Jack and Bill, This appears to be early on in Screven Co., and I don't know if there is a connection for you.. This is part of John E. Ladson, Jr.'s work that was sent to me. "Pension application for JAMES COURSEY for service in the war of 1812. Screven Co, Georgia dated 1852 and age 60 years........Makes his declaration to receive bounty land....served in the militia under Capt. James Neel and Col Fe.(?).... He, states he was drafted in Warren County, Georgia in 1812 and was discharged in Burke County, Georgia.......Again dated Screven County 29th May 1855. he stated he enlisted 1st Nov 1814 and was discharged 5 March 1815................ 20 April 1878, Mrs. Elizabeth Coursey, widow of james Coursey, applies for a pension, her husband and states that James Coursey died 20th June 1876 at Swainsboro, Georgia and that he was first married to Margaret CHALSTON, and that he married Elizabeth Kersey at Sylvania, Georgia by Erasmus White, J.P. ann she gave her age as 31 yeears. Affadavits for Mrs. Elizabeth Coursey wre signed by William C. Coursey (Probably William Chalston Coursey) and by James A. Radford. The application seems to have been turned down. Nothing further. This James Coursey was born from his own statement in 1792, and he states in census report in Georgia. He married Margaret Chalston as his first wife and Elizabeth Kersey as his second wife. His family group is as follows:" 1. Wherry Coursey 2. Edmund Coursey 3. John Coursey 4. William C. Coursey 5. unreadable ( on 1850 census of Screven County a child named Absalom is also listed as 4 years...same as Jane).(Could that be the unreadable one?) ( A Note says he is buried in Effingham County at the Ebenezer Cemetery....don't know when he died.)...Judy you might want to check that out. 6. Jane Coursey 7. Elizabeth Coursey 8. James Coursey" I have typed this as it was written, mistakes and all..It appears to be a 4 page letter or notes typed and sent probably to Leonardo Andrea. (it doesn't say but was in the folder with files that were.) In this letter or notes it appears that he is trying to connect James Coursey as a son of William A. Coursey, first Sheriff of Screven County. Along with James he tried to connect Absolam, John and an Abraham Coursey. Don't know him at all. Periodically in this research he also tries to connect MY William A. Coursey of Tatnall County in 1827(married there in 1827) to William A. Coursey Sheriff . FYI-Latter Day Saints apparently has this work of Leonardo Andrea on film and I think you might be able to rent and view but am not sure. The original work is in Columbia, South Carolina which you probably know. I don't know if the SC file includes the research for Dr. Ladson.. If you think your William Colson Coursey connects to these Coursey please let me know and I will look through some more of what I have been able to get hold of.. What I have is kind of a budle of papers, notes, letters and such.. Not in any particular order. Hope this helps some of you.. Thanks, Nancy