Benton/Edwards
Jesse B. Edwards and Mary Ann Lee were my wife's gggrandparents. Jesse B. was born October 7, 1807, in Darlington District, SC. His father's name is unknown, and Jesse's grandfather's will (Jarod Edwards of Charleston, SC) named Jesse as the "son of my daughter, Elizabeth, deceased".
Jesse B. Edwards and Mary Ann Lee were married in Selma, AL, and had at least seven children - Martha Elizabeth, Thomas Benton, John Brown Benton, Mary Susan, Joseph Solomon, Sarah Emily, and James Lafayette.
Inasmuch as Jesse B. gave "Benton" as a middle name for two of his children, and as B. is his middle initial (for Benton?), I am suggesting that his father may have been a Benton. In such a case, Jesse could have adopted the name Edwards from his grandfather Jarod (Jarrett) Edwards who raised him after his mother died shortly after he was born - all assuming that his mother was not an unwed mother, but was married to a Benton who also had died or left the area.
Does anyone know who might be a likely candidate for being Elizabeth Edward's husband and Jesse B.'s father - we're at a dead end and will appreciate any help?"