In a message dated 5/4/01 5:26:31 PM Pacific Daylight Time, sadams@mines.missouri.org writes: << Formation of Madison County.- - The act for the organization of Madison County was passed on December 14, 1818, on the same day that the counties of Lincoln, Pike and Montgomery were formed. At that time the circuit court transacted all the county business. Court Proceedings. - - The first term was held at the house of Theodore F. Tong, on July 12, 1819, by Judge Thomas. Charles Hutchings performed the duties of clerk, but at the next term Nathaniel Cook received the appointment. The sheriff was Joseph Montgomery, who returned the following list of grand jurors: Jason Harrison, John White, Adam Ground, John Clement, Jacob Shook, Elisha Bennett, .... ..>>>To this the court added the following order: "It is ordered that said Cotner be put to labor in the blacksmith shop of Elisha Bennett in the town of Fredericktown, in the county of Madison, in the manner following: The said Cotner shall labor in said shop, chained to the anvil block therein, the first, third, fifth, seventh, ninth and eleventh months of the time for which he is to be imprisoned, the said Bennett furnishing the said Cotner with diet, and returning him to prison every night." I believe that the above Elisha Bennett to be my several greats back grandfather who had daughters Amelia who married John Vaughan and Josephine who married Nathaniel Britain. I have his wife as Nancy. My Elisha Bennett died in Hembstead Co., Arkansas in 1830 and his son in law John Vaughan was executor of his estate. Other references have said that John Vaughan and his brother William camer from Frederickstown. So I am hoping that this is my long awaited connection. The Vaughan brothers were in Hempstead Co., AR by 1830 when they are on the census for that year. William, John and Amelia Bennett Vaughan give birthplace as SC Anyone have anymore information to make holes in my brick wall? Thank you in advance. Susan Young