This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: russell Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.russell/3258.3306.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Thomas J. Russell was my Great-Grandfather. He was by profession, a horse trader. His youngest child, Johnnie Vela Russell Jones was my Grandmother.This is the story my grandmother told me: Thomas left Alabama for Arkansas at the urging of his sister, who married a Cassidy and was already settled in Arkansas. Thomas' sister was Virgina Dell Cassidy's grandmother and great-grandmother of William Jefferson Clinton.- I am sorry I don't have the file about this family connection at my fingertips- I am new at this. The Thomas Russell family did not stay in Arkansas. They moved back to Red Level, Alabama sometime between 1897 and 1899. Prior to this, they lost two children, Mary Alabama "Bama"Russell and Arthur "Little" Russell. I think these children might be buried in Arkansas. My grandmother was born in Red Level,Alabama in 1899. Thomas was helping at a local cotton gin (in/around 1901-2?) and his arm was accidently mangled/caught in the gin and he died of gangrene.-This is why! he is buried in Alabama. His death left his wife, Matilda Henrietta Garrison Russell to raise her girls alone. Ora Belle, Harley Dream, Pearl, Alsia and Johnnie. By the way, I remember Aunt Belle fondly=)