Hello In Clarence, Pettis County, Missouri, in 1852, Merritt Henry Cave was born to his father Merritt H. Cave. He may have went by Henry Cave. His father was a stone mason. At the moment, I am focused on this part of Missouri, but they moved from there to various parts of Missouri and Northern Arkansas. Merritt H. Cave, Sr. married Catherine Rush on June 21, 1835 in Monroe County Missouri. Merritt H. Cave, Sr. left from Boone County Missouri with a large group taking part in the California Gold Rush in 1850. He came back, because in 1858 and 1859, Merritt H. Cave, Sr. bought property in St. Clair County Missouri, as well as the fact Merritt H. Cave, Jr. was born in Clarence, Pettis County Missouri in 1852. On the 1858 deed, the land was placed into the name of Merritt H. Cave, and his wife Catherine (Rush)'s children's names: being listed as James R. Cave, Sany E. Cave and Merritt H. Cave. I found some on James R. Cave, but nothing on Sany E. Cave so far. On May 14, 1861, a Merritt Cave married Mary Ann Earles in St. Clair County, Missouri. Since Merrit H. Cave was living alone in the 1860 Census, sperated from his family, I believe he remarried. But, without documentation, I can't prove this as fact. However, children that resulted from his marriage have also been found in Brown County Illinois, where Merritt Henry Cave, Jr. married Jennie E. Swisher on October 16, 1877. However, from the dates, I don't believe Merritt Henry Cave Jr. married Mary Ann Earles in 1861, that in fact his father married her. But this then leaves a cloud hanging over this family, because there are two more marriages in Missouri during that time frame involving a Merrit Cave. First, a Merrott Cave married a Fannie Geary on 23 Jun 1872, Pettis, Missouri; Then a Merit Cave married Mary M. Duncan 18 Mar 1874, Hickory, Missouri. So knowing this, which Merrit Cave married who? I firmly believe that there are descendants of all of these marriages now spread out in a large area. But to date, I may be the only one actually having this line of ancestry that is rearching the family. My mom's brother Ernest Caves, says he goes to the Library often to get on line and check to see if anyone is researching the family. However, as recently as this January, he says nobody is. But you and I both know how active I have been researching this line, so what am I missing that he already knows and won't share? It has to be the children of Mary Ann Earles and Merritt H. Cave. What ever line you descend from, hey, jump in and post as much information on your line or any line, it helps us all. Lets chat. Thomas W. Rogers P. O. Box 85 Deer Creek, Illinois 61733