My lineage follows closely to Ben's and we all keep working at solving the puzzles. I am still working fulltime so my opportunities to contribute are limited. However-I try to print out some of the data and take it with me when I travel and seek out the local courthouses, libraries, or anything else that will yield some data. Then I try to post it even though it is not connected directly to me that I can determine. Hopefully out of all of our contributions will come that one wonderful clue that will help someone connect ---or get past that brick wall. Sometimes I think that maybe we have been too wrapped up in an obvious source (the Hall book, Elmo's records)etc that we are missing a primary record somewhere along the way. There is bound to be someone out there with church records, a family Bible etc that can at least provide a hint. With that said-I was in Fayetteville, NC the last week of Oct on business and went to the county library 2 evenings. Here is some of the data I found there: Membership Lists of Bear Creek Bapt Church Records 1792-1860 (with spellings as found on org) located in Rowan Co, NC John Revis as Prior Elder (appointed) Male Mbrs lists the following: John Reavis Edward Reavis (name followed by letter "D") Jefae Revice (suspect this is Jesse) David Revice "S" "L" James Revis "g" Female Mbrs lists the following: Sarah Revas "S" Dec 1876 Ann Revice "S" Prudence Revice 53 Ruth Revice "S" Elisibeth Steelman "S" (Someone was interested in Steelman connections a few weeks back) a 2nd Elisibeth Steelman is also listed but without letter following name Martha Revis "L" Mary Revis "L" Mary Reavis There was a total membership of 17 males and 18 females. Now...what does all this mean? I think it would be adult members since the Bapt faith does not baptise infants etc. The "L" is for "Letter" denoting the method of joining the church (still done today). Simply put means that the individual "was of like faith and order" prior to coming to this church and they brought a "letter" with them from their former church indicating their religious experience prior to this. So the "L" tells us that they MOVED to this place from somewhere else where they went to church. Anywone know where that was? The "S" means that they became members of the church through a "Salvation" experience. That indicates that they became church members after accepting Jesus Christ as their own Saviour. It also indicates they were of an age of "accountability" necessary to make that type of decision. There are 2 reasons for a "D". However in this record there are indications of church actions of "D" for dismissal for some shortcoming, sin, etc-anything from failure to attend church regularly to use of alcohol to sins more "grievious". Those in this record seem to be listed by "Dis" meaning they were "dismissed". Another church action is "E" or excluded. Those are the folks that just won't get back in the fellowship or won't "repent" of whatever the sin is. Basic meaning is "the church is just washing their hands of the unrepentant". I don't have an explanation for the "g"? Anyone else out there that knows that meaning? All of these various spellings of "Reavis" are found in the church roles. I could suggest that the various spellings were a means of the local folks (church clerk who kept the records) keeping which family was which since they were all likely kin. That is my private opinion. ***Also on these records I don't know if the names used on females is their maiden or married names.*** Another source I found was in the Vance County Hist Bk. Lewis Reavis * c 1766 son of Samuel and Nancy Jones Reavis (grandson of Edward Reavis) moved from Henrico Co, VA to Northampton Co NC about 1747. Lewis gave land for Church of the Holy Innocents (is this a change to Catholic?)Marrie Sarah Wyche in 1808. She was born Apr 16, 1778 and + 1850. He died Nov 19, 1843. They were parents of Peter, Eliz Jenkins Reavis, Mary (Polly) W, John J, George James, Sarah Thomas, (twin to George James)................... Samuel Reavis..............Samuel Reavis and 3 sons were founding fathers of the city of Henderson, NC Samuel is son of Edward Reavis (Hannah?), * c 1721. He married Nancy Jones.. Children are Sons are Samuel Jr, Lewis, and Thomas. Daughters: ? married Hartwell Hyde, Lucy m. Lewis Parham, Daughter ? m Dr Benjamin King and moved west, Nancy Jones m. John Braerne and remained in Vance Co. Sarah Jane (dau of Samuel) (Sally) married Turner Moss. Elizabeth m John Russell and moved to Virginia. Rebecca m. Arthur H. Harris, William Whitfield another son. The sons of Thomas went to TENNESSEE. Samuel Jones Reavis (1755-1854) is son of Samuel and Nancy Jones Reavis, grandson of Edward/Hanna and a brother of Lewis and Wm Whitfield Reavis. He married Pattie Harris, dau of Isham and Martha Harris of Warren Co around 1797. Children are: John B. M., Nancy, Robert, Lewis Pleasant, Delia Hawkins Reavis, Thomas D, George W., Richard, Elizabeth F., William, Samuel Jones. (I have the article from the history book with their wives/children all listed if anyone is interested. Wm Whitfield Reavis Family: Wm Whitfield Reavis m. Elizabeth Ann Wiggins (14 yrs old). Whitfild was a Sergeant in War of 1812. Parents of 14 children: Nancy Hundley, Emily J., Rebecca J, Lucy Ann Russell, Elizabeth L, Edna W., George Badger Reavis, Wm Harold (his kids went to Tx) , Mary H., James Monroe Reavis, Samuel Frederick (never married but taught school in Tenn), Thomas Harrell (his 8 kids all went to Texas), Sarah Jaquillin, Wesley Whitfield,. Nancy's family went to Tex after living in Tennessee for awhile, Lucy Ann Russell and husband Anderson Green Harris went to Ark and Mississippi. I copied names of kids and marriages if this is new material and needed by anyone. Again, this is submitted to see if anyone picks up a new clue. Good luck and Happy Hunting!! Earlene Scott (lineage thru Dolores Sauter, Mamie Caddell, Nancy Bell Gazaway, Julia Reavis, TJP Reavis, etc)