This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Smith, Hall, Wilson, Thomas Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/VJIBAEB/28343 Message Board Post: My Greatgrandparents, Rutha and Elijah lived on Malona Hall Wilson's Farm on the 1870 Lavaca County, TX census. On the census, Rutha is said to have been born in Tennessee. Rutha died in 1898 on the family farm in Delhi, Greer/Beckham County, TX/OK. She was buries on the farm with her daughter Margaret aka Maggie. Elijah died in 1917 at a Confederate Veterans Home in miles, Runnels County, TX. Rutha appears on the 1860 Lavaca census as Susan Smith living with Malona (Hall) and James T Wilson. Filings in the Lavaca Court of Estates say that Rutha is the daughter of "John Smith and wife, deceased of MS" Does anyone Know of the John Smith family that appears on the 1850 Neshoba County census? There appears to be a Jesse Smith, born 1800 in NC, with several children, including John, born NC in 1827 married with a less than 1 yr old daughter? Is it possible that Malona adopted one of her father's slaves to allow her to gain her freedom by aerving as a domestic servant?? And Rutha then cared for Elijah when he returned as a disabled veteran from the Civil War Battle at New Hope Church in GA? I know Elijah and Rutha are my Greatgrandparents. I need to know who Rutha's parents are!! Thanks Ed Antonette eddiebob@mindspring.com Goleta, CA