In a message dated 98-01-27 03:53:57 EST, you write: << I am doing research on the Smotherman's of Wayne Co TN and also Rutherford Co. TN. i have a Ardilla Catherine Smotherman b. feb 28, 1856 who's father was James Smotherman b 1792-1870 most of these came from Rutherford Co. TN. Well -- there's good news and there's bad news. Rutherford Co. seems to be where most of the Smothermans ended up for a few generations. I have several James Smotherman/Smitheman's . But no wives/children for most of them. But here goes. Since Ardilla Catherine was born in 1856 I'd say the most likely candidates could be (1)James A. Smotherman born 1828 in TN --his father was Elijah Smotherman bm 1795 in Randolph Co. NC. Mother -- Nancy Leathers. They had 11 children that I know of. Mary b. 1820, Thomas b. 1822, Elizabeth b. 1824, Elbert D. b. 1826, Josephine b.1828, James b. 1828 (twin??), Jane b. 1830,, Martha A. b. 1832, Phoebe (big family name !) b. 1835, John b.1842, and Julia A., born 1844. Our second candidate is the son of Jesse Smitherman (same family-Elijah's brother) b., 1798 in NC married to Betsy ALLY. Their kids are Littleton b. 1819, JAMES b. 1822, Thomas L. b. 1823, Spencer b. 1825, William b. 1827, John b. 1829, Samuel b. 1831, Julius J. born 1839. Next choice is James Smitherman (Elijah's brother too) b. 1802 in NC md. to Margaret Latham. They have 4 childeren--no James'. One posibility is the 4th child of Lewis Smotherman b. 1793 NC & Mary A. Williams. He is listed as J. Barton born 1823. Lewis, James, Elijah, & Jesse are the children of John Smotherman, Sr. who was born in Fairfax Co., Virginia. He married Mary Barker. He also died circa 1833 in Rutherford Co., TN. I am related to John through his 8th child - Abraham Smotherman who married Mary A. Williams. This family (Abraham's) can be found on the census in many places....1830-Williamson Co. TN, 1840 - Rutherford Co., TN, 1850 - Callaway Co., KY (why?) , 1860 Texas Co. MO, 1870 - Texas Co., MO, and finally in 1880 Mary is living with a daughter in Shannon Co., MO. The next clue would be the grandson of Thomas Smitherman who is John Smotherman, Sr.'s brother. He is born circa 1750 VA. d. 12 Dec 1812 NC. His first son John b. 1770 VA married cousin Mary Barker (don't you know that was confusing on the census !) They have 10-15 children. Lewis 1793, Elijah 1795, Phoebe 1796, Jesse 1798, William 1800, James 1802, Nancy 1805, Abraham 1806, John Jr., 1813, and maybe five more. (Ouch!) But wait there's more--Thomas' 3rd son William Smotherman b 1779 NC mar. Elizabeth Dean --they have 9 known children.....Andrew 1809, John 1812, Sarah 1816, Edy C. 1822, Elvira 1825, Thomas 1825, Lively 1828, James M. 1829, & Dennis W. 1831. NOW-we're almost there--Thomas' 5 child--also named Thomas Smitherman 1788 NC md. Elizabeth Loudermilk. THEY have 13 children. William 1814, Mary 1816, John 1818, Thomas 1820, Elizabeth 1822, Noah B. 1824, Margaret 1826, Martha 1828, Marion 1830, Rachel 1832, Juliana 1834, JAMES 1837 & Adeline 1838. I would be happy to send you my lines..I use Family Tree Maker 4.0 on Windows 95. but can save it in a lower version. Good luck. I hope I have helped and not confused you more ! Valencia Smotherman Smotherman/Smitherman/Smithyman,~Reid/Reed~Orms/Orme~Milner~Phillips~ Wallace~Kite~BETTINGFIELD/BEDDINGFIELD please!~Carter~Clark/Clarke ~Ford~Eads~Flowers~Thomas~Harrison~ relatedfamilies~~~Adkins~Attaway~Miller~Walker~Dunnavant~Connor~Hurley ~Stunkard~Ledbetter~Thomas~Jackson~Renfro~Barker.......and it keeps going & going & going!!!