Re: coat of arms references: As there was some question regarding the source material cited in regard to the Akins coat of arms, I have uploaded photographs of the pages from the book A History of Steele Creek Presbyterian Church which pertain to the gravestone of Thomas Akins (1758-1785) who is buried in the Steele Creek Cemetery, Mecklenburg Co., NC. The images of the book pages can be viewed at: http://s1038.photobucket.com/albums/a470/the_scotsman1745/Genealogical%20records/?action=view&current;=steele_creek_01.jpg and http://s1038.photobucket.com/albums/a470/the_scotsman1745/Genealogical%20records/?action=view&current;=008.jpg 

In addition there is a court record relating to Thomas Akins death that is recorded in the Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Minutes of the Probate Court, which reads as follows: 1785. September Session "Ordered that Letters of Administration on the Estate of Thomas Akins, Decd., issue to William Akins who produces Hugh Parks as Security, bound in £600, Administrators Sworn."