Hi Another young lady and myself have made a connection from a posting to this List regarding our shared Chambers line in Laclede Co., Missouri. We were curious about an 1880 census record that is reflecting an eight year old orphan named Mary Chambers, found in the household of a Joseph Jolly and Adeline Elizabeth Hightower. 1880 Laclede Co., Missouri census, Gasconade Township: JOLLY, Joseph J. 46 IL Adeline Elizabeth 55 GA CHAMBERS, Mary, orphan 8 MO My particular Chambers line involves the marriage of my ggrandmother's sister; Minerva J. Smith to a Payton Chambers. The couple married in 1866 and in 1867, Minerva gave birth to what seems to be twin boys.......John M. and George R. The family was enumerated in separate households in the 1870 census, as seen below: 1870 Laclede Co. Missouri census in the Gasconade Township: #26/26 Keepinghouse SMITH, Jane 56 VA Hannah 39 TN CHAMBERS, Minerva 26 TN SMITH, Hannah I. 6 MO CHAMBERS, John M. 3 MO 1870 Laclede Co., Missouri census, Osage Township: 214-214 $--$250 Keepinghouse Bean, Median age 45 KY ...Eliza A. age 21 MO (Chambers?? listed as Monhelen is 1870????) ...Chambers, Paton G. age 25 farmer ...George R. age 3 MO Evidently, Payton Chambers died in route to Hunt Co., Texas, circa 1875. Minerva died in the home of her brother Spenser Smith in Newton Co., Missouri........not sure of when, but after the 1890 Widows of Veterans Special Census. My question is this: Joseph Jolly, from a previous marriage had a daughter; Anna that married a Hartwell Smith, Sr.. This Hartwell Smith was a nephew to Minerva Smith; wife of Payton Chambers. Would any of you all know if the Mary Chambers, aged eight and orphaned in the Joseph Jolly home in 1880 could be the child of Payton Chambers and Minerva J. Smith? Although enumerated as an orphan, one wonders what the 1880 connutation (sp) was.......for example one being listed as a widower and actually being divorced in that time period. Basically, anyone have any ideas? Too, little George R. Chambers (b1867) was found in the following McCion (?) household in the 1880 census, listed as an orphan. Mother, Minerva J. Smith Chambers is living at the time, but seems to not have custody of her other twin son, for whatever reason. Shakey upbringing for the children of Minerva J. Smith and Payton Chambers, it seems. Again, Payton Chambers is deceased by 1875. Anyone familiar with this McCion household? 1870 Laclede Co., Missouri census, Osage Township: 214-214 $--$250 Keepinghouse BEAN, Median age 45 KY Eliza A. age 21 MO (Chambers?? listed as Monhelen is 1870????) Chambers, Paton G. age 25 farmer George R. age 3 MO 1880 Laclede Co., Missouri census, Gasconade Township: MCCION, Isaac 28 MO Liza Ann 26 MO Mary F. 11 MO William A. 6 MO Daniel G. 3 MO Thomas J. 1 MO CHAMBERS, George R., orphan 13 MO Now, where Minerva Smith Chambers and the other twin, John M. were in 1880 is unknown. Anyone have the 1880 census for Laclede Co. that would be willing to do a look-up? Thanks so much for your time, Bernie Moore-Knowles Phoenix, Arizona "I have Indian blood in me. I have just enough White blood for you to question my honesty." ........Will Rogers