As I have previously posted, I believe that Elizabeth Bedingfield (mentioned in the will of Solomon Pace as the mother of his daughter), was the daughter of Thomas Bedingfield, whose 1779 will was proved by Elias Hilliard and John Smith. Elias Hilliard was the son of William Hilliard and Anne Newsome. (Dorman, AP%P, Spencer section). Anne Newsome (mother of Elias Hilliard) was the daughter of John Newsome and Sarah Crafford. (Also AP&P). Sarah Crafford m. (2) William Ruffin of Northampton Co., NC, widower of Faith Gray. (Also AP&P) Faith Gray was the daughter of William Gray and Mary Holt of Surry Co. William Gray's will 1719 named daughter Faith Ruffin. William Gray was son of Ancient Planter Thomas Gray (Gray's Creek). (Also AP&P) I am supposing that the father of the Ruffin children mentioned in Lydia Cotton's will were probably related to Elias Hilliard's step-uncle William Ruffin. A William Ruffin is mentioned in the following entry: "1763 William PACE, J. EDWARDS and Jo Smith go bond for John EDWARDS Esq $ecretary and clerk of the "Court of Pleas witness Wm RUFFIN and Thos. PACE. (139) Northampton" I think the William Pace and Thomas Pace mentioned in that entry are the sons of Richard and Rebecca. John Edwards seems likely to be or be related to the John Edwards who witnessed Richard Pace's will in 1638. John Smith seems likely to be the same John Smith who witnessed the will of Thomas Bedingfield in 1776. Back to Elias Hilliard. He married Lydia Pope (June 11 1766 Halifax Co). Lydia Pope, reportedly (have not seen proof) was a daughter of Jesse Pope and Mary Elizabeth Fort. Jesse Pope was an executor of the will of a Richard Baley which mentioned Bethel Pace. I don't know who Bethel Pace was: "1762 February 20 Bethel(x) PACE along with Isham SILLS and "x" POPE witness will of Richard BALEY - daughter Rebecker BALEY left to Lawrence POPE until she marries or comes of age. Son Lewis BALEY left to Jesse POPE until he comes of age. Land an plantation to Lewis if he dies without heirs then to Rebecker and if both die without heirs to my brother Thomas BALEY, lend father Philip BALEY use of land and plantation. Friend Thomas POPE feathe bed etc. friend Jesse POPE my wearing cloths, Henry JONES half my meet residue of estate to be sold. Extrs Thomas and Jesse POPE Will # 50 pg 68 Halifax county (189)" According to what I have read (have not seen proof), Jesse Pope and Lewis Pope were both sons of Henry Pope, who married Tabitha Bradford, daughter of John Bradford and -- which wife? Either Patience Reed or, more likely, Dorothea Miriam Burges, daughter of Thomas Burges, whose will (29 July 1777 Feb. Ct. 1794 Halifax) mentions his neighbor SAMUEL PITMAN. Samuel Pitman and John Bradford both witnessed the will of George Pace Halifax 1773, and Samuel Pitman also witnessed the will of Thomas Howell, who, regardless of whether he was the father of George Pace's wife, might well have been related to Lydia (Howell) Cotton whose will was witnessed by Solomon Pace. The links outlined above suggest that Solomon Pace who witnessed the will of Lydia was Solomon Pace, son of William Pace whose parents were Richard and Rebecca Pace. My apologies if everybody but me already knew that. Lydia Howell was married to Samuel Cotton (will proved 10 May 1774 Northampton Co, exc wife, Robert Hilliard). Samuel Cotton was a son of John Cotten (will 1728 Bertie) and Martha Godwin. His sisters Patience and Martha m. (consecutively) Capt. John Spears or Spiers. His mother Martha Godwin had a sister Elizabeth who married William Bridger; their son Samuel Bridgers married Mary Johnston, daughter of John Johnston and Mary Pace (daughter of Richard and Rebecca). I have not yet found out how Samuel Cotton was related to the John Cotton whose will Thomas Pace and Thomas Lowe were executors of in 1762. I would appreciate corrections of errors in the above. James