>From the "Dispelling Fulton Myths" department... Samuel Fulton who died 1821 at Guilford County, North Carolina, is NOT the son of Alexander Fulton who died 1762 at Cecil Co, Maryland! Yes, someone (?) erroneously concluded that there were only two Samuel Fultons living in America in 1778! Further, in order to force a fat foot into a glass slipper, this unknown writer killed off Jane, wife of Samuel Fulton of Maryland, in order to explain Mary, widow of Samuel Fulton of North Carolina. With this kind of logic, who needs genealogy? * * * * * Who was Samuel Fulton, son of Alexander Fulton of Cecil Co. Maryland? A search of records of Cecil County, Maryland, shows that Samuel Fulton, administrator of Alexander Fulton, owned land as early as 1762 and lived in Cecil County until at least 1773. Beginning in December 1773, Samuel Fulton is referred to as of "York Co, PA" in the Maryland records. Samuel appears in numerous court records because he was the administrator for his father, Alexander, as well as his two older brothers, John and Francis. He was the guardian for John's four orphaned children and he owned several tracts of land in his own name, both in Maryland and in Pennsylvania. The last date this Samuel Fulton personally signed a document in Cecil County, Maryland, was 6 August 1779. So, the first step in dispelling this Fulton myth is to prove that Samuel Fulton, son of Alexander Fulton, is the same man who purchased a grist mill and saw mill on Fishing Creek in Fawn Township, York County, PA. On 4 January 1773, Samuel Fulton and Jane, his wife of Cecil County, Maryland, sold 113 acres of the "Resurvey of Dougherty's Desire" to William Arbuckle (Cecil Co. Land Records, BY2, folio 105.) On 3 May 1773, Samuel Fulton and wife Jane purchased a grist mill and saw mill on Fishing Creek in Fawn Twp, York Co, PA, from the heirs of Robert Taylor. (Identified in York Co, Deed Book 2L, p 310, dated 18 Dec 1778.) On 6 August 1779, Samuel Fulton of York County, Pennsylvania, sold to William and Alexander Ewing, of Cecil County, Maryland, 50 acres of the "Resurvey of Doughterty's Desire." (Cecil Co. Land Records, BY4, folio 324.) The next step in dispelling this Fulton myth is to show that Samuel Fulton, son of Alexander Fulton, was alive and signing documents at the same time Samuel Fulton of Guilford County, North Carolina, was alive and signing documents. One man could not possibly be in two geographically-separated places at the same time in 1778. * * * * * Who was Samuel Fulton of Guilford County, North Carolina? Samuel Fulton of Guilford County, North Carolina, died between August and November 1821, and owned land on the Reedy Fork of the Haw River. This Samuel Fulton acquired title to his land from the State of North Carolina beginning in January 1778. * * * * * Dispelling the Myth A chronological list of recorded documents for both Samuels proves that Samuel Fulton, son and administrator of Alexander Fulton of Cecil County, Maryland, could NOT possibly be Samuel Fulton of Guilford County, North Carolina. They are two separate individuals. 16 Dec 1778, Samuel Fulton of Guilford Co, NC, records NC State Warrant #1087 for 640 acres of land on the Reedy Fork of the Haw River. 2 days later... 18 Dec 1778, Samuel Fulton and wife Jane of Fawn Twp, York Co, PA, sell their land including the grist mill to William Cooper at York Co, PA. the next month... 29 Jan 1779, Samuel Fulton of Guilford Co, NC, obtains NC State Warrant #1252 for 250 acres on the waters of the Reedy Fork of the Haw River. 8 days later... 6 Feb 1779, Samuel Fulton of Fawn Twp, York Co, PA, signs deed to William Cooper for 18 additional acres. Bonus from York County deed books: On 27 Feb 1788, Samuel Fulton's son James Fulton confirmed the earlier 1779 sale to William Cooper in York County, Pennsylvania. Samuel Fulton's son James Fulton was at least 21 years old on this date which is yet another proof that there were two Samuel Fultons. James Fulton, son of Samuel Fulton of Guilford County, NC, was born in 1781. (Based on family Bible records.) * * * * * This is just one example of Fulton misinformation circling the globe. You will find perfectly useless family information in the LDS Family History collection, in the Family Tree Maker CD's and web sites, and in numerous Fulton web pages. Unlike red wine that improves with age, garbage genealogy reeks like vinegar. However, you can't tell the difference between a fine wine and vinegar until you uncork the bottle and take a whiff. Are you game? Patrice (Fulton) Stark Lone Tree, Colorado