Dave, You mentioned that the Dortch's in Henry Co. came from NC. Any chance they were connected to Nathan Dortch who died in Winnsboro, Fairfield Co., SC in 1777. Wife's name unknown. Children's names were: Hillica (m. Jacob Bethany ABT 1750), Thomas, William, John, Nathan, and another dau. Jacob & Hillica lived around Granville Co., NC, Edgecombe Co., NC and maybe even VA. Someone also mentioned Kershaw Co., SC. The Bethany's were there too. I have tried to figure out for a long time why Charles Bethany left the rest of the family in Lincoln Co., TN, AL, & GA to come to that part of the country. Maybe he had relatives already there in the Dortch's. And I'm still working on that Pierce connection. I am pretty certain that Nancy Pierce that married William Vaughn is Martha Angeline's aunt (sister to Martha's father, Augustus/Augustine). I also have Augustus' siblings, James, Elizabeth, Josiah, Herod, & John. This John is about the same age as the John that married Rachel Ross, but I don't think they are the same person. This John is the one listed in 1850 Census in Civil District 2 with wife, Margaret, and two sons, Reuben & Noah. Other son's are listed in separated HH's immediately after him. Interestingly, his son, Wm. Bedford, married a Vaughn and so did Wm.'s dau., Susie Atlanta Pierce. I'm leaning more and more toward Stephen/Lavinia's children and John (m. Rachel) being cousins. Hiram, I don't have a clue about, but I don't think he is from Stephen's line. Those of you who know more about these folks than I do, please correct any errors I may have made. Have a good day, Jean Cloke