This Simon JAMES, surveyor, farmer, immigrant from Wales with the followers of Morgan John Rhys ministry, ca 1750's, became a surveyor for Henry DRINKER of Phila.. who was also a partner of Abel JAMES before the R.W. Simon, in February of 1799, leased land from Zaccheus COLLINS under contract. The original patent was given to John Hall of abut 400 acres. Simon contracted for 100 acres and was to be given 10 years to clear and enclose 100 acres, 12 of which were to be or were already were meadow, and to plant and maintain at least 200 apple trees. He had to build a good log house of minimum size of 16 foot square, a log barn, with "each end 24 foot square". He also had to reside at the site. He, at the end of the ten year time, would be able to purchase the tract for $1,082 and with easy terms. With this information in mind, a review of the 1800 census was done. Simon JAMES and two other JAMES males were in the Cambria Twp area of Somerset County. Beulah Land/Black Lick/Ebensburg.....all names of same surround area where Morgan John Rhys and a few men from Wales chose to settle migrating Welsh families who wanted to escape the repressions they felt in their native country. This was centered in Somerset Township of Pa and also an area which became Cambria Twp in Somerset which finally progressed to Cambria County. In 1800, Simon JAMES resided in Cambria Twp, Somerset Co., PA and was listed as being of at least 26 and under 45 years old with no male dependants. He had 2 female children under age of 10 and a wife of same age as himself. In 1810 Simon, has removed to elsewhere. He has neighbors in Cambria Twp. who are given as Evan JAMES and Thomas JAMES. (1)Evan is given as being age 26 but under 45 with a male child age under 10. He also has a female child under 10, another one age of at least 10 but under 16, and a wife who is at least 26 but under 45. (2) Thomas JAMES is given as being over 45. He has 2 male children under 10 and one who is of at least 16 but under 26. His wife is of at least 26 but under 45. Thomas JAMES is the only one of these 3 males of JAMES from the 1800 census who is still in Cambria in 1810..........which is now a County in its own right: Cambria Twp, Cambria Co., Pa: Thomas has 1 male child under 10 and 1 male child who is at least 16 but under 18. Thomas is over 45. He has 1 female child age of under 10 and a female of at least 16 but under 26. He may have a son and wife in residence. Simon of this tale has either been listed in Bucks and in New Britain as "Samson" JAMES along with 12 other JAMES on the page or is in another state or census location. He must have "proved up his contract" and moved on. The stories of this area are about poor ground, piles of rocks, difficulty finding useful acreages, etc. Not all of the migrates were successful enough to go on to better beginnings elsewhere. __________________ Linda M. Thank lthank@turboisp.com __________________