Many thanks

I hope you have a safe trip home

the drowning story intrigues
and is genuine oral history from father-in-law.

John Hale may not have come from Dry Brook (not backed up by any sources)

I am hoping he is James' father...census data and birth dates seem to back it up-- I am like a dog with a bone with this one....

Why so many Hales in the area and are they from the same family group?

Interesting there seems to be such a cluster of them in the Forest area.

Cheers
Chris