This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/nFQ.2ACEB/181.2 Message Board Post: My ancestor, John Cowden, and his wife, Mary Reynolds, left eastern Pennsylvania with their family headed for western PA. John died along the way and Mary continued on and settled in Washington Co, PA. There is a common belief that John Cowden was the son on Matthew Cowden of Paxtang, but the wills of several of Matthew's sons suggest that this is not true. So, from where did John Cowden come? Some researchers have suggested I look in Chester Co. You say the Chester Co lines are well documented. Is there something you can share or can you check your information for a John Cowden who married Mary Reynolds and/or who departed for western PA? Thanks Dick Wert