 100 years later. **Various Carpenters are listed on a record dated 1850, apparently for church membership and/or baptism: Jos. P., James, and Ann; also Jared Preston (son of the younger John,and my ancestor). Back to John and Eunice -- John lived in Bolton, Vermont, in 1792. Eunice had a child in 1812 in Perry, Genessee Co., New York. In Monroe Co., MI, in 1819, and followed the River Raisin, stopping at Petersburg, where he ran an ashury for a time, but later removed to Blissfield, where he took patent on 80 acres on Section 23 in Blissfield Twp. His last home was NE of Blissfield, where he died. It is said in family that he had 10 or more children, but not all have been accounted for. That's all I have for now. If anyone can add to this, I would be delighted! Also, I am glad to share info. on generations after, if this is your family. Doris Preston Simons dmsimons@juno.com OR Dorie18gen@aol.com P. S. I live only 2 hours away from where these ancestors settled. ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]