<< Whether John Jr. or John Sr. is David's father is still a question in my mind. My guess is that John Jr. was the father to both William and David (the 1820 Buncombe census fits both ages), and there is some evidence that David and William were in Carroll at the same time. We're still looking for that One fact! >> I welcome this dialog. It's still confusing in Buncombe and I'm completely open because I also have a lot at stake and a number of later coincidences in Alabama. Another part of the hunches. John Dover b abt 1793 with proven son Bailey b 1817 NC has the Buncombe stamp. If Bailey was born in Buncombe in 1817 that should make him the son of John Dover Jr. in 1820 ... unless Bailey's father left Buncombe before 1830. John Jr. has two sons in Bailey's age group in 1820. I've always thought William was the best candidate as the other son of John Dover Jr. and brother to Bailey. I can't any other Dover in this age group.