Hi Dave I'm going to split this up into several messages. If we can agree that Thomas b 1828 is the son of Thomas Stephens b 1791, then the land patent I find in Fayette Co IN Oct 16, 1835 for Thomas Gatrell Stephens might be the father b 1791. Thomas b 1828 would only have been 7 years old. Then the same problem arises. If Thomas b 1791 has a middle name of Gatrell, possibly his mother is a Gatrell, not a McClellan. That ruins your relationship. Have you seen the G initial in any of your research? Thomas G Stephens also had land in Putnam Co IN in 1831. Middle initial only. 3 years old at this time. Looking at Ohio records, I find land being registered in Fayette Co IN at Cincinatti OH. How did they do this? Richard is registering land in Fayette Co IN while living in Franklin Co IN and registering it at Cincinatti OH. Franklin Co IN is just across the state line from Butler Co OHio. Another possibility is that he is marrying a deceased 1st cousin's wife. Mother's, brother's, son's wife. I know that taking your dead brother's wife was common place. My wife suggested that maybe he took his wifes maiden name as his middle name when they were married. Has anyone ever seen that done? Are you reading the Stephens-L messages ok? I'll drop the direct email to you if you are. More to come Burr Stephens