CHOWNINGS OF TN>IL>TX>OK> Particularly: Richard CHOWNING, b abt<1800 in TN, d <1850, Denton Co., TX Richard migrated to Jersey Co., IL in around 1835, with his sons Samuel and James William CHOWNING. They all had land patents in Jersey Co. In about 1849 they left and migrated to Denton Co., TX with some of the in-laws of James', the David MYERS clan. In route to TX, he must have lost his wife and some children. Four children made the trip and show up in census reports of Denton Co. The following are his children: Robert CHOWNING, b 1805 d 1851, Denton Co., TX Samuel CHOWNING, b abt 1810-1814 d unknown Damarus Ester or Easter CHOWNING, b 1812 in IL or TN, d 1880 James William CHOWNING, b 16 Feb. 1818 d 29 May 1900 in Cundiff, TX Of particular interest is: Melissa Elizabeth CHOWNING, daughter of Uriah J. CHOWNING, son of Samuel CHOWNING, Melissa was born, 06 Sept 1866, married a James Wesley Burke, then married a David Edgar MORTON, b 20 Feb 1862 in IL, d 17 July 1928 in Waurika, OK, Melissa died at the home of her son in Cushing, OK on 24 Sept 1934. All my life, my grandfather MORTON said we had indian blood in us through the CHOWNING lineage, and that the Chownings were traveling on the trail of tears to IL, via an underground railroad. Does anyone know of such a thing in that time era? As of this date we cannot link the CHOWNINGs to any tribe, anyone have any suggestions? I am new to genealogy and using computers so have patience with me. Thanks to everyone in advance, Jan