Ann, I am a great grandson of John Ripley Desha. My grandmother was Minnie Desha Cox. I am working on the Joseph G. Desha, father of John Ripley Desha, part of the geneaology. Have you learned anything since your post. My information is slightly different from yours but not a great difference. You may email me directly at k5pgw@yahoo.com. Who are your connections to John Ripley Desha? You may email me directly. John King