This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: PRESLEY Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/JgB.2ACE/1036 Message Board Post: Calling all descendents of Presley families in Madison County Tennessee. Ancestor President Presley (b. 1809/1810) is driving me crazy as I try to track down is information. I thought it might be worthwhile to touch base with all my fellow Presley researchers in case there's information out there that has been overlooked. Any and all information is appreciated. I have President Presley (or Priestley) on the 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880 censuses living in Madison Co., TN. The family moved from District 7 (1850) to District 8 (1860, 1870) and back to District 7 (1880). First question: is anyone familiar with boundary lines for these civil districts or is familiar with how I can gain information on them? I'm curious whether the family actually moved or whether the boundary lines changed. In '60, '70 & '80 President is a farmer but in 1850 he's enumerated as a miller. Does anyone have any ideas how to research information on him based on this occupation? In 1850 and 1860 there is no value given for real estate owned, but in 1870 President owns $10,000 worth of property. It appears he did well during the war? Any ideas? I've contacted the Jackson/Madison library regarding deed records and will share what information I find. Census gives both Tennessee and North Carolina as a birthplace for President, in either 1809 or 1810. His wife is Susan, and other family members have suggested her maiden name was Shoemaker. I can find no marriage record for President & Susan, and my best guess is that the marriage would have taken place around 1837 as the first child I have for them was born in 1838 (am not positive that was the first child, however. I don't find any Shoemakers in Madison Co in 1840 either. If the people enumerated on the census with President and Susan were their children, they would be: Sarah b. '38), Mary Elizabeth (b. '44), Arabella (b. '47), Wesley Owen (my ancestor) (b. '49), John Franklin (b. '52), Absolem DeBerry (b. '54), J (b. '56), Nancy P (b. '57), Dorah (b.'59), Allen ('66), J (b. '68), and Amanda (b. ?). I suspect Allen, J and Amanda might have been grandchildren. Does anyone have these names and additional information on their births? The first child I know born in Madison Co Tennessee was my g-grandfather, Wesley Owen. The children previous to him were listed as born in Tennessee on the census, but I don't know where. Given the amount of DeBerry surnames in Madison County, I would suspect some significance behind Absolom's middle name. Not that I have a clue what that significance is, however. :0) I did not find President or Susan in the 1900 census, suggesting they likely died between 1880 and 1900. As yet, I have found no record of a will for either one, though with $10,000 worth of real estate, I would have thought there'd be one. If anyone has ideas or suggestions in finding information on President and his wife, I'd be happy to hear them. If anyone has further information, I'll likely dance for joy. Thank you, Trish