Hi!

My Thompson kin were from Rhea Co., TN, which is next to Meigs Co. In fact, there is a Thompson-McKenzie family connection. I've also heard of the McCaleb family in both Rhea Co. and in Chattanooga. Ironically, there are also some McCalebs in my ex-husband's Snow family (his kin came from Whitfield Co., GA, which is near Chattanooga).

In Rhea Co., some of the McKenzie family members spelled their name McKensey. When I visited the Pinecrest Cemetery in Dayton, Rhea Co., I saw the grave markers of one such family.

I also know that one of the Meigs Co. McKenzie family members was born in California in the mid-1800's, which I found very interesting. Could the California Gold Rush have been a factor in drawing African-Americans to the West?

I'm sorry that I have not provided more information at this time, but I got so excited when I read your post, I just had to write! :-) I do, however, have the information (family records, cemetery records, etc.) and will post it as soon as I can put all of it in front of me.

You will hear back from me soon!

Anita