We got basic mitochondrial DNA results for a descendant of Martha Alley Bills, the oldest daughter of John Alley (born 1793). It didn't match the line that I have for the Dye family. HOWEVER, my theory is that John Alley was married twice--first to Elizabeth Burge (which is consistent with the DAR entry https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2204/images/32596_242273-00008?usePUB=true&usePUBJs=true&pId=631567), but that Elizabeth died and he remarried to Agnes.
Agnes appears as his wife on all the land sales starting 5 February 1802, and at least through 1813 when John Alley conveys land to James Morford (who I suspect was Agnes' brother). In the 1800 census, John Alley appears to be 26-44, while the adult female in the household is 45+. Meanwhile, in the 1810 census, the adult female is 26-44 while John is 45+. That suggests that first wife died and a mother or mother-in-law was living in the household in 1800, or it's just an error. But if Martha had a different mother, that would explain the lack of mitochondrial match. Agnes is clearly living from 1802 to 1813, so she has to be the 26-44 year old female, suggesting that she was born 1766-1784. Trees identify Agnes as born 1764, but that might be the first wife; Agnes Morford could have been much younger. Note that the 1790 census suggests that John might have had a son and a daughter (two females listed).
Final bit of evidence--most of my Alley matches seem to be through Sarah Alley born 1805, not the older children.
It would be nice if John Alley had sold land before 1800 to see if his wife's name was Elizabeth; he is identified as a witness in Augusta County Virginia, but that might be a different John Alley.
