Hi Folks.... Just wish to publicly address the statements made by Carolyn during her midnight moment of madness about the Southhampton Spence Line. Carolyn....dear you're NOT mad nor have you stepped on any toes with your public thoughts on the obvious....there IS and HAS always been a loose connection....we all have seen this...you just said it out loud. I'm not hindered by decades of research effort thinking the Spence-Bluford Line MUST come from WILLIAM SPENCE of Southhampton Co.VA ...while it may be nice, the thought of having this "one more generation" back to count is progress....but I too DO NOT see any "HINT" of evidence that a connection exist. The only item that gives hope is in William Spence's Will of 1758....we all know he had a dau. - Elizabeth (m. John McElmore) and did not mention her in his Will. ..........so Carolyn states the obvious...WHY.. was our Thomas Spence NOT mentioned in this will ....where was he???...in 1758 Thomas Spence was fighting the French & Indian War in Augusta Co., VA. ....that's where he was.... thus ...was Thomas Spence omitted from the Will of 1758 of William Spence because he was ....far away in Augusta Co.,VA. ?? Was Thomas dead??? --killed in the war?? .....if Thomas was dead, while not required but often the "widow" of the deceased son would be mentioned within the Will... this didn't happen. Folks...Carolyn made good points....until we can get more positive evidence or clues this William Spence of Southhampton must remain only a POSSIBILITY of being the father of Thomas Spence. We still have the mystery man Thomas Spence there in Surry Co., NC in the late 1700s ....which could very well be our Thomas from Augusta Co.VA , slipping over State Lines to resettle after the French & Indian War was over. Focus is needed on THOMAS SPENCE but I think we'll find him easier if we quit looking so hard for his early roots....and look sideways at his wife....MARY GREEN...which we no nothing about.....to marry her...he had to be where she was....I'd say folks...look more at Mary Green and I think we'll see more of Thomas ...... remember....pioneers who migrate together normally marry each other....that may sound sick but tis life where selection is limited. Carolyn....thanks for bringing this out in the open ...now lets throw darts at it!!! Jim (still like those French Broads!) James F. Carver 610 Gay Street, Box 214 Portsmouth, Ohio 45662-0214 e-mail: heritage@zoomnet.net