Hi folks, I'm new to this list and hope you can help me with my digging. My 4xgreat-grandfather was Peter Atwood. He married Laura Whitney in Chester, MA in 1814 and gave birth to my 3xgreat-grandmother that same year. Her name was Sophia Atwood/Daniels. We know that Sophia was half Native American. Since her mother, Laura's, lineage has been traced back to England, it is our belief that her Native American heritage comes through her father, Peter. I do not believe that "Peter Atwood" was his given name, but rather a name that he "borrowed". We all know that being Indian in that day was not a popular thing. He more than likely passed well as Irish.....or even French...who knows. In any event, I don't know how long he stayed married to Laura Whitney...or even what happened to her. He remarried to Mehitable Phebe Clark in 1825 and had another family. Apparently she also helped raised Sophia, because "Phebe" is listed as Sophia's mother on her death certificate. Here is all I know of Peter so far: We believe he was born in NY about 1791 and he died there sometime between 1850 and 1860. He was on the 1820 census in Russell, MA and then appears on the 1830 census in Middlefield living with his second wife and children he had by her. He was on the 1850 census of China, NY as being 59 years old, born NY, and was a carpenter. On the census was his son, Royal E., age 19, born MA, son Charles E., 14, born MA, a William Harrison, age 8, born MA (no clues as to who that might have been). Also on that census was his 2nd wife's father, Silas Clark, 84 years old, born in MA, a farmer. His second wife, Mehitable Phebe Clark, was on the 1860 census, (I think of Wyoming County) but he wasn't. His death record hasn't be found. The reason I'm contacting this list is because of an article I read from the Watertown Daily Times, no date (but obviously before 1929), entitled: Catfish Creek. This article describes an indian burial ground near "Catfish Creek" at Depauville. The writer of this article describes a time in the Fall of 1878 when he attended the "Depauville Hillside Academy" and boarded nearby with his uncle, William C. Atwood. During that time, there was an indian trapper who camped just near the Atwood property by the name of Peter Cole. The fact that there was an indian so comfortable to be that close to Atwood property was enough to make me go sleuthing. The fact that the indian's name was Peter just eggs me on even more. If any one out there has information on the indians of the area during the early to mid-1800's, I would very much appreciate hearing from you. There you have my story....and that was the abridged version! Bev Tiner (chozijoy@aol.com)