Jinks: Reference AL77. My notes show a marriage license issued in Marshall Co AL 29 Jan 1844 for a John Pate and Mary Isbell Sloan. They married 1 Feb 1844 and license was recorded at Pg 205, 1836-1846 Bk. She previously was married and had daughters. Later he supposedly "absconded", as in ran off, with one of his step daughters deserting his wife, step children and children. He must have taken off early on (1844-1850) as she is shown as head of house in 1850 Marshall Co Question - was the name Isbel (Isbell) in her name perhaps a maiden name or a married name rather than a middle name? Joel