Hello, especially Ben and Lillie, It was great receiving your e-mail!! Here's what I know about Samuel Sylvester (also spelled Silvester in 1840 census) Farris (Faris): I found him initially in the 1840 US Census for the State of Illinois as Silvester from Clark Co. Also in Clark Co. at that time were Isaac and William, either or both of whom could be his brothers. The 1850 Census of Clark Co. Illinois listed: Sylvester, age 46, a farmer from Virginia; his wife, Mary, age 47, also from VA and the following children: Thomas, age 18, born in VA (b.1832?) Robert, age 14, born in VA (b.1833-1836?; d. Feb 22, 1902) Catharine (Jane?), age 12, born in Illinois (b.Sept 9.1836; d. May 29,1914) George W., age 9 (b. 1841-1840?) Andrew Jackson, age 7 (b. March 16, 1842; d. Dec. 8, 1923) Margaret, age 5 (b. 1844?) James (Alexander), age 4 (b. Sept. 30, 1847; d. June 17, 1913) * John, age 6, (b. 1845?) At that time they resided in Westfield Township, Clark County, Illinois. *James was my greatgrandfather. Isaac also from VA, age 39, and his family are also listed in the same census. I have located Robert, Andrew Jackson, and James death certificates in the Clark Co. Courthouse. Robert's stated that he was from Buckingham Co., VA but no parents name. Andrew Jackson's certificate says his father was Samuel, but that he was from Penn. Later information from a family tree prepared by Mr. Bill Lackey in Marshall indicates other children of Samuel/Sylvester who must have been born earlier in VA perhaps were Mariah (who married Anderson Crabtree), Lucy Ann, and Ellen. I'm still trying to sort it all out. I do know that some of the information on Mr. Lackey's tree is inaccurate concerning my great grandfather so there may be other discrepancies as well. And Ben, I would be glad to do some research for you in Clark Co. or Vigo Co. IN as some of my Faris clan lived there as well; some in Mackville which is now called West Terre Haute. There are also descendants of Andrew Jackson and possibly Robert in Dennison, Illinois which is Wabash Township, Clark Co. Lillie, I would appreciate any help that you can give me because I haven't had time to search in VA yet. Thank you for offering. Phyllis Risner, pabar123@aol.com