I am still elated! This is what I know about John's life: 1834 - born Greenwood, SC 1844 - brother William marries Elizabeth Starlen 1845 - brother William dies 1850 - Census, Abbeville Dist, SC 1850 - Lewis (father) dies -- there is a will on record which I will be receiving a copy of shortly, Damaus (Demaris), Elizabeth, and John receive $1000 (total) 1855 - John turns 21. At probate (?) John receives $200 (I have also requested a copy of this) 1859 - John marries Fredonia Womack in Panola County, TX 1860 - Census, where is John? 1861 - John returns to SC and enlists in SC artillery company (I have requested military papers) and has his leg blown off (family story) 1862 - Fredonia dies in childbirth with son, John Daniel 1863 - John enlists in the CSA in Dallas (military papers in hand) 1864 - John marries Fannie Jerdan in Rusk County, Texas 1865 - John discharged from CSA 1869 - Fannie dies in childbirth with son, Lewis Williams 1870 - Census, where is John? 1873 - John marries Amanda Canady in Dallas County, TX 1880 - Census, Dallas County, TX 1900 - Census, Dallas County, TX 1910 - Census, Dallas County, TX 1913 - John dies 1928 - Amanda dies Notes: I am descended from John's son Elmer Clarence Whaley. He was my great-grandfather. My grandfather was originally christened William Calhoun Whaley, but his name was changed to William Clarence when he was 2, and nobody knows why. I am really leaning toward John's mother being a Calhoun because the Calhoun family first names are very much the same as ours. But who knows? When John came of age in 1855, the probate record notes that his father served in the War of 1812. Because John served in the CSA, he was not allowed the land grant due his father for this service. (I have also ordered military papers on Lewis Whaley). Also, I have given the South Carolina Historical Society, all the names from the 1850 census, and they are going to research all the marriage records to try to find a notice of Lewis' marriage, and any other data they might have on hand. There is a John C. Calhoun Whaley from Edisto Island, SC, but he is younger than my John. I thought he and his mother might have been sent inland during the plantation revolts before the Civil War. This John C. Calhoun Whaley also served in a CSA Artillery Co. from SC. As soon as my credit card cools off, I may also request his military papers, just out of curiosity............ It would be cool to be related to John C. Calhoun, but I'm just happy you have gotten me past the biggest roadblock of my search. I will never be able to say enough thanks. Sorry this was so long......... Debbie Whaley