Hi, These are my needles in the Shelby Co. haystack. Sorry folks, this is long... Nannie Margaret COCHRAN Born: 15 Sept 1850, in ?, TN Married: 7 Dec 1869 in Shelby Co. to James Webb WELLS Died: 17 Feb 1922 Even though she lived in Germantown, she died in Tunica Co.,MS and is buried in the old, now abandoned cemetery in Germantown. This abandoned cemetary is where many of the early settlers of the Germantown and surrounding areas were buried. I haven't been able to locate her parents but at least I have a clue. In Nannie's will she appointed Francis Trigg Cochran (of Memphis) as her executor. Francis (Frank) was the son of Marcus E. Cochran and Sophia A. LEAKE . Because of Frank's age, it's looking like he was possibly her nephew. Marcus Cochran (father of Frank) had several siblings, one being John W. Cochran (who married Ida Carr WILLIAMS). It was stated in Nannie's will that if Frank could not carry through as her executor, she named as her second executor the Manhattan Savings Bank and Trust Co (it was in Memphis). Another name for the bank was the German Bank. Even though it's not stated in the will, John W. Cochran was its president. John W. Cochran was also the president of the Panola Oil and Fertilizer Co., the Hanauer Oil Works, and a trustee in the American Cotton Oil Trust. Nannie and her husband (James Webb WELLS) purchased land from a J.W. Cochran (who I am assuming is John W.) in the Germantown area. Also, I have original bank notes executed by James Webb WELLS and were made payable to J.W. Cochran. So, I've got these wonderful clues but no proof tying my Nannie to John W. Cochran. Is anyone familiar with this family? What about the companies mentioned? Especially the Manhattan Savings Bank and Trust? Isaac W. MATTHEWS Born: ca 1788 in NC or SC (TN Mortality Schedule shows SC as place of birth) Died: ca Sept 1850 (before the 1850 census) Married: (1) ? (2) Ellen Isaac first appears on the 1840 census of Shelby Co. (page 210). Isaac had the following issue: Victor, Matilda (md Larimore BYRAM), Stephen (md Elizabeth McKinney), Alzada (md A.F. McWILLIAMS), James, Sarah (md John STEWART), John (md Sarah STEWART), Susan (md Hugh M. STEWART), Coleman and Madison (who were twins), Georgia A, and William. Living next door to Isaac was Wm P. Matthews. I am assuming there's a connection. This is the confusing part: On the 1850 census, Wm P's birthplace is given as VA, and John (son of Isaac) birthplace is given as NC. This birth states don't jive with the birthplace for Isaac shown on the TN Mortality Schedule, so I don't know where to look next...SC? NC? VA? Hugh M. STEWART Born: ca 1823 in TN Married: Susan A. MATTHEWS (daughter of Isaac MATTHEWS above) on 18 Jan 1847 in Shelby Co. Died: ? (probably in Shelby Co.) Hugh and Susan had the following issue: Isaac, James, Georgia A., Sarah, Hugh B. Hila, Lucille, Mary and Alzada (md James Frank RENA). Some of the sons ended up in Cleveland Co., Arkansas but I haven't found enough info to order death certificates. This is the only clue I've got to go on....on the 1840 census, living next door to Isaac MATTHEWS above was an H.T. Stewart. The ages fit but the middle initial doesn't. Does anyone have info on Stewarts in Shelby Co. prior to 1850? James Webb WELLS Born: 29 Nov 1838 or 1840 in NC Married: 7 December 1869 in Shelby Co. to Nannie Margaret COCHRAN above Died: 19 June 1914 in Memphis James and Nannie had the following issue: John, Alice (md Thomas Frank JACKSON), James, Knox Leon (md Susie RENA), Charles (md Ila JONES), Lucy (md Woodson Thomas KNIGHT), Emmet, Margaret (md 1-Norman JENKINS, 2-John SAUNDERS), and Mildred (md-Benjamin F. HEAD). James and Nannie appear the first time on the 1870 census. James' birthplace is listed as NC. On the 1880 census, the birthplace of both James' parents are listed as NC. Unfortunately, James' death certificates shows his parents as "Don't Know" and "Don't Know". I've tried to connect my James to other Wells in the county and haven't been able to. I've been at a brickwall on him for 15 years. Legend has it that one of James and Nannie's daughters married the mayor of Memphis. I don't know which daughter and I don't know who the past mayors of Memphis were. Does anyone know? That's all. Sorry for the length. Debbie Brigman dabrigman@aol.com