Fellow Davidson and Warren Co TN researchers: I am searching for parents, ancestors of my gg grandfather William Washington GAY, b. August 6, 1818 in DAVIDSON CO TN, moved first to DeKalb Co TN, then to Lawrence Co MO btwn 1850 and 1860, d (intestate) March 31, 1867, DALLAS TX (where he was likely visiting relatives). In DeKalb he married Mary Bowen Whaley (b Jan 18, 1827, probably DeKalb Co, d January 15, 1885, MILLWOOD,TX, where she was living with her son). Mary is the daughter of Seth WHALEY, b 1804, Worcestor Co MD and Elizabeth Richards BOWEN also b MD, most likely in Worcestor Co MD as well. Elizabeth died in the 1840s, and he remarried Katherine Farrell, with whom he moved to Lawrence Co MO, likely at same time Wm Washington Gay did) (For you DeKalb subscribers, Seth Whaley is the son of Thomas Whaley and Margaret BRATTEN. Elizabeth Richards BOWEN is the daughter of James Bowen and Mary (Polly) TRUITT�I have Bowens and Truitts well back into the 1600s on the Eastern Shore of MD. Several of us cousins are still working on Thomas Whaley. I know the Bratten information is out there but I haven't had a chance to track it down). I have a letter from my great grandmother, Sarah Elizabeth Tennessee Gay Hill "Tennie", outlining the family's oral history. It was written in 1915. The earlier parts of it parallel the family stories of several well researched Gay families, but we couldn't connect She says we are from the Isle of Wight Gays. She refers to the elusive grandfather of Wm. Washington repeatedly and annoyingly for her descendants only as "Grandpa". The recipient of the letter obviously knew the name. The main "story" of interest is that "Grandpa" was standing close by General Washington when Cornwallis surrendered. He then escorted a young lady back to her family, went to NC, got married, first wife died, went back to visit family of young lady he escorted (who obviously had blossomed in the meantime), married her, moved to Georgia, had one child, then moved to Davidson Co TN. This story parallels that of Zorababel Gay, who married Selah Corbitt, and is found in Davidson Co records (no will that I know of though?). But I have been unable to match him up with any of the other Gays in the area with the research tools I have here in Northern VA. According to her letter, William Washington's siblings include John b. abt 1817 in GEORGIA (move to TN occured soon after because my Wm was born in TN), Seaborn, b abt 1822, Dempsey, b abt 1827, Elisha, b abt 1825. All told there were 9 children. Another sister was Elizabeth. The "boys" mostly moved to Madison Co KY. None of the daughters survived to adulthood. TN 1850 Census Information Below. Do any of you recognize these folks?? The 1850 Census of Tennessee for this family would appear to be as follows (all but Wm. Washington still in Davidson Co): Gay, Celia 63, Jno. 33, Dempsey 23, Davidson Co. 651-435 Celia Gay b. North Carolina Jno. Gay b. Georgia Gay, Elisha 25, Elizh 20, Davidson Co. 665-437 Both born in Tennessee Gay, Seaborn 28, Mary 25, Jno. B. 5, Celia A. 3, Wm P. 2, Virginia C. age 2\12, Davidson Co., 652-435 Seaborn Gay Born in Tennessee Mary b. in Tennessee Gay, William W. 29, Mary B. 23, Sarah E. T. 2, Nancy C. 9\12, Dekalb Co. Tennessee 181-25 William Gay b. in Tennessee Mary Bowen (Whaley) Gay b. in Tennessee Children of William Washington Gay and Mary Bowen Whaley were: Sarah Elizabeth Tennessee,b Jan 1848,Nancy Caroline (b Aug 1848, m George Willard, moved to Illinois then to LOS ANGELES where she died in 1899), Thomas Kansey, b 1852, William Edgar, b. 1854, John B,b 1862, and Mattie M Gay, b 1864 who I believe moved to FARMERSVILLE, TX.. Janet (Baugh) Hunter -- Researching these Middle TN Names -- In Robertson/Sumner Cos, STARK, COUTS,BYRD,CHOATE,SIMMONS,WEBB; In Davidson Co, GAY; in DeKalb Co, WHALEY, BOWEN, BRATTEN,TRUITT,GAY; in Warren Co, HILL; in Bedford Co MARSH,LANDING/LANDIN...Plus my ever elusive Permelia WILLIAMS, b. 1832, unk Co. TN (married Marsh in NW Arkansas, probably Benton or Washington Co).