James Stone Jr. was the fourth child of eleven children of James & Elizabeth Guest Stone. The earliest document we have on James Stone Jr. is February 27, 1842 when he married Mary Jane Burchinn in Barry County Missouri. The James Stone family Bible states he was born November 30, 1822 and that his middle initial was "J". In a later document of a land grant it stated that the middle initial was "H". Therefore we will call him just plain James Stone, Jr.

The 1870 census of Hill County TX say he was born in Tennessee. Mary Jane was born in Kentucky, according to that 1870 census, other census, 1850 and 1900 say Alabama. Their son, Albert, report Missouri as Mary Jane's place of birth on the 1880 census, but we know this was the place of residence at the time of marriage. One thing we do know, this family moved many times, never staying long in any place. The frequent moves probably were in an effort of finding a better life for their growing family. After the children married and moved on to Kerr County TX, these were more settled. James' brothers and sisters were Martin, William M. (Early Bill), Sarah (Sally), Mary Arm (Polly), Margaret, Green Berry, Redmond S, Matilda, John Lock and Andrew Larkin Stone.

The 1846 Republic of Texas Poll Tax List had a James Stone listed in Rusk County. It stands to reason that this is our James Stone. We know other family members were living in Rusk County.

The birth certificates of children of Albert G. Stone, 2nd child of James and Mary Jane, listed Albert as being born in Fannin County TX. Albert birthday was listed as 1st  June 1849. Living here was short lived.

The 1850 census of Rusk County TX (taken on Oct. 28, 1850) list the Stone family living in Rusk District with James as a farmer, age 27; Jane, age 26; David C, age 3; Albert, age 1. Their real estate property was valued at $800.00. Rusk County had been formed from Nacogdoches County, only 7 years (1843) before this census was taken. Again living here was short lived.

In July 1851 the Stone family was in Jackson County TX as evident of an affidavit of a Muster Roll of the Texas Volunteers saying that James was a Pvt. In the Company of Capt. J.S. Menefee in the Army of the Republic of Texas, serving 3 months in 1842. This document was signed at Texana, TX. Payment was $ 31.50, receipt dated 25 August, 1851.

James Stone was a Pvt in the Ilth Brig (CSA) of Trinity County TX during the Civil War. His Muster Roils said his commanding officer was Capt. Wm L. Kirksey. His enlistment date was August of 1861 and was for the duration of the war, but was later discharged, because of his age. His Brigade was formed by Joseph L. Hogg, Aid de Camp for the 5'h District of the Texas county. They fought with Gen, Silbeys Brigade and was ordered to march from Sumpter, TX in Trinity County to San Antonio and were armed with double barrel guns. Trinity County was where the youngest son of James and Mary Jane was born. Sumpter, in central Trinity County about five miles east of Groveton, was the county seat from 1850 to 1872, then the county offices were moved to Trinity. Sumpter was the home of John Wesley Hardin. The courthouse burned, the post office was discontinued, and Sumpter is now a ghost community. (from Vol II of "The Handbook of Texas" by Waiter P. Webb. 1952.)

The 1870 census of Hill County TX list the Stone family living in Hillsboro. In the household were James a farmer, age 47, and could not write; Mary J, age 43 and could not read or write; Albert G. age 21; Mary E, age 18;  Houston, age 14; William, age 10. (Sam not listed on this census with the family, was probably hired out to work with another family or died young.) Their value of real estate was $1500.00 and personal property was $150.00. It stated that all the children were born in Texas.

In 1874 James Stone and his family moved to the Rocky Community of western Blanco County TX according to the "Blanco County History" by John Moursund. On page 425, Mr. Moursund states: "In 1874, George Ratliff, Joseph Ratliff, James Stone, J. R. Smith and Charles E. Bundick, Sr, settled in the Rocky Community." This is located on Hwy 290 between Johnson City and Stonewall, TX. In August of 1877, James signed a document selling his rights to his 160-acre land grant in Blanco County to Joel Seaman for $50.00. This is the last record we have found of James Stone Jr. No gravesite has been found in Blanco County and he did not move on to Kerr County with the reminder of the family. Blanco County was formed in 1856, a year after the town of Pittsburg, now the town of Blanco was laid out on the north side of the Blanco River. The county was taken from parts of Gillespie, Comal, Burnet and Hays Counties.

In the late 1880's many of the Stones moved on to Kerr County TX. An 1891 picture of the family of Wm Leon Stone, the youngest son of James and Mary Jane, shows Mary Jane with the family living on Goat Creek Rd in Kerr Co. Part of the old home is still standing, located about one mile north of IH-10 near the creek. The 1900 census of Ken County TX show Mary Jane living with her 24-year-old single grandson, William Ward. Her death occurred October 11, 1902 in Blanco County TX, probably while visiting relatives there. Her grandson, William Ward, took a horse and wagon from Kerr County to bring her remains back to be buried in Nichols Cemetery, Ingram, TX, that had long been her wish.

The 6 children of James Stone Jr. and Mary Jane Burcham Stone included:

(1) David Crockett Stone who was killed by a stranger at age 15, while he was cutting wood. The stranger had wanted something and when David refused, he was killed. It was 1862 and family thoughts must have been of the Civil War.

(2) Albert Gallatin Stone was a sheep raiser and freighter according to the 1880 census, when he lived in Llano Co. TX. He and Fannie Simmons Stone had 11 children, some of which moved to the Del Rio area, in Val Verde County TX, with their parents.

(3) Mary Ellen Stone who was called "Mollie" was the only daughter. She married at age 21 to James Wesley Ward and lived in Blanco Co.  They had 3 children. At age 25, a disease, probably typhoid, took Mary Ellen, her husband, their oldest child, and the youngest child.  All are buried in Blanco Co on the West Ranch near Round Mountain, TX. Only the middle child, William Ward, was spared.  He was raised by his grandmother Stone and an uncle, William Leon  Stone, who moved on to Kerr Co.

(4) Sam (maybe Samuel) Stone was a twin. Nothing has been found on him.

(5) Houston Stone, the other twin, was married in Blanco Co to Elizabeth Walker. They had 5 children who also moved on to Kerr Co. with their mother, Elizabeth, when Houston died.

(6) William Leon Stone (Uncle Billy to us) was married in Blanco Co. to Caladona (Callie) Schokley. She was from the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma. They also moved on to Kerr Co., living on Goat Creek Road. William Stone was a freighter, teamster and raised hogs. They had eight children, the youngest dying in infancy.

                       Maxine Page Powell, 200 Skyview Dr. Kerrville, TX 78028