This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Arnett, Bailey, Hale, Prater, Allen Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/TBB.2ACI/2954.1 Message Board Post: According to my Hale and Shepherd books, John E. Shepherds' parents were Jacob Shepherd and Elizabeth Hale. Elizabeth was a sister to Brice Hale, who was married to a Polly Vance (or Wilson to some.) They had no children or at least none that outlived them. This makes Brice an uncle to John E. Shepherd. There was a court case where Brice was supposed to have given John his property in exchange for him to keep and care for him and his wife, Polly until they passed away. I am assuming this is his aunt listed in their household. Brice passed away in 1868.