(Email from Jane Carson Topoly)

According to tradition in both the Carson and Faris families, William Faris and my 3rd great grandfather, Richard Carson were great and good friends. When the War of 1812 broke out, they both volunteered in the Virginia Militia. William Faris was the commander of the company that Richard Carson was in. They made a pact that if either of them were killed in the war, the other would take care of the deceased's family. Richard Carson died during the campaign to take Fort Sandusky in Ohio in February, 1813. True to his word and after his wife Susannah Curtis Faris died in June of 1813, William married the widow Elizabeth in October of 1814. At one point they had 17 children in their household, 9 of his, 7 of hers, and one of theirs!!! Your Susan was one of them. William Faris became the "father" of the Carson children, including my great-great grandfather, Joseph. By all accounts, William treated them exactly as if they were his own. He even petitioned for their orphan's pension from the government.

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Genealogical excerpts from the Presbyterian Advocate, Oct. 4, 1838-Oct. 24, 1855

Page 102

Oct 25, 1848

Died at his residence in Ohio County, VA, William Faris, at age 77 years old. He was born in Berkshire County, VA and moved from thence to West Alexandria, Washington County, PA, in 1794 where he and his family were members of the Presbyterian Church there. He also served in the War of 1812 under General Harrison.

(NOTE: Berkshire should be "Berkeley", West Alexandria should be West "Alexander")

• Married: 23 JUN 1796 in Ohio County, VA ^{4 5}

1. Dorothy Faris b: 28 APR 1797
2. Elizabeth Faris b: ABT 1798
3. Nancy Faris b: 30 SEP 1800
4. James Faris b: 24 JAN 1802 in Ohio County, VA
5. Mary Faris b: ABT 1803
6. Susannah Faris b: 12 MAR 1805 in VA
7. Rachel Faris b: 18 OCT 1807
8. William Faris b: ABT 1809
9. John Faris b: ABT 1812

• Married: 20 OCT 1814 in Ohio County, VA ^{4 5}
• Event: Presiding Official in Joseph Stevenson, V.D.M. ⁴

1. Adam Faris b: 7 NOV 1816

1. Title: Topoly, Jane Carson (topolyp@erols.com)
   Note: Information from her family files
2. Title: Topoly, Jane Carson (topolyp@erols.com)
   Note: Information from her family files
   Text: provided full date
3. Title: Genealogical excerpts from the Presbyterian Advocate, Oct. 4, 1838-Oct. 24, 1855
   Author: Heckethorn, Paul Keith, compiler and editor
   Publication: Apollo, Pennsylvania : Closson Press, c1999
   Note: Subtitled: news and events concerning the Presbyterian faith
   Page: pg 102
   Text: didn't list exact date, appeared in the Oct 25, 1848, issue. He died at his residence in Ohio County.
4. Title: Ohio County, Virginia Marriages 1790-1854
5. Title: Ohio County marriages, 1776-1900
   Publication: Photocopy of original in West Virginia state archives, 1997