In a message dated 7/9/99 7:23:31 AM Central Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: > Thomas Benton Heard who married Louisa Frances Cleveland in 1876 A person given the name of Benton in the 19th century could as easily have been named in honor of Thomas Hart Benton as for a family member. Thomas Hart Benton was a North Carolinian who settled for a while in Tennessee, then moved on to Missouri where he owned a newspaper. He raised a regiment during the War of 1812 and went on to serve in the US Congress from Missouri and was a strong supporter of President Andrew Jackson. He would have been well known and popular with southerners. Insight can be gained into the parents of your ancestor when you know the origin of his name, and knowing who was famous and popular at the time may help. If nothing else, it may keep you from chasing your rabbit down the wrong hole. Joyce