Kyle, This new information you have found opens some other doors. Stephen (will 1766) had a daughter named Amelia Ann. I have no record as to who she married or when she died. She is not to be confused with Amelia Ann, daughter of Nathan ( will 1801). I definately rule her out as Sheriff John's wife. I will see what I can find next time at the library. When did Nathan go to Ga? Maybe Ann was his first wife. Maybe Stephen Jr. was his son. Maybe Stephen Jr. was married to Ann. You said people of that time period would refer sometime to a nephew with the same name as Jr. It stands to reason that Stephen Jr. would buy land next to his wife's family. At this point supposition is all we have. I found the mention of the Bateman name most interesting as my gggrandfather William Hooker married a Mary "Polly" Bateman in 1816. Have not been able to prove who her parents were. I found the name of Mary Hooker on a list of Tyrrell County Estate Records. She is listed as deceased 1786. Also the name of John Hooker deceased in 1788. Check this out on the Tyrrell County Web Site. Jane