You wrote: <Roten Ernest Ellis b: Jan 1829 TN (father could be but not proven Abram Ellis b: 1795 or Snelling Ellis> Do you have the place of birth ? I have not run into the name Roten Ernest in my searching. Since Abram and Snelling are my line, I will supply what I have. Abram was the most elusive of the family, who lived in Sumner County, TN and in nearby KY. The following are from my notes: Snelling sells his 250 acres on Drakes Creek, where he lived, on 28 October, 1828. See Estate records. By 21 January, 1829 Court appoints Estate administrator. We assume that Snelling dies (Nov.-Dec.) 1828. Margaret b. June 30, 1830 (conceived ca October 1829) was not his daughter. i.e. she was conceived after Snelling died. He is not shown in the 1830 census. It is therefore possible that widow "Peggy" marries the Mr. (Abram?) Ellis in 1829. Jane Ellis, their daughter, is born August 25, 1835. In 1840 we find Margaret Ellis in Missouri. Trying to prove that Abram m. widow "Peggy" Ellis: Was Abram a traveling merchant ? Why was he living in Humphrey County, TN by 1830 (see 1830 census) ? Margaret's Hudson parents lived there at this time. In reading the census, it appears that his wife R.... may have died < 1830. Was R..... a Hudson ? No records of interest remain in the archives of Humphreys County, TN prior to 1838. In 1830 Margaret "Peggy" (Hudson) Ellis stayed in Sumner county to settle the estate of her husband Snelling. Abram and "Peggy" could have married ca 1829. Sumner County Schools. From Loose Records, Microfilm item 39, in the Sumner County Archives. June 30, 1838 Students ages 6 to 16, show Margaret Ellis Dist. 20 with 2 children in school. Only other Ellis listed is Isaac in Dist. 20 with 3 children. Margarets 2 children could have been Margaret age 8 and Snellings son Joshua age 14. It appears that "Peggy" went to Bates Co., MO, per the 1840 census, with three children Edward S. age 3 (b. 1837), Jane age 5 (b. 1835), Margaret age 9-10 (b. 1830). Compare this with the Abram in Lewis Co., MO 1840 census.(another person?) Bates County 1850 census shows her married to a Mr. Lewis. The 1840 Census of Lewis Co., MO as far as the children go fits very well with the 1830 TN census, except for the oldest female who gave her age as in the 30-40 bracket. i.e. born 1800-1810. "Peggy" was born in 1794. Women do lie about their age ! The above 1840 MO census shows males having been born from 1830 to 1840. By 1840, all of Snellings 5 boys would have been age 16 or older. Not much help, but I would check the other Ellis families for your Roten. Good hunting, Lloyd D. Ellis