Independence Day

I can't let Independence Day come and go without pausing a moment to brag. Not brag so much as to recognize my Patriot ancestors who personally had a hand (or gave a life) to help create a new nation:

1. CYRUS DAVIS of Granville County, NC served in Donoho's Company from April 1776 to September 1778. 

2. JONES FULLER of Granville County, NC served with the Granville Militia in Cept. Solomon Alston's Company. 

3. MESHAK FULLER served from Granville County, NC.

4. JOEL JOHNSON served from Johnston County, NC.

5. JOHN JOHNSON of Johnston County, NC was a Pvt. with the 2nd North Carolina Batt. He served under Capt. Manlore Tarrant and Col. John Patten.  

6. BENJAMIN MATTHEWS served from Bladen County, NC. He received 207 pounds 5 shillings in 1783 for some unspecified participation.

7. MATTHEW MOORE of Cumberland County, NC served with his father, WILLIAM MOORE. 

8. WILLIAM MOORE of Cumberland County, NC served in Lt. Col's Company enlisting July 20, 1778.

9. GODFREY STANCIL of Tyrrell County, NC served on the Pitt County Safety Committee during the war.

10. JOHN STANCIL of Wake County, NC served in Capt. Polk's Regiment 1776 - 1784.

11. PETER STANCIL of Tyrrell County, NC gave his life in service. He was in the 10th Reg., Capt. Bradley's Company. In his service file found at the NC Archives is this one statement:  

"I hereby certify that Peter Stancil served as a continental soldier in the North Carolina Line and dec'd in the service thereof. Given under my hand this 23rd fay of December, 1796. John Mecleara"

For his service and death, Peter's heirs were entitled to a land bounty given after the war by the State of North Carolina. The land was in Tennessee.

I am sure there are many other patriot ancestors I have not yet identified. 

It makes me quite proud that my family - both paternal and maternal - helped step us toward democracy. 

Somewhere between your first burger and your last hotdog tomorrow, be sure to pause a moment to remember why you have the day off. If not for the Peter Stancil's of the world who gave their lives in service, we would not be enjoying a beautiful celebration in the land of the free. 

Veteran's Day Remembrances

Carl Donald Stancil's platoon at Parris Island, SC 

Veteran's Day reminds us to honor those who served and sacrificed for their country. We should also honor the families, as they sacrificed in their own way to love and support their loved ones in the military. I am acutely aware of these sacrifices, as I am the child of a career Marine. I was born and largely raised on a military base.

I come from a long line of men who served their country.  I have direct ancestors who served in Vietnam, Korea, World War I, World War II, Civil War, and the Revolutionary War. I am proud of each of them.

Carl Donald Stancil

The smiling fellow to the left is my father, Carl Donald STANCIL. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1947 at age 17. At age 21, he was seriously wounded in Korea during the Battle of Pork Chop Hill. He retired with disability in 1973 due to Marie-Strumpell Disease and near total deafness. He went on to serve another 20 years with civil service, thereby proudly serving his country for over 45 years. 

Jesse Roland Stancil 

This is PFC Jesse Roland STANCIL, my father's oldest brother. He enlisted in the Army at Fort Bragg, NC on April 8, 1943 and served with the 157 Inf. 45 Inf. Div. He landed in the Anzio Invasion and fought up the "boot" of Italy with Co. I. Jesse was killed in southern France on October 21, 1944. He was initially buried in France, but the family brought him home after the war and he is now buried at Montlawn Cemetery in Raleigh, NC near his parents. 

Jesse Bernard Stancil

This is my grandfather, Jesse Bernard STANCIL. He served in the Army for a little less than a year enlisting July 22, 1918 until his honorable discharge May 15, 1919. Like his son (above), he fought in LeHarve, France. He was with Company B, Conv. Cr. Tr. Cr. at Camp Lee, Virginia. 

He was likely drafted as his draft registration card was signed June 5, 1917, about a year prior to his enlistment. 





All four of my paternal great great grandfathers served in the US Civil war in the Confederate Army. All of them survived the war. 

1. William STANCIL
2. Walter JOHNSON, served with Company C of the NC 53rd Infantry. He mustered in at age 18 on May 15, 1862. He was accounted for at the Battle of Gettysburg. 
3. Jarrott JOHNSON enlisted as a Private on February 1, 1863 in Lynchburg, VA. He served with Company I of the 24th Infantry Regiment NC. 
4. Absolom BARBER served with the NC 5th.

James Johnson, KIA

My 3rd great grandfather, James JOHNSON, served with Company I of the 24th Infantry Regiment NC. Sadly, he was killed at Sharpsburg, Maryland on September 17, 1862. The ultimate sacrifice. 

I am also proud to claim a number of Patriot ancestors:

1. Joel JOHNSON, my 5th great grandfather
2. Frederick JOHNSON, my 5th great grandfather
3. Cyrus DAVIS, my 4th great grandfather

All of these gentlemen deserve our gratitude for their service. Remember to honor all who served.

Patriot Ancestor: Cyrus Davis

On the Davis side of the house, my 4th great grandfather was a Patriot of the original sort. 

I can't exactly prove yet that Cyrus belongs to me, but the circumstantial evidence is mounting. However, it's his service to his country that makes me really hope he is indeed mine. Not that he was a hero or anything, but from the scanty documentation of his service, he seems like a real stand up kind of guy.

Grandpa Cyrus was born 23 Dec 1754, making him a ripe old 22 in 1776 when the American Revolution was in full tilt. 

According to the Roster of NC Soldiers in the American Revolution, Cyrus was a Corporal who mustered in in April 1776 and mustered out in June 1778. He served with the 6th Regiment commanded by Col. Gideon Lamb. He later transferred to Capt. Donohoe's Company. 

He was in battles of "Germantown, Monmouth, and Brandywine and other small skirmishes".

In the 1818 Granville County Court Minutes, he testified that since he is in "reduced circumstances of life and stands in need of assistance of his country for support, asks pension."  This was May of 1818, with Step. Sneed, Clerk, as a witness. However, the problem is that he can't prove he actually served in the war.

In the 1819  Granville County Court Minutes, Gideon DAVIS swears he is well acquainted with Cyrus DAVIS and due to his disabled condition, he deserves aid from country.  It was so ordered by court May 8, 1819.

I'm dying to know how he became disabled! Was it in the war? How cool would that be...to have a Patriot ancestor who not only served his country, but he spent the rest of his life disabled because of it. Hey...so did my dad! 

One thing is certain...not much has changed since 1776. Veterans are still begging their country for help. 

Bless Those Baileys

My 3rd great grannie was Miss Mahalia Bailey. I love that name. Miss Mahalia married her 1st cousin, Isreal Dillard. Not an uncommon practice at the time when travel was difficult and rural families often intermarried.

One of my favorite Bailey books is Kinfolks of Granville Co., North Carolina, 1765 - 1826 by Zoe Hargett Gwynn. 

I suspect Jeremiah Bailey was my immigrant ancestor on the Bailey side of the family. He is found in the 1790 North Carolina Census for Wake County, North Carolina in Newlight Township in the northern part of the county. Just a few miles from where I now live. There are many Bailey descendants still in the area. They tend to stick around.

Jeremiah Bailey, Sr. is listed in the list of Granville County Patriots of the Revolution published in the Oxford Ledger, June 8, 1926. So he must have been here prior to the Revolution and maybe even a participant. Interesting.

I still have a lot of work and proving to do on those Baileys. But I'm mighty intrigued by them!

I can't help but think of George Bailey from my very favorite Christmas movie, It's a Wonderful Life. George Bailey was all about family.