John L Bruce appears on the 1850 Census in Hancock CO, GA. His place of birth is listed at No Carolina. Wife is Nancy A. which fits. (My eyes are playing tricks). There is a John Lin Bruce b 1798 in Edgecomb County, NC. I think he's John M.'s father. John L & Nancy were married in Putnam Co, GA in 1818. I just can't find a definitive source proving John L as John M's father. If I'm on the right path, John L's parents were Aziel J Bruce and Elizabeth Melton - and from them I can go way way back. Lots of circumstantial evidence and convenient coincidences.