Good morning Listers, I've had a breakthrough of sorts, and would like to compare information with others who are researching the couple Daniel WILSON and his wife Elizabeth (Betsey) BLANKENSHIP, married January 1805 in Chesterfield County, VA. The new info from the "Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography", vol. 4, says the couple had 6 children. I know that compiled biographies can be suspect sources, but the facts presented in the articles about various family members are correct as far as I know from other research I've done. Here's what I know: Daniel Wilson married an Elizabeth ?, born abt. 1785. I have located 3 children, George Nicholas Wilson, 1816-1901 (my gggrandfather), Elizabeth Wilson, abt. 1817-1890s (memory fails me) and Daniel Wilson, 1825-1855. George N. Wilson married 1st Hypatia ALLEN in 1837, and 2nd Mary Ellen WATKINS McKIEL in 1870 or 1871. Hypatia, d/o Martha Allen. Mary Ellen Watkins, d/o Jabez Watkins & Julia Lee TAYLOR. Mary Ellen married a Mr. McKiel first, he may have been business partner to George N. Wilson. There is a business listed in Richmond city directory called McKiel & Wilson, tinners. Later directories show the business evolves to be called Wilson and WEST. Elizabeth Wilson married Hiram Lee WALKER, s/o Lancelot WALKER and Sallie GREEN. She was his 2nd wife. The Walker & Wilson families are neighbors per the census. Daniel Wilson, is on the 1850 Chesterfield census with his mother, Elizabeth Wilson, age 65. Daniel is 25 then. He dies at 30, unmarried, per Chesterfield Co. death register. Have not found Elizabeth's death, she's not in 1860 census of Chesterfield Co. I'm missing 3 children of Daniel & Elizabeth, if the compiled biography is to be believed. The book gives facts about the 2nd family of George N. Wilson, especially info about his son Benjamin Watkins Wilson, b. 1877, married 1901, Lillian TOMLINSON. B. W. Wilson began the B. W. Wilson Paper Company in Richmond, VA, 1904. It is still in existence, however it is no longer owned by the family. Sold about 1970. The encyclopedia seems correct as far as it goes, it "just" leaves out the previous marriages of George & Mary Ellen Wilson! Plus George's 1st family, from which I descend. Any cousins out there, I'd like to compare notes. Any opinions on the accuracy of the Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography? At least I gathered my facts from other sources first, instead of relying on the compiled biography. Sorry I got so long-winded and thanks for reading. Marigay Marigay Holloway Annandale, VA email: [log in to unmask] To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html