I wondered if anyone might know about the family of Mrs. CRUMP, who is mentioned in the article at the end of this query? While re-reading the below article originally posted at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mostfran/church/church_letters.htm, I began to wonder if Margaret Croft, who John Dosing married in 1876, might be Margaret Crump. The name 'Mrs. Crump' had been included in a list provided in this article, along with John Dosing, as one of the first 15 members of the Flat River, Free Will Baptist in 1891. Since the seach for the surname Croft, or anything similar has never produced the slightest lead in St. Francois Co. or the surrounding area, I decided to check the census records: 1880 District 58, St. Michael, Madison, Missouri Household of Isbella BROWN Maggie Crump b. 1859 MO Washwoman Single [also listed is a 1 mth old daughter, Mamie Crump] I was surprised to find the CRUMP surname in both St. Francois and Madison Counties at this time. My gg-grandfather, John DOSING [1844 Germany -1918 St. Francois Co, MO] married several times and his first three wives remain a mystery. He married in Madison Co in 1875 and then married Margaret 'Croth' in St. Francois Co in 1876. 1 Emaline Benham; married prior to 1864 -county unknown, possibly Iron Co.; also possible death 1871-1874 2 Esther Watkins; married July 26, 1875 -Madison Co. 3 Margaret Croft; married July 9, 1876 -St. Francois Co [pg. 394] 4 Mary Boatwright Trapp; married June 21, 1879 -St. Francois Co; death 1901 5 Nancy Jane Whaley; married Sept 1902 -St. Francois Co. I assume the actual marriage to Margaret took place, but perhaps this date was only a marriage application date? If the marriage did occur, John Dosing was either soon widowed or divorced from Margaret 'Crump', because he married again 3 years later. Any help/suggestions will be greatly appreciated! Thanks - Kay, FL Newspaper Article: MRS. F. M. HORTON AWARDED $5.00 PRIZE IN LETTER CONTEST Flat River, Mo., May 12, 1936. Contest Editor, Lead Belt News, Flat River, Mo. Dear Sir: I submit herewith an historical sketch of the first church in Flat River, to be entered in your Letter Contest. Very truly, MRS. F. M. HORTON The first church in Flat River, Free Will Baptist, was organized in 1891, with fifteen members. Some early members were Wade Adams, Joe Perry, L. L. Doe, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Hicks, Mr. and Mrs. William Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Turley, John Dosing, and Mrs. Crump. The first deacons were Wade Adams, Joe Perry, and Richard Turley. The first pastor was Rev. Fred Comber. Another early pastor was Rev. J. D. Flannery, who served eight years. ....