Lise, My Benton family originates from Bryan and Pierce counties. The furthest back that I can go is Elias E. Benton who was married to Laurania Strickland (born 1816-1906). They eventually settled in Coffee County near Mora and Lax (or Bridgetown, really). Their children were Dave Benton (my great grandfather married Jane King), Joseph Benton married to Tearcy Dean (Deen), Etta R. Benton and Mary A. Benton married to Geroge Rowland. Elias is one of my brick walls, Lauraney and son Dave and his family are buried out at Union Primitive Baptist Church, oh, also Joe and Tearcy and some of their daughters and their families. There are a number of Rowland decendants still living in the Coffee county area as well as the Bentons. Melody > What Benton are you from??