First things first, I asked for help locating "Watervliet", origin of the Shaker movement here in the US. Tom Fulton of Clarence, NY, writes: "Watervliet is near Albany - home of the famous Watervliet Arsenal." Yeah, right, the "famous" Watervliet Arsenal! Thanks Tom, now its perfectly clear! (At least I've heard of Albany.) * * * * * Speaking of New Yorkers, our very own Fulton List Owner, (listowner?), Roberta (Fulton) Hirth has outdone herself with the Banta family find. [See her message titled: "Re: Fulton + Wynkoop (Pt 13) and more Banta data", posted 5 Mar 2000] James L. Fulton of Virginia also alerted me to this Banta source. Thank you both! Let's see if I can correctly restate the pertinent information penned by Elsa M. Banta (1983) in her book, "Banta Pioneers...." Henry and Sally (-?-) Banta were parents of at least four children: a. Polly Banta, b 3 Mar 1785 b. Henry Banta, b 20 Nov 1786 m Jennie Fulton c. Margaret Banta, b 17 Nov 1788 m Samuel Fulton d. Andrew Banta, b 9 Jan 1790 This Banta family may have lived in Mercer Co, KY, before settling at Bourbon Co, KY, which is the same location and time frame for Elisha and Anna (Fulton) Thomas of Mercer Co, KY. Author Banta also writes that John Fulton, who died 1822 in Mississippi, is the father of these two Fulton children: a. Samuel Fulton ("General" Sam of Nicholas County, KY) b. Jennie/Jane/Jeany Fulton, wife of Henry Banta Now we get to the really good stuff, how John Fulton is the uncle of THE Robert Fulton. (I'm keeping a "critical perspective," Roberta.) I'll add this claim to our growing collection of "Great Myths of THE Robert Fulton." [Let's see, if we agree that the father of THE Robert (1765-1815) is the tailor Robert Fulton of Lancaster Town, Lancaster Co, PA (bef 1739-d bet 1772/74) and if ... let's hold that can of worms for another day!] I was disappointed that there does not appear to be a mention of the Cornelius Banta who married Elizabeth Thomas, daughter of Elisha and Anna (Fulton) Thomas. However, I did stumble over yet another Henry Banta reference. I "surfed" over to Rootsweb's Switzerland County, Indiana, page (checking for new information on David Fulton, son of Hugh Fulton of Loudoun Co, VA). A volunteer at this site is currently uploading Will Abstracts (David Fulton's Will Abstract is online) and I was surprised to see a planned entry for the Will of Henry Banta, Esq. Coincidence? Or, are we really on to something? Thanks Roberta, thanks Jim, for the Banta family connections! Thanks Tom for the famous Watervliet Arsenal. Now, I need to digest some new information that has arrived regarding this nest of Fultons and Wynkoops living in Loudoun Co., VA, at the turn of the 19th Century. Patrice (Fulton) Stark Lone Tree, Colorado