Hi Al: Yes you are right on! I have a copy of Jane Thomas' book. Her mother was the daughter of Thomas Ballow [you just have to soundex these names, as Ballowe became Ballow in VA, Ballew in the Carolinas, Bellieu or Bilyeu or Balloo, etc. in others]. Thomas was one of the original Justices when Albemarle Co. was first formed. I am still not sure who the father of my Miss Ballou was, but it wasn't this Thomas, altho it could have been his son or even grandson. There really isn't a Thomas in her children, but one William Thomas in a grandchild. I "think" her father was either Robert, John, or Leonard, although there is Cherokee blood in this line and I don't know the wives of the Thomases [except for Thomas I/Jane] or Robert. So annoying to have all those records missing. So you don't know Linder Metts? He is dsc. from the Couches & James Bartlett Nunnally and a really nice guy. Frankly, I think that the Jesses, etc. were cousins or nephews of Jane Thomas, as families [well, cousins] did intermarry a lot. Also, I suspect that the Woods were related to Abraham Wood. He came from England not long after our original William Ballowe and William gave him or helped him to obtain land and I think he was a cousin or in-law of William's. He was in charge of an early fort or outpost and was a well-known explorer. Jean