Hi Glenda, Thomas and Virginia were NOT married in Henry County in 1790. The LDS records are wrong <which is not uncommon>. Henry County did NOT EXIST in 1790, or 1800 or 1810 or 1818. The lands that eventually became Henry County were not open to 'white' settlement until 1819, actually 1820 but there were a lot of illegal 'River Jumpers'. In 1790, Henry County was part of North Carolina, but was actually 'owned' by the Cherokee Indians who eventually sold it in the 'Jackson Purchase' of 1818 to become part of Tennessee. 'Whites' were NOT allowed <by the Federal Government> into the area legally until 1819. However, North Carolina issued 'Bounty Warrant' land claims to any number of persons who served in the Revolutionary War for land in the area even though the Cherokee actually held possession of the land and actual 'white' settlement couldn't actually happen, kinda like, it's yours...but you can't live there, because somebody else already does. Most soldiers actually sold their 'warrants' to speculators. Who in turn resold them. It was big business at the time. The 'Jackson Purchase' was named after Andrew Jackson who negotiated the sale with the Cherokee chief who sold out his people <he pocketed most of the money>. Look elsewhere for a Henry County marriage record prior to 1820. Also, folks forget, Marriage Licenses were issued and performed in the county of the BRIDE and not the groom or where they would actually reside. Gives you a hint as to where a wife's parents lived. Dave - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------- At 06:26 PM 8/19/1999 -0500, Glenda Melson wrote: >Can anyone tell me the earliest recorded marriage records for Henry Co. > >I pulled off the LDS list that Thomas Gillespie married Virginia Gillespie in Henry Co. abt. 1790. Also, are there any land records showing a plantation that Thomas owned in Henry Co. at that time. His daughter Margaret (Peggy) Vance Gillespie McNutt inherited the land and she and her husband (William Black McNutt) moved there around 1830. > >Any help will be appreciated. > >Glenda Cook Melson >Lebanon, MO >