I have been researching for ancestors of William Samuel ROGERS who, according to his own words, was born in Iredell Co., NC. The US Census of 1850 has him listed in a household that the names and relationship is unknown to the family at this time. His age at the time was 12 years old. The US Census was taken 10 Oct 1850. This date is important. I have searched US Census for Iredell County, NC 1840 and have found one entry for John W. RODGERS. There is one male 0 to under 5, one male 30-40 (John himself), and female 10-15, and one female 40-50 and several slaves. I believe the male 0-under 5 is my ancestor William Samuel ROGERS. Further research finds in Abstracts of the Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the May Session 1850, Wednesday 22 May 1850, and entry "ordered that the sheriff bring into this session of court Samuel Rogers to be bound out." I believe Samuel had become an orphan at this point. Additional research shows that John RODGERS was selling land in the time frame of 1837-1839. I have not researched the records between 1840 and 1850. Does anyone have additional info and help in this search. Your correspondence would be much appreciated. Wayne Phillips <rwphillipsnc@aol.com>