This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: GIBSON Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/gBB.2ACI/3381 Message Board Post: In the 1850 census for Mercer County, Bryant, age 13, is living with what I think are his parents, William and Julian Gibson. Here is the problem... in the 1840 census there is a William Gibson enumerated next to Jacob Gibson, but the more I dig the less likely it seems that this is My William Gibson. I have also seen the marriage between William Gibson and Polly Martin in Mercer County, but Bryant named his first daughter Julia Ann which may honor the step-mother who raised him??? Here are the conflicting facts: 1. In 1840, William is listed as between 30 and 40 years old ( my William would be 20-30). 2. In 1840 William's household consists of himself, wife (20-30) and a daughter (under 5 years)...Bryant would have been 3 years old at this time, but there is no male under 5 years. 3. Will Book 11, page 285, Mercer County lists the will of William Gibson. Will was written Aug. 1840 and mentions wife Melindy and child, Sarah Ann Gibson. Probate Sept. 1840. 4. Two of the witn! esses of this will are enumerated on the same page of the 1840 (enumeration began June 1, 1840) Mercer Co. census with Jacob and William Gibson. None of the Gibson's in Mercer Co. have a son aged 20-30 years, but that is where my William appears in 1850 and 1860, and Bryant is the only child who remained in Mercer County, as did his son James H. Gibson ( my great-great grandfather) until after 1910 when the moved to Anderson County. Be happy to share any info I have with anyone who can help me muddle through this. It's keeping me up nights!