Dear Pat, I'm grateful that you took the time and made the effort to try to help with my query. I had done an internet search and come up with the same three entries. I've already checked most of the census reports for both MS and LA, but can't seem to find the slave "John" bought by John B. Scudder. I haven't found William in the 1870. It's a puzzlement. Social Security records indicate William's parents to be John and Rebecca Carb, but I have yet to locate them in the census. I felt that at least there was some genealogical "coincidence" in the slave's name, the ss records, and the plantation owner's name. I wondered how to check slave schedules long distance. Is there a way to get more information from the court records that what is online? Something that might indicate the origins of the slave "John"? Again, thank you so much. I am always amazed and grateful for the interest and extreme efforts made by folks to help one another. I hope one day I can return the favor(s). Georgia Whitson Philadelphia, PA