Barbara, My James Smith on the 1850 Shelby Co. TX census is 59 years old (the numbers are written over, but think this is correct). He was born in North Carolina. Permelia, his wife was born 1811 in South Carolina. Family records say her maiden name was Thomas. Because of the age of some of the children, I think she might be a second wife. The older children were born in Tennessee. Then they came to Texas in the early 1830's where the younger children were born. Both Permelia Thomas Smith and Abigale Herring Cotten lived in Personville on the 1860 census near each other. Both did not list a husband's name. Both were born in South Carolina. Your Stacy Cotten married to Henry Magee is the daughter of a different John Cotten/on than mine. I looked her up in my Daughters of the Republic of Texas books to identify her. Wish my line was as well documented! Thanks for taking the time to reply. Betty Owens