I'm really interested in whatever evidence you have to support your ideas. I certainly don't claim to be an expert, and I hope you won't be offended, but I'm not sure about some of the connections. a) James isn't the only candidate on the 1830 Pickens census; there's Celia (p.812) and John (p.39). There's also Andrew & Esther Mason, the couple I tend to favor as possible parents for "my" Elias; though they were in Pendleton District 1810-1820, Esther shows up on the 1830 and 1840 Anderson County census. b) On a will abstract from James Mason & Fanny McGee, they mention a son named Elias. However, he's listed as being in Kentucky--when "my" Elias never left the Pickens/Oconee area except to fight during the later years of the war. Elias himself told the newspaper this in 1918. c) In the same newspaper article, Elias stated that he served in Jenkins Brigade, Second SC Rifles Company "C" under Col. R. E. Bowen. A Mr. J.S. Lawless also served with Elias in that regiment. d) There is a younger Elias Mason (born around 1838) in the county, and it may be this one who served in the Company K with his brother James. e) I agree that there's probably a connection between Martha and Bennett Hyde, but I'm not sure it's father and daughter. A document from Greenville County suggests that her father was Absalom Hyde, and it's thought that Bennett's only child was a son named Ansel. f) On the 1850 Pickens census next to Bennett & Penny Hyde is a couple named Washington and Emily Mason. I don't know yet if he's related to "my" Elias. He outlived all his siblings, it seems, as none were mentioned in his will.