Joni, This particular William MARVEL in Broad Creek Hundred was born between 1784-1794 according to the 1810 census and was the son of Thomas MARVEL. This is the Thomas MARVEL, of Thomas, who was married to Nancy KNOWLES and Nancy was probably William's mother, but I have no real proof of that. One of the proofs that this William was the son of Thomas is that he is described as such on 28 March 1842 in Sussex Deed AAB 50, f357, when he buys land from Joseph WARD. Both William MARVEL and his father, Thomas, are on the jury at the Coroner's inquest of 5 year old Miranda Messick in 1822 and you can see both their signatures on the scans of that on the Delaware Archives website. Luckily for me, Thomas MARVEL had a rather distinctive signature. Helps me keep all the Thomas Marvels sorted. I have not researched the family of Robert MARVEL and Mary SMITH, but William MARVEL of Broad Creek Hundred, also known as Big Billy, was definitely not their child. There is another William MARVEL, married to Rachel who dies around the same time and many have confused the 2 Williams. The other William lived closer to Georgetown and was the son of Phillip MARVEL. All I know about the William MARVEL who was born in 1803 is what I have seen in various internet files and there seems to be differing opinions about where he should be attached. It looks like he moved out west and did not stay in Sussex. Nanette In a message dated 2/7/2009 5:17:03 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, lower-delmarva-roots-request@rootsweb.com writes: Message: 8 Date: Sat, 7 Feb 2009 12:08:25 -0700 From: "Joni Rabena" <joni@mcburney.ca> Subject: Re: [LDR] Laurel-Concord Road and mention of John GRACE To: <lower-delmarva-roots@rootsweb.com> Message-ID: <6767B05DF22C45329A84BF45E45DC3E6@jonip4> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Hi, I'm wondering if William Marvel's parents were Robert Marvel II and Mary Smith? I have him born in 1803 so I think it must be another William Marvel, but from what part of the family? Thanks, Joni Calgary, AB -----Original Message----- From: lower-delmarva-roots-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:lower-delmarva-roots-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of ImNetz@aol.com Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 12:57 PM To: lower-delmarva-roots@rootsweb.com Subject: [LDR] Laurel-Concord Road and mention of John GRACE Hello JoAnn, I don't know that much about John GRACE, except that he owned land near the Marvels in Broad Creek Hundred. This GRACE family appears on various websites if you Google, including these 2. _http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tmcgowin/grace.htm_ (http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tmcgowin/grace.htm) _http://vidas.rootsweb.ancestry.com/grace.html_ (http://vidas.rootsweb.ancestry.com/grace.html) John GRACE did write a will on 12 May 1799 that mentions a wife, Sarah, 2 sons --Thomas and John and 2 daughters-- Nancy and Polly. Polly was married to Jonathan MARTINO/MARTINEAU, the EX of John GRACE. The William MARVEL I am researching, buys 12 acres of land in 1815 from Nancy DIXON who inherited it from her father, John GRACE in 1802 (Sussex Deed AJ f173) and it borders William Marvel's land. But how a Samuel GRACE fits in, I cannot say. I would like to know more about the younger John GRACE myself as he has a daughter named Sally and William MARVEL was married to a Sarah/Sally and I do not know who her parents were. I do have this GRACE reference from William MARVEL's 1847 will. I found it interesting that the name GRACE was still being used in 1847. John GRACE'S son, Thomas, moved to Georgia. Maybe John GRACE, Jr. continued the family business? I know he was alive in 1803 as he sells land to Jonathan MARTINO (Sussex Deed Y f332) and he is listed on the 1803 Broad Creek Hundred tax list owning 145 acres of land. "Item To my grandson William W. Cooper I give and devise on undivided half part of minority of that portion of my farm in Broadcreek Hundred formerly in the possession of Jonathan Martineau which is situated on the eastern side of the road leading from GRACE's Mills dam to Thomas Short's house adjoining lands of Thomas Short, Cyprus Ward and others containing in the whole about one hundred and sixty acres to him and his heirs and assigns forever; and the other undivided half part or mority of the said portion of the said last mentioned farm I give and devise to my grandson William W. Cooper to him and his heirs in ...?... nevertheless for the uses and purposes following to wit. in trust to receive and pay only to my daughter Julia Ann Hasty the rents, issues and profits thereof during her natural life for her sole and separate use, behoof, and benefit and free from the control of her husband or his debts or liabilities and her separate receipt to be a sufficient acquittance and discharge therefor and at her death in trust to convey the same to the child or children of my said daughter Julia Ann as may then be living in fee simple and if my said daughter should have no issue living at the time of her death then in trust for his own use to him and his heirs and assigns forever." Hope this helps at least a little, Nanette **************Nothing says I love you like flowers! Find a florist near you now. (http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=florist&ncid=emlcntusyelp00000001)