Hello... My cousins and I have found some tantalizing clues that point toward our oldest Mathis ancestor being connected to some branch of the Ezekiel Mathis (1670-1738) line but now we need some assistance. Here are the details... Our ancestor is Bartley Mathis (1816 - 1890). Here are the current facts as we have them: - Born 19 Aug 1816 in Georgia, probably in Emanuel Co. - Enlisted at Sandy Ford, Ocilla River, Florida in Aug 1836 with the Florida Mounted Troops in Capt John B. F. Hagan's Company for service in the Seminole War. Discharged Dec 24, 1836. - Married Mary Jane Tilley, dau of Samuel TIlley on 25 May 1849 in Thomas Co, GA. - Listed in 1850 Census next to Samuel Tilley in Thomas Co, GA. - Submitted Pension Claim from Thomas Co, GA for Seminole War duty in late 1850/early 1851. - Listed in 1860 Census living in Thomas Co, GA. - Enlisted at Thomasville, GA in the Georgia Cavalry on 12 August 1863. Assigned to Company C, Hood's Battalion (later 29th Battalion). - Submitted claim for additional Bounty Land in 1869 while living in Lowndes Co, GA. - Listed in 1870 Census living in Lowndes Co, GA. His entry is adjacent to the entry of the Bryant Roberts family. Bryant Roberts was married to Wealthy Mathis, the daughter of James Mathis and Rhoda Monk, and the granddaughter of Rice Mathis and Civility Goff. - Submitted Invalid Pension Claim in 1878 while living in Thomas Co, GA. - Listed in 1880 Census and living near Ochlocknee, GA in Thomas Co, GA. - Died on 30 Jan 1890 in Thomas Co. Buried at Bold Springs Church Cemetery - originally in Thomas but now in Grady Co, GA. We have long believed that Bartley is somehow connected to some line of Ezekiel's descendants, but have yet to find anything except the following clues. - Living in Lowndes Co in 1869-70 next to Wealthy Mathis Roberts. If I assume Bartley is the brother of Wealthy, then consider the 1820/30/40 Censuses... - 1820 Bulloch Co. - James Mathis, 2 males under age 2 [Bartley? and another son who died young?], 1 male 26-45 [James], 3 females under 10 [Wealthy, Mary Ann, Elizabeth], 1 female 26-45 [Rhoda]. - 1830 Lowndes Co. - James Mathis, 1 male under 5 [John], 1 male 10-15 [Bartley?], 1 male 40-50 [James], 1 female under 5 [youngest unnamed daughter], 1 female 5-10 [Phoebe], 1 female 10-15 [Elizabeth], 2 females 15-20 [Wealthy & Mary Ann], 1 female 30-40 [Rhoda]. - 1840 Lowndes Co. - James Mathis, Jr. - 1 male under 5 [James Washington], 1 male 5-10 [Mahlon], 1 male 10-15 [John], 1 male 50-60 [James], 1 female 10-15 [youngest unnamed daughter], 1 female 15-20 [Phoebe], 1 female 40-50 [Rhoda]. NOTE: We have not yet located Bartley in 1840. So, that's it. Now we need your help... - First, if you have run across ANY INFORMATION in your Mathis research that you believe could be further clues to Bartley's ancestry, we would really like to hear from you. - Second, if you are a descendant of John P or Marion Mathis (sons. we believe, of Mahlon Mathis, Wealthy's brother), please contact: Shelley Rutkin -- shelleyr@bellsouth.net - Finally, if you have an opinion or some recommended research tip, we'd also like to hear from you. HOWEVER... We would appreciate direct emails rather than initiating a lengthy exchange on the List Server. Thanks very much... Lee Mathis Arlington, VA