Jack and Les, Thank you for your replies. I had a senior moment. Hiram Thomas was born in Jackson County to Enoch Thomas and died in Fayette County where Backus is and the cemetery is named Gwinn, which I found. Enoch Thomas, Hiram's father, drowned and is buried on the old Thomas farm near Ripley, Jackson Co, WV. Thank you both for your kindness. I'll try to post queries during more lucid moments from now on (Ha). Jim > Hi Jim, > > The only Backus that I can find in WV is in Fayette County. > > Les Shockey > > At 02:37 PM 7/25/01 -0500, Jim & Sue Beard wrote: > >Does anyone know where Backus, Jackson Co, WV is or was? Also is there a > >Gwimn or Gwirm or something like that Cemetery about seven miles from > >Backus? I have a letter written to my wife's greatgrandmother on > >2-14-1898 from her brother saying their father, Hiram Powers Thomas, died > >on 1-31-1898 and is buried in this cemetery. He stated the Backus post > >office was new at that time. Thanks for any help anyone may give. > > > >Jim > >