This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/DhB.2ACE/694.1.2.1.2 Message Board Post: I just today found this set of queries in Brown County, Texas and read all the way through them. I have never been able to connect John BOWDEN 1777- 1872 who married Anna Stone, from Lawrence Co. TN to any one of the WILLIAM BOWDENs anywhere in North Carolina. There are at least three that I know of and all are born about the same time. One of these I have listed as the son of William and Betsy Travis BOWDEN. I had his birth as 1742 then change it to 1733. I have children for him as James 1765-1843 married Priscilla Williams; Josiah 1770 married Nancy Spencer, Sarah 1773; Simon Travis 1775 married Mary BRADFORD; and John 1780-1845 married Lorena LOURNEY. Another WILLIAM BOWDEN born 1745-6 in NC married Martha first then Mary. died in Conecuh Co. AL on 01 Feb 1821. There are extensive papers on his estate settlement found in Randolph Co. NC Historical Society Journal in 1982. Children: James 1804, John died 1849 Richmond Co. NC: Travis, Josiah 1805; Pleasant who lived in Alabama; Mary 1770-before 1812 married Gideon A. MACON; Patsy married John MACON; and Elizabeth married Isaac ODELL. Also in Maury Co. TN was William BOWDEN born about 1742 died 1834. Have been told his wife was Martha, but I have nothing that proves this. He drew a Rev. War Pension from there and I have his application. In this application is his death date sent by son James BOWDEN, who states he is the only living son of this William BOWDEN. This lets our John completely out of this family because he was still alive at the time this William died. Joan, none of this fits the William BOWDEN you said died in Coffee County, TN in 1842. Sure do wish someone could straighten out all the WILLIAM BOWDEN's for sure, so that I know I have them right. Every time I get this information out and look at it again, I get confused with them all.