In a message dated 10/29/2000 12:04:54 AM Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: > Barb, I don't know if this helps. I thought this Thomas might be George's > son because he is living only couple doors down from him. Yes, that is the way I have had it, and partly because they lv'd close to each other; But the problem is this Thomas and Margaret keeps coming up and confusing things, esp since the ages so close and that 1870 census Joan sent, with Melvin bro of Thomas being in his household is a definitive clue, even if ages off! Benjamin MELVIN was born 1855 his bro Thomas was born 1835 they were sons of James Benjamin, s/o Thomas-4 the 1880 census has Thomas 47 or born 1833* (rec have 1835) Margaret 44 bro. Melvin 24 or born 1856(rec have 1855) Yet the 1860 census has Thomas 25 or born 1835* Summary: despite the age difference, Thomas and Melvin were s/o James Benjamin-5, s/o Thomas-4, s/o Geo-3,and this Thomas married Margaret. But rec have him married to Mary Jane Robert; so either 2d wife or wrong name..need marr rec (Ha). Further looks like his middle initial may have been "F". *********************************** So then Thomas 36 on 1870 census with E.Ann Thomas 27 on 1860 census with Elizabeth or born 1833-34 ..close enough Summary: This Thomas married Elizabeth Ann Ball Clontz(she apparently had been married before, and was sev years older than Thomas) and he was Judge of Buncombe Co.; thus he was son of George Larkin-5 s/o Thomas-4, George-3. Thomas must be TMS listed in census records as s/o George. Do believe with everyone's input, we have solved the problem. The third Thomas in the records being Thomas Henry s/o Wm N. also son of Thomas-4, s/o George-3. Looks like we were right the first time, just had not proved. Guess they really respected their father..naming sons Thomas Thanks all for the help. Gosh, hope this is all RIGHT! *Barb