Hello all. I know this is an unusual message, but I am asking everyone on this list to please think for a moment about all the surnames you have in Sullivan Co (NC which became TN) and see if you remember anyone in the family having the unusual given name XANTIPPE. I have become convinced over the years that the Christian name of the as yet completely unknown wife of my ancestor JOHN BIRDWELL, who was born c 1772-5 and lived in Sullivan Co (NC-TN) before he relocated to Giles Co TN, was XANTIPPE/ZANTIPPE. I am looking to place this given name with any surname in this area of TN, as it may give me a fresh lead. John Birdwell appears in several extant records in Giles Co TN starting in the early 18-teens, but the courthouse at Giles went thru many disasters and many records were lost. None of the extant records also name his wife. he disappears from census in Giles and records there in 1833. He moved on, I think. His wife was alive in 1830. I haven't located them again. Xantippe/Zantippe ( associated nickname seems to be TIPPY) is such an unusual name I thought it might be worthwhile to ask. @ of John's daughters used it for their daughjters, and a SOlomon Birdwell also used it for a daughter born in 1864. I do not know who Solomon was. Regina Roper