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Descendents of Andrew Stinson

 

Andrew Stinson

    b. ca. 1792, South Carolina

     m. 1811, Elizabeth Mayne Stringfellow

     d. 1860, Monroe County, Alabama

 

           Little information is known about Andrew Stinson prior to his migration to Butler County, Alabama.  It has been said that he once lived in Aiken, South Carolina.  This community is located near the current Georgia state line east of Augusta, Ga.  It has also been suggest that he may have come to America through the port of Savannah, Ga.  According to other researchers, there are several references made to 1825 landmarks that did bear the Stinson name in Aiken County, Ga.

           Andrew married Elizabeth Stringfellow in Chester District, South Carolina in 1811.  Esq. Simmons, JP, was judge who married them. Andrew volunteered for military service in Chester District on October 1, 1814.  During his service in the War of 1812, he was assigned to Captain Chestnut’s Company of the South Carolina Militia. Records indicate that he was discharged from the militia on March 15, 1815.

           The exact year in which this family came to Butler County is unknown. It appears that Andrew applied for land grants which were approved about 1847.  The first recorded date of their presence in March 4, 1848 when he was granted 40.06 acres of Cahaba land.

           In 1850, census records lists Andrew Stinson as being  58 years old.  He was listed as a farmer with real estate valued at $300. His household included his wife, Elizabeth, and five children: Mary, Celia, George, John and Elizabeth.

           By 1860, Andrew was apparently in very bad health.  On April 13, 1860, his wife Elizabeth filed a motion with the Butler County courts to have him declared mentally incompetent.  It was also signed by his sons, Reuben and Joseph H. Stinson.  The petition asked that his son Joseph be appointed as his legal guardian and manager of his affairs.

           The census of 1860 showed Andrew and his daughter Elizabeth living in the household of W. Kirkpatrick.  Kirkpatrick was listed as a 70 year old farmer born in North Carolina.  He is believed to be William P. Kirkpatrick whose name is found in the Cahaba land grants.  Others listed in the Kirkpatrick household include: C. J. Kirkpatrick (30, female, AL), W. T. Brewer (7, male, AL), M. Cooper (45, female, NC, seamstress), and E. J. Brook (5, female, AL). C. J. Kirkpatrick and M. Cooper are believed to be the daughters of W. Kirkpatrick. Elizabeth, Andrew’s wife has not been located on the 1860 census.

Elizabeth Stringfellow Stinson was born in 1791 in South Carolina.  Nearly twenty years after her husband’s death, in September 1871, at the age of 80, Elizabeth filed applications to receive a pension awarded to the widow’s of soldiers of the War of 1812.  She was awarded a pension in the amount of $8 on July 5, 1872.

Information on the pension applications state  that Andrew died in 1857 in Butler County, however this is in contradiction of the 1860 census.  It is possible that he died in 1867 but not exact date of death has been determined.  Witnesses for Elizabeth on the pension applications were James Parks, C. M. Beasley and E. J. Beasley.  Each of them signed affidavits regarding knowledge of Andrew’s military service.

Because no legal documents or church records from South Carolina attest to the marriage of Andrew Stinson and Elizabeth Stringfellow, statements were required from family members with knowledge of their marriage.  Signing testaments were her brother, Alexander R. Stringfellow (age 64 in 1871) and Mary E. Sims (age 76 in 1871). Ms. Sims is thought to be a sister.

A. F. Posey, Clerk for the Criminal Courts of Butler County, AL, state that in 1871 Elizabeth Stinson was “so mentally and physically imbecile, or to make her execution of the declaration on mere matter of form; in fact, her mind is almost entirely gone, and the case is made out more from the assistance of others than of her own recollection.”

           In June 1872, Alexander Stringfellow filed an affidavit in Elizabeth’s behalf.  He stated that Elizabeth was “over 80 years old and totally mentally imbecile and bed-ridden." This statement was sworn to before acting Justice of the Peace, James M. Nettles, Calhoun County, MS, where he was residing when the statement was made.

           Another statement made by Mary E. Sims was sworn to before the same courts in MS. where she was a resident.  Confirmation of relation to Elizabeth or Alexander hasn’t been proven, but it is believed she was a sister, possibly Mary Elizabeth Stringfellow who married Edward Sims.

           Children for Andrew and Elizabeth Stinson include:

                      Reuben R. Stinson

                      (James) Leander Stinson

                      Joseph H. Stinson

                      Mary Jane Stinson

                      Rebecca Stinson

                      Celia Stinson

                      George Andrew Stinson

                      John W. Stinson

                      Elizabeth Stinson

 

Leander Stinson

           b. ca. 1824, South Carolina

           m. ca. 1845, Nancy Burkett

           d. February 11, 1865, Union Prison, Elmira, New York

 

           Leander Stinson was known as Lee.  Most of his military records list him as L. Stinson, but a few show the name Leander.  For many years his full name was believed to be George Leander. This was based on the fact his grandson and great-grandson was named George Leander Stinson.  However, after more than 36 years of research, it is now believed that his name was actually James Leander. Neither name has been confirmed.

           As a farmer, Leander lived in the Beat 2 area at the time of the 1850 census.  He was listed as the head of his household, and was shown to have real estate but the dollar value is not clear. Included in the household at that time were his wife, Nancy, and two sons: John and James.

           By 1860 Leander was listed as residing in the Starlington Community. He held real estate valued at $1600 and personal property valued at $1000.  At home for the 1860 census were his wife, Nancy, and several children listed only by initials: J. C. (John Cooper), J. L. (James Leander), E. D. Iven Devell), M. E. (Mary Elizabeth) and Joel.

           Leander owned quite a bit of property in the Starlington Community. Most of it was acquired through Cahaba Land Grants.  Records show that he was granted 319.775 acres in Butler County through the Greenville Land Office.  Authority for the grant is dated April 24, 1824.  Title transfer date is shown as September 1, 1858.

           Leander served the Confederacy in Company A, 1st Alabama Artillery. He was captured by Union troops at Fort Morgan, AL.  His CSA records data card indicates that he was on the roll of prisoners of war at Fort Columbus, N.Y.H. (New York Harbor) before being transferred to the Union prison camp at Elmira, N. Y.  He was received at Elmira on December 4, 1864.  He died at the camp on February 11, 1865, suffering from chronic diarrhea.  Leander’s body was never returned to Alabama.  He is buried in Elmira’s Woodlawn Cemetery beneath a simple white cross inscribed, “2058 Stinson, L.-Private-“A”-1st Infantry-AL.”

           Nancy Burkett Stinson was born February 17, 1826.  She died May 26, 1886 and is buried in Providence Cemetery, Starlington, Butler County, AL.

           Children of George Leander and Nancy Burkett include:

                      John Andrew Cooper Stinson

                      James Leander Stinson

                      Iven Devell Stinson

                      Mary Elizabeth Stinson

                      Joel Stinson

 

John Andrew Cooper Stinson

           b. October 19, 1856, Butler County, Alabama

           m. May 13, 1867, Annie Elizabeth Smith

           d. August 9, 1910, Butler County, Alabama

 

           John Andrew Cooper Stinson was called Cooper most of the time. He was born near Mt. Pisgah Church in the Starlington Community.

           Cooper is listed as a private in Company A, 1st Battalion, Alabama Infantry, CSA.  Enlistment records indicate that he joined the war in the fall of 1863 at Fort Morgan, AL.  He was captured there, along with his father, Leander, by the Union Army.  Transferred to Elmira, N.Y., he was released from military service on June 11, 1865.

           Almost two years after his release, John A. C. Stinson and Annie Elizabeth Smith were married.  Justice of the Peace, A. M. Kellar performed the wedding ceremony.

           On May 28, 1894, Cooper filed for a pension based on his military service to the Confederacy.  The application states that he was 48 years old, farming land valued at less than $400 with less than $400 annual income, this being that he had contracted a disease during the war.  It doesn’t indicate the name of the disease. Another application was filed on March 17, 1896, showed he was farming 85 acres of land with one mule.  A third application was filed on May 7, 1897 showing 80 acres of poor land which was mortagaged. A fourth attempt to receive a pension was filed April 13, 1898, stating that he had no assets.

           At the time of his death, no pension had been awarded.  Elizabeth continued to file for the right to receive a pension based on his military service.  As of January 22, 1930, no pension had been approved.  No records have been found to indicate otherwise. He was buried at Providence Cemetery.

           Annie Elizabeth Smith Stinson was born November 29, 1849 in Barbour County, AL.  According to pension applications she was the daughter of George Washington Smith.  No information has been found to confirm this and no records have been located regarding her parents and siblings.  She died November 14, 1937 at the home of her son, George Leander Stinson.  Burial was at Providence Cemetery beside her husband.

           Children of John Andrew Cooper and Annie Elizabeth Stinson include:

                      George Leander Stinson

                      Sarah Stinson

                      Katherine E. Stinson

                      Mary Polly Stinson

                      Reuben Devell Stinson

                      Vonie Stinson

                      Jesse Cooper Stinson

                      Joseph S. Stinson

                      William Herman Stinson

                      Iven Nathaniel Stinson

 

George Leander Stinson

           b. December 15, 1869, Butler County, Alabama

           m. Texanna Smith

           d. December 10, 1941, Butler County, Alabama

 

           George Leander Stinson was named for his grandfather, Leander, who died in a Union prison camp.  He was a farmer and worked as a laborer for the L&N Railroad.

           G. L. lived all of his life on the property of his ancestors. He married Texanna Smith but not record of their marriage has been located.  All of his children were born in a small one room log cabin on the original Stinson property.

           He died from a stroke and was buried near his parents at Providence Cemetery.

           Texanna Smith Stinson was born August 28, 1873 in Butler County (as far as we can determine).  She was the daughter of Willie Jason Smith and Mary Frances Anna Gibbons.  No records have been located that can confirm the full name of Texanna.  She died May 11, 1936 and is buried beside her husband at Providence Cemetery.

           Children of George Leander and Texanna Stinson include:

                      John Jason Stinson

                      William Thomas Stinson

                      Nancy Stinson

                      George Leander Stinson Jr.

                      Elzada Stinson

                      Sampson Stinson

                      Nellie Louise Stinson

                      Simon Jackson Stinson

                      Andrew Phillip Stinson

                      Chester Franklin Stinson

 

John Jason Stinson

           b. November 1, 1893, Butler County, Alabama

           m. June 20, 1920, Lunie Lee Esther Black

           d. October 5, 1926, Butler County, Alabama

 

           John Jason was called Johnny.  He was engaged to be married when World War I began.  He enlisted in the Army in 1918.  Having already purchased a gold wedding band, he gave the ring to his bride to be to keep until his return home.

           After he returned from he Army, Johnny and Esther Black were married in the home of her father, W. S. Black.  The wedding ceremony was read by D. L. Harrison, J. P.  Witness to the marriage was J. L. Blackburn.

           Johnny worked as a logger after returning home from the military. On October 5, 1926, he was killed in a logging accident near Pine Apple, AL.  He was cutting timber when a tree fell on him. He was buried at Providence Cemetery.

           Lunie Lee Esther Black Stinson was born July 23, 1894 in Butler County. She was the daughter of William Shirl Black and Minnie Orpha Morrow. She never remarried after Johnny was killed.  She raised her two sons alone during an age when single parents were rare. She died February 17, 1971, from a stroke, eleven years after her first one when she fell into an unlit fireplace in Georgiana, AL. She was buried at Providence Cemetery beside her beloved husband. 

           Johnny and Esther had two sons:

                      William Forest Stinson

                                  b. April 11, 1921, m. Dorothy Lipham Cowart,

d. November 22, 1971, pneumonia, Oakwood Cemetery, Georgiana, AL

                      Charlie Watson Stinson

 

Charlie Watson Stinson

           b. 1923

           m. 1940, Lucille Lowe

           m. 1947, Alma Lucile Smith

 

           Charlie Watson Stinson was only 3 years old when his father died. He was named after his mother’s brother, Watson Black.  One of his early childhood memories includes the burning of his mother’s house.  He said that his only pair of shoes were lost during the fire.  That is about the only thing he can remember.

           He enlisted into the US Army on July 19, 1944 at Fort McClellan, AL. At that time he was described at 5 ft. 5 in., black hair, blue eyes, ruddy complexion.  His occupation was listed as a light truck driver.

           From Alabama, he was transferred to Camp Walters at Mineral Wells, Texas.  He was trained as a guard.  From there, he was assigned to the Transportation Corps.  The rank of Technician Fourth Grade (Tech-4) was obtained on November 15, 1945.  At the time he was assigned to TSU-TC Shops Compl (Beach Det), Naples, Italy. 

His first tour of duty ended while he was stationed in Naples.  On November 30, 1945, he reenlisted as a member of the 373rd Harbor Craft Company.  After returning to the states, Charlie was assigned to the 6901st ASU Service Detachment, Camp Stoneman, CA.

On January 13, 1947, he was discharged from Camp Stoneman.  He received $136.30 travel pay to return to Georgiana.  Shortly thereafter, he married Alma Lucile Smith.

In April 1950, Charlie, his wife, and daughter, moved to the West Texas oil fields in order to gain employment. His work relocated the family to numerous places in West Texas and then to New Mexico in 1961.  Mostly, he was a truck driver, hauling butane or crude oil.

           On Memorial Day of 1963, the family relocated again to North Central Texas.  They Charlie and Lucile remained for almost 40 years. They have recently relocated to the Piney Woods of East Texas. He is now retired.

           Alma Lucile Smith, called Lucile, was born in 1927 near Brushey Creek, Butler County, Alabama.  She is the daughter of the late Lonnie Carl Smith and Albia Pearl Hitson.

           Charlie and Lucile Smith Stinson have one daughter:

                      Mildred L. Stinson

           Charlie and Lucile Lowe had two daughters:

                      Betty Jean Stinson

                      Barbara Ann Stinson

 

Mildred L. Stinson

b. 1948, Greenville, Butler County, Alabama

           m. 1998, Kenneth Bruce Brown

 

           Although she was born at Stabler Infirmary in Greenville, Mildred grew up as an “oil field child” in West Texas.  Traveling from place to place was not unusual.  She was often uprooted 2-3 times during a school year.  She was in the 6th grade in Pecos, Texas, before she completed a full school year at one school.  The last 3 years of high school were completed in North Central Texas.

           Mildred enlisted into the US Army at Kerrville, Texas in 1975 and was sent to Fort McClellan, AL for basic training.  Following basic, time in specialized training at Fort Jackson, SC, AIT at Fort Gordon, GA, she was returned to Fort Hood, Texas.  There she was part of the 142nd Signal Battalion, 2nd Armored Division. Division commander at the time was Brig. Gen. George Smith Patton, son of WWII General George S. Patton.

           In 1998, Mildred married Kenneth Bruce Brown at Centerville, Leon County, Texas.  Currently they reside in East Texas where both are employed with a newspaper.

           Kenneth is the son of Kenneth Jordan Brown and Ethel Amelia Gardner. He was born in Pensacola, FL.  He has ancestors which link to Butler County, AL.