Mary Ann I believe your family line is as follows. I haven't researched your James but believe he may be descended from the Samuels shown below. Samuel, born 1808, had a wife named Martha. Samuel M. PHARRIS born 30 Apr 1771 in , , VA; died 7 Mar 1858 in , Lawrence, MO, son of Samuel PHARRIS (Sr.) and Elizabeth (---) [189]. He married Catherine MC NABB, born 1780 in , , VA; died 7 Dec 1857 in , Lawrence, MO. Notes for Samuel M. PHARRIS This family came from Tenn. to MO probably in late 1830s. They lived in Lawrence Co., MO. On 1850 Census Lawrence Co. MO family #216 Dist. #47. Information on this family in The Lawrence County (MO) Historical Society Bulletin, July 1977. Dates from the Phariss Family Bible. Children of Samuel M. PHARRIS and Catherine MC NABB were as follows: William2 PHARISS , born 1798 in , , TN. William lived in Freestone Co. TX after the family moved from TN. Wife's name was Margaret. Margaret2 PHARISS , born 1800 in , , TN. Margaret and her family lived in Lawrence Co. MO. Margaret married Joseph Manning. John2 PHARISS , born 1802 in , , TN; died 1857 in , Lawrence, MO. John Phariss' will was dated 16 Dec. 1853 according to citation in "Missouri Pioneers" Vol VI p. 43. In addition to wife, Sophia (Moon) Phariss, will names children: Pleasant, Noah, Samuel, Ransom, Jerusa Lea, wife of Daniel Lea, Elizabeth, Molly, Catharine and Jane Phariss. Will recorded 28 Aug. 1857, Lawrence Co. MO. Elizabeth2 PHARISS , born 1805 in , , TN. Elizabeth and her family lived in Sevier Co., TN.. Elizabeth m. Noah Atchley. Samuel2 PHARISS, born 1808 in , Cocke, TN; died 1877 in , Lawrence, MO; buried 1877 in , Lawrence, MO, Father's farm. Family lived in Lawrence Co. MO. On 1850 Census for Lawrence Co. Dist. #47, family #651. Will dated 27 Sept 1877, recorded 21 Nov 1877 Lawrence Co. MO p. 226. He was married three times: On 1850 census wife was Martha C.; on will wife was listed as Susan Elvira Phariss. He is buried on his father's old home place on Spring River where his brother Ransom lived, according to "Missouri Pioneers" Vol. VI p. 43. (Lawrence Co. MO) In will, Melvina Phariss listed as his daughter; there were other children according to 1850 census. Robert2 PHARISS, born 1811. Robert and his family lived in Bradley Co. TN.. Robert's wife was possibly Nancy Hill. Catherine2 PHARISS, born 1813. Information on Catherine and her family from Lon and Joyce Pharris, Fullerton, CA. Catherine lived in Lawrence Co. MO. Her husband was Peter McKinley. Pleasant2 PHARISS, born 1816. Pleasant m. Lucinda Hill. Lavina2 PHARISS, born 1822. Lavina m. William Black. Hope this information helps. Bev Holderby