This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: eddiebob Surnames: SMITH, WILSON, HALL, MAHAN Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.hall/14331/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Help please!! I am trying to get through my brickwall. Known as Ruthy or Ruth all of her adult life, she is first found as an orphan; assigned to the James T and Malona (HALL) WILSON family; in the Court of Estates filing in 1858-61: "On 26 July 1858, James T WILSON, praying that letters of Guardianship of the Estate and person of Ruthy S SMITH, minor heir of John SMITH & wife, deceased. It is ordered by the court that Letters of Guardianship be issued to him on condition he gives the necessary bond and takes the oath required by law within Twenty Days." "At April 1859 session of Court of Estates: Mary L Adroux, guardian of John SMITH; William BLUNDELL, guardian of Susan R SMITH; and James T and Malona SMITH, guardian of Ruthy SMITH were ordered that they make an exhibit of their estates at the next session of the Court of Estates in May." "Lavaca County, Texas Settlement of Estates February term 1861: 'In the matter of the Estate of Rutha SMITH, minor heir of John SMITH dec'd on motion by William WISLON one of the Securitees of J T WILSON, the guardian of said minor comes in to this Court and asks e be released as Security on the bond of said J T WILSON, guardian of aforesaid. It is therefore ordered that the said J T WILSON as guardian of said minor be ordered to appear at the next term of the Court of Estates to be held on the last Monday in March 1861 and show cause, if any, he has why said William WILSON as security should not be released." Rutha is living with James and Malona on the 1860 Lavaca County, TX census. She is on the 1870 Lavaca County, TX census with Elijah on property next to or on Malona's farm. Looking for the "John SMITH and his wife" in TN, KY or TX. Ed Antonette ed_dottie @verizon.net Goleta, CA Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.