I just returned from a visit to Morgan Co where I researched Reuben Ross Patriot and visited his grave site and Macoupin Co. where I researched his son Robert Ross. I visited the area where he owned his farm, Ross Richie Cemetery which was surrounded by very tall corn, but neatly groomed. I got his and his wife's tombstone as well as others. I also visited the land that Seth T. Hodges donated to the city of Carlinville in 1829, and copied titles, commissioner entries, Chancery Records and tax assessment and collector records . i came home with about 4 inches of paper that I am still trying to sort and enter. Thanks to wonderful friends I met while there: Linda Kmiecik , Georgia, Phyllis, Gloria Fraizer, who volunteer at the archives and are indexing names in the many book, page by page. They have accomplished a tremendous task, a gift to researchers. They preserved 3 floors of records that are wonderful!!! They took me to the site of Hickory Point School House where my great grandfather Seth Hodges who was born in 1855 went to school. It is a field, and had tall corn which is no doubt harvested by now. Seth wrote his boyhood days and told many interesting details of his live in South Otter, moves to South Palmyra and finally a move to Nebraska. I was able to follow and visit. I visited Concord Primitive Baptist Church, the oldest church in the County. They graciously shared the material in a 250 page book and on the first page Robert Ross' name is listed. Linda and Thelma Dean Stewart, took me around to several Cemeteries, and they also went to Hodges Cemetery and took pictures for me. I attended the Macoupin County Historical Society Fall Festival. It is a BIG event. There were wonderful things to purchase at 200+ vendors. Dorothy and Mary of the Historical Society, made copies of a picture of Hickory Point School, and of the first Court house of logs, built by Seth T. Hodges. They opened up the collection for me to look through. I was able to look at an early book which gives the reports of the establishing of various schools. Again Robert Ross is listed as a board member. Judy Decker City Clerk gave me some helpful suggestions and the staff at the Carlinville Library was very helpful and patient with me as I went through their material. I spent my evenings there going through my material, rather than at the hotel. Driving on Richie Road west from Rt. 4 to Rt. 111 is really easy now, but I wonder what it was like back then with ruts, mud and horse drawn wagons. I try to imagine getting to Seth T. Hodges in section 28, since there isn't a road there today. Circle Tree Road takes a curve North and you can't get there except going through private property. And then trying to travel from Seth's property to Palmyra, Etter Cemetery, the Robert Ross Farm near Zelmer Airport Rd and Deep Rock Station Rd. Today it isn't really a problem, ( except getting to Seth's property), but back then it must have been a real hard trip. William Hodges and Elizabeth Ross, Robert's daughter buried a son in 1858. They lived in So. Otter and buried the baby at the Ross Richie Cemetery. I wonder how long it took them to travel that distance. I have great admiration for these ancestors, because of the challenging life they had, and their determination and faithfulness to keep going. The heritage I have received from them is so appreciated. My parents were pioneers in their own right, which I believe came from their own parent’s, indomitable spirit. In 1946 they took four small children to West Africa, which was known as the white man's grave yard. We had pioneer adventures too, even though we had some improved conveniences. We had a truck, but we still had an out house and had to boil and filter water, were inoculated against some serious dieases, but had to take care of other infections. All four of us are still liviing, which wasn’t the case of many of my ancestor’s babies. I still have some unanswered questions, and maybe some day I can return. Thanks to everyone for your helpfulness, kindness, and generosity. My trip was WONDERFUL. Marita