Does anyone know much about the boatmen of the 1850's and 1860's in Kanawha and Putnam counties? My g-g-grandfather was James Matthew Watkins b. about 1855 probably in Putnam county. I found him in the 1880 Putnam census as a coalminer living in Raymond City with his wife Mary (Asbury) and son Charles E. In the 1850 census is another James Watkins who I think might be my g-g-g-grandfather. This James Watkins is listed as a riverboatman. Any information about my Putnam county Watkins ancestors is appreciated. Thanks! Frank Barrett -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Friday, April 06, 2001 11:03 PM Subject: [WVKANAWH] Alonzo B. FORD/Mason Co., WV Looking for siblings and/or parents of Alonzo B. FORD appearing the Personal Property Taxes (PPT) for Mason Co., VA in only 1844. In 1848 he marries Susannah FERGUSON (probably a Daughter of the Mason Co. FERGUSONS) in Kanawha Co., VA. I have a listing of all his children and one is a Richard who he may have named after a Richard FORD in Mason Co. in the late 1830s and 1840s in PPT. All the MASON co., VA FORDS (Erasmus, Morris, Richard, Willam, James and Alonzo) must have lived in the Putnam Co., VA area of Mason as they all appear in Putnam in 1848 when it forms from Mason. I feel Alonzo lived on the Kanawha River as he was identified as a Boatsmen in the 1850 & 1860 VA Census in Kanawha Co. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Julius (Tim) Emmett Spradling, III, Great Great Great Grandson of Alonzo B. and Susannah FORD who died in 1901 and 1902 in Kanawha Co., WV and are buried in the Spring Hill Cemetary in Charleston, WV. ============================== Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 Source for Family History Online. Go to: http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/subscribetrial1y.asp?sourcecode=F11HB