I am trying to find out what happened to my 3rd great grandfather, John K.E. Shoemaker (Shumaker).

He is listed in the 1850 Census of Alleghnay County, VA with his wife Elizabeth (Eliza) Matthews and my 2nd great grandfather, William Henry is also mention.

John K.E. is mentioned in the will of his father William Shumaker on 19 May 1854 in Alleghany County, VA

John's wife died after 1850 as he 'farmed out' his children as the family cannot be found. He is in the 1860 census of Allegany County in the househod of Samuel Brown but has apparently lied about his age as it it off by 10 year.

There is no record of John after 1860 that I have been able to locate.

SUPPOSEDLY someone told me that 'family tradition' says that he is buried in Poca, Putham County, WV. I have not heard of this until this year and I have been working on the family genealogy since 1980, so this is news to me.

There is a John Shoemaker of the same age in Randolph County, WV married to a Sydney. Further research (which included a marrage certificate) showed that even though he was widowed when he married, this John's father was George, and not William per the will referenced above.

Can anyone help me with this mystery??