If "everyone" says something but how they know isn't stated, then they probably DON'T know. That means you'll have to do the digging yourself. I agree with Agnes' recommendations. Also, I would assemble all the censuses for the Ballards, Hawkins, and Miars/Myers, observing the changes in the households, and also observing the neighbors. I'd be looking at marriage records for Ballards and Miars/Myers to see who were their associates. I'd be looking at bastardy bonds, apprenticeships, county court minutes, wills, death records, deeds, tax lists, Heritage books, family histories, and anything else I could find to help put the family together. At that point, "everyone" will be asking for your advice on the family. Kathy Joyce Graham wrote: > Need help. > > John Ballard (b.1795) and Katie Meiers (b.1800) married March 8, 1921 > in Lincoln County, NC. They had two sons: John Franklin Ballard (July > 30,1821- June 24, 1898) and Benjamin Hawkins Ballard (April 13, 1827 - > November 5, 1905). Everyone tells me that John Franklin Ballard was > fathered by a man named Hawkins who returned to England, abandoning > his wife and unborn son. What is the basis for this information? I'm > not disputing the fact, just want proof. And, why did she name her > second son Benjamin Hawkins Ballard? > > John Ballard's first wife was Salley Childress (marr November 1, > 1815). Supposedly he married his second wife, Katie(or Catey) Meiers, > because he needed someone to take care of his children and she needed > someone to be the father of her bastard son. Who were his children by > Sally Childress? > > The second son, Benjamin Hawkins Ballard, was in the 1900 Lincoln > County, NC, census listed as "brother-in-law to Sallie L McMinn", wife > of John Franklin Ballard. > > Joyce Graham >

I wish to thank everyone who has responded. I have done a lot of this work, but you have given me more ideas on what I should be searching for. I knew I could count on you to help. Thanks again and hopefully I will be able to pass my work on for others who may have this same problem. Joyce - - - - - - - - - - [email protected] wrote: > If "everyone" says something but how they know isn't stated, then they > probably DON'T know. That means you'll have to do the digging yourself. > > I agree with Agnes' recommendations. Also, I would assemble all the > censuses for the Ballards, Hawkins, and Miars/Myers, observing the > changes in the households, and also observing the neighbors. I'd be > looking at marriage records for Ballards and Miars/Myers to see who > were their associates. I'd be looking at bastardy bonds, > apprenticeships, county court minutes, wills, death records, deeds, > tax lists, Heritage books, family histories, and anything else I could > find to help put the family together. At that point, "everyone" will > be asking for your advice on the family. > > Kathy > > Joyce Graham wrote: > >> Need help. >> >> John Ballard (b.1795) and Katie Meiers (b.1800) married March 8, 1921 >> in Lincoln County, NC. They had two sons: John Franklin Ballard (July >> 30,1821- June 24, 1898) and Benjamin Hawkins Ballard (April 13, 1827 >> - November 5, 1905). Everyone tells me that John Franklin Ballard was >> fathered by a man named Hawkins who returned to England, abandoning >> his wife and unborn son. What is the basis for this information? I'm >> not disputing the fact, just want proof. And, why did she name her >> second son Benjamin Hawkins Ballard? >> >> John Ballard's first wife was Salley Childress (marr November 1, >> 1815). Supposedly he married his second wife, Katie(or Catey) Meiers, >> because he needed someone to take care of his children and she needed >> someone to be the father of her bastard son. Who were his children by >> Sally Childress? >> >> The second son, Benjamin Hawkins Ballard, was in the 1900 Lincoln >> County, NC, census listed as "brother-in-law to Sallie L McMinn", >> wife of John Franklin Ballard. >> >> Joyce Graham >> > > > > > > ==== NCLINCOL Mailing List ==== > ==== LINCOLN Co., NC Mailing List ==== > Sharing information on Historic Lincoln Co., NC > For further info, see www.rootsweb.com/~nclincol/nclincoln.htm > Our thanks to RootsWeb for hosting this list and web page > >