Euline, No we have not corresponded before! If I remember correctly, I once asked who the sheriffs of Marion County were 1872 - 1874, and I think you replied through Noel that Raphael Shelton had been a sheriff in 1842. I would appreciate any info you might have on the Shelton family. I've been researching the family intensely for the past few years. You listed "Hudson" in your roll call - announcement. I believe that there were strong early ties between at least one Hudson family and my Sheltons. In 1750, Amelia County VA List of Tithables - you find Issac, Charles, Hall, Peter and Benjamin Hudson. Crispin and Ralph Shelton II, two sons of Ralph Shelton I, were also in Amelia County at that time. Later, in 1786 - Several of the sons of Ralph Shelton II have land in Surry County, NC. Hall Hudson is also there in Surry County. The 1799 Grainger County, TN. Tax List shows Benjamin, Ezekiel, James, John and Obediah Hudson in Capt. Hamilton's Company. The 1799 Grainger County, TN. Tax List shows David, Ralph (III) Richard and William Shelton in Capt. Shelton's Company. During that time period in Grainger the same Hudsons and Sheltons had close relationships. Land deeds describe "a conditional line" between the land of Benjamin Hudson and Ralph Shelton. Hall Hudson and Richard Shelton witness deeds together. Elijah Hudson is in Marion County early with the Sheltons and other pioneer families. The 1830 Census gives his age as 20 - 30. I'm not sure if there is a connection, but this Elijah Hudson would be the same age as the eldest sons of Richard and Temperance. Another genealogical coincidence (that I have not completely researched through) is this: My great-grandfather was (is) Ephraim Kelly Shelton. One of the sons of Gilliam Shelton. (These Sheltons had strong ties with The Kellys and The Prigmores. The three families had land which adjoined on the Sequatchie River and the three families intermarried several times.) My great-grandfather was obviously named after Ephraim Prigmore, and given the surname of Kelly as his middle name. Gilliam died in 1864. I have copy of Guardianship Paper, naming Ephraim Prigmore as guardian to Gilliam's youngest children. About 1879, Ephraim Kelly Shelton moved to Gadsden Alabama. In 1881 he married Media Davis. Media Davis's mother's name was Mary Fields. In the 1860, Cherokee County, AL. Census her age is given as 34. (Born 1826) Mary Field's mother's name was Delilah Hudson. (born abt 1796) Delilah's father's name was Elijah Hudson. This Elijah Hudson was born in 1769 and died in Jefferson County, GA. in 1843. * Elijah also had son named Elijah. Elijah's father's name was Joachim Hudson born February 11, 1733. Joachim's father's name was Hall Hudson born abt. 1700 in Amelia County, VA. Who was the Elijah Hudson listed in Marion County Census 1830? Thank You, Victoria Toms