Hi Norma and All. Norma Thanks, this is very interesting indeed. Cause Abigail's stone in Elder Ballou Cemetery calls her Abigail Cook and reads: In Memory of Abigail Cook who died May 10, 1833 in the 75th year of her age: Dear Children and friends; I'll bid you all adieu; To leave you in God's care; And if I here no more see you; Go On; I hope to meet you there; (If this the same Abigail probably she never married?? ) Norma did Ballou give the line of Jesse Ballou back?? Sure would appreciate that look up. Thanks. However this gives a whole new line to Jesse's wife also?? Did they have any children.. or just these three adopted Cookies?? Did these children go under the Ballou or Cook name. Does it say? Please forward any info possible on this Jesse Ballou , dates residence etc. as I believe many of us will be deleted a few entries in our data bases. My only source besides the stone is WCG (Walter Cook(e) Genealogy by M.Jillson) No doubt in my mind that Adin Ballou is correct in this data. Thanks so much for sharing. Alice Subject: Re: [MA-MENDON] Jesse Ballou/Abigail Cook > In The Ballous of America, it states that Jesse adopted the three children of > his friend, Abigail Cook, daughter of Daniel and Abigail Slack. Jesse died > 16 March 1800 in his 59th year, and his widow, Elizabeth (Pitts) Ballou died > 16 March 1841, in her 94th year. Per this, he was not married to Abigail > Cook, only befriended her by adopting her 3 children. It goes on to say, " > perhaps a better woman than some of better fame and fortune. The most high > Father judgeth all justly.