The Stamps Family

Miles Stamps, my great-great-grandfather, born October 31, 1816 in South Carolina, married on December 21, 1835 in Williamson County Tennessee to Amanda Jane Horton, born July 24, 1818 in Franklin County, Tennessee, died June 11, 1893 in Bibb County Alabama. The obituary, Blocton Courier, Friday, June 16, 1893, "Mrs. John Robinson, an old and highly respected lady, who has been sick for some time, died at 7 o'clock Sunday morning and her remains were followed to their last resting place at Mt. Carmel Monday morning by a large concourse of sorrowing friends and relatives." She was the daughter of Jonathan J. Horton, who served as a Private in the South Carolina Military in the War of 1812 and Jennett T. West, daughter of Revolutionary War soldier Simeon West, died in 1842 in Franklin County Tennessee and Cynthia Shearman (married September 25, 1797 in South Carolina). As indicated in the estate settlement in Shelby County Alabama, Jonathan J. Horton died July 18, 1865. He was a brother to the "well-known" Rev. Hardy J. Horton that died in Shelby County Alabama on May 15, 1866. Their father was John Horton, a Revolutionary War Patriot, that died August 16, 1813 in Kershaw District South Carolina. John Horton served in the Militia under Lt.C. Eli Kershaw; Col. Joseph Kershaw; and Francis Marion.

The parents of Miles Stamps were Elijah Stamps, born about 1783 in North Carolina, and Elizabeth Chennault, daughter of Reuben Chennault, died in 1845 in Madison County Alabama. Elijah Stamps and Elizabeth Shenatt married in Warren County Kentucky on November 2, 1808. The October 22, 1850 Talladega County Alabama census records enumerated Elijah Stamps, age 67 years, born in North Carolina, and his wife, Elizabeth Stamps, age 57 years, born in Georgia. The 1860 census indicates they were living in Wewokaville in Talladega County Alabama. He served as a Constable in Talladega County for many years. The obituary, Alabama Reporter, dated January 6, 1869 in Talladega County Alabama, "Capt. Elijah Stamps, of Wewoka, another of our oldest citizens, has gone to the grave. Captain Stamps was an old man when Talladega county was settled, and was one of its pioneers. Those who knew him well say that he was not far from ninety years of age. He rode up to town and brought the returns of the November election, and we believe had been the regular returning officer for his precinct for more than thirty-five years. His pilgrimate on earth is ended - may he find rest beyond the grave." In The Agricultural Journal of James Mallory, 1843-1877, "Fear God and Walk Humbly", Page 393, 1868 - December 23 "... Our near and much esteemed neighbours, Captn. Stamps and his wife are very ill. Page 394, 1868 - December 24 "Our neighbours both died today" and December 25 "The old people were buried in the same grave, as in life they lived so in death they were not divided, they had been married sixty years." The footnotes, page 627 indicates No. 14: "Elijah Stamps, who was eighty-six years old, and his wife, Elizabeth, both died on December 24, 1868. they were buried in the same grave."

Miles and Amanda Stamps had four sons, (1) Taylor Stamps, born October 31, 1836 in Tennessee, (2) William M. Stamps, born April 29, 1838 in Tennessee, (3) John Wesley Stamps, born April 5, 1841 in Tennessee, and (4) Francis Marion Stamps, born February 27, 1843 in Shelby County Alabama. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE STAMPS FAMILY BIBLE OF JOHN WESLEY & REBECCA A. (GARDNER) STAMPS. This Bible was first seen by me in 1968 in the possession of their Grandson Thomas J. Stamps, 1912-1980, at his home in Birmingham, Alabama. (The page that has the publisher and date is missing from this Bible.)

After the death of Miles Stamps in Shelby County Alabama, his wife, Amanda Stamps, married on June 29, 1848 to John R. Robinson, born about 1830 in Tennessee. Amanda Jane (Horton) Stamps Robinson, born July 24, 1818 in Franklin County, Tennessee, died June 11, 1893 in Bibb County Alabama. The obituary, Blocton Courier, Friday, June 16, 1893, "Mrs. John Robinson, an old and highly respected lady, who has been sick for some time, died at 7 o'clock Sunday morning and her remains were followed to their last resting place at Mt. Carmel Monday morning by a large concourse of sorrowing friends and relatives." John and Amanda Robinson had six children, all born in Shelby County Alabama, (1) Mary Elizabeth Robinson, born about July 1849. Mary E. Robinson married Andrew J. Jarvis on July 6, 1871 in Shelby County Alabama and on January 2, 1879 Mary E. Jarvis married Wiley J. Harris in Shelby County Alabama. His parents were Ross F. and Rhoda (Prestridge) Harris. The first marriage of Wiley Harris was to Nancy Elizabeth Essman, daughter of Thomas Essman and Martha Jane (Fulton) Essman in Shelby County Alabama on December 15, 1872. They had no children. The Shelby Sentinel, dated August 28, 1879, "Elliottsville Locals ... "One Wiley Harris, who was arrested for living in adultery, has taken his woman and her brats and left for parts unknown. The State of Alabama, however, is all right as he left a good bond." The 1870 census indicates Ross F. Harris, age 55 years, and his children Wyley, Emily, Charles and Annie were living in Autauga County Alabama. The 1880 census indicates Wiley and Mary Harris and children *John (age 9 years), *William (age 7 years) and *Lela Harris (age 5 years) were living in Randolph, Bibb County, Alabama. Her children were John W. Harris (1871-1936), buried in McCormack Cemetery in Dora, Jefferson County, Alabama), William Harris (about 1872- ) and Lela Harris (about 1875-1947). Wiley's brother Charles "Charley" Harris and family were living next househould to them. Both Wiley and Charley were working in a saw mill. The obituary for Wiley Harris, The Shelby Chronicle, dated August 3, 1892, "Last week there was a fearful boiler explosion at Albright's Saw Mill, fourteen miles north of Columbiana, causing the death of two men. The details so far received are very meagre, and we can only give an imperfect account of the accident. Albert Day, a young man, was blown at least two hundred yards, and his body was found lodged in a tree fearfully mangled. Wiley Harris was instantly killed. He leaves a wife and several children...." The 1900 Bessemer, Jefferson County, Alabama census indicates (as boarders) Thomas Robbins, born September 1830 in North Carolina, Mollie Robbins, born July 1849 in Alabama, her parents born in Tennessee, (married 11 years, 3 children born and living), John W. Harris, born March 1871 in Alabama, (Lela E. Jarvis married in Jefferson County Alabama on June 20, 1889 to Louis Dennis.) Lela Dennis, widowed, born November 1874 in Alabama and her children Willie (male, Willie E. Dennis, born June 7, 1891 in Alabama, died September 4, 1943 in US Naval Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his wife was Mrs. Helen Dennis) and Hazel (female). Among other boarders were Eugene Stamps, born October 1872 in Alabama, his parents born in Alabama. They all were living in the household with Peter Zotalus, born August 1872 in Greece. (The Jefferson County Alabama marriage record indicates Peter Zotales age 36 years, married on September 27, 1904 to Leila Jarvis, age 28 years.) In 1940 Lela Zotales (widow, Peter) was living in household with Charles Zotales in Jefferson County Alabama. Lela Zotales died June 28, 1947 in Tuscaloosa. According to the 1910 census Peter and Leila E. Zatoles were living in Montevallo, Shelby County, Alabama. His mother-in-law, living with them, was Mollie E. Robbins, widowed, born about 1849 in Alabama her parents born in Tennessee. Peter Zotales died August 10, 1923 in Jefferson County Alabama and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery. In 1920 James A. Wooderd (Woodard), age 33 years, and his wife Sarrah A., age 30 years, born in Alabama (her parents were T.P. Robbins and Addeline Hays) were living in Shiloh, Lawrence County Alabama. Living with them was her step-mother Mary Robbins, age 71 years, born in Alabama, her parents born in Tennessee. Sarah J. Woodward died in December 1927 in Lawrence County Alabama. The 1930 Walker County Alabama census indicates Mary E. Harris, age 82 years, born in Alabama, her parents born in Tennessee, was living with son John W. Harris and family. John Wesley Harris, 1871-1936. If anyone can supply further information please contact Bobby Joe Seales. (2) John Leon Robinson, born about 1851, died September 8, 1896 in Shelby County Alabama. On March 23, 1879 in Shelby County Alabama he married Sarah J. Fancher, died in Jefferson County Alabama on October 4, 1922 at the age of 73 years. She was buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Jefferson County Alabama. Their children were * Julia Robinson, 1882-1957, married in Shelby County Alabama on February 25, 1901 to Edgar English Echols, 1869-1931. * Mae Helen Robinson, 1886-1930, married Clyde Augustus Fletcher (1887-1935), buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Jefferson County Alabama. * Lillie B. Robinson, died September 24, 1964 in Tuscaloosa County Alabama at the age of 78 years. * John Leon Robinson, born January 6, 1892. No further information on this family. If anyone can supply further information please contact Bobby Joe Seales. (3) Columbus L. Robinson, born about 1854, died September 13, 1918 in Jefferson County Alabama. He married in Shelby County Alabama on May 20, 1875 to Virginia A. "Jennie" Motes. He is buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Bessemer, Jefferson County, Alabama. (4) Catherine J. Robinson, born September 21, 1857, died May 2, 1884 and is buried in Elliottsville Cemetery in Shelby County Alabama. She married on December 13, 1876 in Shelby County Alabama to Edward Harrison Atchison, 1855-1940. (5) Franklin Davis Robinson, a.k.a. Franklin David Robinson, born August 18, 1861, died January 18, 1955 in Jefferson County Alabama. He is buried in Columbiana City Cemetery in Shelby County Alabama. His first wife was Delia A. Holsomback, married in Shelby County Alabama on April 12, 1883. Their children were * Elsie Lee Smith, 1884-1968, wife of John Franklin Smith * Maggie Majors, 1887-1924, wife of William Franklin Majors. Franklin D. Robinson's last marriage was in Bibb County Alabama on December 3, 1893 to Mary A. Splawn, 1874-1928. They had 9 children. The obituary, Shelby County Reporter, dated January 27, 1955, "Frank D. Robinson, 93, a retired blacksmith died January 19, at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Jim P. Thomas, at Fairfield, after an illness of several years. Funeral services were held on January 20, at Angwin-Service Chapel with the Rev. Ralph Fields and Elder G.M. Walker officiating. Burial was in Columbiana cemetery. Mr. Robinson made his home in Columbiana all of his life until he moved to Birmingham 15 years ago. He was an honorary member of the Fairfield First Baptist Church and the Antioch Primitive Baptist Church. In addition to Mrs. Ester Thomas, 1908-1994, (wife of Jim P. Thomas), and survived by three other daughters, Mrs. Laura Ann Majors, 1901-2001, (wife of Thomas Edward Majors), Maryland; Mrs. Virginia Onzell Fleming of Florida (her second marriage was to Dewey L. Christian, Virginia Christian, 1912-1973, died in Scott County Indiana; Mrs. Elsie Smith (daughter of Franklin D. Robinson and his first wife, Delia Holsomback), New Jersey; two sons, Louis Robinson, Birmingham (John H. Louis, 1897-1971); Carlos Robinson, Illinois (Carlos Richard "Bill" Robinson, 1917-1995); 31 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, and four great-great Grandchildren. Grandsons were pallbearers." The children of Franklin D. and Mary A. Robinson, that died before January 1955 were * Clarence C. Robinson, born September 19, 1899, died June 11, 1932 in Jefferson County Alabama. * Horace Franklin Robinson, born February 19, 1904, died July 18, 1943 in Jefferson County Alabama. * Minnie A. Robinson, a.k.a. Nanny D. Robinson. * Beatrice M. Robinson, a.k.a. Lennie Robinson. (6) Laura A. Robinson, born about 1864 in Shelby County Alabama.No further information on her. If anyone can supply further information please contact Bobby Joe Seales.

Taylor Stamps, as indicated in the Stamps Family Bible was "borne October 31, 1836". Shelby County Alabama Will Book "E", page 424, dated April 5, 1848, indicate "... Taylor Stamps, a minor aged 12 years, has been bound as an apprentice to learn the business of farming to Hardy Horton ...." The November 22, 1850 Shelby County Alabama census records indicate Taylor Stamps, male, age 12 years, born in Tennessee, enumerated in the household with Hardy Horton, a "Methodist Clergyman". No further information on Taylor Stamps. If anyone can supply further information please contact Bobby Joe Seales.

William M. Stamps, as indicated in the Stamps Family Bible was "borne April 29, 1838". No further information on William M. Stamps. If anyone can supply further information please contact Bobby Joe Seales.

John Wesley Stamps, also referenced on occasions as Jefferson Wesley Stamps. However, his death record and his grave marker indicate "John Wesley Stamps". The November 27, 1850 Shelby County Alabama census records indicate Wesley Stamps, age 10 years, and his brother, Francis Stamps, enumerated with John Robinson, their step-father. Also, the October 2, 1850 Shelby County Alabama census records indicate they were enumerated with Mary A. Bandy, white female, age 44 years, born in Georgia, and her family, all born in Georgia. Mary Ann Bandy, 1806-1866, married Blassingame Nabors, 1787-1874, on October 21, 1853 in Shelby County Alabama. They both are buried in Siluria Cemetery (now located on Winterhaven Cove, now a residential subdivision, in Alabaster, Shelby County, Alabama). Who was Mary A. Bandy? Two of the children that were listed in the October 2, 1850 Shelby County Alabama census records were Wilson L. Bandy, 1827-1882, and James Allen Bandy, 1831-1908.

Wesley Stamps married in Shelby County Alabama on April 21, 1861 to Rebecca A. Gardner, born November 23, 1845, died April 20, 1920 in Bibb County Alabama. Her parents were John Gardner and Jane Sikes. The Stamps Family Bible indicate Jane Gardner, born February 5, 1809, died February 9, 1880 in Shelby County Alabama.

J.W. Stamps enlisted in October 1861 in Mobile, Alabama as a C.S.A. Corporal, Co. "H", 24th Regiment of Alabama Volunteers, served as a Private, wounded through the left hip at the "Battle of Franklin", Franklin, Williamson County Tennessee, and was admitted, "wounded", on February 20, 1865 to Way Hospital in Meridian, Mississippi. After the death of his wife, on July 6, 1921 Jefferson Wesley Stamps filed application for admission into the Confederate Soldiers Home of Alabama, located in Mountain Creek, Alabama. He lived there until November 20, 1922. He died in Bibb County Alabama on December 19, 1922 and is buried next to his wife, Rebecca Stamps, in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Bibb County Alabama.

The children of Wesley and Rebecca Stamps, all born in Shelby County Alabama, were (1) Elijah Milton Stamps, born January 22, 1866, died April 25, 1943 in Jefferson County Alabama, and is buried in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Bibb County Alabama. He married on October 6, 1888 in Bibb County Alabama to Elizabeth "Lizzie" Milam, daughter of Benjamin F. Milam and Amanda Elizabeth Horton who was the daughter of Jonathan J. Horton. They had no children. (2) William Henry Stamps, born April 11, 1868, died August 27, 1944 in Jefferson County Alabama. On October 20, 1889, recorded in Jefferson County Alabama, he married Margaret Moore, 1875-1948. They are buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Jefferson County Alabama. As indicated in his obituary, The Birmingham News, Monday, August 28, 1944, "... survived by his widow, Mrs. W.H. Stamps; 4 sons, Ed W., of Ensley; Samuel C., of Knoxville; Archie, of Birmingham, and W.H. Jr., of Fairfield; 2 brothers, Samuel C. and C.W. Stamps ...." (3) Francis Marion Stamps, born September 20, 1870, died March 19, 1871 in Shelby County Alabama, and is buried in Brierfield Cemetery in Bibb County Alabama. (4) Horace Greely Stamps, born July 21, 1872, died December 6, 1935 in Jefferson County Alabama. He married Fannie Bell Powell at the residence of J.W. Powell in Bibb County Alabama on October 3, 1893. They are buried in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Bibb County Alabama. As indicated in his obituary, The Birmingham News, Saturday, December 6, 1935, "... Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Fannie Bell Stamps; three sons, Robert, Horace and Eugene, all of Birmingham; and two daughters, Mrs. Lillian Sampson and Mrs. Margaret Finley...." No further information on their five children. If anyone can supply further information please contact Bobby Joe Seales. (5) Samuel Cross Stamps, born May 5, 1875, died March 14, 1956 in Jefferson County Alabama. On December 24, 1903 in Bibb County Alabama he married Hattie May Campbell, 1884-1959. They are buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Jefferson County Alabama. She was the daughter of Charter Augusta Campbell, died August 22, 1922 in Jefferson County Alabama. Their children were Bertha May (Stamps) Harrison, 1904-1960, Howard Stamps, 1907-1968, Thomas Jordan Stamps, 1912-1980, Harry R. Stamps, 1919-1938, and Kathryn Stamps, 1921-1998. (6) Charles Wesley Stamps, born October 19, 1877, died September 2, 1949 in Jefferson County Alabama. He married on January 6, 1901 in Bibb County Alabama to Catherine "Katie" Malone, 1883-1963, daughter of Samuel Smith Malone and Lone Elizabeth Black. Charles W. and Katie Stamps are buried in Valhalla Cemetery in Jefferson County Alabama. Their children were Samuel Wesley Stamps, 1901-1941, Charles Milton Stamps, 1904-1983, Annie Maud Stamps, 1908-1986, married in Bessemer, Jefferson County Alabama on March 1, 1930 to J. Robert Ferrell, and James Fred Stamps, 1914-1987.

Francis Marion Stamps, my great-grandfather, born February 27, 1843, died July 12, 1878 in Shelby County Alabama. The cause of his death as noted in The Weekly Advertiser, dated July 23, 1878, Montgomery, Alabama: From the Shelby Guide. "Another accident occurring in this county last Friday ... Mr. Stamps was employed by Mr. B.B. Warren at his saw mill, near Elliottsville. It was his duty to attend to the crozier machine. While at work last Friday, the 12th, about 9 o'clock in the morning, the band ran off the pully on the shaft and he attempted the hazardous experiment of stepping through the band to prevent its catching on the key although he had been warned several times of the danger. Just as he was stepping through the band it caught on the key, catching him by the foot and winding him up in a second. He was whirled round and round, his head striking a plank, scattering his brains over the mill. Every bone in his body was broken. The engine was stopped immediately, but no power on earth could have saved him. The hands were so horrified that they did not recover presence of mind to take the body down for several minutes. Mr. Stamps was a good workman, and an honest man. He leaves a wife and four children in destitute circumstances." His first marriage, Francis M. Stamps married in Shelby County Alabama on June 24, 1860 to Viney Stacks. No further information on Viney (Stacks) Stamps.

On September 9, 1861 he enlisted in Montevallo, Shelby County Alabama as a C.S.A. Private, Co. "G", 20th Alabama Infantry. He was captured December 16, 1864 at Nashville, Tennessee "by forces under Major General Thomas" and was transferred to Camp Chase, Ohio on January 2, 1865. On June 12, 1865 he signed the "Oath of Allegiance" to the United States, thus, his physical description was given at that time.

On November 28, 1866 in Shelby County Alabama he married Rebecca Essman, daughter of Thomas Essman and Martha J. Fulton. They are buried in Elliottsville Cemetery in Shelby County Alabama. Visit "David Lindsay, A Revolutionary War Soldier" for further information.

The children of Marion and Rebecca Stamps, all born in Shelby County Alabama, were (1) Martha Jane Stamps, my grandmother, born March 18, 1869, died July 17, 1936 in Shelby County Alabama. On December 7, 1882 in Shelby County Alabama she married James Massey, 1859-1937. They are buried in Elliottsville Cemetery, Shelby County Alabama. Visit "My Connections to Shelby County" for further information. (2) Charles Eugene Stamps, born October 31, 1872, died January 3, 1936 in Shelby County Alabama. His first marriage, later divorced, was to Martha Ella McClendon, 1882-1964. Her parents were Jones McClendon and Lucy Jane Farrington. Martha E. Stamps is buried in Farrington Cemetery in Jefferson County Alabama. They had one son, Marion Wesley Stamps, 1900-1973. His second marriage, Charles Eugene Stamps married in Shelby County Alabama on May 31, 1906 to Mrs. Ida Dean (Dye) Brown, 1878-1952. They are buried in Elliottsville Cemetery in Shelby County Alabama. Her first marriage in Jefferson County Alabama on October 6, 1896, later divorced, was to Marion Augustus Brown, 1876-1955. Their two children were Florence Ethel Brown, 1898-1920, wife of Hugh Washington Massey, son of James Massey and Martha Jane Stamps, and Janice Louise Brown, 1902-1995. The children of Gene and Ida Stamps were Johnny Eugene Stamps, 1906-1986, Ellie Stamps, 1908-1908, Nellie Stamps, 1908-1908, Emma Lee Stamps, 1909-1960, William Curtis Stamps, Thomas Greely Stamps, 1915-1992, and Howard Newman Stamps, 1918-1981. (3) Alabama Stamps, born February 19, 1877, died May 10, 1931 in Bibb County Alabama. On February 8, 1893 in Shelby County Alabama she married Thomas Ashley Scott, 1860-1934. They are buried in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Bibb County Alabama. Their three children were Daniel Eugene Scott, 1896-1909, Thelma Ina Scott, 1899-1970, married Onnie Cleveland Comer, and Ruth Lee Scott, 1904-1983, married Irving Durand Caine. (4) Frances Mamie Stamps, born about 1878, died about 1899 in Montgomery County Mississippi. She married on July 18, 1897 in Shelby County Alabama to Samuel James Franklin Ingram, 1878-1943, son of William Bryant Ingram and Missouri A. Gentry. The daughter of Sam and Mamie Ingram was Ethel Ingram, born May 29, 1898 in Shelby County Alabama, died April 12, 1977 in Jefferson Parish Louisiana. She married on February 22, 1914 in Montgomery County Mississippi to Joe Allen Rodgers, 1896-1970. They are buried in Duck Hill Cemetery in Montgomery County Mississippi. After the death of Mamie Ingram in Montgomery County Mississippi, Samuel J. Ingram married Mable George Minton, 1889-1938. They are buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Greenwood, Leflore County Mississippi. Their children were Charles Benjamin Ingram, 1907-1968, Jim George Ingram, 1908-1970, Mary Belle (Ingram) Story, 1909-1969, Bessie Lee (Ingram) Tillman, 1914-1975, and Margaret Montez (Ingram) Doze, 1918-1978.

I would appreciate any additional information that anyone could provide me to further expand my knowledge of the Descendants of Miles Stamps. Please e-mail me at bjseales@bellsouth.net.

A book, "Massey-Stamps Ancestors", by Bobby Joe Seales, was published in 1970 (Sold Out - books are no longer available).