Thanks to Leo for posting the petition. Was the Ralph Ellison mentioned in the petition the father of Carolyn Ellison who married Drury F. Hall? They had three children: Martha Jane Hall, Thomas Randolph Hall, and a son Joseph A. W., who was called Whit. (pronounced with a short i - like in it). Carolyn Ellison was b ca 1832 in GA. She married Drury Flurrow Hall on 20 Sept 1849, Murray co GA. She died when the children were young. The census lists them in Holly Springs. Jane Debenport