I went to the Federal Archives today and here are some of the things I have found. 1860 Jeffreson Co., IL census Abram Severs has a James Severs age 16 born in ARK living with him.  Does anyone know he he belongs to? 1860 Jefferson Co.,IL census Ashely P.O.  This area is on the boarder of Washington Co.,IL James Severs 33 IL    is the right age to be a son of James M. Severs Elizabeth 36 TN          James M. was in IL before he was born    James H. 15 TN Pricilla Hick 45 TN There is no marriage record of James and Elizabeth in IRAD. Washington Co., IL isn't included in IRAD.  If James and Elizabeth were married, they could have been married in Washingotn Co.,IL or TN when James was 17-18 and fathered James when he was 18. Catherine Severs 42 IN George Tate  17 IL This Catherine is Catherine Severs Tate.  There is a marriage record in Washington Co.,IL of Samuel Fait and  Katherine Severs.  Catherine is presumed daughter of James M. Severs and sister of Abram Severs.  I have a pension record of Samuel Tate from the Mexican War.  He died 1847 in Mexico. James M. Severs wrote a letter stating that Catherine and Samuel were married and had a son George.   Abram was named guardian of George.  There were also letters from Mary Anderson and S. Smith.  I don't know who these two are. Catherine Tate is listed in the Jefferson Co.,IL 1850 census with James M. Seviers.  In the 1870 census Catherine's last name is Tate again. 1860 Union Co., IL census George Severs 55 NC Elizabeth         31 NC Rachel             13 IL George             10 IL Lorenzo              8 IL Sarah                  4 IL Margaret               1 IL I don't know how or if this family fits with mine, but the name Lorenzo is interesting. 1840 Henderson Co., KY census Ignatious Severs 1 male under 5, 1 m. 5-10, 1 m. 40-50                          1 female under 5, 1 f. 5-10, 2 f. 10-15, 1 f. 30-40                           3 slaves          1 manufacture L. D. Severs  1male under 5, 1 m. 5-10, 1 m. 20-30, 1 m. 40-50                         1 female under 5, 1 f. 5-10, 1 f. 10-15, 1 f. 20-30                       1 agriculture, 2 manufacture This L.D. Severs could be the same Lorenzo Dow that was in Posey Co.,IN.   There was actually a Lorenzo Dow that was born 1777 and died 1834.  He was one of the first Methodist Preachers in this country. He must have had quite a following to have so many children named after him.  There is a website that gives info on him.  Just do a search for Lorenzo Dow. Kathy Pugh