My sister-in-law and nephew are direct descendants of Velasco Carpenter, b. April 7, 1896 in Boone County, West Virginia. He is the son of Samuel L. Carpenter who was born about 1869. Samuel appears on the 1880 census in Scott District, Boone Co., WV with his parents, Joseph and Mary Carpenter. I've seen Mary's maiden name as Lowe, but don't have any proof that this is correct. With Joseph and Mary Carpenter in 1880, in addition to Samuel, are the following children, all born in West Virginia: Rebecca Carpenter, b. abt 1871 James H. Carpenter, b. abt 1873 Mary L. Carpenter, b. abt 1874 Robert Carpenter, b. abt 1878 I believe Samuel Carpenter's father, Joseph Carpenter, may have come to Boone County, from Gilmer County, WV. I have only just begun researching this family so I don't have anything much I can share, but I would appreciate hearing from anyone who is researching this line or who has any information at all about this family.