Hello everyone, I'm looking for any contacts, information or advice about my Saratoga Co. Lightbowns and Brownes. Richard LIGHTBOWN [Lightbourn, etc](1816-1891) immigrated to NY from Lancashire England in the 1840s, fought in the Mexican War, and then settled in Saratoga. He purchased "Bradshaw's Large Island" from William Bradshaw in 1848; a 15 acre island in the Hudson "located east of a farm occupied by Bradley Vernon", apparently near Mechanicville. Richard is listed in the 1850 census in the Halfmoon township as a single farmer. In 1851 he married Eliza Jane BROWN(e) (1827-1862) at Mechanicville, and they had a son Charles Lightbown (just before the wedding). Another son, William Lever Lightbown was born in Mechanicville in 1854. In 1855 Richard and Eliza Jane "of Stillwater" sold the island to Knowlton Howland of Halfmoon. They don't seem to be in the 1855 state census in Halfmoon or Stillwater, and Eliza is living in Troy in 1860 without the others; she died in 1862. Richard and the boys ended up in Washington DC in 1862, after his brief stint in the Union artillery. Any bells rung or ideas? Thanks, -Bryan- (first posting here).