Since at least appx. 1830-40, my branch has insisted on spelling the name "FARISS." The earliest Fariss/Faris I can trace is WILLIAM FARISS, who is buried in LaFayette, Walker Co., GA. He died in 1835, said to have been 85 years old at that time, which means he was born ca. 1750. He claimed service in the Revolutionary War & participated in Georgia Land Lotteries on that basis, but was denied a pension for "having served less than six months in person." Before Walker Co., he & family lived in Rabun & Habersham counties of GA, those beginning appx. 1820. Prior to GA, they lived in the Pendleton District of SC. Secondary sources name wife as "MARY," possibly "MARY JANE MONTGOMERY." Their youngest son was SAMUEL, 1797-1862, from whom I am descended. Secondary sources name WILLIAM JR as the oldest son, and that sometime after 1800 he moved to middle Tennessee, somewhere near Tullahoma. Sound familiar to anyone? John Fariss