Cindy and Fellow Listers: I am researching the Skeels family in Highgate with regard to the ancestors of Orin Green SKEELS, b.7/22/1806, Highgate, VT d. 6/1/1898, Highgate, VT; m. Lois/Louise HASKIN 10/3/1833 Highgate, VT. She died 11/8/1886 AE 71 - 9 - 8. Orin was the son of David SKEELS, b. 1779 Lanesboro, MA., d. 4/12/1854 Highgate, VT, m. 6/8/1804 Martha GREENE, daughter of Jonathan and Martha (White) GREENE and a descendant of General Nathaniel GREENE. Martha was b. March 1784 and died in Canada 2/22/1868. David and Martha are buried at Highgate Falls Cem.; Orin and Lois/Louise are buried at Highgate Center Cem. References are made in Aldrich's History of Franklin and Grande Isle Counties p. 721, that "The Skeelses were originally from Wales and Amos, David and John emigrated to America previous to the Revolutionary War, settling at Lanesboro, Mass. At the beginning of the present century David, a descendant of one of these three came to Highgate.. . . " There is also this reference in the Gazeteer for Franklin and Grande Isle Counties, p. 131:" David Skeels from Lanesboro, Mass, came to this town at an early date, with his family, which consisted of three sons, David Jr., Amos, and William, and six daughters." There are several David's, Amos's and William's in the cemeteries of Highgate and Swanton as well as these town's records, so it is hard to connect these families. In Aldrich, History of Franklin and Grande Isle Counties, p. 769 there is information on "William Skeels, son of David and Lydia (Powell) Skeels, who came to Highgate in 1806 and was born in Lanesboro, Mass, where he lived several years and finally came to Charlotte, VT. At the age of 20 years he came to Highgate, VT, where he lived until his death, aged 68. He served as Minuteman at the battle of Plattsburg. He married Rachel Best of Highgate, daughter of Rev. Thomas and Marion (Hyatt) Best." (There is more information on this family in this article if anyone wants it.) Vermont Vital Records have the marriage of William Skeels and Rachel Best in Highgate 12/10/1828 by Samuel Weaver, Minister of the Gospel, no parents named. There are also two cemetery card references to the death of William Skeels; William Skeels farmer b. Lanesboro father David, mother Lydia b. 4/2/1792, d. 6/10/1860 67 yrs 2 mo Highgate Ctr. Cem; William Skeels d. 6/7/1860 68 yrs., 2 mo. 5 da. Highgate Center Cem. This may be the same William Skeels. Rachel Skeels dies at age 82 on 3/4/1879, dau of Thomas and Maureen (sic)Best. In my search I also found a reference to David Skeels in DAR Vol. 118, p. 36 through Ancestry.com as follows: DAR ID Number 117109: David Skeels (1746-1833) served as a private under Captains Newell and Wheeler, Colonel Symonds regiment on Massachusetts regiment of militia. He was born in Woodbury, CT and died in Highgate, VT. 4. David Skeels m. Lydia Powell 3. Amos Skeels m. 1805 Catherine Green (1787-1827) 2. William Skeels (1825-1906) m. Charlotte Russell(1827 - 1904) 1. Lucius William Skeels (1857-1902) m. Lucy Roba Hastings (b. 1852) Nellie Skeels Thompson B. Swanton VT Wife of George Zadock Thompson. >From Highgate records: Charlotte E. Russell m. William Skeels 12/7/1847. Charlotte Russell d.1/27/1904 dau of John Russell and Elizabeth Barr AE 76-9-21 cem card. We have two Davids, two Lydia's and two Williams in the above. Lydia Powell is mentioned as the wife of David Skeels in two of my references. I don't know if she is the same Lydia mentioned by Cindy. David's dates are the same but Lydia's maiden name is different. If anyone can connect these families please let me know. I do have some more information on other Skeels from this area from vital records as well. If anyone has information on the parents of David Skeels, b. in 1779 and who married Martha Greene, I would appreciate the information. Thank you. Martha