Stembridge Wills

Posted on September 29, 2004 by David Stembridge

Abstract of Will of John Stembridge of Lunenburg Co., VA Recorded: 18 Oct 1830

In the name of God amen, I John Stembridge of the county of Lunenburg & state of Va…

1st Just debts be paid…

Item My son James Stembridge my tract of land lying in the county of Mecklenburg which my son John Stembridge died seized of.

Item My son Baker Stembridge and my daughter America Slaughter to them & their heirs one negro woman named Ron [or Ren] with all her increase to be equally divided between them also I give unto them one dollar each.

Item I give unto my daughter Sally Stembridge & to her heirs forever my tract of land lying in the county of Hancock state of Georgia which my son John Stembridge died seized of.

Item It is my will and desire that all the rest of my estate both real & personal (not heretofore bequeathed) at my death to be equally divided between my following mentioned children To wit: Betty Townsand?, James Stembridge, Lucy Smith, Polly Roberts and William Stembridge.

Lastly I nominate & appoint my son James Stembridge Exec. to this my last will and testament.

Witnesses: [sig] John [his mark] Stembridge
John S Jeffers [or John L Jeffers?]
Lattney M. Gregory
Drury A. Harris

At a Court held for Mecklenburg County on the 19th day of July 1830 The foregoing last will and testament of John Stembridge decd was this day produced into Court & proved by the oaths of the subscribing witnesses thereto & Ordered to be recorded and at another court held for said county on the 18th day of October 1830 James Stembridge the Executor therein named appeared in court and refused to take upon himself the burden of the execution thereof and on motion of John S. Jeffries who made oath thereto and together with Thomas B. Puryear and John G. Baptist his securities entered to and acknowledge their bond in the penalty of $6000. conditioned according to Law certificate is
granted him for obtaining letter of administration with the will on record in due form. E. L. Tabb

I believe the above John Stembridge who died before his father was the John Stembridge who married in 1802 to Sally Graves. He appears to have lived in the same neighborhood in which our Graves families lived in Mecklenburg as did his brother James Stembridge. I believe that Sally Graves was a daughter of Thomas and Sarah Graves and that she was deceased without issue by the time her father’s will was made.

Does anyone have information on this family ?
Posted by Susan Crawforn on Ancestry.net
Date: 22 Jun 2003

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Stembridge Letters

Posted on September 29, 2004 by David Stembridge

– notes I’ve received from Stembridges all around the world…

From: Margaret Mounce
from Southern Wales
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 2004
David hi,

I took the pics, a couple of months ago, it’s a really pretty place.
Stembridge is a village in Somerset aboout 25 miles inland from the sea (ocean) honestly don’t know the history of the village but it is on what we call the’levels’. Theseup to the middle of the lastcentury (20th) would flood regularly from the seain the winter and become islands. The area is very flat with knolls (hills) dotted around

A lot are named ….something…followed by bridge, often the name of a river but I don’t think there is a river called Stem.
I don’t think the village was named after a person either.
I’ll try to find out more about the village and let you know.
Only know the airport at Atl. having friends in Tn.never been to Augusta but David
(my husband) and I play golf so see it on TV.
Take care.
Kind regards,
Margaret

From: Harvey Stembridge
from the Isle of Man
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2004

Hi David.

Yep, that family is mine.
The site was hosted on a freeserver which disappeared one day along with the web site!! The family consists of the following

Ben Oliver (son) born in the Isle of Man 11/01/1987 (works in a lumber yard, lives at home) Holly Selena (daughter) born in the Isle of Man 7/6/1985 (works in a bank, lives at home) Belinda Suzanne (wife) nee Craine born in Birmingham (No not Alabama!!!)26/07/1958 works in Ship management
Simon Harvey (Me)born in Birmingham (also not Alabama) 10/03/1958 works
as a bit of shark buys/sells.

My Mum is Syvia Margaret Noble and was born in the Island 5/6/1932 My Dad is no longer with us and was Stuart Harold Roger Stembridge born Edgbaston (birmingham)26/04/1906
His Father was Harold Harvey He was a Stockbroker
His Father was George Edward and he was editor of the Sheffield dailyTelegraph His father was (I have this all written down somewhere but I cant lay my hands on it)

Anyways

My family originates from Bridport Dorset, which seeing as You are in Georgia I`m guessing so does yours, and that we are long distant cousins. So far as I can tell there were the three brothers who went to Virginia and there was 1 who stayed put and moved from Bridport up country to Sheffield in Yorkshire and that was my Fathers Great Grandfather.

If I remember or find where I put the info I will let you have the
missing guy who is the brother who stayed in the UK.

Hope this helps you.

All the best from the cold,wet, Isle of Man

Regards.

Harvey Stembridge

From:

Thomas Stembridge
from Plymouth, England
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004

Hi David,

My name is Thomas Stembridge, from a Stembridge family living in plymouth, england and I thought i’d send you a mail.

Yourpage is fantastic andoffers some great infoof thehistory of the name. My dad, Peter Stembridge, is from salford manchester and his father was called Evan Stembridge. My mother was born in scotland and i have two brothers called Martyn and Mark.

Mark has recently become a father and added the latest addition, William Stembridge.

I hope this bit of info is helpful to you in any way and i hope to hear from you soon,

Thomas.

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Stembridge Land Deeds

Posted on September 29, 2004 by David Stembridge

As far as I know there are physical copies of the land deeds at the court house in Hancock Co., Ga.  GA GENWEb page  will have Hancock County information.

The following information is from “Land Deed Genealogy of Hancock County, Georgia”, abstracted & compiled by Helen & Tim Marsh.  Greenville, SC:  Southern Historical Press.  c1997.

Land Deed Genealogy…page 112.
“Page 449:  3rd December 1796,  Osborn Brewer of Hancock County to John Stembridge of same place for the sum of thirty pounds sterling for a tract of land in Hancock County containing one hundred acres lying on the waters of Log Dam Creek of the Oconee River adjoining Matthew Hawkins’ line and Roberson’s pine corner and by Hinson and Roberson’s.  Signed by Ozburn Brewer.  Wit:  R. Greene, Tully Choice and John Smith.  Rawleigh Green, witness” Hancock Co., Ga.  Deed Book B (1794-1798)

Page 259. “Page 207:  5th June 1801.  Andrew Borland of Hancock County to William Stembrige of same place for the sum of one hundred dollars for a tract of land in Hancock County on the waters of Buffalo Creek, containing eighty seven and a half acres, being a part of a tract of two hundred eighty seven and a half acres granted to said Andrew Borland on 16th November 1791. Wit:  Leo Abercrombie and Jno. Wm. Devereauz, J. P.  Reg:  15th 1801.” Hancock County Deed Book E (1798-1802)

Page 168. “Pages 321-322:  28th February 1798,  Jesse Warrren of Hancock County, Georgia to John Stenbridge of same place for sum of four hundred dollars for a tract of land in Hancock County, GA on Log Dam Creek and joining Harthorn’s line and Mattlock’s Land.  Containing 189 1/2 acres.  Wit:  Rawleigh Green, Martha Grteene and Jeremiah Warren.  REg:  25th April 1800”.  Hancock Co. Deed Book C (1798-1800)

from:Mary Ann Willoughby

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Stembridges in the Military

Posted on July 21, 2003 by David Stembridge

USAREUR Public Affairs
July 21, 2003

V Corps engineers patrol river
in Saddam’s hometown
Story and photos by Jayme Loppnow, 130th Engineer Brigade Public Affairs

Pfc. Laura Stembridge of V Corps 502nd Engineer Company, 565th Engineer Battalion, keeps a close eye on the banks of the Tigris River in Tikrit. The company has run round-the-clock river patrols since the battalion’s arrival in Saddam Husseins hometown in April.

TIKRIT, Iraq — While combat has wound down in Iraq, the threat to soldiers in this unstable nation is still very real. Which is why V Corpss 502nd Engineer Company, 565th Engineer Battalion, continues to patrol the Tigris River here in the hometown of Saddam Hussein.

The company, along with the 814th Eng. Co. from Fort Polk, La., patrols the river 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to keep the approximately 2,000 soldiers deployed to Camp Iron Horse safe from enemy attacks along the river.

Recent attacks on a 556-meter floating bridge near the 565th headquarters, which was built as a temporary replacement for a bomb-damaged fixed bridge, make patrolling the river a vital mission for the 502nd. To add to the irony of having U.S. soldiers on patrol here, the bridge was constructed by the battalion April 28 — Saddams birthday — and was named the Birthday Bridge.

The 502nd patrols the area 2 kilometers north of the bridge and the 814th patrols the waters to the south.

In the grand scheme of things I think its more of a presence for us, being on the river and showing that we have control of the area, said Lt. Col. Richard Hornack, the former commander of the 565th. Weve done over 1,000 patrols, but weve never detained anybody. Weve never confiscated any contraband or anything like that. But its because we are doing river patrols 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Soldiers of V Corps 502nd Engineer Company, 565th Engineer Battalion, patrol the Tigris River in Tikrit, Iraq 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

When they hear our motors, hopefully that will deter them from anything, said 2nd Lt. Sharon Edens.

The soldiers look for signs of enemy activity, such as loud music at odd hours, and flares, which can pinpoint the locations of troops, said Edens.

The routes and times of the patrols vary to eliminate any predictability.

We dont do the same thing twice, said Hornack. We dont want to become predictable, because as soon as you do, the enemy will track you down and plan an ambush.

Each boat carries an operator, a crew chief, and two soldiers for security, along with an AT-4 antitank weapon, an M-249 5.5-mm machine gun and three M-16 assault rifles.

Pvt.2 Joshua Gauthier, who is part of the patrol team, says the mission is necessary for the safety of the soldiers deployed to the camp.

Due to the recent mortar attacks, the patrols make all the difference, he said.

The 502nd will continue the river patrols for now, said Hornack.
Well do it as long as we here, he said.

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2003 Homeschool Memories

Posted on April 27, 2003 by Lorretta


The kids preparing Easter Eggs! (April 03)

Papa Ransol Hebert gives a “geology” lesson with rocks from Stone Mountain! (Sep 16, 2002)

Ian helping Mom cook (Sep 2, 2002) – and our brand new dishwasher – yes, the mechanical one broke!

Ian builds a butterfly box at Home Depot.(Sep 9, 2002)

 
Chelsea and Dylan working on an Art Project (together!) This is a videotape study by Donna Hugh. (August 2002)

     

Chelsea working on homework (Feb 2002) Dylan’s report on Hawaii (Feb 2002)

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Stembridge Road, Baldwin Co. Georgia

Posted on June 14, 1999 by David Stembridge

From:Roger W. Stembridge, Jr.. June 14, 1999

Stembridge road was also engineered by my father,
Roger W. Stembridge, Sr. Daddy was a West Point Graduate, fought in W.W.I and W.W.II. He engineered the road about the start of W.W.II so I am told. Daddy was the resident Engineer at old Milledgevile State Hospital until his death, September 28, 1960. His wife, Mildred Cox Stembridge lived until May 4, 1995. For the longest Stembridge Road was called the Lower Sandersville Road, and in the 1970’s it was changed to
Stembridge Road to honor my father.

From: David Stembridge
February 2, 1999When my Dad moved back to georgia, and bought a house down in Hancock Co., He began finding links to our past. One of the many net finds is Stembridge Rd, in Baldwin Co. This was once a driveway to the Stembridge Farm. The farm property is still owned by cousin Roger Stembridge, the house burned burn within the last 10 years or so. My dad’s paternal Grandmother (my Great-Grandmother), Clara I’Della Stembridge is buried on the farm. She has a stained glass window dedicated to her at the Milledgeville United Methodist Church. Stembridge Rd. is about 7 1/2 miles long, a number of people live on the Road.

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Old Devereaux, Ga

Posted on February 2, 1999 by David Stembridge

Monday 2/2/99
from: David Stembridge

In East Hancock Co., there is a town that has declined in population through the years. There once were several Hotels, 3 Doctors, a Cotton Mill, and many other businesses. Devereaux still has an active church community, and lively farming community. My Father, Roger Stembridge is an active member of Devereaux United Methodist Church. I attended there in late January with my son Dylan. Even with the declining population, this is still a community of God!


Devereaux, Ga (former town square)


Old Cotton Mill


Old Abandoned business in the town center area


Gas Pump overgrown with weeds

One of the many older unique-styled abandoned homes in Devereaux

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Stembridge Finds and Folklore

Posted on January 11, 1999 by David Stembridge

Updated on January 17, 2018.
from: David Stembridge

I added some additional information about Sylvan Hill that I found in John Rozier’s book. Please scroll down!

April 18, 1999
from: Dr. Roger E. Stembridge

Yesterday afternoon, we went over to Sylvan Hill with Mary Franklyn Garrard and Jewel Thompson, whom went with me earlier to show the location of Sylvan Hill, and Frederick Arnold, also in his late 80s.
Fred had told Jewel that the location of Sylvan Hill was not where she thought it was because the road had been changed years ago. He showed us where the old road ran and we walked back through the property that he says is the location of Sylvan Hill. We did not find much because the land has been cultivated and there are pines planted there now. We did find several stacks of rock rubble and a few other indications of foundation stones. He also said that there was a brick factory on the property and that he has a few of the bricks that were made there.
It looks that we are back to square one about Sylvan Hill though. There is one other person, over 90, that I will talk to. He is supposed to know a lot about that area too.
We also went to a cemetary that had Carolyn’s great grandfather and grandmother. She had never known where they were buried. It was in a remote area and had not been kept up. She had died in 1915 and his marker did not have a death date engraved.

January 11, 1999
from: Dr. Roger E. Stembridge

Sunday afternoon, I found the place where our ancestors settled in Hancock County, a place called Sylvan Hill. Old maps spell it as Sylvian Hill. It is located only a few miles from my house, however, driving to it is about 10 or more miles. It is located on a high ridge and there are remnants of rock foundations and chimneys there. Some years, maybe decades, ago the property was sold to a pulpwood company and their procedures in such purchases is to demolish all structures, for tax purposes. Several older people I have met remember the old house that was there. It is unlikely that it is a carryover from the late 1700s / early 1800s, however, it is possible. It was awesome to walk on the ground once walked upon by our ancestors

 

Maps from http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/hancockcopn.htm

January 28, 1999
from:David Stembridge

This past weekend, Dad took me up to Sylvan Hill.
I wandered back and found the remnants of the structures he mentioned. It really gave me a feeling of awe.

SYLVAN HILL
West of Devereux

From John Rozier’s book “The Houses of Hancock: 1785-1865

“Sylvan Hill described an area near Devereux that became a prosperous farming section in Hancock County. Around Log Dam and Sandy Run creeks settled Hancock’s earliest families: the Roes, Harpers, Clay tons, Warrens, and Simmonses, including John Roe and Thomas Clayton Jr. The pattern of the Clayton family migrations is familiar: down the east coast from Maryland to North Carolina to Georgia and then to the old South-West, Alabama and beyond. Thomas Clayton Jr. (1790-1834) accompanied his father to Hancock County in 1804. The elder Clayton was a carpenter and a shrewd assembler of land. Georgia, with its system of land grants, was a good place to be. The father moved on in a few years to fresher lands, but Thomas remained and amassed a sizable holding of his own. In 1825 he owned more than 700 acres on Sandy Run Creek and nearly 500 acres in Rabun County in the North Georgia mountains. He was a captain of the local militia, and his district became known as Captain Clayton’s. Clayton married Susan Heath Bonner in 1813, and they had six children including Sarah Rawls Clayton. Sarah Clayton married Colonel Thomas Mickleberry (sometimes spelled Micklebury) Turner in 1837 and was for much of her long life the mistress of the Sayre-Turner-Shivers House in Sparta. In the 1980s the ancestral Turners joined their kin in Alabama. Forrest Shivers, a great-grandson, inherited their portraits, and they now hang in his house in Opelika, which was moved to Okelika from its original site in Hancock County. The Turner portraits appear in Early Georgia Portraits. The Clayton house may have been called Sylvan Hill at one time. The name appears to have been applied both to the district and to Captain Clayton’s house. William G. Bonner’s 1847 Georgia map shows a plantation named Sylvan Hill in the approximate location of the Clayton house. Several Hancock plantations are shown on the map, each marked with a dot and an appropriate name. Captain Clayton died in 1834 and was buried on his farm. By 1839 his widow had sold the homestead and moved to Alabama. A descendant, Margaret Clayton Russell, published a book about the family in 1993′. A relative had tracked down the Clayton house in 1948 with the aid of Devereux’s historian, Lora West. At that time the house was described as “ready to fall down.” Outside walls and two chimneys were standing, but the roof was gone. The front steps to a small porch and the front door also were missing. A large wainscotted room on the left with “lovely woodwork” impressed the visiting relative. On the right were two smaller rooms. Chimneys indicated fireplaces in the larger rooms. At the back of the house the outline of another room appeared. At least three rooms were upstairs, and possibly another to the right of the porch. Despite many visits beginning in 198r, Margaret Clayton Russell, a meticulous scholar and archeologist, had some reservations about the site that was pointed out to her as the location of the Clayton house. She had expected it to be a little closer to the ford on Sandy Run Creek instead of on Log Dam Creek, but she later concluded that it was the proper site. She first saw the spot 33 years after a relative described the house as “ready to fall.” By that time only traces remained of an old house site, about 3 5 by 4 5 feet. The chimneys had fallen long ago. The bricks, “irregular and obviously hand made,” were similar to the bricks at the nearby grave site of Thomas Clayton. She found a few remnants of heart pine boards with rusted square nails still in them. “Big old cedars, rose bushes, osage oranges and brambles covered what had been the front yard.” Examining her sketch of the ruins, Russell became convinced that the Clayton house was similar to the John Roe House, which was originally right at the ford at Sandy Run. “I don’t think the Clayton House was half-timbered (though it could have been) but the floor plan had a ‘big room’ and a couple of small rooms just inside the entrance and it had fancy wainscotting in the big room. I just get the feeling the house was a ‘hall’ type house, not Greek Revival and not a rough frontier house.” Like many Hancock County families, several of the Clay tons moved on to Alabama, where they produced a governor, a congressman, a general, and a university president.” (Rozier, 1999)

SOURCES
“This material comes from Margaret Clayton Russell’s book James Clayton of North Carolina. Some pages give insight into education for privileged young women in the cotton South in the early 19th century. When’ Thomas Clayton’s daughter Sarah was ten she attended school for two years at the Farmers Academy near Devereux. After her father died she and her sister Elizabeth studied at Sereno Taylor’s Sparta Model School and boarded with the Gideon Holseys. In 1835 they transferred to South Carolina Female Collegiate Institute near Colunlbia, South Carolina. In letters to the author, 12 and 23 February 1995, Margaret Russell explained the conclusions she had reached about the house.” (Rozier, 1999)

SYLVAN HILL HOTEL
Mineral Spring
“After the Civil War a hotel was opened in the Sylvan Hill area to accommodate people who came to the mineral springs. The Sparta Times and Planter announced the opening date as 4 July 1870. Dr. T. J. Jones and Dr. H. L. Alfriend endorsed the medicinal values of “this fine water.” The opening was to feature a barbecue and West’s band to entertain the crowd (Times and Planter, as quoted by ERT [Eloise Rozier Turner] in her column in the Ishmaelite, 2 June 1955).” (Rozier, 1999)

Rozier, J. (1999). The houses of Hancock, 1785-1865. Georgia: J. Rozier.

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