Carol - Matthew was evidently a favorite name in the Pate's and was passed down in several lines - And as you know - none of these older records are absolutely correct - just the best guestimate So will just list what I can - and beware, most of it needs more verification (1) The Matthew Pate, father of Mary Pate who md Lawrence McGeorge was son of Matthew Pate (b. ca 1738) who md a Dabney (this from DAR records, which are not always correct) from Bedford Co, VA Mary also had a brother, Matthew Pate, b. ca 1780 who md Mary W Harrison. (2) Matthew Pate, b. ca 1700 md Jean -- This family was from Halifax Co, VA and a lot of info from the John Christian "Day Book:" They had a son Matthew Pate b. c 1735 and a son, Jeremiah Pate, b. c 1730 (among other children) This Jeremiah Pate, b. c 1730 had a son Matthew Pate, b. c 1762 md Drucilla Hobson, served in the Rev War. Drucilla filed for a Rev War pension (very lengthy) which gave a lot of the family info (3) Matthew Pate, b. c 1735 son of Anthony Pate & Sarah -- from Montgomery Co, VA No futher info (4) Matthew Pate, b. c 1755 md Elizabeth Cardwell - son of Jeremiah Pate and -- Bender - from Gloucester Co, VA Abingdon Parish Register info (5) Matthew Pate b. 20 Sep 1785 TN md Mary Meek - they were in Washington Co, IL until 1850's Maybe this will help Jinks