Dear Cindy: I don't know the answer to your question about the name "Step," but the locations you mentioned got my attention. My gg grandfather, James Graham Carty Morton, was born in NC in 1789. He married Eloisa (Eliza Steele) about the same time your ggg grandfather was married, because they had their first child in 1815 and migrated to Williamson County, TN, where they spent several years and had several children before going on to southeast Missouri in 1831. I have never been able to learn the names of his parents, nor whether he had any siblings. "Step" could very well have been a brother. Something to think about and work on. James G. C. died in 1838 in Cape Girardeau County, MO. If you learn anything more about your ancestor, let me know. Thanks. LaFern Morton Cockrell