Seeking information on the Purcell (Pursell, Percell), McPhail and Matlock families who resided in McMinn County during the 1830-1900 time frame. William M. Purcell (c 1821-1864), son of Malcolm Purcell (c 1779-c 1855) and Mary McSwain, married Martha Matlock (c 1832-after 1880), who was the daughter of Henry Matlock, Sr. (1786-1851) and Nancy Rice (1798-1857). William Purcell had a brother, Daniel (1809-1851), who also lived in McMinn County. Another Daniel Purcell (c 1779-1851), brother to Malcolm Purcell, resided in McMinn County too. Daniel and Malcolm's sister, Mary Purcell (c 1775-1851) married Daniel McPhail (c 1770-1817) and they also resided in McMinn County. The Purcell family moved from Cumberland County, North Carolina to McMinn County, Tennessee--probably in the early 1830's. Note that Henry Matlock, Sr., both Daniel Purcell's and Mary Purcell McPhail all died in 1851--within a few months of each other. In addition, Charles Matlock, brother of Martha Matlock, also died in 1851. Was there a catastrophic disease that swept through the Athens area of McMinn County during the summer and fall of 1851? Thanks for any help offered on the Purcell, McPhail and Matlock families of McMinn County. Doug Doug Purcell 633 North Randolph Avenue Eufaula, AL 36027-1209 334-687-9787 dcpurcell@earthlink.net