James Merrill Gates, hmm... wonder where that Merrill came from. My 3rd great grandmother is Jemima Merrill who married John Morgan. Her father is *believed* to be Joseph Merrill. John and Jemima married in 1833 in Harrison County, Ohio, but moved to ole' Gallia some years later. Alcinda Morgan, their daughter married my gg grandfather, George F. Hixon. While their other daughter Julia was the first wife of my great grandfather, William G. Tope. So on the Merrill line I get twice the bang for my buck :-) Anyone know anything about this Merrill line out of Virginia? Linda Tope Trent lindatrent@zoomnet.net > while looking I came upon Margaret Wigner Gates. Her husband signed the > the form as the informant.... He middle name is MERRILL Gates, it is not > your James Madison...