I can't find the parents of the following Wilkinson Co., MS families. Bell John Bell, b. Abt. 1775 in VA(?), d. abt. 1824 Wilkinson Co., MS. John married Elizabeth Hunter (dau. of Henry Hunter) in VA(?) abt. 1791. It is believed they moved from Virginia to South Carolina between 1794-1799. According to children's birth places and dates, John and Elizabeth must have been married in Virginia. Their son William Henry was born 7/15/1794 in Virgnia. Their son John was born abt. 1799 in South Carolina. John Bell, Sr. first shows up in the 1805 Wilkinson Co., MS Census -- John Bell 2-3-5-0-0-11-21, Wilkinson Co., MS Census. The 1824 Probate Court Book 3, p. 39 shows "Elizabeth Bell widow of John Bell relinquished her right of Administer estate. William H. Bell and Gerard Brandon granted Administrators." Later records show Elizabeth Bell widow of John Bell resided in Pinckneyville, MS. Division of property of John Bell was made to: Henry H. Bell, Margaret Bell, Mary Bell, Thomas Bell & wife, James Bell, Elisha Bell, John Bell, Nasworthy Bell. Other children were Lucy Hart Bell Davis, William H. Bell, Sarah Ann Bell Ginn, James Craig Bell and Martha "Patsy" Bell Davis. Burke Jonathan Burke b. Abt. 1768 in Ireland and married Hannah William about 1790 in either SC or NC. I do not know if Jonathan or Hannah Burke ever lived in Wilkinson Co., but their daughter Rebecca Burke, b. abt. 1790 in VA (according to 1850 Wilkinson Co., MS Census Records)married Joshua Presler in Wilkinson Co., MS 11/25/1810. Jonathan and Hannah's children were: Cynthia Burke Morrison, Rebecca Burke Presler, Benjamin Franklin Burke, Amelia "Milly" Burke Presler, Samuel Burke, William Burke, James Burke, Levinia Burke Chick, and Mahala Burke. Hunter Henry Hunter, b. Abt. 1740 in VA married Lucy Hart or Ruffin (still searching for verification). He died on his plantation Hunters Hall in Pinckneyville, MS 10/2/1822. We know Henry had a brother William Hunter who married Anne Norsworthy in Nansemond Co., VA by the following exerpt: 1793 -- Wilkinson Co., MS Book F, pg. 302. Before me, Manuel Gayoso de Lemos, appeared at the instance of Norsworthy Hunter, Capt. of the Militia in this Gov. Col. Henry Hunter, a gentleman of good repute, who being duly sworn, deposes that about the year 1753-54, his elder brother, William Hunter, of Nansemond Co. Vir. was married to a certain Ann Norsworthy by an orthodox minister named Webb, and remarkable for being nearsighted, and the marriage was celebrated in the house of a certain widow Norfleet, in the vicinity of the town of Suffolk. The said Norsworthy Hunter is the only issue of this union and was always held as the lawful heir of Thomas Norsworthy, dec. said to be an only surviving brother of the said Ann Norsworthy. That the said Norsworthy Hunter, at a court held for the Isle of Wight Co., Vir. 6 July 1786 upon his motion, together with William Whitfield, James Young, Francis Young, his security, received a certificate for letters of administration of the estate of Thomas Norsworthy dec. in due form of law. Signed by Francis Young, deputy clerk of court. Natchez, 22 Oct. 1794. sig. Henry Hunter before Manuel Gayoso, Stephen Minor and Joseph Vidal. Also by the following passport we know they came to Wilkinson Co., MS in 1792 "Report of Americans Arriving at Natchez. April 17, 1792. I send you the enclosed Account of two Flatboats which arrived at this Post from Holston listing the Individuals and the Cargo which they brought. Mr. Henry Hunter, a native of the United States, the Proprietor of one of them, a person of worth and special talent in all mechanical work, was Colonel in the American Service in the last War, and of whom I had previous favorable information concerning his conduct, which my dealings with him have confirmed, has taken the oath of fidelity with the intention of settling in this district with his family, which is mentioned in the enclosed account. The other Individuals who come in the other Boat are also settling in this District. According to the information which I have, they are persons of honorable conduct and masters of useful trades. All of this I repeat for your information. May the Lord keep your Lordship many years, Natchez, April 17, 1792. Manuel Gayoso de Lemos [To] Senor Baron de Carondelet." [I think Carondelet resided in New Orleans.] The following accompanied the letter: "Account of two Flatboats which arrived from Holston to this Post with Passengers and Cargo. First boat. Settlers. Proprietor - Mr. Henry Hunter, His Wife and Seven children, And fifteen Negroes which belong to him. Cargo: Farm Tools and Household Furniture for his use. Second boat. Settlers Proprietor - Robert Munson, His Wife and Four children Jesse Munson, His Wife and one son and a Slave. John Grady His wife and two children and two Negroes. Cargo: Farm Tools and a few pieces of Household furniture for thier use. Natchez, April 17, 1792." Children of Henry Hunter were: Norsworthy Hunter, William H. Hunter, Field Pulaski Hunter, Joseph Hunter, Henry Hunter, Jr., Thomas E. Hunter, Elizabeth Hunter Bell, and Mary Hunter Andrews. Presler Peter Presler, b. Abt. 1730; d. bef. 3/15/1825 in Wilkinson Co., MS. He married Jael (maiden name unknown) b. Abt. 1733; died 7/9/1839 in Wilkinson Co., MS. We know Peter and Jael came to Wilkinson Co. about 1789 by her obituary which appeared in the Woodville Republican: 7/6/1839 -- "Died at the residence of her son, Mr. Joshua Presler of this county, on the 9th, Mrs. Jael Presler, relict of Mr. Peter Presler, dec'd in the 106th year of her age. She emigrated to this country with her husband in the year 1789." Before coming to Wilkinson Co., MS we know Peter and Jael were in Missouri in 1780. Their second son Joshua was born in MO according to the 1850 Wilkinson Co., MS Census. Children of Peter and Jael Presler were: Simon Presler, Joshua Presler, Peter Presler, Jr., Lovicia Presler Coleman, Catherine Presler Marcellus, and Ann Presler O'Connor. Any information as to the parents of these emigrants to Wilkinson Co, MS would be greatly appreciated. I would love to share information with any descendants. Shawn Martin [email protected]