In a message dated 8/26/02 1:43:59 PM, slhamby@carolina.net writes: << ...I have seen references in the list archives to a petition generated in Murray Co, GA, of men desiring to form a militia to fight Indians remaining in what was formerly Cherokee Co. The petition would have been circulated around 1837 or 1838. Does anyone know how I can access this list? ....>> Sherry, sorry. I didn't see your message the first time. I have a copy of the petition to which I assume you refer. It isn't a very good copy, but I've made the best transcription I can. XXXs mean I cannot make a guess, question marks represent a guess only. I should add that, even if there is no question mark, quite a bit of this is guess work, especially the names. CROSS PLAINS [note: now Dalton] west[?] part of Murray Co. Georgia, May 17th, 1838. Col. Lwasy[or maybe Swasy?] USA [?] Sir, Circumstances, with which we XXXX, you are unacquainted, cause us the undersigned citizens of the said part of Murray County and East part of Xxxxx County to present to you this petition. That - whereas there is a large space of country that is from Spring Place to Saxxxxxx a distance of about forty miles and from Xxxxxx northeasterly [?] to a greater distance there are no troops stationed for the protection of the inhabitants, and in the same lands there are several strong Indian Towns, to wit, Catoostah [Coosawattee?] Xxxx Creek and Hogwood [?] besides scattering Indian settlements - and all of the said Indians known to be of the Ross party and strongly opposed to the treaty and some of them heard to have made violent threats rather than comply with it. Wherefor we petition you, if it be consistent order of your arrangements [?], to xxxx a company of men [?] to be stationed in the aforesaid lands [?]. And we think at or near this place, that is McGhee's Store would be a location central and xxxxx [looks like obitake?]. It is twenty miles from Xxxxtown on the road leading to Calhoun and Ross' Landing. Please grant this petition and your petitioners, as in duty bound, will xxxx xxxx xx. ------ [Signed, capitalization of last names added] Absalom HOLCOMB, Wm B. MALONE, Ambrose McGHEE, Xxxxx PARKS, Ralph ELLISON, John McGHEE, Xxxxxx SMITH, Payton WADE, Asa THOMPSON, F.B. CASE[?], George CHAPPELL, Xxxxx CASE, T. NICHOLS, Xxxx MILLER, Absalom SMITH, Franklin SMITH, Washington DAVIS, Bxxxx MOBLEY, Payton MOBLEY, Charles[?] COOK, Xxxx XXXXXXX, Wm BENNETT, Wm BAUMxxxxxxx, David MAGGASSNER[?], M.[or W.] R. YOUNG, B. DONALDSON, Richard HILL, WM TIS[?]CATXXXXE, J. McELROY, A. McCURRY, H.C. BRXXXXXHAM, Andrew WATT, Thos SMITH, Wm BROOKS, Silas COOK, Gxxxxx FATTIN[?], B. MOSES, Wm WHITE, J.F.D. PARKS, Thos BLACK, T. HAYNES, D. HAYWARD[?] I. HORNDOSE[?], Jesse GEORGE, B. ELLIS, L. SPRINGFIELD. [Ambrose McGhee is my grx2grandfather, John McGhee his presumed brother.] <<Also, does anyone know about how Murray Co fit into the Trail of Tears? >> Sherry, you can order the Murray County Heritage book from the Crown Archives in Dalton, GA. You will find there the story of the grab of Murray CO, the lawlessness that prevailed there, the list of those serving with Bishop's Rangers (part of the GA militia), and much more. And there are a number of other books which, though not speaking always directly to the issue of Murray CO, will give you a wealth of information. Authors Ehle, Steele, Foreman and others. Good luck in your search! Leo