The Stith Family

The Stith Family --
A Living History
August 1988
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Crest from John Paxton Stith

FOREWORD

The author began compiling his data in 1963. All names included in the history have been identified by U. S. Census, identification in Christopher Johnston's History of the Stith Familv, and other voluminous documents published by individuals. Not all lineages have been resolved; however, these fine loyal people have contributed their time and talents in creating The Stith Family--A Living History..

For those who have been overlooked or forgotten, please forward identity with appropriate documentation to the author at the address listed below:

Charles R. Stith
2610 Berkley Hills Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35404

The following individuals gave the author assistance that he found invaluable in bringing voluminous and fragmentary information into a factual, understandable, literary endeavor. This task could not have been performed without them.

Cleo Stith Giza
Iris Stith Reed
Joyce Morrison Stith
Dr. Lee S. Stith
Carl McIntire, Jr.
Estie Stith Crabbe
Mickey Espey Stith

A History of
The Stith Family
in America

"Stuth, Stuyth, Stwyth or Stwythe. Thomas Stwyth, V. Styrch. Argent a chevron engraved between three fleurs de lis sable. Afton Co. Devon. Aston, Cornwall, Aughton, Co. Devon." It appears by this extract from Papworth's Ordinary that the name "Stith" has, like the English language, undergone a period of semantic evolution. The original form of the name and what it stood for i.e., Stithy--a farm or a farmer--also a strong, hard, man, can only be conjectured about because no definite facts are available regarding the original name. The family crest is the only thing that has remained unchanged through the eons of time and, therefore, it is essential that this symbol of the family remain unaltered and unadorned. Argent is silver and silver, according to experts on heraldry, was usually represented by white. Again, the same experts all agree that sable is represented by black. The family colors are, and have been for centuries, black and white. Though Reverend William Stith (1707-1755) enlisted the services of an artist who elaborated on the design, the fact remains that the crest's true beauty is enhanced by its simplicity.

Why a crest? Is it a false attempt to indicate nobility? Is it an attempt to attain a social status as was once the custom in the early centuries of American history? It might be for one or all of these reasons or it might be for none. The

simple fact is that a crest exists as a family symbol and each person can adopt his own reason. For those of you who accept the crest no rhyme or reason is necessary.

Some of the family historians have conjectured that the original family members came to England from France, and there may be some truth to this hypothesis in view of the fact that the Kings of France used three fleurs-de-lis as their symbol. However, there is no proof of this; well, as least not as of this writing. Anthropologist would probably agree that "Continental" origins would hold for many of the people in England. Historians would also agree that many came from Normandy (descendants of Norsemen) in 1066 with William the Conqueror or earlier with the Romans. The earliest account of a Stith in England is contained in the following excerpt (unverified as of this writing) from a letter written by Miss Jeanette Douglas of New York. Miss Douglas, who has thirty literary works by the Stith concerned, writes "Harriet Randolph Parkhill states that the following is from an old manuscript which has been in her family for years--The Stiths seem to have a disposition to literature, and one of them either in Queen Elizabeth's reign, or perhaps before, wrote a romance called Lost Island which the Queen admired, and from which Shakespeare took the story of his play--The Tempest. The fact is mentioned in the notes in the first edition of Shakespeare. The author of the romance married Rebecca Bohlen." Additional evidence of

Stiths in England has been personally attested to by Dr. Lee S. Stith, University of Arizona, who writes of having met an English gentleman from Nottingham, England. The gentleman advised Dr. Lee Stith that there were many Stiths living in Nottingham. The author, however. is not an Anglophile and prefers to leave the English Stiths to the English. The task of compiling information on the American Stiths appears to be, per se, a life's work.

This account of the Stith family will be divided into sections on the Early American Stiths, the East Coast Branch, The Kentucky Branch, the Southern Branch, and the Western Branch. In some cases the information is brief and unrelated and doesn't provide good continuity. The author believes, however, that every bit of information should be included lest some Stith be forgotten. Also, it is hoped that someone among the family will maintain the future history for all who care.

The addition of the " Civil War Section," as a separate part of the history, was necessitated by the widespread location of the family members and the fact that some have not been connected to the family tree. This is a good challenge for a younger Stith.

Early American Stiths

It seems that all accounts point to immigrant John Stith (1638-1693) as the father of the Stith family in America. The mother's name was Jane. Her last or maiden name will probably be a mystery forever as early records that might have contained a clue, were destroyed. All bloodline Stiths in American owe their being to this courageous and adventurous man and his wife. Some might say that there's nothing daring or adventurous about a farmer, however, few farmers today have to cross a vast ocean to a savage wilderness in order to find free and open land. The author firmly believes that each bloodline Stith in America owes a great deal of respect to the name of that distant ancestor, John Stith, and his wife, Jane, who gave their descendants the opportunity to live in a free and greatly prosperous country.

Dr. Christopher Johnston (1856-19--) of Baltimore, Maryland (himself a Stith descendant) stated as follows in an article written in Volume 21W(1), William and Mary Quarterly "The Stith family appears to have been long settled in the parish of Kirkham, in Lancashire and both the parish registers and the wills show that the Stiths were quite numerous in that locality. A careful search, however, fails to show any unmistakable trace of the Virginia immigrant, and it is probable that his immediate family had moved elsewhere, perhaps to London." Dr. Johnston was an amazing man himself in that he was not only a physician but was also a very highly esteemed master of Oriental languages. If these achievements were not enough, he was a

historian and contributed to a historical rendition on England. The author has seen a collection of these works in the home of a personal friend, Joseph H. Williams, Major (retired army) who resides in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Johnston gives the following historical and genealogical account of the early Virginia Stiths:

"1. MAJOR JOHN STITH came to Virginia before 1656, and had a grant to himself and Samuel Eale, of 500 acres of land on the north side of James River, in Charles City County, 15th February, 1663 (l'a, Land Rec., Book 5, p. 268). He also had grants of 550 acres 29th July, 1664, and 636 acres 11th May, 1675 (WILLIAM AND MARY QUARTERLY, X., 249; XIII., 121). Other tracts he acquired by purchase, and at this death left a very considerable landed estate. In 1656, he was lieutenant, according to some existing fragments of the Charles City records. In 1676, he was a captain in the Charles City County militia, and was actively engaged, on the government side, during Bacon's Rebellion (Va. Magazine, III., 251; IV., 6). In June, 1676 an act was passed by Bacon's House entitled: "An Act to disable John Stith and Edward Hill from holding office. (Hening, II., 364). The preamble recites that Col. Hill and Lieut. (sic!) Stith took advantage of their positions as officers and magistrates to create misunderstandings between the governor and people, and were the cause of oppressive taxes and other grievances. They were therefore disqualified from holding office, either civil or military. This partizan act was sub

sequently repealed. In May, 1677, John Stith was one of the persons commissioned to take depositions in regard to the grievances of the people of Charles City County (Cal. St. Pap. Colonial, 1677-1680), Nos. 267-297). In 1680 he was major of the Charles City County militia, one of the magistrates of the county, and a practicing lawyer. and, 1685-1686, he represented his county in the House of Burgesses (Va. Magazine, I., 226-252; XV., 322). Under date of 10th Nov., 1893, Mr. R. A. Brock writes: "I have gleanings from the despoiled Charles City County records establishing that Lieut. John Stith married, in the latter part of 1656, Jane, the widow of Joseph Parsons (his, parsons', second wife, since he had an infant child by a former marriage). Jane's was also a second marriage, her first husband having been Thomas Gregory. In 1663, John Stith was made the guardian of Judith Parsons, the orphan of Joseph Parsons, vice Edward Mosby deceased." Mrs. Jane Stith was living in 1686, and it is probable that John and Jane Stith had a daughter who married Thomas Hardaway, since there is a patent in 1686 to John Stith endorsed by John and Jane Stith to Thomas Hardaway, and the name Stith Hardaway descended regularly in the family.

The author would like to insert the following excerpts from Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Vol. 11-15 These are facts as they were enacted and recorded:

Page 105 Abstract: In the difference between Charles Latham and John Stith, Latham ordered to pay 500 lb. tobacco, etc.,

7

and Stith to deliver to Latham "all his goods in his hands and house." (Author's comment: consultation with several genealogists leads one to interpret that John Stith had taken a few things from Latham because he "owed" John Stith. The court was giving equal justice by ordering Latham to pay in "tobacco" and at the same time was telling John Stith to give Latham's property back to him.)
Page-106 Abstract: John Stith is publiquely admonished and fined according to law for rash profane swearing in open court. (Author's comment; It is apparent that our very "human" ancestor did not like the court's decision and expressed his opinion in the vernacular. The expletives were deleted.)
Page 106 Abstract: Indenture 7 June 1662. James Hardaway of Kermidges in Charles City, Co. makes over to John Stith all
properties real and personal. Stith agreeing to keep Hardaway in good condition the balance of his natural life. (Author's comment: This indicates an even earlier association, 1662, between the Stiths and the Hardaways. The reader should not misconstrue that James Hardaway became an "indentured servant to John Stith," rather, this is a paid consignment or agreement that John Stith is to look after James Hardaway, who is advanced in years and is unable to care for himself. He was apparently too proud to seek charity and for that he is to be admired. The question that arises is "why John Stith?" The first recorded marriage between the families is Jane Drury Stith, a daughter of Drury Stith and Susanna Bathurst, who married Thomas Hardaway.)

Page 399-Abstract: Ordered that Lawrence Biggins render a/c of estate of John Hardaway dec'd at Orphans Court, Aug. 20,and pay John Stith what is due him. (Author's comment: "John" Hardaway passed away; however, the reader will note that "James" Hardaway committed himself, or was committed to, the care of John Stith.

Page 500 Abstract: John Stith fined 350 lb. tobacco for absence from court when called. (Author's comment: The judge must have been the ancestor of "Hanging Sam.")
Page 505 Abstract: In full settlement of difference between James Hardaway, plaintiff and John Stith defendant. Stith disclaims all right and title to Hardaway land at Kermishes, etc. (Author's comment: Regardless of whether James or John Hardaway passed away, John Stith had been paid for his services from the estate. This is legal terminology and does not imply the sometimes hard feeling when someone has differences with a person today.)

Page 441 Abstract: The deposition of Anthony Gasse aged 34 years or thereabouts saith--that he sold one man called William Rogers unto John Stith for three years and furthermore and with all delivered him indentures for three years and further agreeth that the said John Stith took the said indentures before him and tore them into pieces and said he would make the said servant serve him five years, and his reason that he gave me for it, that he had heard he had left the indentures which I gave him in England, which was a countersuit of those that I

gave the said Rogers in England and further saith not. (Author's comment: Well, the Stith temper has a short fuse on certain points. John Stith was a hard working man and maybe he was right and maybe he was wrong. You just have to look at his record which isn't anything to be ashamed of. Yes, he was against "Bacon's Rebellion" because John Stith was a member of the "colonial aristocracy. " He was a member of the House of Burgess and a lawyer. He was loyal to the King of England and his mother country until such time as he began to see differences in opinions and treatment.)

Major John Stith was probably living in 1692 when his son is called John Stith, Jr., but must have died very soon after. Major John Stith and Jane, his wife, had issue with perhaps others:

2. i. Capt. John Stith, mar. Mary Randolph.
3. ii. Lieut. Col. Drury Stith, d. 1741. mar. Susanna Bathurst.
4. iii. Anne Stith, mar., 1681, Col. Robert Bolling.

2. Capt. JOHN STITH (John) had patents, 29th April, 1692, for 470 1/2 acres in Charles City County made out to "Capt. John Stith, Jr. (Va. Land Patents, Book 8, p. 240) and (of same date) for 595 acres on the south side of Chickahominy River, in James City County (ib., p. 237), addressed to "John Stith, Jr. " 21st April, 1695, "Capt. John Stith" had a patent for 595 acres on the south side of Chickahominy River (ib., p. 110), probably a confirmation of the preceding

patent issued 29th April, 1692. Capt. Stith was High Sheriff of Charles City County in 1691 (Palmer's Calendar, I., 27), and he was a Burgess for the county 1692-1693 (Col. Va. Register). The date of his death is uncertain. He was living in 1714 (W. & M. QUARTERLY. V., 178) and, according to the statement of the Rev. Hugh Jones, he died before 1724, when his widow was matron at William and Mary College. Capt. John Stith married Mary, daughter of Col. William Randolph of Turkey Island, and Mary (Islam) his wife, and they had issue. (See Genealogical Charts.)

3 . LIEUT. COLONEL DRURY STITH (John) had a patent, 24th April, 1703, for himself and Samuel Eale, for 680 acres in Charles City County (Patents, Book 9, p. 539). He was one of the Justices of the county in 1714 (Va. Magazine, II., 3), was High Sheriff 1719, 1724-1725 (Palmer's Cal., I., 195-6; VA. Magazine, III., 251), and was commissioned county surveyor 1st March, 1720 (Palmer's Cal., I, 198). He married, probably about 1694 or earlier, Susanna, daughter of Lancelot Bathurst, of New Kent County, son of Sir Edward Bathurst of Lechlade, Gloucestershire, England. Susanna's brother, Lawrence Bathurst, mentions in his will (dated 29th December, 1704, proved 11th February, 1705) his three brothers-in-law William Tomlin, Francis Meriwether and Drury Stith. The Order Book of Charles City County has the following: "January Court 1741:--The last will and testament of Lieut. Col.

Drury Stith, deceased, was presented in court by Susanna Stith and William Stith two of the executors therein named, and was proved by the oaths of the witnesses" etc. Evidently the two executors were the widow and a son of the testator. Unfortunately the will no longer exists, having been lost through the destruction and spoliation of the Charles City County records during the Civil War. Mrs. Susanna Stith is mentioned in the Charles City records in 1744 and in 1745 (Order Book, 1737-1750, pp. 310-352). Lieut. Col. Drury Stith and Susanna (Bathurst) his wife had issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

4. ANNE STITH (John) became, in 1681, the second wife of Robert Bolling, the immigrant ancestor of that family in Virginia. He was born 26th December, 1646, arrived in Virginia 2d October, 1660, and in.1675, married for his first wife Jane, daughter of Thomas Rolfe and granddaughter of Pocahontas. By this marriage he had a son, John Bolling, born 27th January, 1676. Robert Bolling died 17th July, 1709 (WM. & MARY QUARTERLY, V., 275-'6; Bolling Memoirs; Slaughter's History of Bristol Parish). By his second wife, Anne (Stith), he had issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

5. REV. WILLIAM STITH (John2, John1) was born in 1707, and died 19th September, 1755. He matriculated, 21st May, 1724, at Queen's College, Oxford and is entered in the register as 17 years old and the son of "John Stith of the Virgin Islands" (Foster's Alumni Oxonienses). He received

the degree of B.A., 27th February, 1727/8, and that of M.A., 20th November, 1730 (ibid.). After his return to Virginia, he was elected, in 1731, Master of the grammar school of William and Mary College and Chaplain to the House of Burgesses. In June, 1738, he was called to the parish of Henrico, in Henrico County, and while residing at the parsonage there, near Varian, he wrote his History-of-Virginia which was printed and bound in the city of Williamsburg. In August, 1752, he was elected President of William and Mary College over which he presided until his death. A sketch of his will will be found in The -Vestry Book of Henrico-Parish, editor, R. A. Brock (p.180). See also Old Churches and Families of Virginia: Campbell's History of Virginia; WILLIAM AND MARY QUARTERLY, I., 136; V., 244; V1., 127, etc. He married, 13th July, 1738, his cousin, Judith Randolph, daughter of Thomas Randolph, of Tuckahoe. They had issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

6. LIEUT. COL. DRURY STITH3 (Drury2, John1 ) was probably born about 1695 and lived for some time in Prince George County; later in Brunswick County. 10th September, 1722, Robert Bolling of Prince George County, and Anne, his wife, convey to "Drury Stith, Jr.," of said county 892 acres of land on the north side of Sappony Creek, the consideration being 5 shillings and " the natural affection he bare unto the said Stith" (Prince George County, Book 1, p. 557). This expression implies close relationship and is therefore

a valuable bit of evidence. Drury Stith appears to have acquired a very considerable amount of land. 21st November, 1724, "Mr. Drury Stith Jun'r" has surveyed for him 1,200 acres on Sappony Creek. And again, 11 February, 1725/26 "Capt. Drury Stith. has survey for him, including his old land, 3,496 acres, Prince George County, Book 1, pp. 816, 1025). A patent soon followed, 13 October 1727, there is a patent for 3,596 acres on Sappony Creek, Prince George Co. to Drury Stith, Jr., of the same county (Va. Land Patents, Book 13, p. 192). In this year, his wife Elizabeth (Buckner) joins him in a deed. 5 June 1927, Drury Stith, Junior, of Prince George County, and Elizabeth his wife, give to Henry Harrison, of the County of Surry, Gent., a mortgage of 600 acres on Sappony Creek, part of a tract on which said Drury lives, and which was conveyed to him by Robert Bolling, of Prince George County, Gent. (Prince George County, Book I, p. 1027). In 1726, Drury Stith was a Justice of the county (ibid., I, 940), and also in 1720 (I's. Magazine, XX., 90). In 1727, he was still captain (Chamberlaine's Bristol Par., p. 35); but he was colonel (or rather lieutenant-colonel) before 1735 (ibid., p. 83). The records of Brunswick County show that he produced his commission as Clerk of the County and qualified for the position at a court held 11th of May 1732, and the same year he was the county surveyor holding both positions until his death (Va. Magazine, XIII., 281). He was also interested in copper mining, and Col. William Byrd, in his History of the Dividing Line (II., 3), gives a

humorous account of Col. Drury Stith and his mine. The Brunswick records show that at a court held 6th June, 1740, an attachment obtained by Drury Stith, Gent. and Clement Read " abates by the death of the said Drury," and at this term Sterling Clack qualifies as clerk. At a court held 3d July, 1740, letters of administration on the estate of Drury Stith, Gent., were granted to Drury Stith, Gent., who entered bond and qualified. Lieut. Col. Drury Stith married, about 1717, Elizabeth, daughter of Maj. William Buckner (d.1716) of Yorktown (WM. & MARY QUARTERLY, VII., 57). They had issue (dates of birth from Bristol Parish Register): (See Genealogical Charts.)

7. LIEUT. COLONEL JOHN STITH3 (Drury2, John1 ), like his brother Drury, acquired a considerable amount of land in Prince George County. 13th July 1719, Richard Smith, of Prince George County, conveys to John Stith, of Charles City County, 370 acres of land on Sappony Creek (Prince George County, I., 352). Again, 8th October, 1723, Robert Bolling, of Prince George County, and Anne, his wife, convey to John Stith, of Charles City County, 1,019 acres on Sappony Creek, adjoining the tract on which Drury Stith, Jr., lives (ibid., I, 646). In 1725, a chapel is to be built on the plantation of Mr. John Stith upon Sappony Creek (Chamberlaine's Bristol Par., p. 23). He was Burgess for Charles City County 1718, 1723, 1726 (Col. Va. Reg.), and in May, 1737, he took the oaths as

Lieut. Colonel of Charles City County (Order Book, 1737-50, p. 2). On account of the fragmentary condition of the records the date of Col. John Stith's death does not appear, but he was living in 1740, and was certainly dead in 1759. He married Elizabeth, daughter and coheir of Rev. Charles Anderson, rector of Westover Parish, Charles City County, 1694-1718, as appears by the following extract from the Charles City Order Book, 1737-50 (p. 152); March Court 1740--A bond from John Stith and Elizabeth his wife, one of the daughters and coheirs of Rev. Charles Anderson deceased, to Thomas Pinkard and Frances his wife, Jane Anderson (afterward second wife of Ellyson Armistead) and Charlotte Anderson, also daughters and coheirs of said deceased, proved on the oaths of Wm. Stuart and John Bales, and ordered to be recorded. In 1759, James Pleasants has a suit against Anderson Stith.(son of John Stith, of Charles City County) and Booth Armistead. executors of John Stith. This would seem to indicate that Lieut. Colonel John Stith had died not long before, probably in 1757 or 1758, and Booth Armistead, one of his executors, may have been his son-in-law (see WM. & MARY QUARTERLY, VII., 182). In any case, Lieut. Colonel John Stith and Elizabeth (Anderson) his-wife had, with probably other issue, a son: (See Genealogical Charts.)

8. COLONEL DRURY STITH4 (Drury3, Drury2, John1 ) was born about 1718 and died in 1770. In 1740 he was administrator of his father's estate, and his parentage is shown by the follow-

ing extract from the records of Lunenburg County: 5th February, 1746, Drury Stith, of Brunswick County, Gent., and Martha his wife, convey to Robert Jones a tract of land formerly granted to said Stith's father Drury Stith, Gent., on 27th September, 3 George II. (i.e., 1729). Drury Stith qualified, 5th June, 1740, as Surveyor of Brunswick County, and gave bond for the same office in December, 1751 (Brunswick County Records). He was High Sheriff of the county 1757, and was a Justice 1747, 1756, 1765, etc. (ibid.). He qualified as Major of Horse 3d July, 1746, was commissioned Colonel of Foot in 1753, and was Colonel of the county militia in 1759 (ibid.). He represented his county in the House of Burgesses 1748-1754 (Va. Magazine, VIII., 251-255). Col. Drury Stith died in 1770, leaving a will dated 25th June, 1770 and proved 25th February, 1771. He was twice married. His first wife, Martha, joins him in a deed in 1746; his second wife was Elizabeth (Jones) widow of Thomas Eldridge, of Prince George County. The marriage contract of Col. Stith and Mrs. Eldridge, dated 5th December, 1762, is recorded in Brunswick County. The will of Mrs. Elizabeth Stith, who had no children by this marriage is dated in January and was proved 25th February, 1771. Col. Drury Stith and Martha, his first wife, had issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

9. GRIFFIN STITH4 (Drury3, Drury2, John1 ) was born 28th November, 1720, and died in 1784. He produced his commission and qualified as Clerk of Northampton County 9th August, 1743

(Northampton County Records), retaining the office until 1783, when he was succeeded by his son William. He was elected, 3d December, 1774, a member of the Committee of Observation for Northampton County (WM. & MARY QUARTERLY, V., 247), and was also a member of the County Committee in 1775 (Va. Magazine, XIV., 54). His will, dated 24th March, 1783, was proved 10th November, 1784. Griffin Stith married, 19th August, 1743, Mary Blaikley (b. 17th January, 1726/7), daughter of William Blaikley buried 30th May, 1736), of James City County, and Catherine Kaidyee (b.1698; d. 25th October 1771) his wife, daughter of William (d. 1718) and Martha Kaidyee, of York County. Griffin Stith and Mary (Blaikley) his wife, had issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

10. CAPT. BUCKNER STITH4 (Drury3, Drury2 , John1 ), of Rock Spring, Brunswick County, was born about 1722 and died in 1791. The Brunswick records show that he qualified, at August Term, 1753, as captain in the county militia. He was the author of an elaborate essay on tobacco culture, republished in Richmond in 1824. His will, dated 18th May, 1789, was proved 25th July, 1791. Capt. Buckner Stith and Susanna his wife, had issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

Susanna, widow of Captain Buckner Stith, died in October or November, 1810. Her will, dated 4th October, was proved 25th November, 1810.

11. MAJ. THOMAS STITH4 (Drury3, Drury2, John1 ), of Brunswick County, was born 29th December, 1729, and died in

1801. He was a Burgess for Brunswick 1769-1774 (Col. Va. Reg.), was one of the Justices of the county, 1765-1784, and was county surveyor in 1783 (Brunswick County Records). He qualified, 27th April 1772, as Major of the county militia (ibid.). He married Holly Baily, the marriage bond being dated 5th August, 1780; it is possible, however, that she was not the mother of all his children, but that he had been previously married. His will dated 2d June, 1796, was proved 27th July, 1801. Maj. Thomas Stith had issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

12. MAJ. ANDERSON STITH4 (John3, Drury2, John1 ) was a practicing lawyer in Charles City County in 1755, and he qualified as Major of the county militia 10th April, 1756 (Charles City County Records). Be married Joanna Bassett, daughter of William Bassett, of Eltham, New Kent County, and died in 1768 in King William County. His executrix, Joanna, advertised for sale his late dwelling place on the Pamunkey, in the Virginia Gazette, 3 March, 1768. His widow, Joanna, was living in 1774. Maj. Anderson Stith and Joanna (Bassett) his wife, had issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

13. CAPT. DRURY STITH5 (Drury4, Drury3, Drury2, John1) , of Brunswick County, qualified 27th April, 1772, as captain in the county militia, and was a vestryman of St. Andrew's Parish in 1780 (Brunswick County Records). He married, in September, 1788, Fanny, daughter of Allen Love, and had issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

14. LIEUT. COL. BUCKNER STITH5 (Drury4, Drury3, Drury2, John1 ), of Brunswick County, qualified as a Justice of the county 27th September, 1784. He took the oaths as Major of Militia, 28th September 1789, and as Lieut. Col, 26th September, 1794. He married Anne Dade, sister of Major Langhorne Dade, of Litchfield, Ring George County and had issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

15. DRURY STITH5 (Griffin4, Drury3, Drury2, John1 ) was born in Northampton County 19th July, 1755, and died in Brunswick County 16th July, 1789. He qualified as clerk of Brunswick County 26th March, 1781, and took the oaths 23rd March, 1789, only a few months before his death, as clerk of the District Court for the counties of Brunswick, Greenville, Lunenburg, and Mecklenburg (Brunswick County Records). He married Mary Jacobs of Northampton County and had issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

16. SUSANNA STITH5 (Griffin4, Drury3, Drury2, John1 ) was born in 1759 and died 31st March, 1838. She married, in 1779, Christopher Johnston (b. October, 1750; d. 6th March, 1819), of Baltimore, Md.. They had issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

17. COL. JOHN STITH5 (Buckner4, Drury3, Drury2, John1 ) was born 24 March, 1755, and died in 1808. He entered the service as Lieutenant, and was promoted in the course of the war to the rank of Major taking part with distinguished gallantry in the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. He was captured at Charlotte in 1780, but was

exchanged and returned to duty with his command. He is usually styled Colonel, but this was probably a brevet rantk. Col. John Stith and Ann, his wife, who died in 1824, daughter of Lawrence Washington of Chotank, King George County had issue. (See Genealogical Charts.)

18. COL. ROBERT STITH5 (Buckner4, Drury3, Drury2, John1 ) died in 1791. His will, dated 14 May 1788, was proved 6 October 1791. He married Mary Townshend Washington, daughter of Lawrence Washington, of Chotank, King George Co., and sister of his brother, Col. John Stith's wife. They had issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

19. RICHARD STITH5 (Buckner4, Drury3, Drury2, John1 ) of Brunswick Co., died in 1819. His will, dated 18 July 1818, was proved 18 October 1819. He married Jane Maclin and had issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

20. BRUCKNER STITH5 (Buckner4, Drury3, Drury2, John1 ) died in the latter part of 1800, probably in December. His will, dated 20 June 1796, was proved 26 Jan'y 1801. Buckner Stith married one, Feb'y 1786 Elizabeth Jones, and two, 1788, Nancy Walker. Issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

21. CATHERINE STITH5 (Buckner4, Drury3, Drury2, John1 ) died 9 Aug 1795. She married, 4 Nov. 1790, Robert Bolling of Centre Hill, Petersburg, and has issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

22. DAVID STITH5 (Thomas4, Drury3, Drury2, John1 ) died in 1806. His will, dated 2 Feb'y 1806, was proved 28 July

following. By his wife Ariana he had issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

23. ROBERT STITH6 (Drury5, Drury4, Drury3, Drury2, John1 ) of Brunswick Co. married Mary Goodwyn and had issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

24. ANNE DADE STITH6 (Buckner5, Drury4, Drury3, Drury2, John1 ) was born in 1780, and died April 1846. She married, 23 Nov. 1796, Robert Bolling of Centre Hill, Petersburg, and had issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

25. MAJ. TOWNSHEND STITH6 (Buckner5, Drury4, Drury3, Drury2, John1 ) was consul to Tunis in 1823. He married Katerine, daughter of Cheslyn Potter of Philadelphia, and had issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

26. DRURY STITH6 (Drury5, Griffin4, Drury3, Drury2, John1 ) was born 1782, and died 4 February 1843. He married, in 1802, Mary Ann, daughter of Christopher McConico, a prominent merchant of Petersburg and its Mayor in 1784, by his first wife Ann Bacon. Drury Stith and Mary Ann (McConico) his wife had issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

27. JOHN STITH6 (Drury5, Griffin4, Drury3, Drury2, John1 ) of Petersburg, was a wealthy tobacco merchant, but ultimately failed in business and died about 1823. He married, 3 May 1807, Nancy Cary, daughter of Col. Miles Cary and Griselda Buxton his wife of Bonny Doon, Southampton Co., Va. She was born about 1787-88, and married, secondly,

Belfield Starke of Greenville Co., Va. John Stith and Nancy (Cary) his wife, besides other children who died young, had issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

31. PUTNAM STITH6 (John5, Buckner4, Drury3, Drury2, John1 ) mar. Mary Poythress Epes, daughter of Col. Francis

Epes, of Nottoway, and had issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

32. LAWRENCE WASHINGTON STITH6 (John5, Buckner4, Drury3, Drury2, John1 ) mar. Anna Laval Montgomery, daughter of Gen. Jacynth Laval Montgomery of Charleston, S. C., and had issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

33. DR. FERDINAND STITH6 (Buckner5, Buckner4, Drury3, Drury2, John1 ) married Cornelia Dickenson and had issue: (See Genealogical Charts.)

This is the end of Dr. Johnston's history. It is hoped that the new genealogical charts correct his errors; however, the author asks that all readers check the information in the new charts.

The following is included to explain the Stith family relationship to the Washington family. It will be noted that Lawrence Washington was a brother of the John Washington who was the father of the great George Washington. Col. John Stith married Anne Washington who was a descendant of Lawrence Washington, not John. The brief lineage is as follows:

WASHINGTON

Two sons of Rev. Lawrence Washington of Burleigh, in England, came to Virginia, according to Dr. Lyon G. Tyler in 1656, other authorities in 1667, John and Lawrence. General George Washington was descended from John, and Lawrence Washington, of Chotank, King George County, from Lawrence, as follows:
GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON'S LINE:
I. John
II. Lawrence
III. Augustine
IV. George

LAWRENCE WASHINGTON OF CHOTANK:
I. Lawrence
II. John. Born April 2, 1671; married, March 15, 1692, Mary, daughter of Robert Townshend of Stafford County, and granddaughter of Richard Townshend, Esq., of York County, Member of Council. (Va. Mag. History, Vol. 22, p. 313, and Hayden's Genealogies, p. 732, and note).
III. John. Married Mary Massie.
IV. Lawrence of Chotank. Born March 31, 1727; died 1804. Lawrence Washington, IV, of Chotank married Elizabeth Dade, July 31, 1751, (St. Paul's Parish Register, King George County, page 209, Virginia State Library) and had a daughter,

Anne Washington, who died in 1824. She married Major John Stith December 11, 1783. (David Stuart, Minister, St. Paul's Parish Register, page 224.) The author advises that Colonel Robert Stith (----1791) married Anne's sister, Mary Townshend Washington in 1788. Also, Griffin Stith, a third son of Buckner Stith (1776-1801) married Fanny Townshend Washington who married, first, her cousin, Samuel Washington. As of this writing the Stith-Washington line is located mainly in Winston-Salem and New Bern, North Carolina.

ADDITIONAL BRIEF SKETCHES OF EARLY AMERICAN STITHS

With reference to Drury3 Stith (Drury2, John1 ) the following is an extract in part of Col. William Byrd's account of his visit to Drury's copper mine (in Brunswick Co.). "By the way, I sent a runner half a mile out of the road to Col. Drury Stith's, who was so good to come to see us. We cheered our hearts with three bottles of pretty good Madeira, which made Drury talk very hopefully of his copper mine. We easily prevailed with him to let us have his company upon condition we would take the mine in our way. From thence we proceeded to Meherin River which lay eight miles beyond the courthouse. " Col. Byrd describes Drury Stith's mine operator as one of the scrawniest persons that he had ever seen. He also blames Drury for the mining fever in that part of Virginia. (Author's note: History indicates that Colonial American was very short on "hard" money so it is not difficult to comprehend why the mining of metals was so important.)

Many of the Stiths in Virginia were either related to some of the families of great Americans or were their contemporaries.

A Miss Virginia Washington Stith who lived Washington, D. C. in 1940, writes, that she was a descendant of Captain John4 Stith (Buckner3, Drury2, John1 ) and Anne Washington, a

cousin of George Washington. She advises that John and Annie lived on land adjoining the Mount Vernon tract and that later George Washington acquired this tract when John and Anne died. This tract, according to Miss Stith, is now a part of the Mount Vernon Estate and is still known as "Stith's Field" and that George Washington's diary contains frequent references to Capt. John Stith and his wife Anne (nee Washington).

The fact that Captain John Stith (1668-16--) and Reverend William Stith3 (1707-1755) both married ladies from the historically famous Randolph family of Virginia gives some indication of the status attained by that particular branch of the Stith family.

The following biographical sketch of Reverend William Stith's life is extracted from the National Cyclopaedia (copies on file at the University of Alabama library):

STITH, WILLIAM, the third president under the charter of William and Mary College, was born in Virginia in 1707, the son of William Stith and Mary Randolph, "daughter of William Randolph, gentleman," from whom Thomas Jefferson, John Marshall, and Robert E. Lee were descended. He studied first in the grammar school of William and Mary College, and subsequently passing to England, he matriculated at Queen's College, Oxford, May 21, 1724, and received from the university Feb. 27, 1727, 28, the

degree of B.A., and in 1730 that of M.A. He also studied for the ministry and was ordained a minister of the established church. In the year 1731, he was elected Master of the grammar school , in William and Mary College, and Chaplain of the House of Burgesses. Before this latter body he preached, in 1752, a sermon on the "Sinfulness of Gaming," which was published at the request of the General Assembly. Previous to this, in June 1738, he was called to the charge of Henrico parish in the county of Henrico. He married his cousin, Judith, a daughter of Thomas Randolph of Tuckahoe, the second son of William Randolph of Turkey Island, and resided at the Blebe near "Varina," the seat of justice for the county of Henrico. There he wrote his history of Virginia, which was printed on the only printing press then in the colony, in the city of Williamsburg. He qualified as President of William and Mary, Aug. 14, 1752, but owing to a difference with the governor, Dinwiddie, he was not appointed Commissary as his predecessors had been. He served, while President, as Minister of York-Hampton parish, in York county. The full title of his book is a History of Virginia from the First Settlement to the Dissolution of the London

Company (Williamsburg, 1747; new edition, with bibliographical notices by Joseph Sabin, limited to 250 copies, New York, 1866). Hilliard praises his "accuracy," and Dr. Robertson pronounces him "the most intelligent and best-informed historian of Virginia." Jefferson, on the other hand, censures him for want of taste, and De Toqueville complains of his "diffuseness." His work, as he acknowledge in his preface, was not wholly original. He died Sept. 19, 1755.

Additionally, a Frances M. Smith (Eleanor Lexington) writes that the book plate of Reverend William Stith has been preserved and also a deed is extant, dated May 4, 1738, with the seal bearing the Coat of Arms. This material is located at William and Mary College, Williamsburg, Virginia.

The following information was co-discovered by the author and Joyce Stith, Joyce being one of the main contributors to this history "From The LISTS OF EMIGRANTS TO AMERICA by Hotten under parish registers, burials, St. Michaels, page 436-Barbados, burials July 19, 1679; Martin Stith.. The author has searched many sources and has not been able to learn anythingmore about a Martin Stith. This does create a problem because we have another Stith in Virginia at the same time as the original "John Stith." He died before John Stith (d. 1693).

The following is an extract from the Vestry Book of Henrico Parish, editor, R. A. Brock: "Next to Col. William Byrd (ancestor of Senator Byrd and Admiral Richard Byrd), the Reverend William Stith was the most accomplished man in the colony. He was at this time living at Varina and preparing his admirable history of Virginia for the materials of which he was confessedly greatly indebted to Col. Byrd."

It is interesting to note that the portraits of Reverend William and his wife, Judith, are still located on the second deck of the Wren Building, William and Mary College (bldgs. No. 295 and 296).

The following briefs were extracted by the author from records published by the U.S. Army. No effort has been made to trace the background of these Stiths. They are offered for genealogical purposes:

"STITH, DAVID B. Va. 2d Lieutenant 35 Infantry 31 Mar 1813; 1st Lieutenant 1 Sep 1814, honorable discharge 15 June 1815. (This is David B. Stith, a son of Buckner Stith, 1761801, and Elizabeth Jones, DS13-4)

STITH, DRURY, Va. Ensign 20th Inf 10 May 1814; 3d Lieut 1 Oct 1814; honorably discharged 15 June 1815.

STITH, JOHN, Md. Corporal 1st Light Drgs 24 Aug 1814, honorably discharged 15 June 1815.

STITH , JOHN W. Va. 1st Lieut. 5th Inf 3 May 1808, Capt 30 Sep 1810; honorably discharged 15 June 1815.

STITH, DONALD CHESTER, Turkey, Maryland. Cadet Military Academy 1 Sep 1846 (44) brevet 2d Lieut. 5th Inf 1 July 1850; 2n Lieut. 30 Apr 1853; 1st Lieut 18 Oct 1855; Capt 8 Aug 1861; dismissed 25 Sep 1861 (Colonel Aig CSA War 1861 to 1865).

No other information can be found on these particular Stiths. One can not help but wonder about the West Point graduate who joined the Conferate forces. There must have been quite a story about his life, but it appears to have been lost.

Additionally, the author has often tried to image the story that might lie behind historical family gleanings such as:

Elizabeth Stith who married Henry Herndon who was a descendant of William Lewis Herndon who explored the Amazon River.

Townshend Stith, son of Buckner Stith and Anne Dade Townshend. Townshend was counsel to Tunis in the 1800s and brought an Arabian horse back to Virginia.

Robert Stith, son of Drury Stith and Fanny Love, who was a surgeon in the Mexican War. (The reader is advised that Henry Bynum who married Amanda Stith, daughter of Robert Stith and wife Mary Goodwyn, was killed in the Mexican War at Cerro Gordo, Mexico, 1847.)

Dr. William Stith, son of Robert Stith and Mary Townshend Washington, who was killed in a duel in Mississippi. For an example of a story behind an event read the account of James Stith's duel in Mobile, Alabama.

Mary Blaikley Stith, daughter of Griffin Stith and Mary Blaikley who married Thorowgood Smith, Mayor of Baltimore.

The author did not seek to prove or disprove the following: It was submitted in 1933 to Dr. M. Chandler Stith, Washington, D. C. by a Miss Janie Rosselle, Tallassee, Fla. "A Mr. Stith ( ) married a Betsy or Janette McLaurie; their daughter, Miss Stith married a General Sam Smith, officer in revolution, Foreign Attache, and Senator). Gen Sam and his wife (Miss Stith) had a daughter named Dorcas Smith. Dorcas married a William Patterson of Baltimore. They had a daughter Elizabeth Patterson. Elizabeth married Gerome Bonaparte of France. Gerome was a brother to Napoleon Bonaparte. " The author has been able to verify Elizabeth Patterson, her mother Dorcas and the father General Smith. (This remains unsubstaniated as of August 1987.)

It is interesting to note that some of the Tidewater Stith families advertised as follows in the Virginia Gazette: (SOURCE: 35 mm microfilm of the Virginia Gazette contained in microfilm files maintained by the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL.)

"Six hundred acres of land with a good apple orchard of choice grafted fruit, a good dwelling house 25 by 30 with a brick chimney and a cellar. Two large barns, 40 x 20 with several other convenient houses lying in Prince George Co on Sapponey Creek are to be sold by Drury Stith. " 17-24 June 1737

"Ran away from one of the subscribers quarters (1751) on Sapponie in Prince George Co., 14 or 15 weeks ago, a mulattoe man slave named Tom. Escaped after being chained. John Stith."

"For sale - 800 acres of valuable land lying on Shining Creek in Brunswick about 45 miles from Petersburg. The land is remarkably level. W. Stith" 10 October 1776

"A box marked R.S.L. with a crows foot below the S, number 1, containing Irish linen (agreeable to Mr. Samuel Gift of London). Box was lodged in Petersburg. If anyone know where the box is please notify undersigned. Richard Stith" 6 Jan 1776

"Those gentlemen who have been so kind as to take subscription papers for my History of Virginia are directed to contrive them to Mr. Parks in Williamsburg or to myself at Varina in Henrico County by the last of next April General Court which will be an additional favour to the most humble servant William Stith, Varina, March 2, 1744 "

In view of the above it is considered correct to assume that some of the Stiths were thoroughly involved in the day-to-day activities of the tobacco plantation set as well as intellectual pursuits limited to members of the gentry.

The author also found the following item in a William and Mary Quarterly (Volume I, all volumes on file at William and Mary College): "Will of ROBERT STITH,of King George County, gent.: wife, Mary Townshend Stith, all his household and kitchen furniture, coach and four horses, four negroes, cook and house servants for life, with power to will to any of my children she pleases; also one-third of all my negroes for life. To son, Putnam Stith, four hundred and fifty acres at majority, to be laid off in that part of my plantation called Watts Fields, bounding on Nathaniel Washington, Col Henry Fitzhugh, and myself. To son, John Stith, remainder of plantation containing six hundred and sixty-four acres. To my daughters an equal part of slaves with my sons (including those slaves now in my Aunt Stith's possession at her death; also my wife's third at her death), they to make choice from the whole, each of a waiting maid; also the same proportion of cattle and sheep; residuary legatees, my sons; executors, his wife, Mr. Law 'ce Washington, Sen., Mr. William Storke, Mr. Thomas Washington. Dated May 14, 1788; Proved October 1791."

From this point on one might conjecture that the Stith family, having become quite numerous within the local populace, became very concerned with the day-to-day task of living and less with recording family history. The reader will note that previous mention was made of some Stiths who served in the War of 1812 and later Stiths are written about in the Civil War

Section. It is hoped that someone may possibly be able to enlighten all of the family on the histories of these relatives. As of this writing little is known of their lives. There is evidence of Stiths in Virginia from the arrival of our founder to the present day; however, little is known by the author about the present day Stiths in Virginia possibly since they never left Virginia they might say "we're not the ones who are lost. " It is hoped that the situation will soon be corrected through the assistance of all Stiths concerned. The author does not knowingly intend to omit any bloodline Stith.

East Coast Stith Family

Again the author must apologize for the scarcity of information on the families in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania (Philadelphia). Letters were written to many and answers, including information received were very meager. The writer will specifically mention those Stiths who contributed. Others will be listed or referred to in general.

The author has also corresponded briefly with the following East Coast Stiths:

Mary V. Stith, an accountant, in Richmond, Virginia, who is quite a lady and the author hopes to make further contact and obtain additional information on her personal accomplishments. Her letters have an air of the old aristocratic Southerner that this country has learned to honor and cherish. Mary is from the Thomas Stith (1731-1801) branch of the family. She tolerates no one who "rides" on the family name. Her father was Frederick Edward Stith and her mother Mary Elizabeth Hawthorne. Frederick's father was Littleton Ezra Stith and his mother was Mary Jane Hawthorne. Littleton's father was Obediah Stith, and his mother was Mary Hunnicut. (See Genealogical Charts.)

North Carolina Stiths

Iris Stith Reed advises that her father was long in the clothing business in Winston-Salem. From numerous newspaper articles the author has condensed the following:

Frank A. Stith opened his own clothing store in 1911 in Winston-Salem, N.C. It is an amazing fact that he was able to keep his store open during the market crash of 1929 and the depression of the 30s. He also managed to send his three children to college during that era. In 1931 the store was incorporated and Frank became president and general manager. He also found time to serve on the County Board of Education for twelve years, ten of which were served as the chairman. He was, at one time, the vice-chairman of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce. In 1955, Governor Hodges presented Frank with a State Retailers' Award and in 1956 he was elected "Retailer of the Year" by the North Carolina Merchants' Association. Frank was also a charter member of the Winston-Salem Kiwanis Club. A Memoriam issued by the club in 1964 when Frank passed away, reads in part, ". . . he was much loved by all the members. He had the respect of all who knew him. He served his generation well. and " His unfailing courtesy, integrity, and honor made him a standout among us and anywhere. A gentle wit and genteelity of action marked Mr. Stith." Under Frank Stith's personal supervision the

company expanded in 1961 and opened two additional stores in Winston-Salem.

In 1910 Frank married Viola Daub, daughter of a postman and Methodist preacher. Viola's progenitors arrived in this country before the Revolutionary War. They were educators and churchmen. Her great grandfather, Michael, and great uncle, Peter Daub, helped found Trinity College (now Duke University), Greensboro College, and the largest Methodist Church in Greensboro and Winston-Salem,

Iris writes of her father, "He was a little man in stature only, with a merry twinkle in his eyes and a marvelous sense of humor. He was a friend to man, but in such an unobtrusive manner, that after his death we learned of many of his deeds of kindness that we had never known. . . I had been told by some of his contemporaries that he had a talent for bringing order out of chaos and harmony out of discord."

Iris Stith Reed, Frank A. Stith's eldest daughter, graduated from the Uni. of North Carolina, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music. She taught in the public schools in Winston-Salem for ten years. Briefly, she worked for the FBI in Washington, D. C. during World War II and then went into the American Red Cross as a recreation worker in army convalescent hospitals. She did theraputic recreation under the supervision of the doctors. In Daytona Beach, Florida, at the Welch Convalescent Hospital she met Harry Reed, a U. S.

Army Finance Officer. The army lost a good finance officer and Frank Stith gained a son-in-law. Iris and Harry returned to Harrisburg, Illinois, after the war ended, having lived there when first married. From there they moved to Daytona Beach, where they first met, and Harry continued in banking in that city until such time as he was called upon to enter the family business as secretary-treasurer.

Harry Reed worked in a bank as a teenager and while his mind has been in banking practically all of his life, his heart has always been in music. He organized the first kid band in his hometown and eventually became director of a band program in the city schools. He was a DeMolay advisor and received the Cross of Honor. He is a Kiwanian and has been President of his club and a Lt. Governor. He has also served in numerous organizational and advisory capacities for Symphony Orchestras and Concert Series. The piano duo of Iris and Harry continue to play in loving harmony in many groups--civic, church, and cultural. On solos, Iris is the accompanist for Children's Choirs at her church while Harry plays in the Salem Band which gives concerts on the Salem square in the 18th Century Village during the summer.

Iris and Harry, now that he has retired, spend much time working a flower garden. Harry says, "After all I never promised her a rose garden--I just agreed to play her a simple melody of love, sweet love."

Frank A. Stith, Jr., a graduate of Duke University, followed in the footsteps of his father. He assumed the position of president and board chairman after Frank, Sr. passed from the scene. His task is not easy but he married Lucy Ferne Vaughn to make his life more pleasant. And that she did by giving him five wonderful children. Frank,Jr. like his father, is very civic and churchminded. He has been on many boards and has been chairman of the official board at his church. He has been president of the Merchants Association, the T.B. Association, and on the board of the Kiwanis Club. Lucy Ferne has served on many official boards of the church, in the Red Cross, and the school whenever the children volunteered her services. Her favorite hobby is ceramics at which she excels.

Their oldest son, Frank, was an Angie B. Duke Scholar in undergraduate school. He remained at Duke for his training in Divinity School and is now an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. He is married to Mary Elizabeth Hunt. They have two children Elizabeth Rose and Michael Hunt Stith.

Joellen Vaughn Stith, Frank Stith, Jr.'s eldest daughter, graduated from Greensboro College which her maternal great grandfather helped found. After teaching in Alexandria, VA., she married Hubert B. Parks, a widower with five children, . . ranging in ages from 9 to 15. As of late September, when

not yet 31 years old, she will be the mother of six children. The author must pause to advise the reader that he has not been attempting to edit the letter on the Frank A. Stith family written by Iris Stith Reed. Instead he is copying her word for word because her style is so much better than what he could write. The author's plan is for the history to be a living history about one of America's first families.

"Lucy Ferne Stith, Frank Jr.'s second oldest daughter, graduated from Pheiffer College, a Methodist school. She is a teacher and is unmarried at-this-time.

Frank Jr.'s two youngest children are attended the Univ. of N.C. at Greensboro. Christine Daub is a junior and David is a sophomore. The best of luck to the "young" Stiths.

Iris writes that "her sister, Mary Stith Childs is the youngest child of Frank Stith, Sr. She attended Davenport Junior College and the Univ. of N.C. at Greensboro where she took a secretarial course. She decided after five months in the business world that marriage was "her thing." Her husband, Jack Hyams Childs went to the Uni. of N.C. at Chapel Hill. He became a salesman for the United Paper Co. Their oldest son, Jack Stith Childs, earned a degree in Journalism from Univ. of N.C., Chapel Hill. He was first a reporter on a newspaper in Danville, VA. as well as Public Relations Director of a small college in Danville. Next, he was a Political Analyst on a

newspaper in Raleigh, N.C. Then an assistant News Director of the News Bureau, Duke University. Presently, he is Press Secretary and speechwriter for the Governor of North Carolina. Jack is married to Elizabeth A. Throckmorton of Danville, Va. They have two children, Jane Stith Childs and John Patrick Childs. Their youngest son, Robert Michael Childs, did his undergraduate work at the Uni. of N.C., Chapel Hill and then went on to Harvard Law School. After a stint in the Navy mostof it served in Washington, D. C. where he married Pamela Gay Waggoner, "he" now became "they" and "they" moved to Charlotte, N.C. where he is a partner in a law firm. Mary and Jack are both deceased and are buried in the cemetery on Walsa. They have two chidren Matthew Jack and Catherine Waggoner Childs."

Iris Stith Reed brought a total of sixty-six Stiths into the family fold covering most of the Stiths in North Carolina, and some in South Carolina and Georgia. Prior to this sub mission, very little was known about the Stiths in these areas. Iris also advised of a Mary Jarvis Stith and her brother Dr. Lawrence Stith who lived in a beautiful mansion called "Stithwyck," in New Bern, N.C. It is now known that these Stiths are the descendants of Dr. Buckner Stith, a brother of Dr. George Washington Stith, the grandfather of Frank A. Stith, Sr. There was also a brother, John Stith. These Stiths are the three older half-brothers of Gerard Stith, the Mayor of New Orleans. All four brothers were sons of Griffin Stith, a son of Buckner Stith (1722-1791) and descendants of Lawrence Washington. There was also a grandson of Dr. George Washington

end of page 41 The following was inserted between pages 41 and 42.

Mattie Orilla Stith

Was born to Julius B. and Octavia Wilson Stith in Sampson County on November of 1888. She was their youngest child and only daughter. At an early age, probably 6 or 7, the family moved to Winston-Salem where she remained for the rest of her life. She had a keen mind, doing well in her studies. There is a story that she and her best friend were in competition to be the valedictorian of their graduating class. Neither one was willing to defeat the other, so they relaxed in their studies, letting a third person win. Perhaps this wasn't very smart, but it exemplifies loyalty to a friend, which seems to be a family trait. Incidentally, she was the class poet and read the poem at graduation. After marriage she did much church work and sang in the choir. Orilla sewed beautifully, making many of her daughter Hazel's clothes. Her handwork was the joy of her relatives who were the recipients of her creative talents at Christmastime.

Her sense of humor often brought a twinkle to her eyes, even in later years when she was an invalid and became blind.

Her cheerful spirit was a hallmark of her beautiful character. Her husband Will was an invalid for 13 years. For many of them he was bedfast. Rilla tended him lovingly and made their home bright and sunny with bouquets of flowers she had grown and the aroma of a good meal in preparation to tempt his appetite. Orilla died in 1969.

Rilla's husband William Tucker Bradford was born in 1884. He was a printer by trade but he had several talents that he nourished to some degree. At one time before marriage he and Frank Stith who later became his brother-in-law were members of a vocal quartet called The Jolly Boys Quartet. Will dabbled in water color, leaving several still life paintings for posterity. He also wrote poetry and had at least one book of poetry published. He was an avid checker and chess player, entering in competition and often winning.

After a lengthy illness Will died in 1960.

Four children were born to this union Hazel Louise, Robert, Jack who died in infancy, and William.

was born June 8, 1912 in winston-salem, NC the first child of Mattie Orilla Stith Bradford and William Tucker Bradford. (Somewhere I heard a story that mom was named "Mattie" to honor relatives named Mary, Martha, and Matilda. Since I never knew any of my grandparents' sisters, I haven't been able to verify this.) My mother named me Hazel after a character in a book she was reading and my father named me Louise after his mother. Mistakenly, as he learned later, he never heard her called anything other than Lou and didn't know it was a nickname for Louella.

My three brothers followed in due time. Robert was born three years later and Jack followed a couple of years after that. (Jack died in infancy or early childhood of whooping cough. I'm not sure of my facts here. Maybe Bill's information is better than my memory. One of my earliest memories is of Robert getting lost. We were all in the yard when he disappeared. The whole neighborhood (8th Street) turned out to look for him. He hadn't been walking very long so he couldn't have gone very far. Suddenly someone saw him looking through one of the glass panels that flanked the front door. There was an umbrella stand there and he had crawled on top of it. Either he didn't hear everyone calling or was playing possum. William Stith Bradford was born when I was a senior in Reynolds High School. I dubbed him His Majesty Sir William because he had all the family at his beck and call and because he was cute and got away with behavior Robert and I weren't allowed.

After we moved to Chestnut Street several childhood memories stand out. One was watching the children on the school playground across the street doing exercises. The whole school lined up and the principal called them. It was during the war and physical fitness was being stressed. My fondest memory is of mom walking us to the library where we signed out as many books as we could carry. Then we went by Dewey's Bakery and got oatmeal cookies to eat while we read. I still love to read. Another memory that I cherish is the time the Frank Stith family lived with us until their new home was finished. The oldest cousin (Iris) and I forged a bond that has remained with us all our lives.

I loved school all my days, all my schools! I was probably the only graduate from high school whose parents had to get a baby sitter. I really don't remember too much about the graduation proceeding because just before the ceremony started the Frank Stith family had given me a wrist watch and all I did was stare at it. I attended Salem College as a town student - and lucky to be able to because the depression had hit us hard. After graduation I taught school in Forsyth County for five years.

In 1937 I married Fletcher Smith Flynn who worked for Dillard Paper Co. in Greensboro, N.C. We lived there for about a year before he was transferred to Charlotte, N.C. as manager for a budding branch office. After about a year's phenominal growth of sales and personnel he decided he would rather be a salesman. He continued selling until his death in 1968. He was a loving end supportive father and a diligent church member. The fellowship hall at our church is named Flynn Hall for him.

Before marriage he a friend had played the small parts in the plays put on at UNC-G. He also loved sports and was a good golfer and baseball player. Also had a good voice and sang in the church choir.

On Feb. 14, 1942 Alice Teresa Flynn was born. She was named Alice after her fraternal grandmother and Teresa after my best friend's mother. I wanted to name her Orilla Alice but mom wouldn't let me. She said it sounded like "aurora borealis"! However, she became known as Terry so it wouldn't have mattered. She is a "people person" never having met a stranger. She enjoyed camp while growing up and loved partying. She left UNC-G to get married at age 19. She had met Francis Lewis Wyche III at Davidson College. They lived in Petersburg, Va after he finished law school. They had three children, Francis Lewis Wyche IV, Martha Bradford Wyche and Fletcher Flynn Wyche. The marriage lasted about 17 years. After several years as a single mother she marreid Leavenworth McGill Ferrell and lives in Richmond, Va.

Fletcher Smith Flynn, II came along in May 1945. We knew that the correct name was Jr. but we were afraid he might be called Junior. Not to worry he became Smitty. He enjoyed all sports while growing up - especially baseball. He also liked music and played with a dance band in High School and College. After graduating from Wake Forest he and Jill Stewart of Charlotte were married. They tried law school and then several years in Young Life. When Jill wanted to try a job at First Union Bank in Charlotte where she is now an executive, Smitty went back to music and now has a band. They have two daughters Angela Carol who is sixteen and Kathryn Stewart who is four.

I have remained a widow and still live in Charlotte where I do volunteer and church work and a little baby sitting.

Stith who lived in Mullins, S. C. He was Dr. Boyd Stith and he had two sons, Dr. Robert Stith and Dr. Julian Stith. These Stiths have been connected to the Stith-Washington line by Iris Stith Reed of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.(See Genealogical Charts.)

There are many more Stiths along the East Coast states, however, it is an almost insurmountable task to write each one. It is considered appropriate that they be made aware of the Stith family history and be advised to submit information to the author for inclusion in a sequel to this history. There has to be a descendant willing to assume such a task.

Leaving the present-day Stiths we again pick up the strings of the past as a means of developing other branches of the family. As previously written, Drury Stith married Elizabeth Buckner. It was from this union that five prolific sons came. They were Drury4, Griffin5, Buckner6, Richard7, Thomas8 . With the exception of one other branch (John Stith and Mary Randolph) most Stiths in America stem or issue from these five sons of Drury Stith. Bathurst Stith (1729--) was reported to have died without issue, however, the author doesn't accept such information as final. John (1724-1773) deeded his land in Ring George County to Robert Stith, son of Buckner Stith and Susanna Field.

The author's information on three of the brothers is very sketchy and the most valid portion of their history lies in the previously written sections on Early American Stiths. Mary V.

Stith, Richmond, Virginia writes that her great-great grandfather, Thomas Stith (1731-1801) stated in his will that he had been visiting his brother Richard Stith in Charlotte (1727-l802), became ill, returned home and died not long afterwards. This is very possible because there is documented evidence of Stiths in Campbell County which lies to the west of Charlotte County, Va. She also has a copy of Thomas Stith's will, and she states that it verifies much of the information contained in the Genealogical charts of this history.

Fortunately, the Tyler Quarterlv Magazine published a will executed by Richard Stith of Campbell County. Richard Stith married Lucy Hall, a Stith-Bolling-Hall descendant, and had 12 children. His will was executed as follows:

Will of Richard Stith
(1782)

"In the name of God, Amen, I, Richard Stith, of Campbell County, aged fifty-four,--being now in good health, and in full exercise of my senses and memory,--my labours and care having been blessed with a competency of this World's Goods-and calling to mind that it is good for the surviving part of the Family, that a Man should set his House in Order before he leaves this World to go to a Better, do make my last Will and Testament in manner and form following:

I must be decently and plainly buryed--funeral Sermon etc., paid. I leave in possession of my well beloved wife,

to her own command, use, benefit and comfort, my Whole Estate-- to be delivered to the Children agreeable to the succeeding paragraphs hereof, but her full and quiet profession of this land, and Plantation where we live, and the 80 acres at the mouth of Lick Creek, and an uncertain number of negroes, to remain to her during her lifetime, instead of other manner of Right of Dower.

I give and bequeath of my Son Joseph my Land on Jumping Run, including Mount Hermon in Bedford County, by Patent 1150 acres.--This is since conveyed by Deed.

I give and bequeath to my Son Benjamin all my Land on the Stoney Fork of Goose Creek, by Patent 1150 acres, including Buck Mountain; to him and his heirs forever.

I give and bequeath to my Son Thomas, my Land on the South side of Goose Creek, opposite to the Flat-top Mountain, by Patent 1100 Acres, including Harpeth and Shalum; to him and his heirs and assigns forever. I give and bequeath to my Sons, John and William, all my Land on both sides Molly's Creek inclusive works lodged in the Registers Office for 1460 acres, and my Land on Branches of the South Fork of Falling River contiguous to the long Mountain by Paten 1200 acres, also my Land near the head of Little Falling River, on Mulberry Creek and including the head of Narrow-passage Branch, Works lodged in the Register's Office 1400 Acres; three Tracts to be equally divided between them by their own consent or other-

wise-to each of them and his heirs and assigns since is otherwise given.

I give and bequeath to my Son Richard, my Land on Lick Creek inclusive Works 1054 Acres including the old Seat, Jacob; and 80 Acres on Falling River at the mouth of Lick Creek,-to him, his heirs and assigns forever: but Richard is not to possess any part of it in the lifetime of his Mother without her consent.

I leave my well-beloved Wife, Lucy, in full possession of my whole Estate,--which Estate (except Lands being already directed) must be divided at future times, as followeth (viz) a Son at age, or a Daughter married or at age, and demand made my Will is that such Son or Daughter shall have two negros of such age and size as can be spared--and some Stock and Household Goods, if can be spared--and so on--during the lifetime of my wife--after her decease then a final division of my slaves and other personal Estate to take place, viz. those of our children that have received, and those who have not received to be made equal--not taking into the account the increase or decrease of those part-portions that go out--or have gone out -- but to be considered as they were when they went out, and if a married daughter after receiving part or all of her portion, die without a child, or she and her child or children die, that I judge it unreasonable that her portion should go out of my Family--wherefore I declare, and it is my Will that the portion of such deceased Daughter shall

return into my Estate and be divided in the same manner, as if they had not gone out.

Surveyors fees and other debts due to me must be collected (with moderation) the money to pay my debts, and the overplus, if any, to remain in the care of my Executors, or my wife if single--for contingent charges--perhaps Schooling our Children.

Now, I mean to cut of the force and effect of heir at Law in my Family, my Will is that if one or more of our Children die, under age, or without lawful heir, or without Will, in either of those three cases the Survivors shall be co-heirs.

I do hereby nominate and appoint Edmund Winston, John F. Patrick and Charles Cobbs, gentlemen, my Executors, I having confidence in you accompanied with warm friendship. I entreat you to accept of the Trust.--This is altered.

In witness whereof: I have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand and seal this 1st day of June 1782.
(Signed) Richard Stith

Signed, sealed and published by Richard Stith as for his Will and Testament in our prefence, who in the prefence of the said Richard Stith subscribed our names as witnesses thereto, June 1-1871.

(Signed):
Peter Terrel1
John Cocke
Thos. Jones
John Boughton
Robt. Armistead
John Lane

A Codicil to my Will, the Will bearing date the 5th day of June, 1782. I give and bequeath to my son, Benjamin, 400 acres of Land, more or less, situate in Bedford County, on head branches of Enoch's Creek, according to the Patent bearing date the 14th day of August 1787 (this in lieu of part of the Stoney-fork tract otherwise dispos'd of) to him, his heirs and assigns forever.

I give and bequeath to Drury Hardaway, my Son-in-law, 1050 Acres, more or less, situate in Campbell County on Lawsons Creek according to the Patent dated May 16th 1786 (This is not altogether a gift--he hath made compensation) to him, his heirs and assigns forever.

I give and bequeath to Luke Morris Valentine, 80 acres, more or less, the same that Charles Talbot, Sen. Esq., acknowledged to me in Bedford Court, situate in Campbell County on Falling River including the little old plantation on Lick Creek, including the mouth of the Creek: to him, his heirs and assigns forever; and for This, he hath made compensation.

I give and bequeath to my Son, Richard 600 acres, more or less, situate in Campbell County on both sides of Narrowpassage Branch, including the head; being part of the tract of 1400 Acres by Patent bearing date the 20th day of August 1783.-and this to compensate Richard Stith, Jun'r, in the wear and tear already made and likely to be made on the Jacob tract and Plantation to him, his heirs and assigns forever.

Now, I appoint (her, who will then be) my widow, Lucy Stith, Executrix solus.

N.B.--So much of the aforesaid Will as is opposed, now made null by this Codicil.

Signed, sealed and published by Richard Stith, as a Codicil to his aforesaid Will, this 10th day of September 1792.
In Presence of Richard Stith (Seal)
James Miller
John Rud
Mack Nevil

The Will bearing date June 1, 1782, to which a Codicil dated Sept. 10, 1792, and now annexed tacked to the Codicil as followeth:

I give and bequeath to my son John the whole of the Land on Molly's Creek, according to the Patent 1460 Acres,--to him, his heirs and assigns forever.

I give and bequeath to my son, William, the 250 Acres on the East Fork of Jumping Run, being the remainder of a Tract by Patent for 400 Acres in Bedford.

Also to my son, William, beginning on Buzzard Branch; thence along the Island Road by the Cross roads and down the main Road toward the old Mill to Bell's line, all that Part to the W. & N.W., of the said Roads: in Campbell. Also to my son, William, the remaining 1150 acres at Narrow-passage Branch, Mulberry Creek, and Panter Branch; these three bequests to him, his heirs and assigns forever.

Sealed and Signed this 9th day of October 1795.

Richard Stith (Seal)
in good health

N.B.--So much of the aforesaid Will and Codicil, as is opposed, now made null by this Tack.

The Tack brought over and continued from the 9th day of October, 1795. I give and bequeath to my son-in-law, James Jones, the parcel of Land laid off for him in part of our daughter, Katharine's portion instead or in lieu of another negro,--by consent: 73 Acres, more or less, situate, bounded on the North side by the Island Old Road, on the South by his own line, in the West by Buzzard Branch and in the East by a division Line--to him, his heirs and assigns forever.

Given under my hand and seal: this 6th day of January, 1798.

Richard Stith (Seal)

N.B. -This is since conveyed by Deed.

Now, a Supplemental to the Will, codicil and Tack.

I desire and hope that the Widow Lady and her son, Richard, will agree well together in One Common Stock after I have left them in such comfortable circumstances,--But, if not, then-our Son Richard must have and take immediate possession, in the Lady's lifetime, of Land, beginning at the mouth of Pompy's Branch, up the same passing by the mouth of Saucor and one more fork, to the mouth of a drain at the old road: up the drain to the head of the same; thence to the S. W. Corner of the Detach 'd Field; and along the path towards Mr. West's Mill to the Land line; All that part of the Land lying to the Westward

of those lines (not to interrupt his brother William) also two negroes, his choice of the then remaining number (but not his Mother's house servant). These to be accounted, dealt out to Richard in manner as hath been to the other children,-here I mention again, 'Her who will then be my Widow Lady to be my Executrix alone '--and our Sons Joneph, Benjamin, Thomas, John, William and Richard, Her Securities--with powers of control in extreme occasions (but not otherwise).

N.B.--So much of the aforesaid Will, Codicil and Tack, as are opposed, made null by this Supplement.

Given under my hand and Seal this 7th day of April, 1798.
(Signed) Richard Stith (Seal)

Witnessed this 11th of Sept. 1800
Dennis Kelley
Robert Smith
Adlar Avinton

And further I give and bequeath to my widow Lady and her son Richard Stith, Jun'r, the Still-House and its appurtenances, and all the stock, horses, etc., except one horse and 1 cow for our Son William

(Signed, this 8th day of Jany., 1801.)

Richard Stith

At a Court held for Campbell County, Virginia, December 13, 1802, the within Last Will and Testament of Richard Stith, gentleman, deceased, together with four codicils thereto

annexed, was proved by the oaths of Dennis Kelley and Adlar Avinton, two of the witnesses thereto subscribed and the last Codicil to the said Will proved to be the handwriting of the said Richard Stith, deceased, by the oaths of Robert Alexander and Williston Talbot, all of which is ordered to be Recorded. Liberty being reserved the Executrix in the said Will named to take probate thereof when she shall think fit.

Ro. Alexander, C.C.C.

And at a Court continued and held for the County of Campbell the 12th day of April, 1803, on the motion of Lucy Stith, the Executrix in the said Will named who made oath thereto according to Law, certificate is granted her for obtaining probate thereof in due form, giving security, whereupon she together with Joseph Stith, Benjamin Stith; Thomas Stith, John Stith, William Stith, Richard Stith, Denny Hendaway; I. Saunders, her securities, entered into and acknowledged their bond in the Penalty of Twenty Thousand Dollars, conditioned as the Law directs for the said Executrix's due and faithful administration on said decendant's Estate and performance of his will.

Ro. Alexander, C.C.C.

C O P Y

The following was inserted between pages 51 and 52 (This is a newspaper clipping from the News-Times of ??)

LAURENCE STITH

focus:

Laurence Stith

By John D. G reene
News-Times Staff Writer

If it relates to music, Laurence Stith has done it all, from singing commercials to conducting and accompanying such stars as Mimi Benzell of the Metropolitan Opera Company and Andy Griffith.

This continued but did not scan well.

The Kentucky Branch

Dr Lee S. Stith, University of Arizona, writes that Shacklett, and Hardaway families left Virginia and moved to Meade County Kentucky. There is documented evidence that all five of Richard Stith's sons migrated to Meade County Kentucky and that several of his daughters and their families made the trek. There is also strong evidence that Richard Stith made the trek to Kentucky but later returned to Virginia.

Christopher Johnston wrote that a Thomas Stith, son of Buckner Stith and Anne Dade, "went to Kentucky," and nothing more.

There is fragmentary evidence that numerous other Stiths migrated to Kentucky during the late 1700s and early 1800s so the author makes no assumption that the four brothers mentioned were the sole Stith family immigrants to Kentucky. Baldwin Stith was in Kentucky by 1789. His connection to the main line has not been established to date.

The Kentucky and Midwestern Branch

A possible reason as to why the Stith families migrated to Kentucky is evident when one studies American history. There was plenty of homestead land available in Kentucky and the Stiths by this time had pretty well exhausted the land in Virginia by planting tobacco (as did thousands of other planters). Also,

many families still believed in the rule of primogenitor (first born son inherits all, or most, of the estate). We can only conjecture that they came through the Cumberland Gap on the southern border and then moved to the northwest toward the area around Elizabeth Town and what is now Louisville, Ky. It does not take too much imagination to realize that they must have suffered many hardships along the way as did other pioneer families. There is also enough evidence to indicate that other Stiths entered Kentucky in the northeast from West Virginia.

Dr. Lee Stith obtained the following information from Mrs. Francis Fast of Brandenburg, Kentucky. Mrs. Fast has contributed greatly to the compilation of information on this branch of the family. She also has submitted data on the family to the William and Mary Quarterly.

"In a small notebook (4 1\2 x 7) bound in calfskin, very old and somewhat worn, that belonged to Richard Stith, Sen., then to his son, Richard Stith, Jun'r, and lastly to Jesse Jones Stith, with the names 'Richard Stith, Henry Stith and J.J. Stith' crudely lettered on the cover, with beautiful copperplate writing of Richard Stith, Sen., not quite so beautiful of the younger Richard, listing slaves, their births and some deaths. Also there is a list of the children of Richard Stith, Sen. with their birth dates. This book is now in the possession of Mrs. W. A. Stith, Sen. Guston, Ky., of the Stith Farms in Stith Valley."

"An important birth, that of Richard Stith, 30th Sept 1727, is omitted from Dr. Johnston's account. (Author's comment: this is one of many errors that Dr. Johnston made. The author is in sympathy with Dr. Johnston as there are probably numerous errors in this current history. Well, at least we took the time to write it down and get it published. "We" is inclusive Dr. Lee Stith, Joyce Morrison Stith, Iris Stith Reed.) He belongs between John, 1724 and Bathurst, 1729. An explanation for the omission from the Bristol Parish Register is given in Douglas Register, pages 5-6. "

From Byrd's Diary we find that there was much changing about of ministers, that they were scarce and much changing was done, preaching was conducted alternately and the Stiths attended another parish. It is evident that the records were not well kept during this period and that when the Rev. William Douglas came to the Parish in 1750 he found the records in a sad state. He stayed until 1777 at Goochland.

Dr. Christopher Johnston's account of the Stith family from this point on takes up in detail the other descendants of Drury Stith and his wife, Elizabeth Buckner and other generations, but does not mention Richard Stith, their son, who married Lucy Hall, and was a prominent man in the history of Virginia, living in Brunswick County, Campbell County and Bedford County, Virginia.

A Hornbook of Virginia History on page 21 shows information of the counties of Virginia, with which we are concerned:

Charles City County, 1634; in 1703 Prince George County was formed from part of Charles City. In 1722 Brunswick County was taken from Prince George; Lunenburg was taken from Brunswick 1732; Bedford from Lunenburg in 1754, and Campbell from part of Bedford in 1782. Therefore, it was possible for a family to have lived in all of these counties, yet not have moved from the physical spot where they had first acquired land.

Richard Stith, with whom we are now concerned, was a surveyor by profession. He surveyed Campbell County, 1782 and laid out the city of Lynchburg, 1786.

In William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 16, page 1907-1908 a letter from Richard Stith to William and Mary's College about surveyors giving new bonds says business demands his presence in Bedford County and asks them to send the bond to him, He was licensed from Bedford County, Oct. 24, 1772, date of letter.

An account listed in the Tyler's Quarterly Magazine and submitted by A. G. Stith of Louisville, Kentucky lists genealogical information on the family and also states "It is noted in the Bible that Joseph Stith was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Ensign Bedford Co. Militia. Sworn in August 28, 1780." The same article also states "John Stith, called "Jack" Stith to distinguish him from his uncle, Dr. John Stith, immediately after his marriage, at the age of

sixteen, removed to Kentucky, Hardin County, where he became a distinguished preacher. Died in 1833 (Bedford's History of Southern Methodism).

His father, Joseph, also removed to Kentucky with other brothers and died about 1836, being buried in Meade County, near Vine Grove."

Meade, Hardin, and Breckinridge Counties seem to have been the common areas of settlement for the Kentucky Stiths. The author has been informed that there are many Stiths still in these areas. It has also been reported that there are many Stiths in or around Covington, Kentucky.

Dr. Lee S. Stith also advises of his great Uncle, William Allen Stith in Kentucky, who "was a teacher, was in the Legislature of the sate of Kentucky for several terms, had a large Hereford ranch and was a producer of hybrid seed corn."

As the reader will note, Dr. Lee S. Stith's name is interjected from time to time in this history. He will be discussed under the Western Branch, however, his immediate ancestors came from Kentucky and his lineage is traced directly to the early American Stiths in Virginia. Dr. Stith writes that his grandfather,William Lee Stith, migrated to Texas while the rest of his immediate family remained in Hardinsburg, Ky. (in Breckinridge Co.). It is worth noting that one of William Lee's great aunts, Nannie Stith, was married to Dr. Kinchelo who was publicized by Life Magazine as the "Father of 1000 Babies."

Of equal importance in-current family history is Dr. Milton Chandler Stith. A description in the "Who's Who in the South" states as follows: "Clergyman born Louisville 17 May 1904 son of Jessie M. and Ruby (Chandler) Stith; student Stetson Uni. 1921-22, A.B. Davidson Coll. 1923-24. Th. M. South. Baptist Theological Seminary 1929, D.D. Stetson U. 1946; married Elizabeth Brownlee in 1924; children: Hugh Chandler, Robert Jesse, James Logan, Sandra Beth. Pastorates: Orange Glade Church, Miami, Fla. 1930-31, Brentwood Church, Jacksonville, Fla. 1931-37; Brookland Church, Washington, D.C. The author has corresponded with Dr. Stith and finds that he has been serving with noteworthy honor and efficiency as the Executive Secretary for the District of Columbia Baptist Convention. He is the proud grandparent of some eight grandchildren Dr. Chandler is a descendant of John (called Jack) Stith, a distinguished preacher, previously mentioned as having migrated to Kentucky when he was sixteen years old.

"Chan" writes that "Percy Stith who owned a jewelry store in Louisville for many years had voluminous family records." In view of information available to the author, these records might be in the family of Glen Stith as "Chan" indicates that Glen was a brother of Percy. (Author's comment: Records maintained by the city library, New Orleans, La. indicate that a Percy Bertrand Stith, died in that city in 1961. Will some Stith please try and tie this in?)

The records are probably as valuable from the standpoint of family history as the records compiled by Estie (Stith) Crabbe, a fine lady and an ardent family historian who will be discussed under the Western Branch.

"Chan" also advises, "I remember that in the middle twenties, when I was a student at the Seminary in Louisville, I had an opportunity to look over these records in Percy's home. Among them were photostat copies of wills of the members of the family for many generations, including a map of the area now occupied by Fort Knox, which apparently was the center of a large plantation and farm area of the Stiths. As a matter of fact, there was a station there called "Stithton."

The author believes that notice should be taken of "Dr. Chan's" accomplishments for in a country of so many churches and ministers of all faiths, he,"Chan," has risen above the ordinary and excelled in that field. He has furthered the family name with honor and dignity and deserves the praise and respect of each member. Individuals and organizations have made public testimonials to Dr. "Chan's" ability and character so in the opinion of the author, Dr. M. Chandler Stith is more than worthy of all the praise and respect bestowed on him.

Dr. "Chan" writes that he still retains some of his Kentucky traits in that he bagged a non-typical whitetail buck in Maine and received a national trophy for his prize.

He is an ardent hunter and makes an annual trek to Maine in quest of deer and bear.

The author would also like to focus again the family spotlight on A. Glen Stith, Louisville, Ky. Glen submitted valuable family historical information to the Tyler Quarterly Magazine years ago. The author discovered this information while accomplishing a records search at the Univ. of AL. The will of Richard Stith previously recorded for the reader's perusal was submitted by Glen. In the information Glen listed a Percy Stith and indicated that he had no children so it is from this information that the author, as previously written, conjectures that Glen probably inherited Percy's records, if this is the recordkeeping "Percy" of whom Dr. "Chan" writes.

Glen Stith was the son of Richard Luther Stith, attorney, Elizabethtown, KY (1846-1920) and Eugenia Carrico Stith. Other children of this marriage were: Hugh Claude' who died without issue; Ada who married, one, Jno. T. Blakeley, and, two, Mr. Leftwich, Percy B.-no children, Lynn B.-no children.

The children of Glen and Ruth Brewer were: Mary E (b. Apr 19, 1910); Theodore B. (b. July 20, 1911); Richard G. (b. Aug 31, 1917; Ruth B. (b. Feb. 27, 1920). Currently, Richard G. is located in Wichita Falls, Texas. Theodore B. is in Overland Park, Kansas. Ruth married Ray Bunch and lives in Dothan, AL. Mary Stith, a librarian is located at the Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma.

The author's grandfather Albert Stith (1846-1891) who was born in Brandenburg, Ky., married Mary Elliott Hodges (1850-1940) and migrated to Moran, Kansas. Other relatives of both the Stith and Hodges' family accomplished similar moves to the same general area between Moran and Iola, Kansas. Albert's father was Buckner Jones Stith (1807-1856) who married, 2nd Mary Cofer (1814-1851). Buckner's first marriage was to Cinderella Moorman (1812-1841). The Stith Genealogical Chart shows that Cinderella had at least five children while Mary had three children.

While in Kansas Belzora Stith Hodges (1856-1945) and other relatives made several treks back to the Bradenburg, Ky. area in covered wagons to visit relatives. This was related to the author by his father, Charles W. Stith.

Albert Stith was described as a very capable farmer; very neat and trim in his dress. He was a small, slightly built man and died of appendicitis at the early age of 45. If there were any family records or history in this, the author's branch, they died in the memory of Albert. The author's father Charles W. Stith (1886-1973) had only meager knowledge of the Stith family having been only five years old when his father, Albert, passed away.

Dr. Lee S. Stith advises that all descendants of the original Stith families that migrated to Kentucky hold a family reunion on the last Sunday in August in a place called

Doe Run which is west of Louisville, Ky. There were other related families in the migration.

The following is a letter the author's grandfather, Albert F. Stith, received from his brother in Brandenburg, Ky. The letter will give us some insight into the day-today events of the lives of Stiths who were ordinary people.

C O P Y

Brandenburg, Ky
Oct 6th 1884

Dear Brother,

Yours of the 14th Sept. was received a few days since, was very glad indeed to hear that you and yours were all well and so well pleased with your new home and country. Do you think that I could rent a good farm near you? I would like for it to contain as much as two or three good men. Could work--or I would prefer to find a good man with a good farm well improved, that would be willing to furnish everything, and give me a certain portion of the crop. Do you think that could be done in your neighborhood? I would prefer to rent or work for someone the first year. What time do you sew wheat, and is there a big crop being put in this fall? Don't you think there would be money in hogs at 5�, and corn at 20�. Are hogs plentiful in your country? Do you think it would pay to take horses from this state to yours--freight and everything being considered? What is the name of your county, also your rail road station? What does farm hands get for

months with you--or in your county? Do you use all kinds of machinery in the cultivation of your crops?

I have lost money ever since I have been on this place. I only made about 6 bushels of wheat to the acre this year, but little more than enough to pay for the fertilizer and the seed, and for one to work as hard as I have to and not get any returns from my labor I am tired of that sort of farming and so have considered if I can't sell I will away and leave the place any way. Write soon and tell me what you think of my conclusions. Love to all

Your brother,

C.M. Stith

(The author traced a Charles Moorman Stith to Athens, Alabama in 1964. No doubt the son of C. M. Stith)

As a means of giving the feelings of the distaff side of the same era, the reader is given an insight of a letter written by Mary Stith, wife of Charles Moorman Stith in Brandenburg, Kentucky to Mary Stith, wife of Albert F. Stith, near Moran, Kansas. The date of the letter is obliterated but it seems to be within the time period of September or October 1884.

C O P Y

Dear Sister

I was very glad indeed to hear from you and to know that you were so well pleased. I have had sickness in my family all summer and am not well myself. The dear babe is

better now and I hope as soon as the weather gets cooler she will be well--she has two teeth. Merrie is chilling and I am afraid she will have fever of some form--she complains of her head & bowels all the time. I think Charlie has Kansas fever and you need not be astonished at anytime to see us-or him--at any rate--we are not satisfied here and not making anything either--and I guess we will make a change soon. Eva's health is not good at all and we all have been more or less sick since we have been here. Tell me about the weather! Can you raise good gardens--and have plenty of fowls: I don't like wind and rain--but I don't mind cold clear weather! Tis as warm here now as it was in August and of course we feel weak and bad. Our babe is considered a beauty here--she is very fair, has dark brown hair, inclined to curl and very large blue eyes and just as good as she can be. Write soon

Mary

The proceeding letters are copies of the orginal letters found in the Albert F. Stith family bible. Rex Stith, a first cousin of the author has the bible. Mayna E. Stith, a sister to Rex, made the copies for Joyce Stith and the author. Rex had previously extracted family names, marriages, and pertinent dates and forwarded the material to the author in 1964. Mayna whom the author remembers as having beautiful red hair has long been a favorite cousin of the author as has Dick Stith, her brother. Dick, a blonde, stands around 6 feet, 5 inches and

64

is the tallest Stith in the branch that the author belongs to. Dick's wife, Julia (called Judy) nee Mathier, is the tallest spouse in the branch, and a very sweet and kind lady. In the author's opinion, Dick and Judy were made for each other. Unfortunately, they have not been blessed with children. It is sad for they would have been wonderful parents. Rex Stith, of the same family, was a Doctor of Chiropractory for many years in Bonner Springs, Kansas. The author has been advised of the death of Rex Stith. He leaves a wife and an adopted son.

The author has very incomplete information on the Kentucky branch of the family and relies heavily upon information provided by Dr. Lee S. Stith which is offered in hope that it will incite other Stiths to write in and set the record straight. Additionally, Dr. Lee advises that:

"In a Popular Science Magazine of June 1944, I learned that a Stith family in Kansas actually built and displayed the first track as a substitute for the wheel. This was displayed at the Kansas City Fair of 1879. He refused to patent the device or sell it for $50,000 so (the article states) the track was put on a bicycle and it is still in possession of Mack Stith. (See information submitted by Joyce Stith in which Leon Stith states that Henry Thomas Stith invented the caterpillar track.) This family traces-its progenitors to Tennessee and possibly to a Mose Stith who was a son of Jesse Stith of

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Stokes County, N.C. This is a border county on the Virginia line. There has been no definite connection with a Stith family in Virginia.

Ralph and Thomas Jay Stith, whose address is presently Guston, Ky. are the sons of William Allen Stith. They were reported to have the complete story of the Stiths in Meade County, Ky. Later, Dr. Lee writes "I contacted Ralph and Thomas J. and their father W. A. Stith died and they never did complete all the records that he had. Thomas J. says 'I wish now but it is too late.' We got out the old family bible and have information on the immediate family but no history."

The author has found traces of numerous Stith families in Missouri and the family history cannot be complete without reference to this branch. More information is sorely needed as numerous Western Stiths trace their lineage back to Missouri and there the line seems to end. So, dear relatives, we need your help.

A good example of this is that the grandfather of Dr. Robert M. Stith (West coast physician) a Richard Marcus Stith was county judge of Jackson County, Mo. Nothing more is known about these Stiths.

Harold (Pete) Stith married Elizabeth Nelson of Iola, Kansas on May 7, 1944. Elizabeth, who was such a "Tomboy" that her family called her "Jiggs based on the cartoon character,

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is a very poised and gracious lady. She, like her husband Pete, is a teacher and received her Master's Degree in English from Kansas University.

Pete, or "Coach Pete" has recently (1971) completed 34 years of coaching and teaching. Upon the occasion of his retirement he was featured in The Iola Register. He was cited as a coach who focused on "the development of the boy into a man" and not on the score of the game. Needless to say, many of the high school and junior high school teams-- football and basketball--achieved championship standings. Several of his "boys" entered the "pro" ranks.

Pete Stith and Jiggs Stith never had any children of their own, however, as the legendary, "Goodbye, Mr. Chips," Pete was the father of hundreds of fine young boys who became good citizens as they grew to manhood. Dr. Albert Faulkner, a noted physician, came from Warrenaburg, Missouri, on the occasion of a banquet honoring Coach Pete. Dr. Faulkner and Stith's boys presented Coach Pete with a complete set of golf clubs, bags, and cart. Coach Pete could only remarked, "I was flabbergasted."

Pete also found time to serve as the City Park Supervisor and is looking forward to turning this position over to a younger man in about a year. Those who know Pete Stith believe that he will continue to get involved wherever and whenever the youth of the community need a helping hand. Now here's a Stith that the family can be proud of. You see, Pete's father died

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before Pete was old enough to remember him; he has come all of the way "by himself" and until he married "Jiggs," that must have been a mighty lonesome trip.

"Mr. Chips" left us in 1982 and his leaving has been severely felt by those of us who knew him and loved him.

A Mrs. Alma E. Stith, Houston, Texas has written: "My husand was Maurice Taylor Stith, son of George Taylor Stith and Dadie Karens Stith. My husband was born in Maitland, Florida in 1886 and died in 1932. George Taylor Stith was born in 1852 and died in 1920. The only other Stiths I ever met were a cousin Logan Stith who was a brother of Jack Stith, who was a mortician in Danville, Ky. Both are deceased, but Jack Stith's son, Jack Brown Stith, is now operating the business in Danville, Ky." The author attempted to correspond with this Stith, however, no reply was received.

Dr. Lee Stith advises of a Robert Dean Stith (1939), 119 E. Jones, S. Maize, Kansas. Robert's father is Kenneth W. Stith who is the son of John Stith (l870-1952) born in Scotland Co., Mo. and who married a Lou E. Tremain. They had the following children: Samuel Emret (1897-1920) Rosey Mary (1900), James Lafayett (1903-1948), Cora Mable (1905), John Paul (1907), James Francis (1910-1910), Kenneth W. (1913), Paulian Loyd (1919), and Herbert Odell (1920). Kenneth W. has two other children, William Luther (1936) and Arlis Ann

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(1949). William Luther lives in Duncan, Arizona and has the following children: David William (1961) and Lisa Gage (1963). Robert D. (1939) married Dee Wall and has the following child: Roger Dean (1963). Herbert Odell (1920) has the following children: Herbert Odell, Jr. (1941), Linda Odessa (1942), Ronald Eagen (1943). The author has no verification of this line with respect to the Virginia-based Stith family which originated with immigrant John Stith.

There was a Fred Stith, Jr., Attorney, in Kankakee, Ill., whose sons are or were Joseph, Edward, and Roscoe. There was also a daughter, Sarah. It is believed that Fred's father was also named Fred Stith and had siblings named: Roscoe, Edward, and Sarah. Fred, Sr.'s father was Johnny Walker Stith and his father was Jessie J. Stith who had Kentucky roots. The author has no positive connection on this line.

Mrs. Irene (Stith) Herndon, Springfield, Missouri, needs assistance in connecting her branch of the family to the early American Stiths in the Williamsburg, VA. area. Her father was Perry Stith (l877-1920) born in Ironton, Mo. and her mother was Grace C. Roe (l886-1956) born in Lesterville, Mo. Irene's grandfather, LaFayette W. Stith (l844-1924) was born in Cabell Co. West Virginia and her grandmother was Frances Cyrus (l846-1926) born in Wayne Co., West Virginia. Her great- grandfather was Eli Stith (l816-1866) born in Cabell Co., West Virginia and her grandmother was Ellen Brumfield. Irene needs the help of all Stiths as she has been unable to trace her family further

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back. Her great-great-grandfather and grandmother were John and Anne Stith, however, there is no indication as to where they came from, and the author has no verification of this line.

The following biographical sketch was provided by Joyce Stith, Iola, Kansas (Joyce Stith nee Morrison) has submitted very much material. Joyce has found the "Zada" (actually Zoda) referred to by Wirt Stith, Baton Rouge, La.)

"Who was Who in Hardin County
By Hardin County Historial Society
Zorayda Stith

About the time and shortly after the Civil War, this talented young woman attracted considerable attention with her verse and won the praises of the eminent journalist and poet, George D. Prentice, who published some of her poems in the old Journal before it became the Courier-Journal. Her volume of lyric and pastoral poems appeared in 1867 from the press of the Southern Methodist Publishing House, Nashville, Tenn., entitled 'Poems by Elloie' and dedicated to her little niece, Elloie Enfield Dyer, daughter of a deceased sister; Parmelia A.(Stith) Dyer. The volume contains 152 poems covering 221 pages.

Zorayda ("Zoda") Stith was the daughter of Milton and Martha Stith of Hardin County, Kentucky who came of Virginia Stock, and once resided on the farm where later Rufus Holbert

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lived and died, about a mile from Blue Ball. The orchard hill referred to in the 'Poems,' was immediately back and east of the house, a brisk elevation overtopping the buildings and woodland to westward. Here she was accustomed to go and watch the sunset and muse and weave her imagery. She says, 'Twas here I felt the first poetic fire spring up and burn with wild intensity, an unseen spirit softly swept my fire; love waked the song. I listened tremblingly.'

In 1859, Milton Stith purchased more than a thousand acres 'on the turnpike road leading from Elizabeth Town to West Point' and moved on it with his family, the home being what is now known as the Will Brown place on the old Dixie near New Stithton. It was for this immediate family of Stiths that the town of Stithton was named. Children of Milton, beside the poet, were Manson J., Richard L., Parmelia A., who married Ben J. Dyer, Lottie M. who married John L. Dillard, and Thomas F. Two elder boys died in childhood. The reference is to these in lines inscribed to the poetess's mother:

'The first upon they breast to bloom
Were first to wither in the tomb."

The father, Milton Stith, became blind in his old age. Another wing of the Virginia family descended from Drury Stith, who once wrote a history of Virginia. (Author's comment: This is incorrect, William Stith (1701-1752), one time president of

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William and Mary College, is the author of the first history of Virginia) settled in 1805 in Stith Valley in Meade County, then a part of Hardin. (Author's comment: The Fort Knox Gold Depository is located at the southern most reaches of Stith Valley.)

Zorayada Stith is buried in the old Tarpley graveyard (now a church cemetery) near the home on the pike (Author's comment: Pike as is generally known meant 'road' or more precise 'main road') where she died. Once she is mentioned in the public records at the courthouse, where among others 'Zoda' is noted as a witness to the marriage of her brother in 1873. She was a lovable girl, tender and sensitive, fitly fashioned to exult and to suffer. She rode horseback selling her volume of poems in the hope of realizing enough from the sales to publish a larger volume for which much of the manuscript had been prepared. This, however, did not materialize, and her unpublished manuscripts are lost. She died unmarried." (Author's comment: As a young lad, sometime in 1934-1935, the author lived in Fort Knox, Kentucky. He visited the small, deserted, village of 'Stithton,' Elizabethtown, West Point, Vine Grove, the Fort Knox Gold Depository, and because of the failure of someone 'who could and did put it all down in writing,' the author was totally unaware that he was in the center of a portion of the land of his heritage, and that he had relatives all over the countryside. All of that was lost

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because someone, a member of the family, did not think it was important enough to be written down and given wide distribution. What a shame! -- "Zoda,' you must not have lived in vain. This is your story and it must be told.)

Hollis L. Stith, of Iola, Kansas, whose wife, Joyce, has been so instrumental in compiling the Stith family history, was born on August 17, 1933, in Hannibal, Missouri. He married Joyce Morrison (b. 1930--) on January 13, 1952, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Hollis and Joyce have one daughter, Barbara Lynette (b. June 5, 1953). Hollis's mother, Helen (Weaver) Stith, died of tuberculosis when Hollis was seven years old. Hollis's father, Frederic L. Stith, was the son of Holland F. Stith (b. 1883- 1919). Holland was also the father of Harold "Pete" Stith, Iola, Kansas (mostly referred to as "Coach Pete"). Helen Weaver Stith was a very beautiful woman and a devoted mother. The author's father, Charles W. Stith, was a brother of Holland Stith. The author's father (deceased, 30 June 1973) stated that Frederic L. Stith was a policeman for many years in Iola, Kansas and was holding the office of Sheriff, Allen County, Kansas at the time of his death in 1952. Charles W. stated that Frederic L.- Stith remarried soon after the death of his first wife. Frederic's second wife refused to accept Kenneth and his brother, Hollis, so they were raised by their maternal grandmother.

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Hollis Stith is a journeyman plumber and a Master Sgt. in the Kansas National Guard. Currently, his duties with the Kansas National Guard have required him to devote his fulltime to military duties. He has completed twenty years with the National Guard, and it appears that he is going to stay with it for thirty years. Joyce becomes a little tired of seeing Hollis go off to summer camp each year. She doesn't say much on the subject because Hollis, who does not have much to say most of the time becomes quite verbose about his loyalty to the "Guard." Hollis, in his spare time has become a Worshipful Master of the Masonic Blue Lodge, and also belongs to Eastern Star. Daughter Barbara married Stephen Segraves on January 13, 1973 in Wesley United Methodist Church in Iola, Kan.

Hollis is lucky to be around. He was almost overcome by gas fumes in August 1962 while working on plumbing fixtures in a manhole located in Erie, Kansas. Roy Perry, carpenter foreman, was instrumental in saving the life of Hollis. As a second cousin of Hollis Stith, the author wishes he had been there to thank Roy Perry.

Joyce recently lost her mother who had resided all of her many years in Moran, Kansas. It is assumed that Mrs. Morrison will rest in the cemetry near Moran. The author's grandmother and grandfather were laid to rest in this same place. Joyce has two brothers: one still owns and works a farm near Moran, Kansas. The other is located in California.

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Kenneth Stith, a brother of Hollis Stith, lives in Silver Springs, Maryland. He married Betty ? . They have four children: Karen about 22 years old; Kevin, about l9; and a member of the U.S. Navy; David about 14 years old, and Lynn, who is about nine years old. Unfortunately, contact between the two brothers is not good, and they haven't seen each other for over four years. As least we all know of the existence of this family. In the years to come one of the children might ask, "Who am I and where did I come from?" The author of this historical compilation asked that question and has spent twenty-five years and much money trying to find out.

Joyce Stith has uncovered numerous Midwestern Stiths. Her system is simple--when she finds a Stith in the telephone directory or in any source, she gets on the telephone and says, "I am Joyce Stith and I'd like to know who you are.. The following Stiths and facts were discovered mainly by this simple and direct procedure.

In a letter to the author Joyce Stith writes, "Today I met Everett Stith and his brother Forrest Stith of Kansas City. I almost fainted when I saw Forrest. He looks exactly like you, talks like you enough to be a twin brother. Barbara, Joyce's daughter, notice it too."

The author now makes excerpts from another letter from Joyce Stith:

"Dear Rink (author's nickname)

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This is a copy of a letter received from Everett Stith,
brother of Forrest of Kansas City

'Dear Relative ?
I am late in answering your letter and phone call (Author's comment: That's my Joyce--she gets on that horn!) My brother and wife were out the 18th of November to help me celebrate my birthday on the 19th, 79 years old. I tried to call you that morning and at the noon
hour . . . My history of the Stith family is very brief. My father said that the 1st member of his family to come to America, from Wales, came with a Charles Wesley Missionary group, to Virginia. His grandfather was Richard Stith, but I do not have the date of his birth. His father, son of Richard Stith was William Stith, born in April 1812, in Virginia, but the family moved to Kentucky soon after that.
Richard Stith's first wife was a Miss Shacklette (Author's comment: A thorough search of all my reference papers and official microfilm census records failed to disclose that a Richard Stith married a Miss Shacklett. There is, however, authentication that William B. Stith married a Miss Shacklet, and that she was the mother of Junis Stith.) to whom the following children were born: Junius B. Stith, James J. Stith, Emily Stith, who married

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Girdner. His second wife was Elizabeth Ann King and their children were: Meliena, Lucy Salome, Jeffrey Taylor, William King, Mary (Cowell), Fannie (Griffith), Elizabeth (Chrane), and Richard Thomas, who was my father. (See Genealogical Charts.)
My grandfather moved to Missouri before the Civil War; my father was born in Scotland County, Missouri, in 1856. Junius and James Stith served in the Southern Army. Junius died during the war and was buried in Alabama. (Author's comment: For additional information on Junius Stith see 'Stiths in the Civil War,' this history.) Other members of the Stith family moved to Livingston Co., Linn Co., and Chariton Co. all in Missouri. I was born in Chariton County.

Several years ago I talked to Don Stith (Author's comment: As of this publication, Don Stith's ancestory has been traced back to Tennessee. No definite connection to Virginia Stiths. Could be related to Jesse Stith of Stokes Co., North Carolina.) in Garnett, Kansas. We think we are related but could not come to close relationship. (Author's comment: See Genealogical Charts.) We have three children: Robert, a veteran of the Air Force in World War II, lives in St. Louis; Edward, who is making a career in the Marine Corps, is in Okinawa, but expects to be back with his family in Triangle, VA. by Christmas. He is a Major. Our daughter's husband
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is a Lt. Col. in the Air Force and at the present time is going to school in Montgomery, AL. We have 8 grandchildren.

(signed) Everett and Lucy Stith"

A GEORGIA BRANCH

The following is an excerpt from a William and Mary Quarterly (Series lW(1), pp 218--19). The article was written by Armistead Gordon:

"In 1914, the William and Mary College Quarterly (First Series, vol. 22, pp. 44, ffg and 197 ffg ) published a deduction of the descendants of Major John Stith (in Virginia before 1656), whose son, Captain John Stith, married Mary Randolph of Turkey Island, and was, by her, father of William Stith, historian and president of William and Mary College.

Another son of Capt. John Stith and Mary Randolph, was Lieut. Col. John Stith, who married Elizabeth Anderson, daughter of Rev. Charles Anderson of Westover and his wife, Frances; and in this Stith deduction, their issue was given as Anderson Stith, who married before 1765, Joanna Bassett, daughter of William Bassett of Eltham, New Kent Co., and his wife, Elizabeth Churchill. (See Genealogical Charts.)

On a later page (274) of the same volume appears an account of the following isue of Lt. Col. John Stith and his wife Elizabeth Anderson, given by Colonel Wilson Miles Cary, viz:

1. Major John Stith, 1723 (?) Query: of Charles City County

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2. Col. William Stith (1738) ? Query: At College 1754,
Liv. Brunswick Co. 1782, and taxed for two tracts 1140 and 582 A.

3. Anderson Stith 1730 (?)-1768, married 1758 (?) Joanna Bassett.

4. Judith Stith married 1735 John Maynard of Halifax
Co., N.C.

It appears from an account of the Brunswick County branch of the Stith family, by the late Dr. Christopher Johnston of Baltimore, published in the William and Mary Quarterly, 1st series, vol. 21 (p.189) that Col. Drury Stith of Brunswick County and Martha, his first wife, had a daughter, Katherine Stith, who married 1756, William Stith."

The above is a rather vague introduction to one of the foremost questions the author has encountered in his search through records for "Southern" Stiths. That question is: to which family line did William Stith, the first Chief Justice of Georgia, belong? In an attempt to solve this problem, we have to look at a few fragments left by those who were busy living their daily lives.

Georgia Fragments and Obituaries

"Marriages and deaths 1763- 1820, State of Georgia: Mrs. Elizabeth Pollard, daughter of late Col. William Stith; d. Aug. 13, 1811, of Columbia Co. (This county is NEE of the city of Augusta, Richmond Co., Columbia Co. Wilkes Co., Warren

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Co. could be called adjacent counties. She is not listed as William Stith's (1738-1799) daughter, but she could have been one.) Miss Mary Stith m. James Simmons both of Augusta, m. in Richmond Co., March 29, 1787. Again, this young lady is not listed as a child of William Stith (1738-1799). Miss Sucky Stith m. John Hammill of Georgetown, S. C., Nov. 5, 1794. Other records indicate that Susan Stith m. Hamil. Susan is one of William Stith's (1738-1799) children. Could Sucky and Hammill be the same? Judge Stith, d. Nov. 24, 1807 at Milledgeville, Judge of the Middlecourt (Milledgeville is 75 miles southwest by west of Augusta, GA. Mrs. Katherine Stith, wife of Honorable Wm. Stith, Chief Justice of GA. died of smallpox at the Governor's mansion in Augusta, GA:, June 3, 1786. John Stith, Warren Co., GA., died 1820."

Other sources, namely the Georgia Historical Quarterly, indicate that the Gazette, a newspaper, refers to Chief Justice William Stith and his son, Judge William Stith. It also refers to a Judge Charles Edgeworth Jones who "compiled a list of the judicial officers of Georgia, and mentioned the name of William Stith and William Stith, Jr., but gave no information of them.. A Mr. Thomas Spalding writing to Stephen F. Mair, author of Bench and Bar-of Georgia, from Sapelo Island, October 19, 1850 said, "Admitted to the bar more-than fifty years ago (certainly as far back as 1795), every gentleman that was on the bench in

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Georgia for the first twenty-five years after the Revolution I have received kindness from and personally knew, except one, the old Judge Stith, whom I never saw. His son, William Stith, afterward Judge, I was intimate with. Be was a good lawyer, an amiable and honorable and respectable man." We have not been able to ascertain the relationship of Justice Stith with the historian of Virginia. The elder Stith must have been a close friend of Governor Talfair, as the notice in the Gazette of the death of his wife from smallpox, July 3, 1786, shows that it occurred at the house of the Governor.

Let us ask, in an effort to solve the problem of where the early Stiths in Georgia came from, "where is everyone?" so that we can identify and locate before people started moving west or south. We can put the onus on John Stith 3 (1707-1757) a brother of Reverend William Stith, both being sons of John Stith 2 (1665-1724), one of the three children of immigrant John Stith 1 (1638-1693) and Jane Parsons. John 3, who was a lawyer by profession and his wife, Elizabeth Anderson, had the following children:

John Stith 4 (1723-1787) m. 1. Lucy Gibson (d.1780) and
2. Rebecca Cocke (d. 178- )
Anderson Stith (1730-1799) m. Joanna Bassett in 1758
Frances Stith (?)
Jane Stith (?)
Anne Stith (?)
Charlotte Stith (?)

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William Stith (1738-1799) m. Katerine Stith (----) in 1756.
(These dates indicate that William married at age 18.)

Records indicate that Anderson Stith, a lawyer, was fairly well established in Virginia. He had married a lady from a family of means, and he was not a tobacco planter. He had no reason to go south, and finally we have records which. state that he died in Virginia in 1799. As a point of hopeful clarification, we are concentrating our search on the family of John Stith 3 (1707-1757), a brother to Rev. William Stith, as this is the family that produced sons.

John Stith 4 (1723-1787) is also recorded as having died in Virginia in 1787. Records identify his wife, Rebecca (Cocke) as being his sole survivor. Rebecca was a second wife.

William Stith (1738-1799) married Katherine Stith, a cousin, in 1756. Records indicate that they had the following children; also, records substantiate the marriages and location of the children:

Peyton Stith
Anderson Stith
John Stith William Stith, Jr.
Frances Stith in 1782 married Thomas Haynes who died in Columbus County, Georgia (data provided by Mrs. F. E Harrell, Cisco, Texas in 1929.)
Susan Stith married Mr. Hamil
Catherine Stith (1766-1832) married Thomas Cobb in 1790 in Richmond County, Georgia

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We must now consider the children of Anderson Stith (1730-1768), a brother to William Stith (1738-1799) above. Anderson's children were:
Elizabeth Stith (b.--, d. 18--) d. unmd.
John Stith (b --, d.1830--may be 1820) records reflect that John was captured in 1778 by the British during the Revolutionary War and that he escaped and fled to Warren Co., Georgia. There is a record of his death in Warren Co.)
Bassett Stith (1765-1817) married Mary Long and his death was recorded in Halifax, N.C.

Now we have a John Stith who was proved to be in Georgia, specifically in Warren County. Why would he go there? Why not North or South Carolina? The answer might be that he went there because he had friends. It could even be conjectured that he had family connections. The question is who could have been there? Close cousins or in-laws?

The author received the following information from Dr. Lee Stith, Tucson, Arizona or Joyce Stith, Iola, Kansas, regarding a Stith descendant:

"A letter written by a Mrs. F. E. Harrell, Cisco, Texas, dated April 20, 1929, was submitted to and subsequently published in the William and Mary Quarterly. Mrs. Harrell wrote that her research indicated that William Stith had four sons; Peyton, Anderson, John, and William, Jr., and three daughters; Frances, Susan, and Catherine. She added that she had a letter written by William's son, John,-March 19, 1799, stating that William Stith died March 17, 1799 in Georgetown, Wilkes Co.,

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Georgia. She adds that Georgia's civil records show William Stith was Chief Justice, 1786-87; House of Representatives, Wilkes Co., 1792 and a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, 1789."

In view of the information contained in the previous paragraphs it would be reasonable to assume that John Stith who fled to Georgia and his uncle, William Stith, both removed to Georgia sometime during the late 1700s. Of course, the matter is further complicated by records which indicate that William Stith was living in Brunswick Co. Va. in 1782 and taxed for 2 tracts 1140 and 582 acres. How could he be appointed Chief Justice of Georgia four years later, and how did one of his daughters marry in Georgia in 1782 and another marry in Georgia in 1790? Well, it could have all happened and it could be events in the lives of the same man. The author believes that Judge William Stith (1738-1799) and Col. William Stith (of Columbia Co., Gal) are two separate people but proof is hard to find.

Additional research produced the following which clarifies a part of the question. Page 206, Vol. II, Georgia Historical Quarterly, from the Gazette: "We hear from Augusta that William Stith, Sr., Esq. arrived about two months hence in this state, was, two hours after his arrival a candidate for the office of Chief Justice for which he had one vote in the House of Assembly. Mr. John Houston, was elected, having

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declined, the Governor and Council, notwithstanding this positive rejection, appointed him to the office." Looking further in the same volume we read on page 220 "the appointment of William Stith, Sr., as Chief Justice, and General Nathanael Greene, Joseph Habersham and William Gibbons, Jr. Assistance Justices for Chatham Co; statement that at the same time William Stith, Sr., attended Council and took the oath of office." William Stith, Sr. (l738- 1799) in Virginia as late as 1782 did leave and did go to Georgia. It almost appears that he went because he was asked to come. How else could he have been appointed to a high office having been located in the state "two months hence"? And even though he was in office for only one year he became a good friend of Gov. Telfair. He must have been a good friend because his wife died of smallpox in Governor Telfair's home while they were visiting in 1784. Where could Stith's and Telfair's paths have crossed prior to their association in Georgia? Conjecture about why or how it happened will not change the fact that it did happen. Both were natives to Virginia.

It should also be noted that Mrs. F. E. Harrell later advised in a letter to the William and Mary Quarterly that "Chief" Justice William Stith's daughter Frances, married Thomas Haynes in 1782; his daughter Susan married Hamil, and his daughter Catherine, married in 1790, and was the second wife of Thomas Cobb. Catherine Stith and her husband, Thomas

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Cobb, had one son, Peyton B. Cobb. Mrs. Catherine (Stith) Cobb died August 17, 1832, age 60 years. Mrs. Catherine S. Cobb had a brother named Peyton Stith.

This substantiates some of the material we have already recorded and for the first time, the foresight of one mindful individual, Mrs. Harrell, allows us to compute the age of one of William Stith's children. Catherine was born in 1772, sixteen years after the marriage of her parents. This date, 1772, and other marriage and death dates, allows the author to make close guesses as to the dates of birth of the other children. Not to be forgotten is factual evidence of a Judge Fort W. Stith in Warren County, Georgia in the mid 1800s.

The searcher must be careful to recognize that there were two branches of the Stith family moving into the state of Georgia. Namely, the John Stith (JS) branch and the Drury Stith (DS) branch. For reasons of laxity or genetic capability the John Stith line that married into the Randolph family has been lost or absorbed into other lines. The genealogical charts provide a route to other families related to the John Stith-Randolph line. This author has concentrated on the DS line and is not real proud of what little he has accomplished toward ancestor identification.

The author had written to others including Edwin A. Stith (Moultrie, GA.) who was the only one to reply. The following is an excerpt from his letter: "My grandfather and mother

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migrated from Va. before the Civil War and located near Atlanta, Ga. Their home in Va. was near Richmond in the Shenadoah Valley. My Grandfather was christened Obediah Edward Stith and was married to Helen Hildah Overby." (Author's comment: Edwin A. Stith ties in perfectly in that his grandfather was a brother to Littleton Ezra Stith, the grandfather of Mary V. Stith of Richmond, Va. Obediah and Littleton were sons of Obediah, Sr., who was a son of Thomas Stith (1731-1801) and Holly Bailey.) "He was a doctor and planter having brought 13 slaves to Ga. The Civil War reduced him to poverty but to their union was born 5 children: 2 girls and 3 boys. My father being the youngest. The girls married late in life and never had any children. 1 uncle never married, hence my father and his oldest brother, were the only ones who had children, each having two. So I am one and my brother the other, lives near Lake Park, Ga. He has one child a boy (in the service) and I have 3 boys and 3 girls, all married. The one you saw on TV is my youngest child. He has been in the Navy since 1941. He is stationed in Hawaii and has a wife and three girls. Their oldest is in the University there.

Now I am very much interested in our ancestors. My father said that a Dr. Meade tried to get what you evidently are doing, but he couldn't get the necessary data (Author's comment: Dr. Meade is probably a descendant of David Mead and Anne Stith, daughter of Robert Stith (----1791), son of

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Buckner Stith (1722-1791) and Susanna) . . . Now back to my family. I have 14 grandchildren all girls but 3 and one of them is not a Stith so the only one married of the name has 1 child and a girl at that so you see my line has not been prolific and it looks like the name with my line is losing out.

Now if you feel like it and have the time I would like to hear from you and know more of you and yours. We are now an old couple and not very active but if you are ever in Moultrie we would be happy to meet you.

With kindest regards
Edwin A. Stith"

Now the author will do a little examining of the facts. Dr. Obediah Stith had a sister, Mary Stith, who married an Overby and went to GA. It can be surmised that they could have gone to Georgia as a group. The mention of the name, Meade, reminds the author of a brief statement regarding "Stith Meade, son of Dr. Meade, received his education in Augusta, Ga." Now the Stith and the Meades, related families, could have moved as a group to the Augusta, GA. area. Well, at least, we know that both families were related and both ended up in Augusta, GA. Edwin A. Stith's father had contact with Dr. Meade. This complicates matters as some of the George Washington Stith descendants from North Carolina also moved to the Atlanta area.

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Alabama Stiths

Born on a small Kansas farm, Master Sergeant Charles William Stith; the author's father, unfortunately lost his father at an early age. His mother remarried and it was not too long before "Bill," as he was called, ended up in the U.S. Army. He had his recruit training at Jefferson Barracks and could recall the names of his friends during the training. The author remembers asking him about some old photographs of his army days and at 84 years he rattled their names off as well as their rank and ability as soldiers. "Old Sarge," after his retirement, was the Purchasing Agent for the University of Alabama. Upon retirement from his second career, they moved to Gulf Breeze, Florida. "Taps" for "Old Sarge" at 87 years on June 20, 1973. Bill and Mike (how does one get "Mike" from Florence Esther Montero?) met at dances sponsored by the Catholic Church in New Orleans. The author's mother had been placed in the school's convent after the death of her father. He was a gambler on river boats that traveled up or down the Mississippi from Donaldsonville, Louisiana. On one particular night he had made a "fair and square" sweep in a poker game and some of the disgruntled players killed him as he walked towards home with his "winnings." The author's mother was French and Spanish. "Mike" Stith and "Bill" had three children: Florence, William and Charles.

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Florence married a Nicholas Cataldo in Oklahoma. A daughter, Frances, was born to this union and currently resides with her mother in Gulf Breeze, Florida. Nicholas Cataldo passed away shortly after World War II. Florence spent most of her working days with the Alabama State Employment Service. The author will always remember her for her straight "A" grade averages through all of her schooling years. I've always believed that if she had married a good, stable person she would have easily moved into a more prominent position in life. Her generosity to others has been a prominent factor in her life--she couldn't stop giving. Possibly her reward will come in another life in a nicer place.

Bill or William Stith, a retired Navy Chief, was the "goodlooking" one in the family. Be married Mary Jane Wilson who originally hailed from Michigan. Chief Stith spent all of his years in Naval Aviation and was given many merits for his outstanding service. In school he was also a straight "A" student through high school. I am certain that he would have excelled in college level endeavor if he had been interested. Unfortunately, Jane passed away in 1973--her heart gave out on the operating table. Life never seemed important to Bill after Jane left. He gave up in 1977 and he has been missed very much. They both left behind some wonderful children--Bill, Leah Ann (a mother to all the boys), Richard, Donald, and Terrence. As of 1988, they are holding their own. May God bless them.

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The author (more like a compiler) married a sweet red head named Mickey Espey--and that's the greatest thing I've done in my whole life. After little discussion the author entered the military service and rose through the ranks to the rank of Lt. Colonel. He entered the service in 1940, attended Officer Candidate School in Ft. Benning, Georgia and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry. He joined the 25th U.S. Infantry Division in New Zealand and "we" soon managed to get the entire division eyeball to eyeball with the toughest little rascals we had ever encountered. The author was an Infantry Platoon leader in San Manuel when the Japanese launched a coordinated tank and infantry attack against our battalion. Our own tanks had been sent back to the rear area for security and we had to fight Japanese soldiers and tanks in a suicidal wave. The battalion received the Presidential Unit Citation for gallantry. To this writing, the author still hasn't been able to figure out how we survived. The author was assigned to the command of an infantry company the very next day and was promoted to Captain within two weeks. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds, and the Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge. He also participated in the Korean Conflict as a General Staff Officer to General Maxwell D. Taylor. Be served at Ft. McPherson as a Staff Officer, Headquarters 3rd Army, to General Alexander Bolling, and had no idea as to the

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possible family relationship. The author later served as Commanding Officer, Darmstadt Sub-Post, Darmstadt, Germany.

After all the "glory" the author received B.S. degree and M.S. degree, was initiated into the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society, and taught school for seventeen years.

The author's marriage to Mickey Espey has brought three girls and three boys into the Stith family. They are Rickey Stith Hall, Ronald M. Stith, Mark G. Stith, Mikal K. Stith, Susan Stith Chambers, and Stacey Stith Houston. The last four children are redheads like their mother.

Mickey has been a super wife and mother, but then that's what most well-meaning husbands say about their wives. When you consider that she dragged two children over Italy for two years, was delivered of the third in a military hospital in Trieste; returned to Europe dragging four; was delivered of twins, Susan and Stacey, in Frankfurt, Germany; you begin to realize that this little lady has been through some rough times. As a worker she has been continuously praised about how she gets the job done, not at home naturally, but with the Alabama State Department of Education. That's right, she "earned" her retirement, and if she survives the author, the good old U.S. Government will reduce her retirement benefits!!

With the reader's indulgence, the author would like to mention his father-in-law, John F. Espey. He was one of the few men that the author has found to admire in this world. He made good use of his time and worked from a farm-born poor

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youth to a position of respect in his community. He worked as a barber and used his earnings to build homes until he became financially independent. His life was cut short by Hodgkins' Disease (Cancer of the lymph glands), and the loss took a lot of sunshine out of our lives.

The author would like to mention an incident that happened relative to the marriage of his daughter, Rickey. She and her prospective husband, Robert Hall, decided that no one but the Reverent Bob Saul could conduct their wedding ceremony. This presented a small problem as Bob Saul had been transferred to Vicksburg, Mississippi. To satisfy this whim, everyone packed up and removed to Vicksburg. The wedding ceremony was performed in an old, but picturesque church chapel. Approximately one month after the wedding, the friendly and rotund Reverend Bob called the author and asked if he might be interested in the names of some Stiths who were members of the church before the Civil War. The first name he called out was Commodore Lawrence Washington Stith and he followed with Lawrence's wife and a daughter. The author was astounded because he had been trying to locate this family of the Washington Stiths. The son, James Stith, who fought the duel with Henry Vick, had been killed in the Civil War. Rebecca Stith, the oldest girl, married James Rucks Yerger and that line is still in existence. Rickey and her husband, Robert Hall, live in Pittsboro, North

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Carolina along with their children, Brian and Elizabeth. Rickey is a high school librarian and Bob is Director of Social Services. They both have their Master's Degree in their chosen vocation.

The author's oldest son is also a graduate of the University of Alabama and is employed by the City of Tuscaloosa, Park and Recreation Division as Sports Director. Ronnie and his wife Debbie (who has just been inducted into two honor societies) are both looking forward to next year when Debbie will be entering the teaching profession. Their daughter Amy will be a senior in high school. Phillip, their son, has just completed the seventh grade.

Our son, Mark, who changed careers after receiving a Master's Degree is now working for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Home and Garden Section. Be is the head feature writer and makes trips to fabulous places and gets paid for it. His wife, Nancy, is an artist/draft persons who works parttime--the rest of her time is spend trying to perform housekeeping tasks while chasing their pretty little two-year old out of places she shouldn't be. Bonnie is a little princess in her grandfather's eyes.

One of our twin redheaded daughters, Stacey, a Phi Beta Kappa award receiver, is now a fulltime lawyer with the State Attorney General's office, in Montgomery, AL.

Our other twin redheaded daughter, Susan, received a degree in Journalism and went to work for a newspaper chain. (She,

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too, was Phi Beta Kappa material as an undergraduate in the University of Alabama, but the college in which she was enrolled does not have that program.) She decided to change her field of work to Accounting; enrolled and is now completing her final year with a 4.0 every semester. She plans to locate in the Atlanta area after graduation, if her husband can negotiate a transfer by next year.

Our youngest son, Mikal, is pursuing a degree in Elementary Education and is currently in his second year at Shelton State Community College. He's a redhead like his mother. On weekends he plays in a band as bass guitarist.

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Mississippi Stiths

The following information was provided by many sources to include that of Mary E. Stith, Mildred Becnel, and Jack Hightower, descendants of Richard Stanford Stith. Without their untiring effort there would not be a history of this branch of the Stith family. The author found Henry Stith in Alabama and some Stiths who were passing through. The author classifies Richard Standford Stith as the most prolific and industrious Stith he has come across. Truly outstanding.

Andrew Stith was a son of Major Thomas Stith and his second wife, Holly Baily. The marriage records of Brunswick County, Virginia, show that Andrew Stith first married Mary (Polly) Matthews, May 20, 1807.

An old paper in the possession of Mildred Becnel in 1982 is our only record for the birth and death dates of Andrew Stith and Mary Mebane Stanford (See the Stanford Family). This document gives the birth date of Andrew Stith as September 3, 1775, in Brunswick County, Virginia, and that of Mary Mebane Stanford as November 1, 1794. It states that Andrew Stith died in Henry County, Tennessee, December 22, 1831, and that Mary Mebane Stith died in Hudsonville, Marshall County, Mississippi, in February, 1840. Mary Mebane Stanford married Andrew Stith in 1812.

The 1810 census for Brunswick County lists Andrew Stith as between 16-26 years of age and living with 3 females under 10, 8 females 10-16, 2 females 26-45, and 10 slaves. This

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indicates that he was probably the head of household for two families.

By 1820, Andrew Stith had moved to Granville County, North Carolina. His family then included white males as follows: 1 under 10 (probably Abner Aurelius, born 1819); 1 between 10-16 (probably Henry, born 1809); 1 between 26-45 (Andrew); and 2 over 45. Only one female between 10-16 is listed (probably Ariana Adeline, born 1813). Strangely, no female the approximate age of his wife is listed.

The 1830 census places Andrew Stith, his older brother, Henry Stith, and his younger brother, Abner Stith, as neighbors in Henry County, Tennessee. The census shows that Andrew Stith's family at that time consisted of one male "of 40 and under 50" (Andrew); one male "of 10 and under 15" (Richard Stanford was in his fifth year). Females listed were one "of 30 and under 40" (his wife, Mary Stanford Stith); one "of 15 and under 20" (probably Ariana Adeline who married Edward L. Travis the next year); and one "of 10 and under 15" (probably Sophronia).

The family of Henry Stith was listed as consisting of one male "of 40 and under 50" (Henry); one female "of 40 and under 50" and one female "of 20 and under 30." The family of Abner Stith consisted of one male " of 30 and under 40" and one female "of 20 and under 30." (This Henry Stith is not to be confused with his nephew, Henry Stith (DS 1771) who resided

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in North Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi.)

The William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. IX, No. 3, at page 242 lists the children of Andrew Stith as Henry Stith, Abner Aurelius Stith, George Stith, and Richard Stanford Stith. His daughters are not mentioned.

Henry Smith, born February 8, 1809, in Virginia, was probably the only child of Mary "Polly" (Matthews) Stith. The History of Pickens County, Alabama, by Nelson F. Smith (1856) contains the following account of Henry Stith:

"Hon. Henry Stith was elected Judge of the county session of 1840-41, and continued in office until the early part of 1843. He was elected over Judge Moore, and had never resided in Pickens until he came here to fill the office of Judge. He came from Greensboro, in Greene County, where for several years he had been engaged in the practice of his profession, the law. Judge Stith was originally from the state of North Carolina. He was and is a bachelor; his age at the time of his removal to Pickens might be about thirty-six. He was a self- made man, was for several years a close student of the law, in his own office, and made an excellent Judge being a man of industrious habits, of strict attention to the duties of his office, and reducing to a system the labors of his important and responsible station as Judge of the Probate and Orphans' Court. He brought more patience, labor and energy into the discharge of the duties of his office, than any of his precedessors.

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Judge Stith is a gentleman of strict probity and honor, of moral and correct habits, with fixed principles, decided opinions, and an unblemished reputation. He practiced the law here several years after his resignation of the Judgeship, which he felt compelled to do from the inadequacy of the income to remunerate for its severe duties. He afterwards removed to Holly Springs, Mississippi, and lived there several years, but has lately returned to this county. For further details of Judge Stith's history, the reader is referred to a sketch of him as one of the Representatives of Pickens County.

The members of the Legislature elected at the August election of 1844, were John D. Johnson, Thomas J. Clark, and Henry Stith.

Hon. Henry Stith was briefly noticed among the list of county court judges. He was a native of Virginia, resided many years in North Carolina, it is no disparagement to state that he rose from an artisan to become a highly respectable lawyer, a good Judge, and useful legislator, and last, but not least, an industrious and able editor. Judge Stith was the opponent of Governor Moore for the old County Court Judgeship of Pickens, residing at the time in Greene County, for which he was supported before the Legislature by the then whig members from Pickens, Dr. Peyton King being Senator. He lived here some seven years, leaving in 1846 for Holly

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Springs, Mississippi, where he still resides. He there established a press, of the Southern Rights stamp of politics, which he conducted with ability for some time; but growing tired of a business so perplexing and arduous he has again returned to the practice of the law. The Judge is a bachelor still--the last time we saw him, some year since, he was maintaining as youthful a look as ever.

The Mayor of Carrollton, a Mr. Clanaham, told the author that Judge Henry Stith returned to Carrollton after the Civil War and was nominated as a state representative by the white people of that county. Judge Stith was defeated by a negro candidate because Federal occupation troops "scoured the countryside for negroes" and allegedly marched them through the polls several times.

Although he practiced law in Holly Springs, he was also the editor of The Mississippi Palladium, a Democratic States Rights paper which appeared April 25, 1851. Thomas A. Falconer was listed as publisher.

The 1870 census of Holly Springs listed Henry Stith, age 62, a lawyer, owner of real estate of the value of $18,000 and personal property of the value of $10,000; born in Virginia. The household consisted of Sarah E. Stith, age 34, occupation "keeping house," possessed personal property of the value of $1,000, born in North Carolina; and Henry P. Stith, age one, born in Mississippi. The enumeration was made on June 8, 1870, only six days prior to his death.

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The burial records of Christ Church (Episcopal) of Holly Springs show that Judge Henry Stith died June 14, 1870, at the age of 62.

Ariana Adeline Stith, the oldest child of Andrew and Mary Stanford Stith, was born November 14, 1813, in Brunswick County, Virginia. She married Edward L. Travis of Henry County, Tennessee, December 6, 1831. He had formerly lived in Brunswick County, Virginia. They moved to North Mississippi from Tennessee and in 1845 went back to Brunswick County where an uncle of Mr. Travis, who had no children, left him a fortune of two or three hundred thousand dollars. Ariana (Stith) Travis died June 19, 1852. Edward Travis died in the winter of 1887-1888. One account says that they had five children, although a list in some old papers in the possession of Mildred Becnel seems to indicate that there were six or possibly seven.

Adelaide Hunter Travis, born November 28, 1836, in Fayette County, Tennessee; died in Hudsonville, Mississippi, August 1, 1837.

Edward Warren Travis, born in Hudsonville, Mississippi, January 11, 1842.

Lucy Jones Travis, born November, 1843. Married Joseph Harrison.

Joseph Hutchings Travis, born in Brunswick County, Virginia, September 26, 1846.

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Mary Mebane Travis, born December 4, 1848.

Ariana Adeline Travis, born March 10, 1852: died June 19, 1852. Her mother died the same day.

Sophronia Livingston Stith, born September 19, 1817, in North Carolina. She married Thomas A. Falconer, the son of Dr. Falconer of Raleigh, North Carolina, who was raised in that city. Their marriage took place June 14, 1836, probably in Henry County, Tennessee. He listed his birthplace as North Carolina to the census enumerator in 1870.

Thomas A. Falconer moved his family to Marshall County, Mississippi, sometime between 1838 and 1841. He began the publication of the Holly Springs Banner in 1841, which paper later became the Holly Springs Gazette. In 1849 he made an overland trip to California, returning in 1851. The first issue of the Mississippi Palladium was published April 15, 1851, and listed Thomas A. Falconer as publisher and Henry Stith as Editor and Proprietor. Falconer went overland to California again in 1852 and in 1854, the trip each time occupying over six months. In Columbia, California, he started the Gazette in 1852. In 1858 he commenced the publication of the Southern Herald in Holly Springs which he continued until 1861, when, with hundreds of other newspapers in the South, it was discontinued. Although advanced in age he was one of the first volunteers in 1861 and served for a year as a private soldier. He was then promoted to Captain

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of Company F. and afterwards became Major of Col. Benton's 34th Mississippi. He was forced to retire from the service on account of ill health. In 1865-66 he was elected probate judge of Marshall County.

Thomas A. Falconer died in Holly Springs during the yellow fever epidemic of 1878. Sophronia Stith Falconer died in Holly Springs, October 14, 1875, at the age of 58. The home they built in Holly Springs in 1838 still stands. In 1982, it was owned by Dr. J. A. Hale. It is known as "White Pillars."

They had four children.

Howard Falconer, born ca. 1838, near La Grange, Tennessee, and was, according to his own account, "brought up among the wigwams of the Chickasaws of North Mississippi before. . (he) learned the sweet word MOTHER . . ."* He grew up in Holly Springs, Mississippi. He studied at St. Thomas Hall, an Episcopal school for boys in Holly Springs, and went on to the University for further studies. He was an honor man of the 1859 class and was graduated from the University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the same year. He was considered a member of the law class of 1862 on the assumption that he and the others of this class would have earned the degree had the Civil War not interrupted.

*Capati, Emeld V. A Country Editor Faces Secession, Copyright 1961 By Academy Press, Box 187, University, Mississippi

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In March 1861, he went home to Holly Springs to march with his father and brother in the Jefferson Davis Rifles of Holly Springs for Pensacola, Florida, on March 28, 1861. Although he was able to send news from the front, his ambitions for his newspaper did not work out and the paper finally closed down, May 29, 1861.

Howard Falconer served until the end of the war and was at one time "dangerously wounded." After the war was over he returned to Holly Springs and resumed the practice of law, at one time with his uncle, Richard Stanford Stith, and at another in partnership with his brother, Kinloch.

Kinloch Falconer, born ca. 1840 in Mississippi. He was listed as an honor man of the class of 1860 at the University of Mississippi, and as a junior in the law school in 1861. He served in the Confederate Army as an Assistant Adjutant General in the Army of Tennessee under General Joseph E. Johnston from the time it was at Pensacola, Florida, before the attack on Fort Sumter, until the war was over in May, 1865.

After the war, he practiced law for a short time before joining his brother-in-law, Columbus Barrett, in the publication of a Democratic newspaper.

Kinloch was elected Lieutenant-Governor of Mississippi in 1866 but the reconstruction regime prevented his being placed in office. In 1875, he wrote to the Viceroy of Egypt applying for a position in that army. The Viceroy asked for

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recommendations and Falconer wrote to his former Commander- in-Chief, Jefferson Davis, telling him that if he saw any hope for the future of the South, he would not leave. Davis recommended him to the Viceroy but before he could complete his plans the Democrats put an end to carpetbag rule and he decided to remain at home.

In 1877, he was the governor's private secretary and and Adjutant General of the state of Mississippi. He was elected Secretary of State in the fall of 1877 and was serving in that capacity when he and his brother, Howard Falconer, died on the same day, September 13, 1878, at Holly Springs, victims of the yellow fever epidemic that also claimed their father. He had served as Secretary of State from January to September, 1878. Governor Stone wrote of him: "No one possesses in a higher degree, the confidence and love of the people . . . Full of promise, and in the vigor of manhood, he sacrificed his life in the cause of suffering humanity." He never married.

Sophronia Falconer, born ca. 1845, in Holly Springs. She married Columbus Barrett in Holly Springs, June 3, 1868. The census of 1870 lists her in the household of her father at Holly Springs. She was at that time 25 years of age and had a personal estate of $500. She is shown to have had with her a son, Falconer Barrett, age 2, the owner of real estate of the value of $6,000 and personal property of a value of $3,000. This information seems to be in conflict with the RSS letter to CAS, June 26, 1888 (See Stith Letters) which

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says she had two children and that her husband and two children followed her in death soon after her death.

Henry Stith Falconer, b. ca. 1854 in Holly Springs; married Annie Bell at about 19 years of age; they had two children. Henry was killed in a railroad accident in Holly Springs 1887. Annie moved to Alabama with her children and live in the home of a brother. After her daughter's death, she married Robert Walter McGuirk, a close friend of her first husband; they moved to Memphis, Tenn. They had two sons who died young of childhood diseases. Annie died 1941 and is buried in Holly Springs.

Sophronia Falconer, b. Jan. 22, 1875, in Holly Springs; d. in Alabama of typhoid fever, Dec. 9, 1890.

Thomas Kinloch Falconer, b. ca. 1877, in Holly Springs; married Minnie Hassn in Memphis, Tenn.; she died ca. 1921; he
died in 1950 in Little Rock, Ark.; they had three children.

Henry Bell Falconer, b. May 10, 1899, in Memphis, Tenn.; married Marjorie Ward, Sept. 22, 1921, at Little Rock, Ark.; he died Feb. 6 1972, in Dallas, Tex.; no children. In 1982 she resided at 3324 Bryn Mawr Drive, Dallas, Tex.

Thomas Kinloch Falconer, b. Sept. 13, 1902, in Memphis, Tenn.; married Evelyn Brazil ca. 1922 in La Jolla, Calif.; died Aug. 25, 1981 in San Diego, Calif.; no children.

Minnie Lyde Falconer, born April 1, 1907, in Memphis, Tennessee. She married, first, James Ray; July 21, 1928. They had one daughter. She married, second, Cecil C. Berry-

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man. They had no children. In 1982, she resided at 517 SW 24th Street, Apt. 2, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73109. Telephone 405/632-4831.

Judith Lynn Ray, born August 10, 1939, in Washington, D. C. She married Hershel Lee Wise, August 23, 1957, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They had two children.

Steven Craig Wise, born January 5, 1961, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Janee Lynn Wise, born July 2, 1964, in Dallas, Texas. She married Keith Hutchison, February 19, 1982, in Dallas, Texas.

Abner Aurelius Stith, born August 19, 1819, in North Carolina. He studied law in Holly Springs and moved to Choctaw County, Mississippi to begin practice. In Choctaw County he married Frances Burton Medley and, in 1845, moved to Camden, Arkansas. He died there in 1857 at the age of 38 leaving a widow and three young daughters. One daughter, Mary Andrew Stith, married Horatio Riley and was living in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, in 1908. The other daughters married, one living in Little Rock, Arkansas, and the other in Arizona.

George A. Stith, born February 24, 1821. According to his younger brother, Richard Stanford Stith, he died near Nashville, Tennessee, while the family was moving from North Carolina to Tennessee.

Leonidas Cincinnatus Stith, born January 7, 1823. He probably died very young as he was not mentioned at the time the family moved from North Carolina to Tennessee.

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Richard Stanford Stith, born April 28, 1825, in Caswell County, North Carolina, and was named for his maternal grandfather. His father died when he was too young to remember, and his mother died before he was 15 years of age. He and his sister, Minerva, lived with their older sister, Sophronia Falconer, and her husband, Thomas A. Falconer. He worked in his brother-in-law's printing office. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1852. He married Ariana Medora Phillips of Somerville, Tennessee. Her father was George S. Phillips, a son of an Episcopal clergyman named John W. Phillips. Her mother was Mary Manlove Stith, daughter of David Stith, his cousin.

The 1860 census for Marshall County, Mississippi, lists R. S. Stith, age 35, born in North Carolina; Harriet M. Stith, age 26, born in Tennessee; Mary S. Stith, age 5, born in Mississippi; Walter Stith, age 3, born in Mississippi, and Medora Stith, age 1, born in Mississippi.

He served with General Bedford Forrest's cavalry during the Civil War. He returned to Holly Springs where he had a distinguished career as a lawyer. He was an active leader in the Episcopal Church. Judge Stith moved his family to Memphis, Tennessee, where he died on July 1, 1895.

Richard Stanford Stith was a Freemason and a member of Holly Springs Lodge No. 35, F. & A. M.

Richard Stanford Stith's granddaughter, Mary Stith (S761) furnished much of the following information on his children and descendants in 1982:

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Mary Sharlande Stith, born about 1855. She died August 14, 1890, in Holly Springs. She was a talented musician and a great family favorite. She never married.

Walter Stith, born March 12, 1859, in Holly Springs. He died in Memphis, Tennessee in 1928 at the age of 71. He was married to Lillian A. Farley of Collierville, Tennessee.

Five children were born to their marriage.

Aileen Stith was Society Editor of the Memphis Commercial Appeal for several years. She married Frank K. Spicer, a newspaperman of Fort Worth, Texas. After a few years in Texas they bought a home in Bartlett, Tennessee. She died about 1923 and was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Memphis, Tenn. They had no children.

Ethel Vivian Stith. She was a school teacher. She died October 7, 1932 and was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Memphis. She was never married.

Medora Arianna Stith, known affectionately as "Queenie" She was a school teacher. She died March 9, 1972 and was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Memphis. She never married.

Everett Walter Stith, born December 5, 1890, worked for forty-two years in the U. S. Post Office at Memphis, Tenn. He married his cousin, Mary E. Stith (S761), October 7, 1926 in St. John's Episcopal Church, Memphis. They adopted two
children. Mary Sharlande Stith and Dudly Everett Stith. He died September 11, 1964, and was buried in Forest Hill
Cemetery, Memphis.

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Mary Emma Stith, born September 10, 1893, in Nesbitt, Mississippi. She was a professor of English for many years in Western Kentucky University at Bowling Green. She died March 29, 1979, in Bowling Green, Kentucky. She was never married.

Medora Stith, born June 13, 1859, at Holly Springs, Mississippi. She moved to Memphis, Tennesse in about 1890. She was known in the family as "Nona" She died in Memphis about 1945 and was buried in Forrest Hill Cemetery. She was never married.

Emily Palmer Stith, known as "Em," born March 6, 1860 in Holly Springs. She was physically small, quite talented music, but otherwise mentally retarded. She was never married. She died about 1948 and was buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Memphis.

Minnie Mebane Stith, born 1865, in Holly Springs, Mississippi. She married Frederick Ira Williams (born January 1, 1867, in Knoxville, Tennessee) about 1893, at Memphis, Tenn. She died January 1906, at Clarksdale, Mississippi. Frederick Ira Williams died December 2, 1937, at New Orleans, Louisiana. They had three children.

Mary Florence Williams, born July 26, 1895, in Memphis, Tennessee. She married James Herschel Lyle, December 24, 1923, in New Orleans, Louisiana. They had two children.

Mary Ann Lyle, born Sept. 30, 1924, in Memphis, Tenn. She married Kiley Sanford, April 22, 1943, New Orleans, La. They had one child.

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Deborah Ann Sanford, born August 27, 1948, in New Orleans, Louisiana. She married Michael Sorel, November 26, 1976, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Jane Connally Lyle, born November 4, 1927, in Memphis, Tenn. She married, first, Lucian Douglas, Jr., April 21, 1946, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Their marriage was terminated by divorce. They had two children. She married, second, Martin Fox, May 21, 1954 in New Orleans, La. They had three children.

Jayne Ann Douglas (legally adopted by Martin Fox) born October 5, 1947, in New Orleans, LA. She married William Moody, February 14, 1968, in New Orleans. They have three children.

Erin Elisabeth Moody, born August 4, 1970, in New Orleans, La.

Meghan Quincy Moody, born Feb. 3, 1974, in New Orleans, La.

Ann Alexis Moody, born Sept. 28, 1981, in Norwell, Mass.

Lizabeth Kathleen Douglas (legally adopted by Martin Fox), born October 17, 1950 in New Orleans, La. She married Thomas Voelker, August 15, 1970, in New Orleans, La. They have one child.

Jessica Rose Voelker, born April 16, 1975, in New Orleans, La.

Martin Fox, Jr., born March 10, 1955, in New Orleans, La.

Bradley Fox, born August 7, 1956, in New Orleans, La. He married Lora Ann Baehr, Dec. 17, 1977, in New Orleans.

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Mitchell Fox, born September 21, 1959, in New Orleans, La.

Dorothy Stith Williams, born March 10, 1898, in Memphis, Tennessee. She married Alfred Joseph Cummings, September 17, 1923, in New Orleans, La. They had four children.

Dorothy Margaret Cummings, born October 28, 1924, in New Orleans, Louisiana. She married Gregory J. M. Burguieres,
October 1974, in New Orleans.

Alfred J. Cummings, Jr., born October 28, 1927, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He married Carmen Mendez, November 29,
1952, in New Orleans. They have two children.

Rebecca Anne Cummings, born June 21, 1955, in New Orleans, La.

Linda Elizabeth Cummings, born Dec. 20, 1957, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Frederick Williams Cummings, born November 21, 1931, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He married Kathleen Howard in 1965 in California. They had one child.

Anne Marie Cummings, born February 14, 1966, in Riverside, Cal.

Kathleen Elizabeth Cummings, born November 3, 1935, in New Orleans, La. She married Donald Patrick Endom, January 27, 1962, in New Orleans. Donald Endom died in November 1975. They had four children.

Paul Cleary Endom, born Nov. 11, 1962, in New Orleans, La.

Daniel Burke Endom, born Dec. 15, 1963, died May 1976.

Frederick Eugene Endom, born Aug. 13, 1967, in New Orleans.

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John Sweeney Endom, born December 20, 1970, in New Orleans, La.

Mildred Mebane Williams, born September 11, 1903, in Clarksdale, Mississippi. She married Michel A. Becnel, Oct. 30, 1937, in New Orleans, La. He died February 24, 1958, in Carriere, Mississippi. In 1983 she resided at 7883 Belfast St., New Orleans, La 70125. Tel. 504/5390.

Stanford Stith, born Mar. 7, 1872, in Holly Springs, Mississippi. He was in the real estate business with his brothers, Percy B. Stith and Walter Stith for many years. He married Mattie Mae Fooshe of Coronaca, South Carolina, February 10, 1904. They had one child. He died January 31, 1936, and was buried in Forest Hill Cemetery in Memphis, Tenn.

Mary Elizabeth Stith, born October 1, 1908. She married Everett Walter Stith (S 724), her cousin, as stated above. In 1982, she resided at 17816 Buehler Road #l63, Olney, Maryland 20832. Te. 301/774-0220.

Percy Bertrand Stith, born March 8, 1874, in Holly Springs, Miss. He died about 1955 and was buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Memphis, Tenn. He was never married.

Minerva Andrewetta Stith, born June 4, 1831, in Henry Co., Tenn. She married Dr. Robert Anderson Cole in Holly Springs, Miss., May 8,1851. She died in Panola Co., Miss., Jan. 7, 1866. (For an account of her family see The Cole Family.)

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Needham Langhorne Washington

Capt. Buckner Stith, born cat 1722, a brother of Thomas Stith, had several children. Three of his sons married daughters of Lawrence Washington of Waterloo. Lawrence was a third cousin, near neighbor and good friend of General George Washington. Waterloo was located on the Potomac River south of Mount Vernon. In his will George Washington bequeathed to his friend and cousin, Lawrence Washington, a goldheaded cane and spy glasses.

Lawrence Washington's daughter, Ann, married John Stith; his daughter, Mary, married Robert Stith; and his daughter, Frances Townshend, married first, Thornton Washington, and second, Griffin Stith. Lawrence Washington also had a son, Needham Langhorne Washington, to whom he devised General Washington's cane and spy glasses in a will proved in King Co., Virginia, April 20, 1835.

The following letter is from Needham Langhorne Washington to his nephew, Griffin Stith, 2nd. The original letter is in the possession of Mildred (Williams) Becnel and came to her through her grandfather, Richard Stanford Stith.

Waterloo
13th July 1832

Dear Griffin

Your favor of the 21st June, came to hand a few days ago, and I am sure I cannot say when I was more gratified, than I

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was at the perusal of your letter, and you will doubtless be as much astonished at hearing why. We were informed sometime since by Mrs. Alexander, formerly Mrs. Callis, that she was informed by a member of Congress from your section of Country, that you was defunct, killed in a encounter with a brother of your wife. You having desired to manage your step childrens fortune and he refusing it, an altercation took place, and the murder of you the result, and furthermore, that your brother George upon hearing of your fate, pursued the murderer, when he too fell a victim to his revenge. My God, I know not when I felt so much shocked ! ! ! Still I must confess never having seen a word of it in the National Intelligence and believing that such a disastrous affair would have been published, and especially too as you were so far from all your friends and relations--related to & connected to as respectable families as any in our country. I could not give full credence to it, yet have absolutely been afraid to make inquiry. I thank God Griffin that it is not so, and I ardently pray that you may never meet with so sad a fate.

Your letter was also most agreeable to me from the many family reminiscences it brought to mind, and the agreeable surprise to find the old body servant of my brother George yet alive; and the still greater surprise and wonderment at the circumstance of Altimont and him sister Maria falling together after the lapse of so many years of separation. I really believe that they had never seen each other, and in a country

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so distant from their native place, and each of them sold by different persons, and to totally different persons, and to crown all, to fall in with a son of their master's sister (yourself) and the old man Altimont absolutely in your own employment. Why it reminds me of the sale, separation and meeting of Joseph and his brethren. If you have any of my dispostition, you must have felt delighted at meeting them. Tell Altimont and Maria that Rachel their mother died a few months ago only, having enjoyed great health till the last year before her death: but was blind like their grandmother sometime before her death. Dick is alive and well. Mendana also, and each of them have many children, all here and belong to me. Tell them I have two children, and that my hope is, that we shall stick together. I called on Dick and read your letter and never did I see so much pleasure as it seemed to afford him, especially at the brother and sister coming together and residing in the same place.

On the score of politics I believe that I have informed you of our agreement and nothing has occurred to reconcile me to General Jackson, but a great deal to confirm my objections to him and his party yet more. Our country seems to be in a most deplorable condition but I yet hope for a happy deliverance from the impending cloud. The hope of Jackson and his followers to re-instate Vanburen by making him President after Jackson shall satiate himself with the honors of

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President will I think cause such a rupture in the administration ranks as will completely defeat them, & of this the passage of the Bank bill and Tariff, which I think will also pass, are pretty strong presages.

Your affectionate Uncle

N. L. Washington

Henry Stith

The following is the Last Will and Testament of Henry Stith from the Probate Records of Henry County, Tennessee.

I, HENRY STITH of Henry County and State of Tennessee, being about to go to Virginia, do make this my last will and Testament in form and manner following: that is to say,

1st. I give unto Mrs. Mary M. Stith, widow of Brother Andrew, all the property that 1 purchased at the sale of Andrew Stith's Estate, & which is now in her possession; and I also give her a cow and calf that I purchased at Benjamin William's sale, and is now also in her possession, to her and to her heirs etc. for ever. I also give said Mary 500 lbs of pork to be delivered her when my hogs are slaughtered next winter.

2nd. I give to Ariana Stith two milch cows, two sows and pigs, one yoke of oxen and an ox cart, a sorrel colt called Jincrack, thirty bands of corn, two stacks of fodder, 500 lbs of pork and one hundred Dollars, to her and to her

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heirs forever; provided nevertheless, that this bequest is made only on the following conditions, that is to say; that the said Ariana shall and does relinquish all claims or claims which she has, or thinks she has against me, or against my Estate. But if the said Ariana shall or does prefer any claim or any description against me or against my estate, then and in that case, I do hereby render null and void every bequest to said Ariana as completely as if her name had never been mentioned in this will, and leave her to settle her claim with my Executors.

3rd. I give all the residue of my Estate of every description whatsoever to my two daughters, Eliza Caroline Northington, and Elizabeth R. Stith, both are now in Virginia; to them and their heirs forever; to be equally divided between them; and I also give to my two daughters all that property herein devised to Ariana Stith; to share and share alike, provided the said Ariana Stith does not comply with the conditions on which this bequest is made.

4th. It is my wish that my Executor sell all my perishable property on a credit of twelves monthly and pay all my debts as soon as the situation of affairs will admit of it, and rent the Plantation for one year obliging the rentor not to put any of the land in corn that is now in corn, and also to keep up the fences, preserve the Grove, and to return all the premises in as good order as he or she receives them, and

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to do with the Distillery what he thinks will be most beneficial to my children, either to rent it, or to sell the still & all the appurtenances thereunto belonging.

5th. I do hereby constitute and appoint my brother, Abner Stith, Executor to this my last Will and Testament. Given under my hand and seal this 30th day of June, 1832.

Henry Stith (seal)

State of Tennessee

Henry County Court September Term 1833

Then the foregoing writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Henry Stith late of said county deceased was produced in open court and thereupon came Terence Cooney William Caldwell and Oran D. Watson who after being duly sworn depose and say that they are well acquainted with the hand writing of the said deceased and that they believe the said paper writing is in the proper hand writing of the said Henry Stith and I was ordered to be so certified and recorded.

Fest Thock Porter Clk
by B. C. Brown D Clk

* * * * * * * * *

Abner Aurelius Stith

The following letter from Abner Aurelius Stith to his brother, Richard Stanford Stith, has been preserved and is in the possession of Mary E. Stith.

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Camden, Sept. 4, 1851

Dear Brother

Your letter of the 26th but has just been received, and I very much regret that your former letter to me as so untimely. I do assure you it would have afforded me great satisfaction to have associated you with me in business. If I have one virtuous passion stronger that another it is to do a kindness for those who are near and dear to me. It would have provided, I have no doubt, a balm to my existence to have been bound thro life with you in grappling for the honours of our noble profession. Time has wrought a great change in all my feelings and views of life. I am a lawyer now in spirit, if not in the understanding also. I love the law for itself the noblest of human sciences--the one interwoven with all the high interests and hopes of society. I have laboured hard-have had my difficulties; but thank God, I feel that in some degree, at least, I have triumphed. When I look back in the valley from whose far-down recepes I have toiled up, I behold where memory has planted sweet flowers, the fragrance from whose expanded petals now beautify my free-breathing spirit!

Under such circumstances, the Past might have been to me most gloomey. I feel that I am settled for a long time. I have reputation enough without acquirements, and acquirements enough without a reputation, to secure my ultimate fortune, should heaven bless me with health and life.

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I wrote to you that there were good locations for you in South Arks. but I feel almost unable to advise you as to any particular point. After you leave this place and Washington, farther West, near Red River, you would be badly off for society; which would go hard with you, as you come from a place renowned for its finish. Laying aside all social enjoyments, I could name places where you could make money--I think. Louisville, in La Fayette County, on R. River, is a small grocery town, although the county site of one of the wealthiest counties in the state. There are two or three young lawyers there, but only one of any promise' named Caruthers, a relative of your Circuit Court Clerk. There is no bar in that county because the society around the Court House is so bad, no body will live there that can help it, except Caruthers. Washington is a very pleasant place, and not so much crowded as this place; though there is much less business there than here.

If I were going to move I would go to Austin or Washington, Texas. A lawyer named Burton, a son of John W. Burton of La Grange, Tenn., went to the former place from Louisville, (quite young) some twelve months ago, and I understand, from reliable sources, is doing well.

If you had written to me sooner, you could have made your pick right here. But, it you think there is left a half chance to marry a rich and pretty girl, stay there "yet a little longer:" or if you will marry her, and bring her and

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her fortune over here, I will make room for you anyhow! You might have been a little more particular in your notes on that hand, and told me her name. Where is Minerva? Where does she live? What is her husband doing, and how is he doing? Will you give me some particulars? What is Travis doing in Va? did his Uncle make him rich? etc? etc? etc?--

If you are not overwhelmed with business suppose you get, on your horse and ride over here this fall. But a weeks ride. Our Cir. Court comes on the 29th of this month. John Quillin presiding!! I am in the midst of fall courts--just got home--leave again on Sunday. "No news: crops burned up."

Richard Stanford Stith

Sometime about 1943 or 1944 Robert Cole Fowler, son of Mary Frances Cole, visited his cousin Walter Hightower in Memphis, Texas. He had in his possession an old letter that had been written to his mother by her uncle, Richard Stanford Stith. Walter Hightower copied the letter and a copy has been preserved. The original was probably lost when Cole Fowler died. The following is reproduced from Walter Hightower's copy:

The following is a copy of an old letter. I copy it including the old fashioned letterhead which is in beautiful script. R. S. Stith was Grandmother Minnie Stith Cole's brother. The letter was to Aunt Fannie, Cole Fowler's mother.

I copy letterhead and all.

(signed) W. T. Hightower

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R. S. Stith
Geo. S. Phillips

Law Office of Stith & Phillips

Cawthon Building
Northside of the Public Square

Holly Springs, Miss. May 31 1877

My Beloved Niece.

Your welcome letter of April 9th came to hand when I was sick in bed, to which I was confined nearly a week and was two or three weeks too much enfeebled to attend to business. Our circuit court came on in April and lasted five weeks, and this, with my sickness threw me much behind with my business with which I have not yet caught up on our circuit court was the Chancery Court of the adjoining county of Benton from which I just returned last night; and next week we have the federal court at Oxford, which I am compelled to attend. So you will see that my delay in answering your letter has not been from neglect but from circumstances beyond my control. Indeed nothing has occurred in a long while to delight me so much as the reception of your letter. I feet that my best beloved Sister's children had all forgotten me, and your letter was the sudden lighting up of my heart as, the flash of Aurora Borealis lights up the heavens at night such as we witnessed here last Monday night.

Of course I will look after the Judgement you speak of for you and if anything can be realized on it it will give me a great deal of pleasure to do it. I shall communicate with

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Capt. Taylor at once and get such information from him and from other sources as will enable me to learn the present condition of the judgement and the prospect of realizing anything out of it, and let you know the result of my inquiries as soon as possible. I do hope I can realize the Judgement for you or at least a large part of it.

Your letter gave us much information about your own family that was both new and interesting to us. I did not know that your father had left the vicinity of Courtney, and that you Falconer and Mai were residing there by yourselves keeping house. It must be sort of a romantic life. I had heard that your father had married again but did not know of the two children by the last marriage. Tell me when you write what induced your father to go so far west leaving you there where you are. How does he like his new home and how is he getting along there? And also all about the other children Robert & David. I want to know everything about you all. Don't be afraid your letter will be too long.

We have seven children the youngest of whom was three years old the 8th of May just past. Their names in order of their age are, Mary Sharlande, Walter, Medora called Nora, Emily Palmer, Minnie Meband, Stanford, and Percy Bertrand. Minnie was named for your mother and my mother, and the Mebane is pronounced as if it were written Maben. My mother was a grandaughter on her mother's side of Genl. Mebane of North Carolina, of Revolutionary fame; and her father was Richard

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Stanford of North Carolina who for twenty-one years represented the Orange district of that state in Congress. My father was from Brunswick County, Virginia. The Stiths were among the oldest and most prominent families in Virginia, having come over among some of the earliest settlers of that colony. One of them wrote a History of Virginia, which is one of the oldest histories of the old commonwealth extant, and is very scarce and hard to find. I have never been able to get a copy. The Meades, Bowlings and other prominent families of Virginia are related to the Stiths. I mention these facts not boastingly at all but that you may know something of the family history; for cut off as you have been from the older branches of the family since you were a little girl, I suppose you know but little of your ancestry on your mother's side and it will be gratifying to know that you come from no mean stock. Excuse this digression and I will come back nearer home again and tell you more about the children.

Mary is grown now and we think her quite handsome. She was educated principally at home by her mother and myself and her mother's sister Mary Emily (whom I recon you remember); but to finish her musical education her teacher was Prof. Perring of Memphis who is said to have no superior-this side of New York, if there. She had naturally a fine taste in music and was faithfully taught in the rudiments before she was sent from home. The result is that she is said to be the best performer on the piano in this part of the country, for a girl of her age;

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and her singing is very fine. Three years ago I sent to New York and got her a fine piano, a very superb instrument, which her teacher Prof. Perring selected for her at the factory. It is of Weber's make and the tone exquisite. It is a source of much happiness in the household. Mary has black eyes, very dark hair, slightly brunette in complexion, oval face and when animated has a rather brilliant expression. Her figure is well rounded and graceful of medium height and easy carriage. All together we think. her a very nice girl. But I have wasted too much time on her.

Walter comes next, almost a young man.- He has dark hair and eyes, oval face, a fine expression, and is called by the girls handsome. He is now about my height but will grow some taller, is well formed, complexion a little dark and weighs about one hundred and forty pounds. He also has been educated at home, by his mother, myself and his grandfather and as a scholar I will put him up against any young man in this part of the country. He is a very hard student and his general information is much greater than is usually found in boys of his age. He reads a great deal of history and of standard literature. I am now making him read a little law every day, as I intend him for a lawyer and that is the bent of his own mind. He is very steady and if he continues to pursue his studies as he has done, he will make a man that we shall be proud of some day, which is my earnest prayer. He is just twenty years old, not twenty one till next year.

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(Then he goes on to tell about each of their other 5 children children but I omit this part.)

Walter had a fine trip to the centennial last year, by way of St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit, Niagra Falls, Rochester, Albany and New York. Returning he spent time with his Uncle near Washington City visiting Baltimore and Washington several times. He then visited your Aunt Adeline's family in Virginia where he spent a week or two and returned home by way of Cincinnati and Louisville, He was gone nearly two months, and gained a great deal of information. He earned his own money to go, and made the trip all alone with great judgement and profit. The cost was about $l90.00 I should like very much if Falconer could be here to read law with Walter. I think I could make fine lawyers out of them both. . . Tell Mai to write to Nona, Falconer to Walter and you to Mary. None of my children write good hands but very good letters.--

I wish you would send me a copy of your Uncle Abner's letter. His youngest daughter Ada spent last summer with us. She is a very handsome and sprightly girl. Was it James or Deverand Holland that gave you Abner's letter? Give him my regards. Give my love to your father and the other children when you write.

Your affectionate Uncle.

_ R. S. Stith

*******

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The following letter was written by Richard Stanford Stith to Cornelia Adeline Stanford (Mrs. Alexander Webb) the half-sister of his mother, Mary Mebane Stanford. A copy of the letter is on file in the North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Holly Springs, Miss. June 26, 1888

My Dear Aunt:

You will doubtless be surprised to receive a letter from me, as you perhaps do not know that there is such a human being as I am upon the earth. I knew that I once had such an Aunt, for I remember to have often heard my mother speak of you most affectionately, and I believe my oldest sister was named for you; but I did not know where you lived, and have supposed for many years that you had passed from earth. But I learned a few days ago, from Dr. Well, of Tallatchie County, in this State, that you were still living, and wished to know something of my mother's branch of the family; and I promised to write to you, and he gave me your address. He was the nephew of your husband, as he informs me.

You cannot image what strange feelings of pleasure and sadness came over me on learning that one so near and dear to my ever lovely and beloved mother was still alive. When my father left North Carolina for West Tennessee I was the baby boy, the youngest of the children. My brother George died near Nashville, on the way out. They reached West Tennessee

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with four living children, viz: Adeline, Sophronia, Abner and myself. One daughter was born after they settled there, but a short time before my father's death, whom they named Minerva Andrewetta. The full names of the others were Ariana Adeline, Sophronia Livingston, and Abner Aurelius. My full name in Richard Stanford. But I am taking it for granted that you know who my father and mother were. My father was Andrew Stith of Brunswick County, Va., and my mother was Mary Mebane Stanford (your half sister), daughter of Richard Stanford of N. Carolina, who represented the Orange district in Congress for about 20 years, and died at Washington and was buried in the Congressional burying grounds. The five children of my father and mother above named, including myself, all grew up and married, and had families. Sister Adeline married Edward L. Travis, of Henry County, Tennessee, formerly from Brunswick County, Virginia. He afterwards removed to North Mississippi when it was a wilderness and the Indians were here, and in 1845 went back to Brunswick County, Virginia, were an uncle of Mr. Travis left him a fortune of two or three hundred thousand dollars. She died several years ago, and Mr. Travis lived until last winter. They left four children, Edward, Lucy, Joseph, and Clara. They are all married and living in Brunswick County, Va. Lucy married Mr. Joseph Harrison, and Clara a Mr. Drummond.

My sister Sophronia married Mr. Thos. A. Falconer of Fayette County, Tennessee, who was raised in Raleigh, N. C.,

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a son of Dr. Falconer of that City. He was in fine circumstances when she married him, but in the financial panic that swept over the Southwest a few years later, and partly through injudicious speculations, he lost his property, and afterwards became editor and publisher, first, of the Holly Springs Banner, afterwards changed to the Holly Springs Gazette, which were very successful papers. After the war he was elected Probate Judge of this County, which he held until removed by the military authority under the reconstruction acts. They had four children that lived to be grown, Howard, Kinloch, Sophronia (generally called "Fonie"), and Henry. Sophronia married a Mr. Barrett, of this Co., had two children, (one of which survived her), and died. Her husband and other child soon followed her to the grave. Howard and Kinloch both graduated at the University of Mississippi, the former in 1859! and the latter in 1860. Both, with their father, entered the Confederate service in the first company that left here for the War, in March 1861; and the two boys served during the War, but their father's health failed and he was discharged, and entered the service again in 1862 with the same result. After the war, both of the boys became lawyers, and Howard became my partner in the practice, together with Col. E. W. Upshaw, the father of the present Assistant Commissioner of Indian Affairs at Washington. The style of the firm was Stith, Upshaw and Falconer. Both of my partners died in the yellow fever epidemic of 1878; but the firm was dissolved several years before that.

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Kinloch, after practicing law a year or two, united with his brother-in-law, Mr. Barrett, in the publication of a Democratic newspaper, Kinloch being the editor. (I omitted the state, that both of the boys were dangerously wounded during the war, and that Kinloch was Ass't. Adjt. General of the Army of Tenn., from the time it was at Pensacola, Fla., until its surrender in May 1865, and there was no better Ass't Adjt. Genl. in the Army.) When the Democrats were restored to power in 1876, Kinloch was appointed private secretary to the Governor; and in 1877 was elected Secretary of State; and had he lived until the next State election, he would undoubtedly have been the next Governor. The soldiers were all for him, and he was universally popular with the people. But fate decreed it otherwise. He and Howard and their father died in the epidemic of 1878. Their mother had died about three years before. Neither of the older boys were married. Henry, the youngest, married when about 19 years old. Being the youngest, he was not controlled, but allowed to grow up in the streets, and became dissipated and of little account, although he had naturally the finest mind of all the three. He had two very good little fortunes to begin with; one he got by his wife, and the other from the estates of his brothers; but he soon spent them. He then got employment on the Railroads, and was accidentally run over and killed by the cars at this place last November. He left a widow and two children, a girl and a boy, the girl aged about 13 and the

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boy 10. She and the children live with her brother in Alabama.

But I have been long and tedious on this branch of the family. I must hurry on.

My brother Abner studied law in this place, then went to Choctaw County in this State, and begun the practice. There he married a Miss Medley, and soon after, in 1845, removed to Camden, Ark., and became the leading lawyer of South Arkansas in a very few years. He was great as a public speaker, and had he lived, would doubtless have been the foremost man in that State. But he died in 1857 at the age of 38 years, leaving a widow and three children, all girls. He was Circuit Judge at his death. All grew up and married. Two of them now live in Arkansas, one at Little Rock, and one at Pine Bluff. The other lives in Arizona. The widow married again, becoming the wife of Judge Bearden, Abner's successor as Circuit Judge, by whom she had three children, and he and his family now reside in Los Angeles, California.

My sister Minerva married Dr. Robert A. Cole, a fine physician. He was poor, but had no difficulty in getting a large practice wherever he located. But his great fault was a roving disposition, and he was never satisfied long in one place. She died in the fall of 1865, leaving six children, four boys and two girls. Soon after her death Dr. Cole moved to Texas. One of the boys died-when only three or four years old. Both the girls married, and some of the boys; by this

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time perhaps all of them. They are away out in Northwestern Texas, and I seldom hear from them now.

Now, my dear Aunt, you see that I am the only survivor of my mother's children, and it remains for me to give some account of myself and family. My father died with I was too young to remember much about him, and my mother before I was 15. Soon after I went into a printing office with my brother- in-law, Thos. A. Falconer. In that way, and by teaching some, I managed to acquire a pretty good classical education. I did not have the means to go to College, but I had very fine teachers, and when I left school I was considered a better scholar than many graduates. I then prepared myself for the bar in the same way, and when I came to the bar in 1852, this was perhaps the ablest bar in the Southwest. It would have been wise, no doubt, to have gone to some new or thriving place where there was less formidable competition; but I determined to make my struggle right here. As a lawyer I succeeded, and have made a great deal of money; but on account of the vicissitudes of the war and reconstruction in the South. I have not been able to retain much of it. I am merely in comfortable circumstances, that is all. I have never sought political preferment but during the Spring just past I was called on through the press here, and by many private friends, to permit my name to go before the Democratic Convention as a candidate for Congress from this district, but I declined. I

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send you a paper containing my letter declining to become a candidate. I thought then, and it has become quite evident since, that I could have gotten the nomination. I mention these things not out of any vanity, but to let you see that I am not altogether obscure, and that I have the respect and confidence of the people among whom I live. As a lawyer, I am known throughout the State. My wife was Miss Ariana Medora Phillips, of Somerville, Tenn Her father was Geo. S. Phillips, Esgr. a son of an Episcopal clergyman named John W. Phillips, well known in the Carolinas and in Virginia in the early part of this century. He was an Englishman by birth, and was with John Wesley in his efforts to give more life to the Church of England, and more zeal to its work; and was at Mr. Wesley's bedside at his death. His wife (my wife's grandmother), was raised by Mr. Wesley, and he was her Guardian. My wife's mother was a Stith, Miss Mary Manlove Stith, daughter of David Stith, my father's brother; so that my wife and I are second cousins. Her maternal grandmother was Ariana Manlove, daughter of Dr. Christopher Manlove, once a surgeon in the British Navy, who settled in Virginia before the revolution. We have seven children, three boys and four girls, viz; Walter, Mary Sharlande, Medora, Emily Palmer, Minnie Mebane, Stanford and Percy Bertrand. My oldest son, Walter, is married and lives near Collierville, Tenn., and has three beautiful little girls. He is a farmer, although I trained him for a lawyer. The other children are still unmarried, and all are lovely, as we think.

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We have never lost any. The two youngest are schoolboys yet, and Minnie is just grown. My wife's father died in Oct. 1885, at my house, in his 87th year. My wife and myself, and all the children, are very healthy, and have had but little serious sickness in our lives. In this respect, God has blessed us very much. We are all members of the Episcopal Church. I omitted to mention that I was also in the Southern Army, a member of Forrest's cavalry.

I was in Texas in 1886, and there met some of our relatives, children of Mrs. Ariana Graves, (nee Ariana Stanford), my mother's only full sister. I met Cousin Julia Graves, the youngest daughter, and Cousin Ralph Graves, who, I believe, was the oldest son, in San Antonio. He is the City physician. Cousin Julia married a lawyer by the name of Leigh-- Judge Leigh-who left her a widow without any children, but in fine circumstances. Cousin Ralph is a widower, and has one son, Everett, living also in San Antonio, doing well. He is very active for a man of his age. Cousin Richard Stanford Graves died a few months ago, at the residence of his daughter in Luling, Texas. He was living in Austin when I was in Texas, and I called on him there. Cousin Henry Graves lives at Hempstead, Texas. Elisha died about the close of the war, leaving one child, who now lives in Washington County, Miss. Cousin Ariana (Mrs. Millon) and Cousin-Anabella (Mrs. Graham) have been dead many years; both their husbands also. Cousin Anabella left no children; and one of Cousin Ariana, Mrs. Gaylord,

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a widow with two daughters, lives with Cousin Julia, in San Antonio. Cousin Paisley, the youngest son, has also been dead some years. His family lives, I believe, in Fort Worth, Texas. I saw one of his daughters in San Antonio. One cousin, the oldest daughter, I believe, still lives in North Carolina, or was living there when I was in Texas; and Cousin Cornelia was living in Texas, between San Antonio and the coast. I hope you will not weary of my long and tedious letter. ~ hope to hear from you very soon. Please let it be as soon as possible. Write me first a short letter to let me know you received this, and give the family history afterwards. With much love, I am,

Your Nephew,

(signed) Richard Stanford Stith.

****

Obituary of Richard Stanford Stith in the Holly Springs Reporter, July 4, 1895:

Death of Judge R. S. Stith

The announcement by wire on Monday last, that Judge Stith was dead, brought a shadow of gloom and sadness to the citizens or our little city. Here he was loved and honored. Here he spent his youth. At St. Thomas Hall he was educated. He read law in the office of the late H. W. Walter, and after his admittance to practice, he became the partner of John H. Anderson, an experienced lawyer of ability and high character.

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After the Civil War, Judge Stith was the senior member of the firm of Stith, Upshaw & Falconer, one of the leading law firms of North Mississippi, until dissolved by the yellow fever scourge of 1878.

The following is an excerpt from the Alabama Journals maintained in the Rare Book Room, University of Alabama library: Aristocratic Hot-Heads Duel

C M Stanley--Editor The Alabama Journal

"One of the last great, formal duels in Alabama was fought inside the city limits of Mobile, May 7, 1859. The combatants were from two of Mississippi's most prominent families and the duelists with their seconds came to Mobile to settle their quarrel on the so-called field of honor. Laws had become very strict against dueling both in Mississippi and in Alabama so that the dueling party had to move quickly and secretly.

The combatants were Henry Vick, nephew of the founder of the city of Vicksburg, and Lawrence W. Stith (Author's comment: Research indicates that the duelist was James Henry Stith, son of Lawrence Washington Stith. James Stith, a Captain in the Confederate Forces was killed at the Battle of Vicksburg in 1863 descendant of the Washington family of Virginia.

Henry Vick lived on the large family plantation a few miles from Vicksburg and Vick and Stith had always been friends. On an occasion in 1859, Stith was one of the guests at a house

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party on the Vick plantation and the two men were in a boat fishing when a dispute arose between them and Stith got out of the boat, telling Vick never to speak to him again. Just what happened in the boat has never been known clearly, but the late Dr. Erwin Craighead, editor of the Mobile Register and notable historian, devoted much time to investigating the details of this famous duel in Mobile. In his book, From Mobile's Past, Dr. Craighead writes that Vick's overseer showed an act of rudeness toward Stith, and Stith thought Vick should have protected him, but failed to do so. Vick's failure to take Stith's side against the overseer caused the angry adminition to Vick never to speak to him again as he got out of the boat.

Sometime later the two men met in a billiardy room in New Orleans when Stith was invited to join a party of gentlemen to take a drink. Stith refused, according to Dr. Craighead, and when asked his reason said that he could not drink with Vick "because," he added, turning to Vick, "you are no gentleman." Vick drew back, and Stith made a pass at him. Vick, reads the account, drew a pistol and was about to shoot when A. G. Dickinson seized Vick's hand and held it up so that the pistol could not be fired.

Vick sent a challenge to Stith, his seconds being Mr. Dickinson and Col. Lockridge. Stith's seconds were Tom Morgan and Frank Cheatham, both of Baton Rouge' and they promptly accepted the challenge on Stith's behalf.

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They agreed to fight with Kentucky rifles at thirty paces, the men to fire at the word. All though the safest place for the duel was in Alabama and the entire party took the mail boat from New Orleans to Mobile. Very secretly they selected what was known as "Holly's Garden" where William de Forrest Holly had his residence. The grove later was occupied by Emerson Institute on Scott St. just north of Charleston in Mobile.

Vick was though to have the advantage of Stith because Vick was a famous shot who could hit a running deer with a rifle.

Vick fell dead at the first fire with a bullet through his forehead. He had aimed at Stith's head and the bullet struck a tree just over his head. Stith, not such a good shot, aimed for Vick's body and hit the-head.

Police got wind of the affair and Stith and his seconds barely escaped on the mail boat back to New Orleans. Vick's seconds were concealed in the home of Dr. Lawrence A. McClesky on St. Francis St.

Vick's body was lying at the undertakers and in desperation, Mr. Dickinson called in Capt. Harry Maury, Chief of Police, and told him everything and asked his help in getting his friend's body prepared and taken aboard the boat for New Orleans. Captain Maury secretly consented, even while his policemen were still searching for the dueling party.

The duel was a tragedy in more ways than one. Vick was killed almost on the very eve of his wedding to Helen John-
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stone, daughter of John T. Johnstone, who had a 40- room mansion 15 miles north of Jackson, Mississippi, named, 'Annandale.'

On the same boat to Vicksburg with tine' body of Vick were a caterer from New Orleans and his crew of waiters and cooks and materials for the wedding feast; the caterer knowing nothing of the situation until the boat reached Vicksburg.

Vick's remains, at his fiancee's request, were brought to Annandale and buried in the gothic chapel churchyard which Mr. Johnstone, a younger son of the Earl of Johnstone of Annandale, Scotland, had built on his premises. Miss Johns tone cut off locks of her hair and placed them on the breast of her dead lover.

Stith joined the Confederate forces and was killed at Vicksburg in 1863 and buried in the grounds of the old Stith residence in that city. Miss Johnstone, after many years, married the Rev. George C. Harris, a protege in his youth of Bishop Charles T. Quintand of Tenn. and boyhood friend of Dr. Craighead.

'Annandale' was destroyed by fire 3 September 1924. The mansion was begun in 1820 and required three years in its construction.

Sunday Jan 30, 1955"140

On May 12, 1985, the author and his wife, Mickey Espey Stith, visited the Chapel of the Cross, on State Highway 463, North, approximately five miles west of Madison, Mississippi, and 15 miles north of Jackson, MS, and west off of Interstate 55. This is the Chapel where Henry G. Vick is buried. His grave is in the Johnstone family plot right next to Mrs. Johnstone and her husband. Mickey and the author, who was tearing wildly around the countryside in a search which was based on vague instructions, finally found the Chapel and a fine gentleman named Edward Hughes. The Chapel has been diligently restored by the current members of the Chapel, and Mr. Hughes was there in the early evening to show the Chapel to interested visitors. The author identified himself as a distant relative of James Stith, the person who put Mr. Vick into his early grave. Much to the author's relief Mr. Hughes was very gracious and showed us the Chapel and Henry Vick's grave. Contrary to her accounts the author has read, the Chapel was built by Mrs. Margaret Johnstone (mother of Helen) in 1848 in memory of her husband John T. Johnstone, who died in that year. Vick, held in high regard by the family was interred in 1859. Helen Johnstone was buried in another plot beside her husband. Mr. Hughes advised the author that present members of the church are sincerely devoted to their faith and to the preservation of the Chapel. The potential of this area is evidenced by the new Annandale Golf Course designed141

and developed by Jack Nicklaus, Enterprises and the numerous fine homes in the immediate area. Madison County is apparently on the move and yet respectful of its fine heritage.

The unbiased account "Aristocractic Hot-Heads in Mobile Duel," by C. M. Stanley--Editor of The Alabama Journal, states that Vick and Stith had always been friends. This year marks 12 years since the duel between former friends As I stood in the Chapel, I said softly, "I am sorry that it happened Henry Vick" and I wondered, unsuccessfully, what moved me to find the Chapel of the Cross. I wonder also why the Times-Picayune newspaper in New Orleans keeps the story alive. The paper was founded by Gerard Stith, who was a first cousin of Commodore Lawrence Washington Stith who resided in Vicksburg, Miss., and was the father of James Henry Stith. There are no answers to be found any more.

Gleanings from Mississippi records:

Flora Bell Stith, 4 April 1877

Oscar W. Stith married Nelly Denny, 10 Jan. 1878

Ednor Oscar Stith, born 10 Dec. 1878. Baptized 1 May 1879 child of O. W. and Nelly Stith

Some of the mystery of the names listed above might be cleared up if the names of the children of Ben H. Stith could be ascertained. The author found that Ben Stith was listed as the head of a family in Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1840, as was Lawrence W. Stith. The author has no record of a Ben H.

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Stith in any of the Colonial Stith families. The only Stith family in which the name Benjamin occurs is in the family of Richard Stith and Lucy Hall and then only once, and that occurred in the family of William Stith (Richard Stith/Lucy Hall) and Nancy Jones who named a son, Ben. This Ben was born in 1801 (married a Mary Wolfolk) and the author has not been able to find any trace of him. The author verified that a Thomas Stith was listed as having died in Natchez, Mississippi in 1821. This is the same date of death for the Thomas Stith who migrated to Kentucky around 1806.

In addition to the Stiths listed, we have the following tracings of Stiths in Mississippi:

Mississippi State Archives, War Memorial Bldg., Jackson, Miss. listing:

A. A. Stith m. Frances Medley-G. 10-25-1842

George W. Stith p. 559-Sec. State Reg. Comm. 1871-1874, J.P. Dist. #5 Warren Co. Nov. 7, 1871 (which Geo. W. Stith is this?)

Southern Galaxy, Natchez, Miss. Thursday Feb. 26, 1829, p. 3, col 3; married on the 24th inst., by the Rev. George Potts, Mr. Griffin Stith and Mrs. Caroline Thomas, all of that city. (Which Griffin is this?)

Listed on Hinds Co. personality Tax Rolls in 1838;
Mary Stith-1838
William Stith-1839
Mary B. Stith-1843 (listed in Hinds Co. Will of Bashaba Hunter, who refers to her as his daughter. She married a Stith.)

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The author advises that Hinds County is adjacent to Warren Co. Mississippi, and there is proof that Lawrence W. Stith and Ben H. Stith were in Warren Co., or Vicksburg. Also, Lawrence W. Stith had a cousin listed as "Dr. William Stith, killed in a duel in Mississippi.. This Williams Stith was a grandson of Buckner Stith (1722-1791) and a son of Richard (-1819) who married Jan Maclin. This duel occurred before James Henry Stith's duel in 1858 (see Genealogical Charts).

The listing of Thomas Stith's death in Natchez, Mississippi and Griffin Stith's marriage in the same city in 1829, is about the earliest listing of Stiths in Mississippi. However, there is a record of a Mose Stith, born in Jackson Co. Tennessee in 1815. The author hasn't verified this information or connected these particular Stiths to a definite Stith family. The name Mose is very unfamiliar. As equally unfamiliar as the name of Eli and Levi in the Stiths who were located around Huntington, West Virginia. Mose's family finally moved to Kentucky and Kansas. None have been connected to the Stith family tree by the author.

The city library, New Orleans, forwarded a biography on Gerard Stith, Mayor of that city in 1858-1860, and the following traces of Stiths:

Stith, Mary Ann (1790-1855) age 65 yrs (French) according to Louisiana Courier newspaper???

Stith, Mary Waterman, d. 1858, 11 mos dau. of Gerard Stith, Mayor of New Orleans

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Stith, John (1864-1867) d. at 3 yrs, newspaper listing

Stith, Mary Poythress (1876-1968) d. at 92 yrs of age, newspaper listing

Stith, Fannie (1879-1967) d. at 88 yrs, newspaper listing

Stith, Fred Bennett (1883-1950) d. at age 67, newspaper listing

Stith, Gustine Calvert (1881-1934), connected with editorial staff of New Orleans, item for 32 years

Stith, Reese Daniel (1921- ) m. Phyllis M. Graham, listed in "Who's Who in South and Southwest" 1950, 1954, 1956, 1959, currently with Small Business Adm. Office, Wash., 25, D.C.

The author recognizes two or three names in the tracings listed above. Mary Poythress Stith could possibly have been related in some way to a Putnam Stith who married a Mary Poythress Eppes who might have been a Bolling descendant. The author read a report that Mary Poythress Stith was the daughter of a Frank Eppes Stith of New Orleans, La. Putnam Stith also had a son Francis Eppes Stith who married a Miss Bennett of New Orleans, La. It may be a coincidence but the birth dates of Mary P. Stith (1876) Fannie Stith (1879), Gustine Calvert Stith (1881) and Fred Bennett Stith (1883) resemble a close family grouping. The only living person who might be able to solve this mystery is Reese Daniel Stith of 1412 Masonville Dr. Annandale, VA. The author wrote to him in 1964, but did not receive an answer. So that it will not go unnoticed, the

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author will mention that Francis Eppes Stith who married Miss Bennett of New Orleans, La. was the nephew of Lawrence W. Stith.

The author would like to propose a theory which is based on some facts. First, Lawrence Washington Stith did go westward from Virginia with his family, and it is apparent that he went through the state of Tennessee because we find him and his family in Tipton County, Tennessee which is located north of Memphis, Tennessee. This, we believe, was sometime around the 1830s. It is also a fact that a Ferdinand Stith is listed in an early census possibly around 1820, in Williams County, Tennessee. Dr. Ferdinand Stith was a first cousin to Lawrence Washington Stith. Of course, this Ferdinand married a Cornelia Dickenson of Nashville, Tenn. and Ferdinand's son, Ferdinand, married a Sally Hawkins from Tennessee. The Ferdinand listed in the early 1800 census is grouped in the 40 to 50 year age bracket. Dr. Ferdinand Stith was born ca. 1780 and this is supported by the contemporary Lawrence W. Stith, who was born in 1789. Therefore, it is assumed that the individual listed in the early census has to be Dr. Ferdinand Stith. However, the author cannot explain why the census did not list a young man or boy. Possibly, the son may have been in school or was out on his own. The author is positive that a son, Ferdinand Stith, was around somewhere because there's a Lt. F. Stith from Tennessee who shows up during the Civil War. The author believes that Dr. Ferdinand might have influenced Lawrence W. Stith's decision to

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move west by way of Tennessee. Remember Lawrence W. Stith fought in the War of 1812 and married Anne Laval Montgomery, daughter of General Jacynth Laval Montgomery of Charleston, S. C., in 1817, so it would appear that Dr. Ferdinand Stith arrived in Tennessee prior to the time of Lawrence W.'s arrival. There is bound to have been contact between the two because in those days families were close and would travel long distances to visit cousins and the like. A few still do.

The Western Branch

Moving westward from the southern states the first family of Stiths encountered is that of a group that lives in San Antonio, Texas. Little is known about this branch; things such as who the individual members are, how they came to Texas, etc. It is known that some of this branch are engaged in the manufacture of telescope mounts. One member of this family is Marcus Jackson Stith (1903) born in Cameron, Texas. He was a rancher in Edwards Co., Texas from 1926-38. He graduated from Culver Military Academy in 1921 and received a B.A. from the Univ. of Michigan in 1926. He married Ester L. Merrick in 1929. Children are Jackson Ludlow Stith and Ann Lawrence Stith. The author believes this family is related to the family of Dr. Robert Marcus Stith, Seattle physician, whose father, Richard A. Stith, was a son of Richard Marcus Stith, a judge in Jackson County, Missouri. When you consider that

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Marcus Jackson's father was Marcus Luther, then it almost rules out coincidence. Marcus Jackson joined his father in the telescope manufacturing business. Later information from Lee S. Stith, in Arizona, indicates that the family sold the business.

There is a Mrs. Leftwich in Shallowater, Texas whose grandfather Richard L. Stith, was mentioned under the Kentucky Stiths.

Thanks to the efforts of Walden Stith, head of the Tucumcari Lumber Co. in Tucumcari, New Mexico, the author found more members of the Stith line. The branch in this case is headed by G. R. "Bob " Dryden who is a son of Zettie Stith, a sister of Walden Stith's father, Logan D. Stith. This family stems from the Kentucky branch. For clarification Zettie Stith married George Dryden and their children were: Doris (Dryden) Hubbard (1914), George R. Dryden (1918), and Betty (Dryden) Montgomery (1920), George Dryden married Martha Atkinson (1926) and their children are; Kathy C. Dryden (1948) Bobby Gene Dryden (1951), John Lann Dryden (1953) and Randall Logan Dryden (1954). The author is uncertain of their whereabouts.

In Oklahoma we find another branch of the family in Tulsa. It is headed by Reverend Lawrence E. Stith, who provided the author with a good bit of genealogical information. Lawrence is the Pastor of the Harvard Avenue Baptist Church in Tulsa and is upholding the religious continuity of the family. At this point, the author will digress and point out that many in the Stith family are strongly motivated towards the ministry and

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it has produced several very famous theologians throughout history. Attention is also invited to the fact that in Cornwall County, England approximately four miles southeast of Redruth there is a place named Stithian. This appears to be an ecclesiastical district and there is reference to a Saint Stedianus and an indication of a female saint. The author suggests that some Stith could do further research on this point.

Returning to the family of Lawrence Stith (1904) we find that he married Willia Mae Hatchett and from this union came the following children: Lawrence Ernest, Eula Jean, Joe Ray, and Rex David. All the children reside in Oklahoma except Joe Ray who resides in Ft. Worth, Texas. Lawrence's (Pastor) father was Horace Pate Stith and his grandfather was Frances Marion Stith.

Lawrence included information provided to him by David L. Fontaine of Fort Smith, Arkansas, which reads as follows: "The cemetery (in Kentucky) where we found Griffin Stith's grave was unfenced and most of the tombstones were lying flat on the ground. There were a number of Shumates buried there which indicates that the place passed on to one of his daughters who married a Shumate. The writer (David L.) remembers Aunt 'Seany' (Seana who married Worden P. Lawson) Lawson who used to visit at grandpas and grandma Stith's place. We moved back there in 1906. I also remember Hester Ann (whom we called Aunt Nancy) and Gill Wright's son or grandson still

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lives on the place which is only about 1/4 mile from where my nephew lives on the original Stith place where Richard (1st) settled when he came from Virginia about 1800.

"My nephew Walter Scott has built this place up until I believe it is raising better crops than it ever did. They had plenty of rain this summer and had wonderful crops of corn, tobacco, clover, and alfalfa.

"You will notice from the above that Griffin Stith (your great grandfather) and Henry Stith (my great grandfather) were brothers and that they married their double first cousins, daughters of Richard Stith. Also, they say in Kentucky that the Jones girls (Author's note: These ladies were sisters.) who married William and Richard were also cousins."

David's mother according to Lawrence (Pastor) was a Stith from Stith Valley community in Meade County.

Unfortunately, David does not give any specific landmarks that could be used as a reference point for those of us who might want to visit the old farm site. The author knows that the original farm site is in Meade County, Ky., and David Fontaine also refers to "Nancy and Elizabeth Jones were sisters. They moved to Meade County Kentucky about 1806."

The author invites the reader's attention to Lawrence (Pastor) Stith's brother, Clarence Eugene Stith who lives in Buffalo, Oklahoma. It appears that Clarence's son, Charles L. Stith, moved from Oklahoma to 1424 South 1st St., Tucumcari,

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New Mexico and met Walden E. Stith, previously referred to. Charles L. Stith works for the CAA at the airport in Tucumcari.

Walden had also written that his Oklahoma branch of which Charles L. is a member have yearly reunions in Dallas and Ft. Worth, Texas. (Author's note: I attended an Oklahoma Stiths' reunion at a Methodist Camp Ground approximately fifteen miles east of Tahlequah, Oklahoma. This reunion has been going on for many years. Stiths had come from Miami, Florida and Oregon. I enjoyed the reunion very much.)

Lawrence (Pastor) Stith lists the following brothers and sisters who live or lived in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas:

Albert Leonard--Rt. 5, Shawnee, Okla (d. 1970)
Francis Marion--Altoona, Kansas (d. 1965)
Oklahoma Lee--314 N. 9th Enid, Okla (d.)
Lawrence E.- b. 1904
Clarence Eugene--Buffalo, Okla
Frederick Brockman--1147 So. Waco, Texas
Althea Eunice--Mrs. Clarence Dahl, Box 12682, Tucson, Ariz.
Joseph Bewley--deceased (1959)
Forest B.--3909 E. 31st Oklahoma City, Okla

Family of Horace Pate Stith

"Horace Pate Stith [8] (Francis M. [7], Griffin [6], William [5], Richard [4], Drury [3], John [1]) migrated from Louisville, Kentucky to Elreno,
Oklahoma (southwest of Oklahoma City) with his wife, Forest

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Belle Bewley (1877-1916), and two sons in the year 1901. They had issue:

Albert Leonard (1897-1970)
Francis Marion (1900-1965) b. Brandenburg, Meade Co., Kentucky (twin) d. 1965
Oklahoma Lee (1902) m. Sarah McCain
Lawrence E. (1904) m. Willia Hatchett
Clarence E. m. Helen Sawyer
Frederick B. m. Laura Carter
Althea E. m. Clarence Dahl
Joseph B. m. Oreta Hall
Forest B.(1916 -) m. Gloe Updike (twin)

After moving to Oklahoma, they had seven more children. The first born in Oklahoma, Oklahoma Lee, was named for that state.

Marion (second son) had a twin sister, Frances, who died at birth. Some years later, Marion expressed the wish to his father for a second name as he had only one. He chose Francis (name of his dead twin, Frances). His wish was granted and he was named Francis Marion. However, he was known to his wife and relatives as Marion or "Mike."

The youngest son born to Horace Pate and Forest Belle, Forest B. also had a twin sister who died at birth.

Horace and his family moved from Elreno because of a flood, to Buffalo, Oklahoma. He bought out a homesteader east of Buffalo, and there made his home until 1920.

Horace's wife, Forest Belle, died in 1916 with her infant daughter. Both are buried at Purina cemetery near Buffalo, Okla.

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At the time of his mother's death, Francis Marion was sixteen and soon became independent in order to help himself and his father.

This gradually led to his becoming employed by Tom Lindsay (uncle to the girl he had yet to meet and marry) when he was nineteen.

Tom's brother, Henry Lindsay, owned land in Commanche Co. Kansas, between Coldwater and Protection, Kansas. The land was good to them and Henry and Effie M. (Siler), his wife, were blessed with seven children. Frank, Carl, Edna, Edith, Jessee, Bernice, and Leatha, all of which are still living.

Francis Marion met his bride in the Spring of 1919. While in Tom Lindsay's employee he courted Tom's pretty niece, Edna.

After much courting, Francis Marion won Edna for his wife. They were married December 18, 1924, at the home of Justice of the Peace Cosby at Coldwater, Kansas.

Francis & Edna made their home on a farm in Coldwater, Commanche Co., Kansas where their five children were born. Their issue:

1- Pansy Mae b. April 30, 1928 m. Lawton L. Miles in 1949
2- Donald Lee b. June 28, 1931 m. Margaret Lowrey in 1950
3- Lonnie Dee b. Sept. 24, 1934 m. Roberta Croxton in 1957
4- Leatha Ruth b. Oct. 22, 1936 m. Billy Youngman in 1955
5- Lloyd Lindsay b. May 2, 1939 m. Linda Merritt in 1963

In 1941, Francis Marion moved from Coldwater to Ulysses, Kansas where he purchased 480 acres and built a new home for

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his family. He farmed 1,920 acres in all, until 1951. He then sold his land in Grant County and bought land in Preston, Missouri.

In 1958, he moved back to eastern Kansas near Altamont. He had to retire in 1964 because of ill health, and moved to Springdale, Arkansas, where all of his children, except Donald, resided. There he died in April 1965 and is buried.

1-Pansy Mae & Lawton L. Miles had issue:
Deborah Kay Miles b. Oct. 26, 1955 at Wichita, Kansas

2-Donald Lee & Margaret had issue:
Rodney Lyle b. Sept. 29, 1955 at Kingman, Kansas
Sherrolyn Margaret b. Oct. 5, 1961 at Chanute, Kansas

3-Lonnie Dee & Roberta had issue:
Gary Dean b. Nov. 22, 1959 at Springdale, Arkansas
Kenneth Lloyd b. Sept. 28, 1961 at Springdale, Arkansas
Patricia Anne b. Feb. 16, 1966 at Springdale, Arkansas

4-Leatha Ruth & Billy Youngman had issue:
Catherine Ann Youngman b. Sept. 27, 1957 at Wichita, Kansas
Nancy Sue Youngham b. Dec. 7, 1961 at Springdale, Arkansas

5-Lloyd Lindsay & Linda had issue:
Michael Merritt b. Dec. 14, 1966 at Springdale, Arkansas
Abigail Lynn b. June 11, 1970 at Springdale, Arkansas

Francis Marion carried out the Stith name and tradition. He was deeply religious and lived and raised his children
in this manner."

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"Note from typist---From the pictures I have seen of 'Mike', when he was young, I would call him tall, dark and handsome very strong! My first impression was that he was a big man at least 6 ft. One of the first things that I noticed about my father-in-law (he was 49, then) was his large nose, twinkling eyes, warm smile and welcome handshake. He was never too tired for a house full of company - he seemed to thrive on it. He loved music and had a good voice, which was used whenever he got the chance, especially when his brothers got together for a 'barber shop group' thing. They would sit under a tree & sing by the hour.

Even when he was very ill, in later years, the noise of his family and grandchildren was 'music' to his ears. If you really wanted to make Mike yell, just shush someone, especially when there was fun going on - when you were having fun you couldn't make enough noise to suit him.

I was his first daughter-in-law but you wouldn't have known that I wasn't one of his daughters. He had a pet name for each of us and mine was 'Muggins'. If Dad ever became angry with me I never knew about it. He never, in my presence, criticised any of his children's mates.

Mike was very honest - almost to a fault - loved and respected by his friends and neighbors. However, he did have a temper when the occasion called for one, and his strength demanded respect when his temper finally got the better of him."

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"The information above the note was given to me by Marion's wife, Edna who lives at 1112 Pine St., Springdale, Arkansas 72764 and Pansy Miles, who lives at 2105 S. Turner, P. O. Box 121, Springdale, Arkansas."

Moving further west we focus the family spotlight on the branch headed by Walden Eldridge Stith who has contributed his family history. Walden writes as follows:

"Born 23 February 1912 in Nara Visa, New Mexico. Finished junior high in Tucumcari, N. W. and graduated from high school in Amarillo, Texas in 1930. Attended Amarillo Junior College for three years. Influenced by a friend to attend Wichita University and graduated from there in 1935 with a degree in Business Administration. I came back to Tucumcari and worked for my father in the Tucumcari Lumber Company till 1947, at which time we opened the Albuquerque Builders' Supply. I moved to Glendora, California and was in the furniture manufacturing business to include being Credit Manager for a company of this type. I returned to Tucumcari, by way of Albuquerque in 1955, shortly before my father passed on. Have been co-executor of the estate ever since. My mother, brother, and sister live in California. I have three lovely daughters Waldeen 24, Marilyn 21, and Mary Margaret 18. The two older girls are teachers. My dad's family seemed to be from Kentucky originally, but came to Kansas (Iola) and filed on some land near (Author's comment; I can remember my father's (Master Sgt. Charles W. Stith) excitement when I read this news to him

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years ago. He told me that he knew this family, and that as a child he and Walden's father played together in La Harpe, Kansas just west of Iola, Kansas.) Guyman, Okla. Married Ruth (Coulter) Stith. My grandfather, Eldridge M. Stith, married Annie Adams. They were an extremely devoted and religious couple. I have many pleasant memories of my childhood visits with them in Guymon, Oklahoma. My father was a boy who started with nothing behind a horse-drawn plow, went to work for a lumber company in Optima, Okla. The owner sent him to Nara Visa, N. Mex branch to relieve the manager on vacation. Shortly thereafter, he sold the Nara Visa yard to dad (very little down payment and paid it out in three years). A Tucumcari banker heard of him and sold him the Tucumcari Lumber Co. ($5,000 down). He got his start here in Tucumcari. Ability to judge men, high moral character, and some luck in the selection of men allowed him to branch out in several operations until the depression clobbered him. He closed three stores in Texas, came back to the good old state of New Mexico, and started all over in Tucumcari. He was well thought of, had few faults, and was an excellent merchant."

Walden also writes that he has heard of some Stiths in Minnesota who are great, big fellows. Walden describes himself at 5'8" weight 170 lbs and as being "young for his age." In 1968, the author was advised by Dr. Lee S. Stith that Walden Stith had dropped dead in his store in the Spring of 1967.

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From New Mexico we move to Arizona, namely Tucson and focus the spotlight on Dr. Lee S. Stith. He is a standout in the family history not only from the sense of personal accomplishment but also because of his diligence and persistence in refusing to allow the name Stith to wallow and become lost in the dust of history. Wherever he traveled he was always on the lookout for individuals or information that might contribute a piece to the overall puzzle.

As for Dr. Lee's personal accomplishments the author offers the following resume:

Dr. Lee S. Stith was born at Tulia, Texas in 1918. His parents were Eugene Webster Stith and Mary Catherine Street (both deceased). Lee did his undergraduate work at New Mexico State University, his Master of Science work at the University of Tennessee, and received his Phd at Iowa State University. He is currently employed by the University of Arizona as a Plant Breeder and Professor. Specifically, he is in charge of the cotton research from the State of Arizona. The significance of his position is more thoroughly realized when one considers that Arizona is one of the leading cotton producers in the U.S.

Lee married Bettye Jo Stevens. They have a daughter, Peggy Lee Stith, born in 1951. Lee's grandfather, William Lee (1855) migrated to Texas from Hardinsburg, Ky. Lee states that his grandfather returned to Kentucky for a brief visit; and that, Carroll H Stith, his grandfather's brother,

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has also visited there. Lee's great-great-grandfather was Joseph Stith (1759) a son of Richard Stith (1?27) and Lucy Hall.

Lee writes of meeting a Hamilton Clay Stith in Tucson whose father was John Wesley Stith, a preacher from Montana because, it is told, he was the only man in the settlement who could read and write.

Lee also advises of a Harry J. Stith, in Tucson, whose father was Harry Pearl Stith. Harry P. Stith had a brother named John Hardy Stith and a sister named Hattie Stith. Their father was named Isaac Stith and Isaac's father was named Thomas Milton Stith. The author is well acquainted with this line and has been trying for years to find the Virginia connection of Benjamin A. Stith and William E. Stith, sons of a Drury Stith and Rebecca Short Stith. This Drury was born in 1800 and he passed away in 1838. The orphaned boys were adopted by Armistead Short the father of Rebecca Short Stith. The solution is highly desired by the author since it would bring a very prolific branch into the family. We need these Stiths for the reason of survival.

Lee Stith was selected by his University, the University of Arizona, Tucson, to serve as an agricultural consultant on cotton production to the Brazilian government during the summer of 1972. These assignments were actually under the direct supervision and control of the U. S. Government. In

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short, our government sent only their best representatives. Lee forgot to advise the author on this point probably because of modesty. So, if Lee must be modest, I will blow his horn loud and clear. Doctor Lee is also engaged in research on developing a hybrid cotton through the use of cytoplasmic male sterility. A cytogeneticist might understand this announcement, whereas the author will just have to fade away into the sunset.

The author would like to direct the reader's attendtion to the previously mentioned Estelle Stith Crabbe. Estelle, through much of her widely distributed material, had indicated that she would someday publish a family history. In 1967, the author wrote to "Estie," after receiving her address from a professional genealogist, and advised her that I would like to forward my material to her so that she could include it in her history. She answered the letter and advised that she was in ill health as a result of being attacked by blacks and robbed of her purse. She added that she would be glad to receive the material. The author answered her letter and there was no reply. Later the author was advised that "Estie" had passed away. All relatives that the author knows tried to find the historical and genealogical information that "Estie" possessed. In fact the author was advised that several Stith descendants flew to the west coast in search of information. They found nothing. The author, for that very reason, attempts to send copies of the history and the genealogical material to anyone who will accept

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it Further, the author has no desire to capitalize on or profit from the history or any Stith descendant. If the history and associated material is published by the author, it will be on a cost basis only. No profit is desired. The main purpose is that the Stith family and history be preserved. The author will provide copies to several university libraries at his expense. The reader is urged to do likewise. We are small, but we are here.

"Estie " Stith Crabbe had a nephew of whom she was very proud. His name was John Richard Stith. His father's name was John Paxton Stith, John Paxton's father was James Richard Stith; James Richard's father was named William Fletcher Stith; William Fletcher's father's name was Richard L. Stith; Richard L.'s father was Joseph Stith; Joseph's father was Richard Stith who married Lucy Hall. In her letter she states "What pleases me the most is that your great grandfather was Buckner Stith (1807-1856). I had wished many times I could locate more on this line. At this point will relate an incident which occurred in Reno, Nevada, some years ago. My late husband and I were watching a huge parade pass made up of Hollywood movie actors celebrating the opening of the movie, Virginia City. The parade stopped several times and, at one point, a beautiful horse stopped directly in front of me and looking up I recognized the late Buck Jones-all in all he was sturdy and handsome. I have often wondered if he could have been a descendant of Buckner

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Jones Stith." The author could not bring himself to tell her that Buckner Jones Stith got his name from Elizabeth Buckner who married Drury Stith (1695-1741).

Also, in the far, far west there was the previously mentioned Dr. Robert Marcus Stith. An excerpt from The National Cyclopaedia reads as follows:

"STITH, Robert Marcus, physician, was born in Galveston, Texas, July 22, 1874, son of Charles Augustus and Fannie Louisa (Hoopes) Stith. The founder of the family in America was John Stith who came from England before 1656 and settled on a 500 acre grant of land in Charles City County, VA. He was magistrate of Charles City County and was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses. From John and his wife, Jane ___, the descent is traced through Drury and Susanna Bathurst, Drury and Elizabeth Buckner, Richard and Lucy Hall, Benjamin and Phoebe Cox and Richard Marcus and Harriet Catharine Ferguson, the grandparents of Robert M. Stith. His grandfather was county judge of Jackson County, M., and served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. His father, who was also a Confederate soldier, was a commercial traveler and proprietor of a hotel in Woodville, Tex. Robert M.. Stith was a student at the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas and Iowa State College, and was graduated M.D. at the University of Pennsylvania in 1899. Later he served as a resident at the U.S. Marine Hospital, Savannah, Gal, and at the Presbyterian Hospital, Philadelphia.

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In October 1900, he went to Hawaii as physician and surgeon for the H. P. Baldwin sugar plantation, at Sprecklesville, Maui, but a year later he returned to the United States and in January 1902 he established a general practice in medicine and surgery in Seattle, Wash. From 1907 until 1911 he specialized in gynecology and obstetrics and in that period became lecturer in obstetrics at the Seattle General Hospital. In 1911, Stith made a comprehensive nation-wide study of American tuberculosis sanatoriums and was made chief of the division of tuberculosis control of the Seattle Health Department, serving in that capacity until his death. From 1911 until his death, he was also medical director of Firland, the municipal tuberculosis sanatorium of Seattle. During his administration the sanatorium developed from a few scattered temporary cottages located on thirty-four acres of land (later increased to forty-four acres) into one of the best institutions of this kind in the United States. At the time of his death, it consisted of a group of buildings capable of caring for 200 patients of all ages, with the most modern equipment for the treatment and rehabilitation of the patients. Its facilities included a power house, water system, golf course, ten acres of vegetable gardens, greenhouses, library, and courses of instruction in the domestic and mechanical arts. After Stith's death, the Robert M. Stith Memorial Library was established at the sanatorium in his honor. From 1933 to 1943 Stith was also consul-

163

tant in tuberculosis at the U.S. Marine Hospital, Seattle. He was medical referee of the Mutual Life Insurance Co., New York, from 1908 to 1934 and was directly responsible for the establishment of a city-controlled sanitary milk supply for the city of Seattle. During the First World War he served overseas as Medical Corps Captain with the 29th Coast Artillery being discharged honorably in March 1919. He was a fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of the American Medical Association, the Washington State and King County medical societies, National Tuberculosis Association, American Public Health Association, American Hospital Association, American Academy of Tuberculosis Physicians, American Trudeau Society, American College of Chest Physicians, King County Anti-Tuberculosis League, Seattle Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, and the Washington Athletic Club, Seattle. In religion he was an Episcopalian and in politics, a Republican. Stith was married in Philadelphia, Jan. 10, 1900 to Sarah Stryker, daughter of John Harry Lewis of that city, a plate printer, and had three children: Kathryn, who married Frank Elmer Johnson; Richard Lewis, and Roberta Marjorie Stith, who married Clifford Adrian Barnes. His death occurred in Seattle, Wash., June 22, 1943."

Since the author began the western compilation, Dr. Lee Stith has uncovered another western Stith. A Mrs. Neeley of Fabens, Texas. Mrs. Neely's mother was an Irby and a daughter

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of Sarah Stith and William B. Irby. This is from the branch of John Stith and Anne Washington. The author extends his heartiest "welcome home" to another fine Stith.

The final stages compiled by Lee S. Stith will reveal the heartbreak imposed on early Stith immigrants as they established a home for themselves and their children.

Narrated by C. H. Stith

William B. Stith, Jr., 1818, married a Miss Harle. She had a brother, Jim, who once lived in Young County, Texas, as a sheep man. He was also a prospector in California. This Jim Harle was a primary reason why William L. Stith left Kentucky and moved to Texas in 1886.

William B. Stith was probably born in Indiana just across the Ohio River from Brandenburg, Ky. In Indiana William B., Jr. was a tanner and by recollection of William L. (son) "he tanned lots of hide." William B. moved to Hardinsburg, Ky. and opened a General Store which he operated during the Civil War. There was a skirmish near the store. A Union soldier had attempted to burn the General Store by scattered coals of fire, but in his haste, the soldier scattered the coal and ran. The coal failed to ignite. Their home had a "Minnie Ball" penetrate the side of the house and lodge in a dresser drawer. A "Minnie Ball" was a smooth bore musket ammunition. William L. Stith was approximately 12 years at the time of the skirmish. He went uptown to see the excitement and took refuge under a tobacco barn. (The home is still standing in Hardinsburg as

165

of 1968. It had been reworked before 1949 when the original match yellow popular siding was removed. Carrol H. Stith was present in 1946, when the siding was being removed, and personally checked the hole in the wall referred to in his father's story. It had been filled with putty and was exactly as described by William L. Stith.)

William B. was still in business when William L. left for Texas, but died shortly thereafter (circa 1888).

The children of William B., Jr. and Mrs.____Harle Stith were Johnnie, William L., Cornelia, Lucy, Nannie, Hester, plus two girls who died in infancy.

William L. Stith, son of William B. Jr., born in 1855 in Indiana, and who moved to Hardinsburg,, Ky., was sent to Bewelyville, KY., to attend school (Beweleyville was better than Hardinsburg school). He boarded with the Drury family and married Lillie Drury.. He began farming near Bewelyville when Carroll R. was born Oct. 3, 1878. (see page

Uncle Jim Harle prevailed upon William L. to go to Texas. He arrived in Graham (Young County), Texas in January 1886 via train. The train stopped at Weatherford, Texas, and the family of four children took the stage to Graham where they lived for less than one year on rented land.

Drought forced William L. to move east 100 miles by ox team to Denton County in the summer of 1886 and he camped rent free in a log house. He rented land and made 2 crops before

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moving to another farm which he had bought and where he made a crop before his wife (Lillie) died in 1889. She was buried at Prarie Chapel (5 miles east of Sanger and 7 miles west of Pilot Point, Texas).

In about 1890, he married Vira Harris, and she lived less than two years. There were no children and she died at childbirth. She was buried at Prarie Chapel Community.

At the death of Lillie, Marion and William B. were sent to Kentucky and only Carroll, Thomas, and Eugene W. remained in Texas all the time. Marion and William B. returned to Texas when William Lee married Geanie Hogan about 1896. To this marriage there were born Hogan-1896, Lillie-1898, and Annie-l901.

With family (including Lillie, 3 months) William L. moved to near Tulia, Texas in Jan. 1899 via covered wagon from Denton County. An interesting episode occurred as they came upon top of a caprock. A snowstorm struck in the night while they were camped in a tent. The tent blew down on top of the family and Lillie, the baby, was placed on a feather bed wedged between two trunks to keep her warm. The rest slept on beds with tents on them. They were 16 days in transit.

William L. located about 1 mile south of Tulia on a claim that he bought or leased for 1 year and then moved west of Tulia 14 miles to a 4 section ranch he had filed on. This was in 1901 where Annie was born and lived there until he moved to New Mexico in about 1912.

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During the period 1899-1912, in addition to farming-which was essentially sorghum planted in the sod- he freighted between Canyon, Texas and Plainview, Texas. He hauled coal south to Plainview and Lubbock and everything north as Canyon was the closest railroad. He had two wagons. For awhile - 1 term - Marion, William, and Webb lived in Plainview to go to school and accumulated cattle.

William L. moved to Tatum, N. Mex., dried out, lost his cattle for lack of food. He was 90 miles from railroad. Moved to Lubbock, Tex. where he was living when Geannie (3rd wife) died in 1926. She was buried at Brownfield, Texas near her son Hogan who died there in 1918.

Wm. L. later traded this property for land at Pep, Texas and batched until he moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico with his son Carver H. where he lived until his death in 1935.

Wm. L. Stith can be characterized as a pioneering individual. To quote Carroll "when a neighbor got within 5 miles Dad was crowded."

Carroll H. Stith; b. 1878-moved with the family to Texas and "struck out" on his own when he was 21 (1899). He moved to Canyon, Texas on ranch and cut cedar posts. Later he rented a farm for a Mr. Trigg near the present site of Amarillo and farmed with his brother, Eugene W. They moved to Tulia and lived north of the original property.

In 1909, he married Kate Hobson and in 1910 they traveled by covered wagon to Las Cruces, N. Mex. where he became a

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prominent dairy farmer and leader. Kate died in 1934, and he married her sister Iris in 1936.

Eugene Webster Stith, b. 1881-1946; married Mary C. Street; two children-Katie Eugenia and Lee Street. He farmed and resided at Tulia for his entire life as farmer and cattleman. On January 16, 1910, arrived at Las Cruces after 16 days in a covered wagon (left Tulia Dec. 31, 1909). Took sideboards off wagon and made table for his new home which he used the rest of his life in his kitchen.

His home was a fort or outpost for protection when it was originally built some 100 years before he arrived. Winemaking was a business on the farm at one time and there were remains of winemaking equipment. A part of the farm (10 acres) was enclosed in an adobe wall and had grown mission grapes. It was said that the former owner refused to use banks and died suddenly, supposedly rather wealthy. As late as 1935, Mexican families would present maps to Mr. Stith showing location of the money and he permitted them to dig in his dairy corales in search of money.

This was called the "White Ranch" because sand was brought from across mountain, cooked and whitewashed the outside walls as well as inside. Was an old farm. The farm was a part of the Mesilla Colony Grant from Spain and was not surveyed until after it became a part of the U.S. The corner was established in reference to Bishops.

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Miscellaneous Stith Data

XII-B 4071 items and 2 vols.
1 item added, 5-31-68

3-15-35
11-15-50 Davidson County, N.C.
Recatalogued, 5-31-68
(Entered in the National Union Catalog of Manuscripts as
Alberta (Stith) Jones Gillingham Papers)

Alberta Bassett (Stith) Jones Gillingham was the daughter of Dr. Nicholas Long Bolling Stith, who graduated in medicine from the University of Pa. in 1829 and who lived in Halifax Co. and then in Raleigh. He had at least two other children, Anna Guion and Fred H. Stith. He and his brother A. B. Stith in 1854 bought 1000 shares of stock in the Ward gold mine, one of the largest mines in the Cid mining district of Davidson Co., North Carolina. Mrs. Gillingham inherited at least part of the properties which she came to hold in the Cid mining district. It appears from the papers that she mined gold, silver, copper, sulphur, and zinc. One of the mines which she came to own was the Ward mine.

The first husband of Mrs. Gillingham was J. Howard Jones, whom she married in 1881. Either before or after his marriage he, formerly of London, England, became a mine owner. In 1883, he was in Canada and Pa. trying to raise money, and in 1884 was at South Boston, VA., looking after mining interests. He died during the latter year. His wife continued her work as

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miner, farmer, music teacher, composer, and writer. For awhile her brother, Fred H. Stith, helped her look after her business interests, but they became estranged and a lawsuit followed. She and her only sister were estranged for many years, but they finally came to correspond regularly.

Wm. H. Bailey, Sr., a lawyer in Charlotte, was for some years Mrs. Gillingham's attorney and clandestine lover. There are many letters in this collection written by Bailey expressing his love for her as well as discussing business matters. By 1901 Bailey was living in Houston, Texas. He was then a poor and ill man.

By May 1905, Mrs. Gillingham had married her second husband, Capt. H. R. Gillingham, who since at least 1891 had been connected with mining around Cid. In that year he was supt. for the Silver Valley Mining Co. of Baltimore. He died during the later part of 1905. In 1924, Mrs. Gillingham was injured in a wreck and invalidism resulted. In 1930 she was an active supporter of Furnifold M. Simmons for re-election to the Senate.

This collection contains letters from banking and mining companies, various lawyers in N. C. - Mrs. Gillingham was involved quite often in suits.

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Stiths in the Civil War

It was difficult to ascertain where this section should be placed in the history so the author decided that since the war itself holds a special place in American History, it should be a separate section. The majority of the Civil War material was researched and compiled by Joyce Stith, wife of Hollis Stith, Iola, Kansas. The author is greatly indebted to Joyce Stith. She may not have been born a Stith, however, she more than deserves to be a part of the Stith Family History. Her "bloodline" is now a part of the Stith family through her daughter Barbara. The author extends this same thought of identification to all other fine ladies who marry into the Stith line and produce a Stith descendant.

The following is an account of Stiths in the Civil War:

* * * * * *

1. "Page 25, Chap X, Series I, Volume 3, Engagement Near Carthage, Mo., . . . General, it may be safely said that this brigade, your whole division, and the whole Army of the Missouri engaged in that day's battle have done the state some service. I have no means of computing the loss of the enemy. The loss of this brigade is as follows: killed, 2; wounded, 38; total casualties, 40.

Col. R. M. Stith, brigade quartermaster; Major George W. Morris, of Clay County, aide-de-camp, adjutant of the

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brigade Major Thomas M. McCrowder and Sgt. Maj. J. Thomas Whitfield, all of my staff, deserve honorable mention for the zeal, discretion, and gallantry with which they conveyed my orders to different parts of the field wherever duty led throughout the day. . .

R. W. Weightman, Colonel Commanding First Brigade, Second Division, M.S.G

Brig. Gen. James S. Rains July 5, 1861

Commanding Second Division Missouri State Guard. "

(Author's comment: Attention is invited to the fact that Col. R. M. Stith was in Missouri in July 1861. Later it will be noted that 1st Lt. Donald Chester Stith, U.S. Army, and a West Point Military graduate is still an officer in the U. S. Army in June 1861. Donald Chester Stith, graduated from the Military Academy in Sept. 1846. He came from Turkey, Maryland. The next excerpt will show that in June 1861, Donald C. Stith was still in the Union Army.)

2. "Page 43, Chap , Series I, Volume 4
Correspondence, etc.-UNION Headquarters Department of New Mexico
Santa Fe, N.Mex., June 23, 1861

His excellency Governor of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, N. Mex. Sir. The bearer of the communication, First Lieut. Donald C. Stith of the U. S. Army, has been commissioned by me to visit your excellency, for the purpose of asking your assistance in effecting the restoration of the train of wagons and a large quantity of stores, the property of the Government of the

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United States, which were carried into the state of Chihuahua in the month of March last, by William D. Kirk, then a wagonmaster in the U. S. Army. The flagrant robbery and breach of faith will be fully reprobated by your excellency, and I have the fullest confidence that you will at once, in the exercise of your powers, direct the restoration of the public property and the delivery of the robber (Kirk) into the hands of the accredited agent of the United States. Lieutenant Stith takes with him, for the information of your excellency, a full statement of the circumstances connected with this robbery, so that you can see at once the true history and merits of the case. He will also take inventories of the stolen property, in order that everything may be verified. When this property is restored to Lieutenant Stith I have the honor to request that your excellency will cause him to be furnished with any assistance that may be necessary to facilitate his return to this department, and if it should be needed that you will direct the train to be escorted to the frontier of Chihuahua where an escort from the troops of this department will meet it . .

Ed. R. S. Canby
Major Tenth Infantry, Bvt. Lt. Col. Comdg."

3. "Page 103, Chap X , Series I, Vol 4
Correspondence, etc. Confederate

* * * * * *

Adjutant-General's Office, State of Texas
Austin, Tex., September 9, 1861

174

Col. H. E. McCulloch,

Porv. Army C. S., Comdg. Dep't San Antonio, Tex.

COLONEL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 6th instant to the governor; also, in the same mail, one of the 5th instant, of Capt. D. C. STITH, C. S. Army, assistant adjutant-general, in reply to mine of the 29th ultimo, addressed to General Van Dorn"

(Author's comment: The date of Capt D. C. Stith's dismissal from the U.S. Army was 25 Sept 1861. Apparently, administrative inefficiency or red tape made Donald C. Stith's dismissal from the U.S. Army appear to be after the date when he was already a Captain in the Confederate Army. It should be noted that Col. H. E. McCulloch is not the McCulloch, Col. Robert McCulloch, whose brigade command is assigned to Col. Donald C. Stith's command in July 1863. The reference to Gen. Van Dorn brings up a question, is this the same Stith, a Major, mentioned by Gen. Earl Van Dorn in a letter written in July 1862?)

4. "Page 93, Chap_, Series II, Volume I

The Texas Surrender

*********

Hdqrs, Second Regiment Texas Mounted Rifles, Fort Brown, Tex., November 11, 1861

Captain D. C. Stith, Assistant Adjutant-General, C.S. Army, San Antonio, Tex.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that having received information from my spies of the presence of some escaped prisoners of war near the mouth of the Rio Grande I dispatched Captain

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Nolan and Lieutenant Lively, with twenty-three men, to that point with orders to retake them. They discharged the duty with prudence and propriety. A copy of Captain Nolan's report is enclosed. . . .

I have the honor to be, your obedient
servant

John S. Ford
Colonel, Commanding"

(The author assumes that this Capt. D. C. Stith is Donald Chester Stith, formerly a member of the Union Army in Texas. He apparently joined the Confederate Army in Texas. The reader may follow the same thought pattern of the author and assume that this same Donald C. Stith retreated with the CSA from Texas to Mississippi. Unfortunately, the trail of Donald C. Stith ends with the military communiques. Question-did he return to Maryland after the war? Donald C. Stith was no ordinary person, after fifteen years in the U. S. Army he felt the same allegiance to the South as General Robert E. Lee and joined the CSA. To the author, Donald C. Stith's
fate is equally important-at least it should be-to every person who claims to be a Stith descendant.)

5. "Page 325, Chap. X, Series I, Vol. 3

Engagement at Belmont, Mo., etc.

Hdqs, First Division Army at Columbus

Nov. 10, 1861

* * * * * *

Before the line of battle was formed I advanced three

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companies of skirmishers, taken from the regiments of Colonels Tappan, Pickett, and Freeman, under the command of Adjutant Stith, of Freeman's Regiment, to check the advancing column, so as to give me time to make the necessary dispositions for battle, using the utmost possible dispatch.

* * * * * *

GID J. PILLOW Brigadier-General

Col. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant General"

(The author notes the mention of Adjutant Stith. It is almost impossible to ascertain which Stith is involved. He was the Adjutant of Freeman's Regiment. If the author had access to the same military records available to the compiler, Joyce Stith of Iola, Kansas, the state from which Freeman's Regiment originated might offer leads as to where the mentioned Stith was from. Belmont village is not listed on most present day maps although some do list it. There is a Columbus, Kentucky almost on the Mississippi River opposite the State of Missouri and the above document refers to river bottoms and a Belmont village in Missouri. In a later excerpt we will find that F. Stith, Lieutenant and Adjutant, twenty-second Tennessee Infantry was captured by Union Forces on Jan. 27, 1863. F. Stith apparently knew the Shelby County, Tenn. area since the report mentions that he and others were on their way to that area to recruit personnel for the Confederate Army. No identification is possible at this time. There was a Dr. Ferdinand Stith in

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Buckner Stith's (1722-1791) line who married Miss C. Dickenson from Nashville, Tenn. They had a son, Ferdinand Stith who married Sally Hawkins of Tenn. An 1820 census of Tennessee shows a Ferdinand Stith in Williams Co. Tenn. which is just southwest of Nashville. It also shows a woman and two young females, unnamed.)

6 . "Page 19, Chap XXVIL, Series I, Col. 15, July 1862

VICKSBURG

* * * * * *

To the members of my staff, Majors Kimmel and Stith, assistant adjutant-generals

I return my thanks for the ready and efficient services rendered by them in their respective departments.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

EARL VAN DORN Major-General*

(Note that Donald C. Stith, a Captain and Assistant Adjutant General, in General VAN DORN's division in 1861 has been promoted to Major in 1862. Careful research of microfilmed Confederate Army records support this fact that Donald C. Stith is the Adjutant Stith referred to by Gen. Van Dorn.)

7. "Page 683, Chap XXIX, Series I, Vol 17, Part 1

VICKSBURG

* * * * * *

Maj. Donald C. Stith, brigade inspector, behaved with gallantry and coolness under fire and did good service.

EARL VAN DORN
Major-General"

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8. "Page 332, Chap XXVL, Series I, Vol. 24

Mississippi, West Tennessee, Etc.

**********

January 27, 1863,-On the march today captured the following Confederates, viz: F. M. Stewart, Lieutenant-Colonel, twenty-second Tennessee Infantry, F. Stith, Lieutenant and Adjutant twenty-second Tennessee Infantry. . . . In conversing with these officers, I found their intentions were to pass our lines during the night between Bolivar and Grand Junction and make their way to Shelby County, Tennessee. They undoubtedly were going to recruit for their regiment. . . .

Respectfully, your obedient servant Daniel M. Emerson Major Commanding First West Tennessee Cavalry"

(Author's comment: Memphis is located in Shelby County. F. Stith might possibly have been from somewhere in Shelby Co., Tenn. The Ferdinand Stith, a son of Dr. Ferdinand Stith of Tenn. who are listed in the Genealogical Section.)

9. "Page 764, Chap. XLIII, Series I, Vol. 1863

KY, SW. VA, TENN, MISS, N. ALA, AND N. GA. rest's command into West Tennessee. The object of your movement was agreed on between the major-general commanding and yourself while last at Oxford. I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant.

- D. C. Stith
Colonel and Chief of Staff"

179

(Author's comment: The above is a piecemeal excerpt and unit and its location would be indicated on page 763. The author does not have access to Civil War Volumes at this writing. Stith is now a full colonel whereas the last correspondence in 1862, listed him as a major in General Van Dorn's Division. He might have been reassigned to General Stephen D. Lee's command. General Lee was the commanding general of all the cavalry units in Mississippi. Donald C. Stith was a graduate of West Point Military Academy.)

10. "Page 764, Chap XLIII, Series I, Vol. 31, Part 3 KY, SW. VA, TENN, MISS, N. ALA,

General Orders HDQRS. CAVALRY IN MISSISSIPPI No. New Albany, November 29, 1863

I. Co. D. C. Stith, Provisional Army, C.S. having report for duty at these headquarters pursuant to Special Orders No. 381 from the Adjutant and Inspector General's Office, Richmond, Va., is announced as a member of the staff of the major general commanding. He will be obeyed and respected accordingly.

II. By direction of General Joseph E. Johnston, all trading with the enemy by any person is positively prohibited, and the troops of this command will use all precautions to prevent such traffic, and all wagons and cargoes seized in violation of this order will be confiscated to the government.

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III. No permission will be granted to persons to pass beyond the lines of this command.

By order of Major-General Lee:

D. C. Stith

Colonel and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General

(Author's comment: The author believes that a thorough study of the command structure of the Confederate Army in Mississippi, and the actual situation of troop movements and assignments should be reviewed before any understanding can be derived from the excerpts that follow. The reader will find documents, included herein, where Col. D. C. Stith is ordered from General Lee's Headquarters in New Albany, Miss. to Abbeville, Miss. for the purpose of assuming command of the First Mississippi Partisan Rangers. Col. Stith never assumed command of this cavalry regiment as indicated by Brigadier-General Jas. R. Chalmers. It might be construed that the unit was not exactly a sharp, first line, fighting unit. This is not an unusual situation for a Confederate Army unit composed of conscripts and officers who commanded on somewhat loose or non-militaristic terms.)

11. "Page 530, Chap XLIV, Series I, Vol. 32, Part 2

KY, SW.VA., TENN, MISS, ALA., AND N. GA.

* * * * * *

Headquarters Chalmers' Cavalry
Near Como, January 8, 1864

Maj. G. W. Holt, Assistant Adjutant General:

* * * * * *

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MAJOR:

The First Mississippi Partisan Rangers was once very large, but it was organized under authority granted by Major-General Price, August 1862. The conscript officers would not recognize the authority, and attempted to conscript the men sometime in November 1862. Colonel Falkner made application to the War Department and was authorized to reassemble his regiment, both conscripts and non-conscripts, except such as had been regularly enrolled by conscript officers.

Under this authority he reassembled his regiment in February 1863, but in the meantime a number of the men had attached themselves to other organizations to that the number reassembled never constituted a full regiment.

Col. Falkner having resigned, and there being too few men in the regiment, considering its recent organization, to justify the promotion of officers, I made the consolidation above alluded to under the following field officers: L. B. Hovis, First Mississippi, Colonel; A. H. Chalmers, Eighteenth Mississippi, Lieutenant-Colonel; J. M. Park, First Mississippi, Major. Colonel Stith, who was ordered to take temporary command of the First Mississippi, was requested by the officers not to do so, and therefore did not report to me for duty.

Your obedient servant,
JAS R. CHALMERS
Brigadier-General"

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12. "Page 865, Chap XLIII, Series I, Vol. 31, Part 3

CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-CONFEDERATE

Organization of the Cavalry in Mississippi, commanded by Maj. Gen. Stephen D. Lee, C.S. Army, December 24, 1863.*

Escort
Capt. T. M. Nelson
JACKSON'S DIVISION

Brig. Gen. William H. Jackson

* * * * * *

CHALMERS ' COMMAND
Brig. Gen. James R. Chalmers

Slemons' Brigade
Col. W. F. Slemons
2d Arkansas Cavalry, Capt Thomas M. Cochran

3d Mississippi State Cavalry,
Col. John McGuirk

18th Miss. Battalion Cavalry,
Lt. Col. Alexander H. Chalmers

McCulloch's Brigade
Col. Robert McCulloch
1st Miss. Partisan Rangers,**
Maj. J. M. Park

19th Miss. Battalion, Lt.
Col. Wm. L. Duff

2d Missouri Cavalry, Lt.
Col. R. A. McCulloch

(Author's comment: It is assumed that Col. D. C. Stith did not take command of the 1st Mississippi Partisan Rangers. There
appears to be no further indication of what happened to General Lee's Command, Jackson's Division, Chalmers' Command, and Col. D. C. Stith. The author's military experience causes him to conclude that the 1st Mississippi Partisan Rangers was a
military unit that caused concern on the part of each subsequent

*But see organization of Jackson's Division as reported Dec. 25, p. 866.

**Col. D. C. Stith assigned Dec 21 to temporary command of this regiment.

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level of command. It should be noted that Gen. Jackson saw fit to reorganize the unit after Colonel Falkner resigned his command. It is equally obvious that General Stephen P. Lee was aware of difficulties within the 1st Mississippi when he orderd Col. D. C. Stith to take command of the unit. The proper military "chain of command" would have required Col. D. C. Stith to report initially to Gen. Jackson. This is correct or proper military procedure. Instead, we find that Col. D. C. Stith (a West Point graduate and veteran of fifteen years of service in the U. S. Army) contacted the 1st Mississippi and was subsequently asked by the officers of that unit "not to assume command." In the personal opinion of the author Col. D. C. Stith was spared the embarrassment of being saddled with the command of a troublesome unit. Consider that Col. D. C. Stith was aprofessional officer trained at the U.S. Military Academy and had fifteen years military experience. The 1st Mississippi was, as named, a partisan unit. This marriage was destined to be incompatible. The officers were not about to let an outsider take over their unit. The author isn't well versed or oriented on the command function or personnel assignment policies of the Confederate or Union Armies, and realizes that he could be wrong. However, the author witnessed many instances where an outsider was sent in to straighten out a poorly operating military unit. Of course, in the present day army, the officers of the troubled unit woudl not be able to refuse the change in commanders.

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13. "Page 650, Chap LIL, Series I, Vol. 40, Part 2

OPERATIONS IN SE, VA, AND N.C.

General S. Cooper Richmond, Va., June 13, 1864

Adjutant and Inspector General:

GENERAL: I have the honor to report that up to this time my efforts or organize the Maryland Line have been fruitless. I found about fifty of Gilmor's dismounted men at Staunton, and only about thirty transferred men reported to me at Camp Maryland. They were sent from Charleston, and were men who have been confined in jail. When General Imboden was pressed in the Valley I sent this detachment of about eighty men, under Captain Stith, to join his forces. . . .

With great respect, your obedient servant
ARNOLD ELZEY, Major General

(Author's comment: I feel sorry for this poor relative. Sounds like a hopeless mess.)

14. "Page 375, Chap. XXXIV, Series I, Vol. 22

June 1863 We captured in all 3 bushwhackers, killed 1, captured 7 head of horses, 1 government mule, 4 saddles, 1 Austrian rifle, 2 revolvers, 1 musketoon, and a quantity of clothing and boots and shoes, which they said they had taken from the store of Mr. Stith, near Lebanon. . . .

I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant J. C. Smith
Captain Company H, Fifth Missouri State Militia Cavalry

Major FISCHER
Commanding Waynesville, Mo."

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(Although the author is aware that Mr. Stith was a civilian, and therefore a noncombatant, this particular dispatch is included in order that some light might be shed on another Stith. The author realizes that numerous Stiths were located in Lebanon and surrounding towns or areas. It is hoped that some member of the Stith family might read this be able to make specific identification.)

15. "Page 427, Chap XXVIL, Series 130 I, Vol. 15

CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.- UNION

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF

New Orleans, May 16, 1862 To the Mayor and Gentlemen of the City Council of New Orleans: In the report of your official action, published in the Bee of the 16th instant, I find the following extracted resolution, with the action of part of your thereon, viz: The following preamble and resolution, offered by Mr. Stith, were read twice and adopted; the rules being suspended, were on motion sent to the assistant board.

Yeas: Mr. De La barre, Forstall, Huckins, Rodin, and Stith-5 Whereas it has come to the knowledge of this council that for the first time in the history of this city a large fleet of the Navy of France is about to visit New Orleans, of which fleet the Catina, now in our port is the pioneer; this council bearing in grateful remembrance the many ties of amity and good feeling. . .

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(Author's comments: To make a long story short, the committee, of which Gerard Stith, ex-mayor of New Orleans (1858-1860) was a member, was taking it upon themselves to invite a fairly large French naval force into New Orleans. Why they were taking such action is probably recorded in the history of that great city. Gerard Stith, in 1863, is found to be imprisoned at Fort Pickens, Alabama, along with other important city officials, including the currently elected mayor. The author assumes that Gerard Stith, originally from Virginia, and the son of Griffin Stith (1753-) and Mary {Alexander) Stith, protested once too often. The Union Army commander, General Butler, in addition to other strong terminology, replied to their "official action" in the following manner.):

* * * * * * .

"The offer of freedom of a captured city by the captives would merit letters-patent for its novelty were not the doubts of its usefulness as an invention. The tender of its hospitalities by a government to which police duties and sanitary regulations only are intrusted is simply an invitation to the calaboose or the hospital . . .

The action of the city council in this behalf must be reversed.

BENJ. F. BUTLER
Major-General, Commanding"

(Author's comment: Gen. "Beast" Butler wasn't taken in by

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the actions of Gerard Stith and others. It appears that the presence of a French Naval Force in the port of New Orleans could have presented some problems. The author admires the efforts of his distant relative ex-mayor Gerard Stith. Right or wrong, he, and others, were at least "working" and not just standing around. History has recorded the harsh hand of General Butler who earned the title, "Beast.")

16. "Page 425, Chap , Series II, Vol 5

CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION 1863
(Inclosure-From Memphis Daily Appeal)
FROM PENSACOLA-PRISONERS DETAINED
* * * * * *

Mr. Leggett also states that the Honorable John T. Monroe, mayor of New Orleans; J. B. Leefe, member of the late finance committee of that city: Gerard Stith, ex-mayor, Doctor Mackin, of the True Delta . . . nearly all prominent and influential citizens of New Orleans, are there as prisoners kept in close confinement and subjected to hard labor and the most brutal treatment. He says that these unfortunate men express considerable dissatisfaction with their own government which they think has abandoned them to their cruel fate-- absolutely forgotten their existence. Perhaps this is not just, and there may be some insuperable obstacle to an interposition. Certainly no men are more deserving of the care of the powers at Richmond. They are generally men of excellent character . . .

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(Author's comment: Numerous other pleas for release were sent to government agencies. One such document is contained on page 542, Chap _, Series II, Vol. 5, 1863. It is signed by RO. OULD, Agent of Exchange. Mrs. Ina Faust, a Stith descendant, residing in New Orleans as of July 1973, advised the author that upon Gerard Stith's release from prison (no date) Gerard worked for the Times-Picayune, a New Orleans newspaper, for several years. According to Ina Faust, Gerard Stith's health broke suddenly in 1880 and he returned to VA. Records indicate that his wife and young daughter also moved to Virginia. The author has since discovered that Gerard returned to Wythville, VA where he died in 1880. Ina Faust, at a cost of $500, had Gerard Stith's portrait restored and it now hangs on the second floor of a building named Gallier Hall, a building in New Orleans, LA.)

17. A recent publication from "Dixie," March 26, 1972, which appears to be a magazine type supplement to the Times-Picayune of the same date. The article entitled "Ballots or Bullets" read in part as follows:

"The American Party--the Know Nothings--controlled city hall. Long established Creoles and immigrant Germans and Irish were on the outside looking in. The government was giving them the short end of stick and too often it was a night stick wielded by a tough American police force.

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In an attempt to gain power, the Creoles united with the Germans and Irish to form the Independent Party and nominated
Maj. P.G.T. Beauregard, a hero of the Mexican-American War, as its mayoral candidate. Many independents felt that violence
would be used by the American Party to keep them from the polls during the June 7 election. As a result, they formed the Viligance Committee, seized Jackson Square and offered voters armed election day escorts.

The 'Know Nothings' had no intentions of giving up city hall without a fight and united behind their candidate, Gerard Stith. The area around Lafayette Square began taking on the appearance of an armed camp. Democrats and Whigs thought discretion tine' better part of valor and stayed on the side lines.

Mayor C. M. Waterman tried desperately to keep order. He finally hammered out an agreement between the city and leaders of Vigilance Committee by swearing in its private army as a special police force to help supervise the election. Ballots not bullets would determine Waterman's successor.

The American Party showed enough clout to keep control. Stith polled 3, 851 votes, 131 more than Beauregard.

But the Independent Party won its goals although it lost the election. Through its efforts, balloting was honest. And Stith proved a capable mayor. He reformed city hall and turned the police into a fair and efficient force. "

Submitted by: Mrs. H. Kent Foil
Metairie, LA

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(Author's comment: The above excerpt from Dixie, March 26 1972 was provided by Mrs. Ina Faust, 29 Maryland Drive, New Orleans. One of Gerard's daughters Mary Waterman Stith who died in 1858, age 11 months, was named after Mayor Waterman. )

The following is an extract from a biography by the City Library of New Orleans:

Colonel Gerard Stith

Gerard Stith was elected the fifteenth Mayor of New Orleans on June 7, 1858, being the candidate of the American or "Know Nothing" party . . . Stith, it appears, was very much disliked and this prejudice lasted for many years up to the stirring days of the war between the states.

Stith was born in Fairfax County, in 1821, the fourth son of Griffin Stith and Mary Dent Alexander. His family was prominent in the affairs of Virginia. Stith left his home at an early age and resided in Washington City (author's comment: in Louisiana) as a printer. His first work was done in the printing house of Gideon. Subsequently, he was engaged at the office of the Globe Newspaper . . . He married Miss Clara Morsell, daughter of Judge Morsell of that city . . . first came to New Orleans in 1845 (author's comment: Gerard was 24 years old in 1845) in the office of the old Bulliten . . . His

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connection with the Picayune began in the fall of 1845 and he was, in fact, if not in name, the real editor of that paper . . . He was also the first president of the New Orleans Typographical Union . . .

Stith's administration was featured by several items of importance. No mayor before him ever had, as he had, a definite policy with regard to public improvements. The need for enforcement of sanitary measures prompted him to advocate extension of granite block paving, improved street drainage, and the reclamation of the swamps between the city and the lake. . . The Mayor introduced system of flushing the gutters with water from the river, pumped for this purpose by a plant established on the levee facing the city . . .

Stith was a man of strong personality and great independence of mind. His popularity no doubt suffered through these traits, but they helped him in correcting a great number of abuses which were committed by the administration, so that in bidding him farewell in an editorial published the day he left office, the Picayune was able to say that his period of service was the beginning of a new epoch in city affairs. No man ever left office with as much assurance for future popularity. After leaving the post of Mayor, he became a foreman for the "Delta" and later returned to his post as foreman of the Picayune.

The failure of his health was sudden and unexpected. As a very ill man, he left his home at 83-85 Gasuet Street, near

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Canal, to return to his old homestead at Wythville, Virginia, where he died. He was survived by his wife and one daughter, two children having died in infancy, and one manly son having succumbed to the yellow fever epidemic of 1878. (Author's comment: Another account says his body was returned to his Westville, VA home in Fairfax Co. VA.)

The author invites the reader's attention to the fact that Gerard Stith was a nephew of Commodore Lawrence Washington Stith, who settled in Vicksburg, Miss., circa 1840. The author came across a Tennessee census of Tipton Co. which indicates that a Lawrence W. Stith resided in that county prior to 1840. The ages of his children are correct; however, there is an additional male between the age of 10 and 15. None of Lawrence's sons were near this age. The question is raised, "Was that extra male Gerard Stith?"

18. Attention is now focused on one of Lawrence W. Stith's sons, James Henry Stith who participated in the duel with Henry Vick in Mobile, Alabama. At the expense of being redundant, the author will repeat that the Alabama Historical Journal incorrectly listed Lawrence W. Stith as one of the combatants. James H. Stith married a Miss Castleton, and they had a son, James Stith. James Henry was a Captain in the Confederate Army and he was killed in the Battle of Vicksburg in 1863. Anne Montgomery died in 1849 the same year in which

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Leona Stith was born. Lawrence W. and his daughter, Leona, died in 1867. There is no further trace of this family.

19. The following newspaper article was provided by Joyce Stith, Iola, Kansas and the author is grateful for the amount of help she has so diligently contributed:

"From an old newspaper, Chilicother, Mo.:

The fate of twenty-four years 'Junius B. Stith, a Confederate soldier--His death in Marion, Alabama'

Mr. J. J. Stith of Jackson Township, who is in Chilicothe this week serving as a member of the grand jury, yesterday received the following two letters, one from his brother, Junius B. Stith, a Confederate soldier, written on his deathbed, and the other from Miss Jennie C. McElroy, giving an account of the soldier's death. There was no opportunity in those dark days to send letters through the lines and a note accompanying the following letters explains that Miss McElroy herself died about the close of the war, and her papers passed into the hands of her family. Recently her brother, a mere lad in the time of the war, in looking over his dead sister's correspondence, found the two mentioned above, and at once wrote a letter to 'Miss M E. Stith, Chilicothe, Mo.' with a request to the postmaster Smith to open if no such lady called for it; and, if possible, find some trace of the lady or her family. Mr. Smith at once recognized the address as the maiden name of Mr. J. M. Girdner of Jackson Township, and he

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lost no time in informing the family. The writer stated that he had two letters in his possession that were of interest to the family of Junius B. Stith, a deceased Confederate soldier. That was the first news of the fate of the long, lost brother, though a vague report of his death somewhere in the South, reached his brother J. J. Stith in the Confederate Army. His death and burial were as a sealed book to his family until the receipt of the following old letters yesterday:

Marion, Perry Co. Alabama

August 18, 1863

Dear Father, Brother, Sister and Relatives I arrived here on the 25th of July. I am just from Vicksburg, Miss. as a paroled prisoner of war, confined to my bed with chronic diarrhea. Having been, my sister, confined in Alton, Ill.; you know, it is most impossible for me to recover from anything; yet I intended to write to you all a little. Oh, my sister! If I could only see you, my sister, to press you to my heart--to press you to my heart once more. 'Twould be unbounded goodness. My sister, you are a Christian. My sister you knew me and my brother were wild and reckless boys, and sought the pleasures of the world, but my father prayed for us morning, noon, and night. My aunts, you are Christians and prayed for me and my brother. Great God, be with us.

Signed J. B. Stith

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Marion, Alabama, Sept. 22, 1863

To Miss M. E. Stith

It is with heartfelt sorrow that I attempted to perform a duty which I owe to the deceased as well as to his friends. Your brother Junius B. Stith is no more. He departed this life the 14th of August.

Being prompted by the noblest feelings of humanity and sympathy, and knowing the anxiety of a sister's heart, I shall endeavor to give you all the particulars of your brother's death. My brother formed his acquaintance in the hospital at Vicksburg of which he had been an inmate for several days. Brother was wounded and on his entrance into the hospital met with the kindest attention from your brother. This so much endeared him to brother's heart that he brought him home with him so he could have ample opportunity to return the kindness. He had been sick 60 days when he came here and lived only three weeks afterwards. He was not entirely confined to his bed until the last week. His suffering was not intense, but daily and gradually he wore away. He lacked no attention and was attended by a very skillful and successful physician, and I know that everything was done that could be done to stay the hand of death; but alas to no avail. He often spoke of his sister and

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his aunts and expressed a desire to see them, but he said, notwithstanding, he was in a strange land far away from loved ones at home, he felt that he was among warm and true friends.

My mother, the best of mothers, told him she would treat him as her own son and he replied, 'Mrs. McElroy, you seem just like my own mother.' He was the most patient, kind, and grateful invalid I ever saw. The night before he died he said, 'The attention I have received has been more than man could expect of man, and I have nothing to leave but the warmest regards of my heart.' His remains were interred in the soldiers' graveyard in Marion, Alabama.

Your friend,
(s) Jennie C. McElroy

(Author's comment: I have visited the soldiers' graveyard in Marion, Alabama. There were approximately thirty small grave markers. There were no names on the markers. I found this to be strange especially since Junius B. Stith was known by the McElroys. There are no McElroys located in Marion, Alabama.)

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"Stith, Lewis B., Private

Resided in Sampson Co. where he enlisted at age 25, March 6, 1862, for the war. Present or accounted for until wounded at Chancellorsville, VA., May 2-3, 1863. Returned to duty prior to July 1-3, 1863, when he was captured in Gettysburg, Pa. Confined at Fort Delaware, Del., until transferred to Point Lookout, Md., Oct. 15-18, 1863. Paroled at Point Lookout on Oct. 11, 1864 and transferred to Cox's Wharf, James River, Va., where he was received Oct. 15, 1864 for exchange. Returned to duty subsequent to Dec. 31, 1864, was present or accounted for until captured at or near Farmville, Va., on or about April 6, 1865. Confined at Newport News, Va., until released on June 25, 1865 after taking the oath of allegiance.

P. 509-510
N.C. Troops 1861-1865
Vol. VI Infantry
N.C. State Archives, Raleigh, N.C."

Copied by Virginia Stith Carr (G. granddaughter)

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The Dalton Stith Family
Virginia Stith Carr

Dalton Stith, a son of Oscar Stith and his wife Mary F. Adams, was born in Pikeville, N.C. in 1898. He grew up in Pikeville where his father died while Dalton was in his early teens. As he was the only living son, he and his mother "Minne," a practical nurse, helped to provide for his sisters.

Dalton married Virginia Fourhman, a milliner from Stiltz, Pa. He met her while she was in Goldsboro on business. Mabel worked at the Hat Shoppe next to the Paramount Theater for awhile. She loved to make hats and was always making hats for her friends. They lived in Goldsboro all their married life, except for a short time in 1924 when they lived in La Grange, N. C.

Dalton was Chief Deputy Sheriff in Wayne County under Sheriff Bob Edwards. From then until his death, he was in the oil business. He spent his last 30 years with Dumas-Giddens Oil Company as general manager. My brothers and I have fond memories of going with daddy on the oil truck when we were small. He would make many stops, but always had time for a friendly chat with all of his customers. He was a person who never met a stranger and loved everyone he met. He especially loved children and when the circus came to town, he would get popcorn, peanuts, and candy and take all the neighborhood children for an afternoon of fun at the circus.

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An animal lover, also, Dalton enjoyed raising goats until a city ordinance would no longer permit them in the city. He had several customers he provided with goat milk. Daddy said it was good, but none of the family would taste it. He loved bull dogs and one of his last pets was a parrot, "Charlie."

Dalton and Mabel were active in the Methodist Church until The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church was organized. They were charter members and active in the church until their deaths. The Mabel Stith Memorial Garden was dedicated in her memory December 14, 1980.

Dalton and Mabel had three children. William Fourhman, eldest, born in Goldaboro, N. C.; then Frances Virginia, born in La Grange, N.C., and then Max Dalton, born in Goldsboro, N. C. All grew up and married in Goldsboro. William and Virginia still live in Goldsboro, and Max lives in Glen Allen Virginia. William "Bill" retired from the Air Force as a CMSgt. with 30 years of service. Max retired from the Army as a Sgt. Major with 23 years of service.

Dalton died in 1956. Mabel was independent and active and lived in their home until four months before her death on June 19, 1978. They are buried in Willow Dale Cemetery, Goldsboro. Virginia Stith Carr

For names and dates: See genealogical charts section. Footnotes by author:

The author enjoyed meeting John and Virginia S. Carr.

They make a very attractive and pleasant couple and are very

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much involved with their family--which, in the author's opinion, is somewhat unusual in many parts of our country today. I am glad to find members of the Stith family who are dedicated to the ideals and principles that make for an outstanding nation. I ran across Dalton Stith's name twenty years ago. I've been interested in the name since I served under a Colonel Dalton in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He was our Regimental Commander and a fearless person in combat. When the fighting became heavy, he would show up in the front line and boost our morale. Now I know who Dalton Stith was and I am equally impressed with the family he left behind him.