The name Ruckman rings a bell, maybe you can gleem something from this letter I got from Carol Rowe. Ron Pyle You know I don't think the Zachariah Piles in Monongalia County is the same as the one in Hampshire County. I think they were related. Also, we had a Francis Piles in Hampshire Co that I will provide some info: At age 68, in the 1850 census, Francis lived near Kirby, Hampshire County, VA, now West Virginia, with Samuel Ruckman. Samuel was probably his son-in-law. Census said he was a laborer. Ref: 1850VA-Hamp Co., Dist 24, #19-19. John Piles married Elizabeth Ruckman, March 13, 1824. Elizabeth's parents were Samuel and Susannah Ruckman. (Deed Bk 29/333-40 Hamp. Co.) shows a deed dated 22 Feb 1834...between John H Piles and Elizabeth, his wife, Solomon Tharp and Hannah, his wife and Gibson Ruckman and Mary, his wife. The said Elizabeth, Hannah and Gibson being children of heirs and legal representatives of Samuel Ruckman, deceased of one part and Thomas Ruckman of the other part. Francis Pyles, who was born in Maryland in November, 1782, is probably related to the Francis Piles, born in 1635, who came to America and settled first in Chester Co, PA, and later worked their way south on the Great Wagon Trail to, first, Maryland, and second, Virginia, now West Virginia. From Historical Records of Old Frederick County... by Dr. Wilmer Kerns, Francis Piles died on March 16, 1872 in the Hampshire Co. Poor House, aged 89 years, 4 months. He was born in Nov 1782. Source: The South Branch Intelligencer. Jul 15, 1758 Zachariah Piles born in Frederick Co., MD 1776 Zachariah enlisted in army/marched in South Branch Valley Nov 1782 Francis Piles born in Maryland 1782 William Piles on Hampshire Co Tax List June 1810 No Piles in Hamp Co Census June 1820 Zachariah Piles listed in census in Hampshire Co. Mar 13, 1824 John Piles married Elizabeth Ruckman June 1830 John H. Piles (b1790-1800) and Zachariah(b 1770-1780)in census Feb 22, 1834, Deed between John H & Elizabeth, Tharp's and Gibson Ruckman, ch of Samuel and Sussaanah Ruckman. Aug 26, 1837 John W. Piles born in Hamp. Co June 1840 Zachariah Piles, b 1780, in census of Hamp. co. June 1850 census: Benjamin, b. 1817, Thomas b 1825; Zachariah b 1822; John b 1833; Rector b 1833; John b 1837; Hannah b MD 1786; Joseph b 1835. June 1850 Francis Piles, 68 living with Samuel Ruckman Jan 17, 1856, Capt. John H. Piles, CSA, married Jane Roberson June 1860 census Hamp. Co., Hannah; Frank b MD 1787; Rector b 1832; Benjamin b 1818, John H. Jr. b 1837, Capt John H b 1832. Sep 1870, Capt John H and Jane moved to MO. March 16, 1872, Francis Died in Hamp. Co. Poor House According to 1850 census of Hamp. Co., Dist 24, Dwelling 10, Hannah Piles, age 64, lived with Comfort Poling, a female, age 74. As noted by census she could not read or write. Was she the widow of ...? Also in the household was Sarah Piles, age 43 and Malinda, age 13. This apprears to be a widow, daughter in law and granddaughter. This Zachariah Piles seems to have spent much time in Hampshire Co. The other Zachariah was in Mongaglia Co from age 11. He seems to have stayed there. This will give all those interested in this line something to think about over the Labor Day holiday. ---------- : From: Rusty6356@aol.com : To: PYLE-L@rootsweb.com : Subject: Piles in KY and IL : Date: Friday, January 02, 1998 6:31 AM : : Happy New Year, everyone. Still looking for clues to my Mary Ann PILES, m. : Jacob SWISHER 1833 in Vermilion Co., IL. Both Mary Ann ("Polly") and her : mother Mary (maiden name unknown) b. in KY according to census. The elder : Mary was widowed by 1832 and remarried to a James RUCKMAN, b. NY. Her first : husband may have been Edward, also b. KY, Family legend: Mary PILES operated : a ferry in either OHIO, KY or IL after her husband's death, with the help of : former slaves who remained with the family. : : Happy 1998 to all, : Dixie Jordan : Rusty6356@aol.com :