Thought that I would list again my unattached Cotton/Cotten ancestor. I am searching for information regarding the family of Caleb Joshua Cotton/Cotten born in the area of old Rowan Co. North Carolina about 1782. From family tradition his father has been named as James Cotton/Cotten. There is a census record for a James Cotton in Surry Co. NC 1800. Caleb Cotton has a marriage bond in Surry Co. NC, 16 Nov 1801 to Nancy Meredith, witness was William Meredith, bondsman was Thomas C. Burch. Caleb later moved to the area of Rutherford Co. Tennessee near Nashville. He is listed in the census records of 1810. He is also listed in records of both Rutherford Co. and Davidson Co. TN. He served in the war of 1812. Sometime around 1820, he moved to the area of Southern IL. areas of Pope and Johnson Co. where he is also listed in records and census. Caleb's father may have been associated in the Cumberland area of North Carolina/Tennessee, as the names listed with Caleb in the records of Tennessee were prevalent in this Cumberland area. There has been some family theory that Caleb's father or grandfather may have been a Christian Missionary to the Indians??? Caleb's mother may have been Cherokee or part Cherokee. In family tradition she has been given the name of Blue Bird also known as Sarah Crouch/Gooch/Goochee?? Children of Caleb & Nancy (Meredith) Cotton/Cotten were Sarah, Malinda, Mahala, James, Caleb Carrol, Noah Shelton, Nancy Josephine, Gabriel Lovoen, Elizabeth, Margaret Louisa, Peninah Shropshire. Peninah is my GGgrandmother, she was born 12 Mar 1827 Vienna, Johnson Co. IL and she was of Cherokee descent. Any information regarding any of these Cotton/Cottens would be very much appreciated. Marla