The Fulton's of Augusta VA., and for that matter, typical of other Fulton lines in America in the 1700's, have the irritating habit of using the same common first names over and over again. Consequently Augusta VA in the 1700's is full of James, Hugh, John, Thomas, and William. Toward the end of the 1700's we see added Andrew's, David's and Samuel. It makes it hard to filter which of the several Fulton's in the area a particular James, Hugh, or John, etc. is. Women's names aren't any better, with many a Sarah, Margaret, Elizabeth, Jane, and Ellinor. It my research I long to find the unusual first name such as an Archibald or Theophilus, etc. Better yet, when I find a male with a surname as a first name such as Creed Fulton in VA-TN, or a Hill Fulton or Hamilton Fulton in Illinois, I am almost certain I have a family connection to the female line. However, I also believe the Augusta Fulton's did not reuse these names over and over because they were dull and unimaginative. It is highly likely they were just following the common Northern European children's naming patterns that were very strongly used in the 16 and 1700's, only gradually falling into disuse in the 1800's (even though in many families they are used even today). The good news is that this traditional naming pattern can provide strong clues to parentage and family connections, although it is not the "smoking gun" "proof" that many would like. For some of us, it provides enough "proof", but for others it can provide important clues. Generally in the 1700's a Father did the naming of the children. Remembering these folks were quite religious, there is a Biblical foundation for this. They also took very seriously the Commandment "Honor Thy Father and Mother" and naming children after parents was more than just a nice thing to do. It was often considered a religious responsibility. The traditional naming patterns were: 1st son: After Father's Father 2nd son: After Father's Grandfather 3rd son: After Father 4th son: After Mother's Father 5th son: After Mother's Grandfather 1st daughter: After Father's Mother (one might expect this to be after mother's mother, but remember, Dad picks the names) 2nd daughter: After Mother's Mother 3rd daughter: After Mother 4th daughter: After Father's Grandmother 5th daughter: After Mother's Grandmother Of course, this is just a guide, and variations were common and in many families the pattern was not followed at all. A common variation was to honor the mother's father earlier in the pattern and paternal grandfather later. But more often than not I have found the pattern, with some variations, to hold remarkably true. It was considered in particularly bad form to have the ego to name a first son after yourself. So when you find that a man names his first son the same name as himself, what you probably have is a Jr. who was himself likely a 3rd son, naming his son really after his father. To illustrate, take the Will of John Fulton of Augusta VA dated June 30, 1789. (See Chalkley vol. 3 p. 189-190). John names his wife Mary. He specifically names as his eldest son, James. This is virtually smoking gun evidence that John is the son of James who died 1752 in Augusta. He next names a son Samuel. Now this is the first time Samuel appears as a first name for Fulton's in the area. John also names sons: William (an infant), Andrew and Hugh. He names daughters: Sarah, Margaret, and Elizabeth. In the Will of James Fulton, July 18, 1752, James names six sons: HUGH, JAMES, WILLIAM, DAVID, THOMAS, and JOHN. NO SAMUEL or ANDREW. James also names wife SARAH and daughters ELIZABETH, ELLINOR, and JANE. When comparing James 1752 Will to John's Will of 1789, you find John naming first son James and first daughter (named first and likely first born) Sarah. This fits John being son of James in John naming first son and daughter after his parents. John's named children WILLIAM, HUGH, and ELIZABETH are also common to will of James and likely through John's side of the family. John's children SAMUEL, ANDREW, and MARGARET are not names found in James 1752 Will. Therefore, it is likely they are from Mother's side. In James Fulton 1752 Will, as well as other land records, the Fulton's are named as living next to Samuel Steele. Samuel Steele and John Fulton appraise the estate of Andrew Steele Nov. 1, 1764. Also, in Samuel Steele's will August 16, 1789 (chalkley vol. 3 p. 187), Samuel names sons JAMES, ANDREW, and SAMUEL, and daughters MARGARET, SARAH, MARTHA, AND MARY. Here we find names SAMUEL, ANDREW, MARTHA, MARY and MARGARET not found in will of John Fulton. Therefore Samuel Steele had a daughter Mary, the name of John Fulton's wife. Although far from conclusive, these naming patterns suggest to me strong evidence that John Fulton's wife was Mary Steele and that Mary's father was likely Samuel Steele and her grandfather was likely Andrew Steele. I think it is likely the Fulton and Steele families if Augusta VA intermarried frequently. Another likely connection is the John and Rosanna Fulton, and their many descendents, who were very early settlers of Randolph-Marion County ILL (at least as early as 1803). The naming patterns in this family (as well as older members birth place noted as VA) seem to clearly link them with the Fulton's of Augusta County. Rosanna, unlike so many other first names, is not very common, but it is very common in the Steele family of Augusta VA., suggesting that she may also have been a Steele of Augusta Va. Anyway, I hope this information on naming patterns provides some assistance to anyone who has not before used this technique. Thanks, Rich Fulton IBM, home office 1420 West Main Street, Apt. 1008 Lewisville, TX. 75067 USA Home Office Phone: 972-434-1033 Fax: 817-962-8780 IBM Office: t/l 522-8753, fax: t/l 522-8780