Hello, I am researching the Snowden family of Ray Co., MO. I have a "brick wall" with my great grandfather, Sam Samuel Snowden dob: 02/18/1854. In 1850 MO census, Ray Co. I find Love Snowden, Charlotte (Noe?) Calvin 5, Daniel D. 4, and Martha M. 2. My research indicates at age 5, he is with Lovell (Love) Snowden (entered as SNOWDER) in 1860 Fannin Co, TX, Sam born in MO. Lovell but no wife listed ,with children(Calvin 15, Daniel 14, Martha M 12 and Sam'l 5) are neighbors of Burton H. and Mary J. Snowden in TX. I next find Sam Samuel back in MO in 1870, living with DeMasters family. I am having a hard time figuring out who his parents were. Since the Civil War didn't start until 1861, Love could be his father but the siblings listed in the census, Calvin, Daniel, Martha don't match the family history. The family story is he was named after his father. His mother died shortly after giving birth to a girl, who also died. Sam Samuel and his brother lived with their father on a farm until one day Yankees came and took the father over a hill and shot him. Sam and his brother then went to live with an Uncle and his family until Sam was about 15 or 16 and he rode to Texas. I have discovered that Love was a Yankee in the Missouri Militia, 51st Reg't. E.M.M. as well as Calvin and Burton Snowden, so why would Yankees shoot him? I also have Snowdens in the Mormon War but don't know exact relationships to above. If Lovell was a Yankee then I guess the family history is wrong or Love/Lovell was his uncle? If anyone is working on this line, I would sure appreciate some help. Also just curious about the Noe and Brewer families in same time period who intermarried with Snowdens. I don't know if Crooked River was a Mormon settlement but seems to be a lot of conflict. Any help with Ray Co. history lessons welcomed. Thank you in advance. Judy Snowden Judy Mcneese jamnsocal@earthlink.net Why Wait? Move to EarthLink.