I am hoping someone can shed some light on this situation.

Margaret PLESS and her 3 sons by Elijah PLESS are found in the 1860 census North Eastern Dist., P.O Beaver Creek, Ashe Co., NC Roll#887, HH#621, Fam#621, p.350A (30 Jul):

Margret[sic] PLASSANTS[sic] 35 F Spinster b. NC
James " 13 M b. NC
Thomas " 11 M b. NC
Parker " 4 M b. NC

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She is then listed as Margaret MUSGROVE, found in the 1870 census Laurel Twp., P.O. North Fork, Ashe Co., NC Roll#1122, HH#77, Fam#77, p.515B (23 Sep):

MUSGROVE, Margaret 42 F W Tailorist b. NC; cannot write
" Thomas 18 M W Works on Farm b. NC
" Parker 13 M W At Home b. NC; cannot write
" Willy 7 M W b. NC
" Mary 4 F W b. NC

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In the 1880 census she is back to being a PLESS, found in Laurel Twp., Ashe Co., NC Roll#952, HH#57, Fam#65, p.604A (9 Jun):

PLESS, Maggie W F 45 [head] Wd Keeping House b. NC, parents b. NC; cannot read/write
" William W M 15 (son) S Farmer b. NC, parents b. NC; cannot read/write
[nearby is Thos. W. PLESS (23, b. NC) HH#60]

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My thought is that Elijah PLESS died before 1860, and between 1860 and 1870, Margaret married again and had 2 children, William and Mary by a Mr. MUSGROVE who died before 1870. Does anyone know where I can find marriage records for Ashe Co., NC to verify this? I have seen elsewhere that Elijah did not actually die until about 1865 (don't know where he was in 1860 then); if that is the case, is MUSGROVE Margaret's maiden name? I have seen her maiden name listed as DUCKETT or PUCKETT, but I have not been able to verify any of this. Any help with documentation would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for any and all assistance!