Hello Over the past three years, I have "attempted" to organize a database here for the Cave/Caves family, entering every piece of information I could locate into one database. My own line is a very difficult one to research and this has helped me as well as others from my sharing of material. My own great grandfather Merritt Henry Cave, born 1852 in Pettis County Missouri and the one wife I know of, Jennie E. Swisher, added the "s" to the Cave Family name. Now, there are, as yet, unlocated children of the following marriages which may also have the added "s" to the Cave Family name. Merrit H. Cave m Mary Ann Earles 14 May 1861, St. Clair, MO Merrott Cave m Fannie Geary 23 Jun 1872, Pettis, MO Merit Cave m Mary M. Duncan 18 Mar 1874, Hickory, MO (All names are more than likely correctly spelled as "Merritt Cave". But the children from these marriages may in fact be Caves. Abstract for Deed, date of deed September 13th, 1858, recorded September 19, 1858. Book G, page 23. Name of Grantor: Merit H. Cave and Catherine R. Cave, his wife, of St. Clair County, Missouri. Sellilng price: Love and Goodwill to son's James R. Cave and Merit H. Cave and daughter Sany E. Cave of same County. 120 Acres, E1/2 NE1/4 NE1/4 SE1/4 Sec 7T 36 R25. Now, I know Merrit Henry Cave, above, was just about 6 years old in 1858, when this deed was issued to him and his brother and sister. And I know that he is found in the 1860 Census with Mother Catherine, and several children. However, Sany E. Cave is not listed on the Census of 1860? (Note: Was Sany E. Cave a nickname or was she married or desceased by 1860?) James R. Cave is in the 1860 Census with his mother Catherine. (Catherine Rush, who married Merrit Henry Cave in Monroe County, Missouri in 1835) The above Abstract Deed is the first document that proves that Merritt Henry Cave is the son of the Merritt H. Cave who married Catherine Rush in 1835 in Monroe County Missouri. Thanks to the St. Louis Genealogical Society. (Catherine Rush is the daughter of Garland Rush) Merit H. Cave of St. Clair Co. Mifsouri Deeded 120 acres Certificate #55932 Granted to Merit H. Cave of St. Clair Missouri, was granted a deed by The United States of America #55932 November 1, 1859 Recorded General Land Office. The East Half of the North East quarter, and the North East quarter of the South East quarter of Section Seven in the Township Thirty Six, of Range Twenty five in the District of Lands subject to sale at Warsaw Atipeari ?, containing One Hundred and Twenty acres. Signed and witnessed by James Buchanan, President, Signed J. B. Leonard Secretary and Signed J. P. Granger Recorder of General Land Office. 1880 Census, for Missouri Examined: Merritt Cave, age 25, born in Missouri, White, as listed in 1880 Census Residing with wife Jenny, born in Virginia, Child, Charles A. Cave, age 2, born in Illinois, Residing in Butler County, Missouri in 1880 Black River Vol. 4 - ED 4, page 5, line 20 1860 Census, for Missouri Examined: Josephine Cave, age 13 Merit Cave, age 8, born in Missouri Residing in St. Clair County, Missouri in 1860 Speedwell Twp. Page 974 -104 line 17 Enumerated with Charles F. Ashworth, age 22, born in Virginia (Notes: This may have been from Merit's father dying when he was young, resulting in Merit and his sister Josephine residing with Charles F. Ashworth) Charles F. Ashworth married Martha Ann Cave, thus Josephine and Merritt are most likely siblings of Martha Ann Cave.) Hamtown/Hoffman Cem Located on what was the Hoffman farm. This information given on the Cave family you requested is taken from cem records and lists on the date of burial. Caves: Edey A Sept. 13, 1899 Gabriel R Oct. 6, 1891 Ethal March 8, 1892 Rhoda Nov. 21, 1894 Charlie M March 5, 1897 (Could this be a Charles Merrit? Named after Father) Joseph A Nov. 26, 1899 (Note the "A", possibly for Ashworth) Infant (son of John) June 18, 1907 Bell July 8, 1907 Willie June 1916 Ella, ____ of J. R. March 12, 1920 1880 Census Butler County, Missouri CAVE, Gabriel; Age: 41; Born: Missouri; Color: white; Relationship: head; 1850 CAVE , Jane D. ; Age: 35 ; Born: Missouri ; Color: white ; Relationship: wife CAVE , Sarah C. ; Age: 15 ; Born: Missouri ; Color: white ; Relationship: daughter CAVE , John R. ; Age: 13 ; Born: Missouri ; Color: white ; Relationship: son CAVE , Joseph A. ; Age: 10 ; Born: Missouri ; Color: white ; Relationship: son CAVE , Charles M. ; Age: 5 ; Born: Missouri ; Color: white ; Relationship: son Location: Butler Co. ; Volume: 41; E.D.: 11; Page: 19; Line: 16; ------------------------------1850 Census Below-------------------------------------------------- CAVE, Catherine; Age: 33; Born: KY CAVE, Gabriel; Age: 12; Born: MO; CAVE, Martha A.; Age: 7; Born: MO CAVE, Susan F.; Age: 6; Born: MO CAVE, Margaret; Age: 3; Born: MO CAVE, James R.; Age: 1; Born: MO Location: Pettis Co., 68th Dist.; LDS Volume: 443617; Page: 112A/223; Line 24 If I can now find out where each of the children went, who they married and what children they had, I might be able to help some of you Cave/Caves researchers out there with your dead ends in the midwest to say the least.