Harold, I did a quick check of Barbour Co, AL for you in the census and find one household that had a John Stevens the approx age of your John Martin Stevens. This little boy was 6 years old in the 1860 census, making him born between 1853 and 54. He was the son of David D. and Nancy Stephens. I then looked at the 1880 census for your John Martin Stephens and found him with wife and kids. Close to him was a Phil D Stephens..one or two houses away and then next to that guy was David D. Stevens. The 1860 census shows David D age 46 b in SC with wife Nancy 45 born NC The 1870 census show David and wife both born in NC (page 393 of Louisville, Barbour Co, AL. The 1880 census shows David D born in SC SC SC The 1860 census of David D and Nancy is as follows: Barbour Co, Louisville AL page 54 David D. Stephens 46 SC Nancy 45 NC Nelson 19 SC William 17 SC Franklin 14 NC Robert 12 NC Thomas 12 NC Mary A 9 AL JOHN 6 AL Phillip 4 AL Note...the Phillip is obviously Phil D. age 24 in the same location in 1880, when he was next door to your John and father David D. Also note that while David D. Stephens was shown to be born in SC in 1860 and 1880...the family did indeed come FROM North Carolina before they came to Alabama. In the 1850 census, you're either going to find them in NC or Alabama...a tossup since Thomas and Mary were born on either side of the 1850 census. Here's a bit from a cemetery ..the Methodist Church one in Louisville Nelson K, Stephens, Apr 18, 1841- Nov 28, 1902; Pvt., Co E, 7th Ala Inf. Rgt. and later Sgt, Co H, 39th Ala Inf. Rgt.; s/o David and Nancy Stephens; m. Mary C. Tucker, 1847- 1930; buried Louisville Methodist Church Cemetery, Louisville Best of luck to you in your research, Julie Bissell Tupker