Search & Win

Monday, December 10, 2012

William Stamps and Sarah Sanford

Again, I have a question on the children of another Stamps couple.  William's will mentions sons Edmund and Sanford and a son-in-law John B. Cheney.  Most people say that John's wife was named Martha, though the will does not state.  I do not possess any records that actually say her name, but I am sure some exist somewhere.  (If anyone has one or can point me towards one, that would be great!)

Now, most people have a John and a James as sons of William and Sarah.  The will does not mention them, even though they were still alive at the time of the will.  I know they lived in the same area with William and Sarah, but lack any actual proof they were sons.

I have seen several issues with James Stamps (supposed son of William and Sarah) and it seems he has been confused/merged with another James Stamps, who was the son of John Stamps and Purthenia Davis. I have added the following note to my files: "I have noticed an error and am going to make an assumption as to what should be correct.  James Stamps, son of John and Purthena Dodson Stamps is said to have been born on August 6, 1779.  James Stamps, son of William Stamps and Sarah Sanford is also said to have been born on the same date.  My thoughts are that at some point these two Jameses have been confused and the date on one was never corrected or changed.  Since the burial of James, son of William and Sarah is known (though I have not seen the grave stone) I will assume the August birth date is published there and the James Stamps, son of John and Purthena is the one that is incorrect.  Unless someone shows me a record or I find one that states otherwise, I will leave my file this way."  I have also noticed that James, son of William and Sarah, married Elizabeth Davis and James, son of John and Purthenia, married Sarah "Betty" Davis. As you can see, they were born around the same time and married women with similar names.  They also both were born in Virginia and moved to Tennessee.  I can see where the mix up can happen.  (Any further incite would be welcome!!)

Also, I see a note about a son that William and Sarah raised named Richard Stamps, son of a Steven Stamps from up north.  How do they relate to his family?  I have not previously heard of this before this week and am curious about this story.