Kathy, I was guessing correctly that you were the daughter of one of Aunt Ola Gunning's sons. Al and Clara Hargreaves were my parents, and I grew up in that lake house, so you and I may have met. I probably was married with children of my own and not there when you visited, however.

I was told that Edward Adams, Benoni's son, told his wife that he was "cousin to two presidents." I've traced our Adams family far enough back to discover two things: first, that most people with Adams ancestors think they must be cousins of the presidents. Second, we are not connected to the Adams presidents. I've traced their descendents and our ancestors, and I have found no evidence of any connection. I know our Adams people were very early in Virginia, and not prominent in any way except that they helped to produce us, which is prominent enough for me.

You are right about Elizabeth Sunderland being the daughter of Nathaniel Sunderland who died in hospital during or after the War of 1812. The hospital was in Alabama, I believe without looking at my notes.

After the Adams men were killed, Fanny McVay's brother returned from California to get her, and they went east and took a ship around Cape Horn to San Francisco, and then by stagecoach to Smith River. She met and married Mr. Haight there.

I have all sorts of questions for you that probably will not interest any others on this list, and I have other information you may want to have. Please email me at gbaars@canby.com. Pat