James married STAPP Bertha Elizabeth. Bertha (daughter of STAPP Aaron Thomas and MULLINS Susan Elizabeth) was born in Aug 1891. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Although there are no known existing photos of Aaron Thomas "Tommie, A.T." Family members have stated that he was a handsome man with dark, curly hair and was dark complected. He usually wore a mustache, which was popular in his day. He must have been intelligent due to the fact that he was an supervisor of roads for his district in Quitman County, Mississippi. In January 1904, Tommie was on his way to a county meeting, when he was stranded in a storm, on horseback. He finally made his way to a local Inn on the road, and later that night he developed "double pneumonia" and died the next day. He was buried in Belen Cemetary with a Woodsman of the World marker.

Source: Christine Kelso (Smith), granddaughter of Aaron Thomas Stapp

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From research in the Quitman County Courthouse, records have provided that Aaron Thomas Stapp was elected as a supervisor and commissioner for Beat 3 and part of Beat 5. A.T. served this role until his untimely death in which a special election was held to fill his position. Land records show that he owned a considerable tract of land in Quitman County and was definitely one of the richest men in the county at that time.

Source: Board of Supervisors Minutes; Book C, and Index to Land Deeds

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QUITMAN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES BOOK A

page 292, December 1887
Beat #4, A.T. Stapp, clerk in the sum of $1.00.

page 315, August 1888
...reviewing said road to wit: Gus Sleitz, Tom Stapp, Jim Crawford, Pack Harris, Jim Brooks.

page 333, December 1888
Ordered that the report of Gus Sleitz, A.T. Stapp, J.T. Crawford, Pack Harris, J.B. Brooks, & B.B. Burlison, Commioners appointed to review and lay out a public road commencing at Joseph Hatche's place.

page 438, November 1890
Ordered that the following officers in the election of 1890 be allowed as follows one dollar each: Beat #4, A.T. Stapp, Clerk.


QUITMAN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES BOOK B

page 163, April 1894
Tom Stapp appointed as Baliff.

page 234, Year of 1895
A.T. Stapp appointed overseer of Road commencing Richberger Bridge ending at Marks- Wallace Place.


QUITMAN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MINUTES BOOK C

page 10, September 1899
A.T. Stapp appointed as a juror.

pages..., January 1900
A.T. Stapp elected as to board of supervisors for Beat 3, which he served until his death.

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QUITMAN COUNTY LAND DEEDS

26 September 1891.
Book I, Page 286. In consideration of $1200, G.C. Jones sold to Tom (A.T.) Stapp a certain tract of land described as follows: NW1/4 of NW1/4 of Section 6, Township 27, Range 1 West and the N1/2 of NE1/4, Section 1, Township 27, Range 2 West, containing one hundred and twenty acres lying and situated in the County of Quitman, evidenced by said Tom Stapp four certain promissary notes (equal to $1200).
(This title cancelled by agreement of both parties this April 4, 1892. G.C. Jones, A.T. Stapp)

16 February 1901.
Book O, Page 248. In consideration of two hundred dollars, L. Marks sold and quit claimed to A.T. Stapp all of my interest in and to the lease from the Board of Supervisors of said couty to Ben Pittman to Lots 8 & 9 in Sec 16, town 28, Range 1 west.

16 February 1901.
Book O, Page 249. In consideration of 4 promissary notes equalling $200, A.T. Stapp does hereby convey and warrant unto said L. Marks the certain lease from the Board of Supervisors of said county to Ben Pittman to lots 8 & 9 in Sec. 16, township 28, range 1 west and the crops grown thereon during the years of 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904.

14 February 1902.
Book Q, Page 306. In consideration of $64.00 and of $256.00 to be payed, the payment of which is secured by a Deed of Trust herewith on the land hereinafter conveyed the Yazoo and Miss. Valley R.R. Co. does hereby convey and warrant unto Aaron T. Stapp the following described lands situated in the County of Quitman: NE1/4 of SW1/4, Section 9, Township 28, Range 1 West, containing 40 acres more or less. There is reserved from this conveyance a right of way one hundred feet in width, measured fifty feet on each side of the center line of the track of the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley R.R. Company, as now located through any part of the above described land.

April 1902.
Book Q, Page 310. In consideration of the indeptedness of $256 due by me to the Yazoo & Mississippi Valley Railroad Company, I do hereby warrant unto Edward P Skene, trustee, the following described land, situated in the County of Quitman, State of Mississippi: NE1/4 of SW1/4 of Section..."Satisfied and cancelled Feby 8, 1910. See Book Y, Page 444 for Authority."

5 July 1902
Book R, Page 54. Deed of Trust, whereas A.T. Stapp is indebted to W.T. Covington in the sum of $158.23, and in consideration of $10 payed to him (A.T. Stapp) by W.V. Turner, Trustee, does hereby bargain, sell, assign, set over and convey to the said Turstee the following property: Lot 5, Section 14, Township 28, Range 1 West. In trust, however, that if said A.T. Stapp shall on or before the first day of January, 1903, pay what may be due said W.T. Covington for money advanced, and supplies and merchandise sold and delivered him as aforesaid, then the Deed of Trust will be void.

9 July 1902
Book R, Page 54. In consideration of $208.23, fifty dollars of which has been paid and $158.23 evidenced by the promissory note of A.T. Stapp due and payable, I convey and warrant specially to A.T. Stapp, the land described as Lot 5, of Section 14, Township 28, Range 1 West, situated in Quitman County, Mississippi.

25 July 1902.
Book R, Page 94. For the purpose of securing the prompt payment when due of our four certain promissory notes herewith payable to L. Marks, totalling $210, we, A.T. & S.E. Stapp convey and warrant unto said L. Marks, Lots 8 & 9 in Section 16, Township 28, Range 1 West. "THis is to authorize you to cancel and mark satisfied a Deed of Trust in my favor and executed by A.T. and S.E. Stapp April 14, 1902, and of record in Book R at page 94, as the indebtedness therein mentioned has been fully paid. (signed) L. Mark"

7 May 1902.
Book R, Page 108. This day came the petition of S.E. Stapp to lease lots 8 & 9 in Section 16-T.28-R-1-W., in Quitman County for a term of 7 years in consideration of the improvements hereinafter set forth and for a further term of 15 years in comsideration of an annueal rental of $150.00 And it appearing to the satisfaction of the board that the trustees of Township 28-R-1-W in said County gave notice of a meeting to be held by the heads of families of said Township called the same by givng notice that siad meeting would be held at Riverside Schoolhouse 29 March 1902, and that day the heads of families of said township voted that the said section 16 should be leased for a term of more than one year and said vote is recorded in the minutes of this board. Now therefor it is ordered that said Lots 8 & 9 in said section 16 should be leased to Mrs. S.E. Stapp for a term of 7 years commencing on Jan 1, 1903 and ending 31 Dec 1909 in consideration that she put 60 acres of said land in a good state of cul

25 September 1902.
Book R, Page 242. Deed of Trust; In consideration of the indebtedness of $384.00, due by me, A.T. Stapp, to the Yazoo and Miss. Valley R.R. Company, which is for the purchase money of the realty herein described and evidenced by my six promissory notes, I do hereby convey and warrant unto Edward P. Skene, Trustee, the following described land: SE1/4 of SW1/4 and SW1/4 of SE1/4 of Section 9, Township 28, Range 1 West. This conveyance is made in trust to secure the payment of the aforesaid notes, and if the same are romply paid at maturity, then this conveyance is to be void. "Cancelled. See Book Y, Page 50."

5 October 1903.
Book T, Page 50. In consideration of sixty four dollars, cash in hand paid, and two hundred and fifty six dollars to be paid to Joseph F. Titus and Franklin Fairman, Trustees, the payment of which is secured by a deed of trust of even date herewith. The Yazoo & Mississippi Valley Railroad Company does hereby convey and warrant unto Aaron T. Stapp the following lands in Quitman County: Lot #8 of section 15, township 28, Range 1 west; containing 40 acres more or less.

5 October 1903.
Book T, Page 52. In consideration of the indebtedness of $256.00 due by the undersigned A.T. Stapp, to Joseph F. Titus and Franklin Fairman, trustees, I, A.T. Stapp, hereby convey and warrant unto Edward P. Skene, Trustee the following described land: Lot 8, Section 15, Township 28, Range 1 West. it is also to be taken and understood as a strict condition of this agreement and as limiting and controlling the rights of the grantor that no timber standing on the above premises shall be cut or removed, execpting suah as may be necessary for and actually used in the erection of houses, sheds, and fences, or for the necessary fuel for the use of the grantor or his family until full payment has been made of the money hereby secured. This conveyance is made in trust to secure the payment of the aforesaid notes, and if the same are promply paid at maturity, then this conveyance is to be void.

11 July 1903
Book T, Page 179. In consideration of $950 dollars, A.T. Stapp and wife hereby convey and warrant unto W.T. Covington, the land in Quitman County, described as Lot 5, Section 14, Township 28, Range 1 West.

20 January 1904.
Book T, Page 225. In consideration of $300.00 cash in hand paid to us, and in further consideration of the agreement of I.C. Denton to pay off and discharge our indebtedness to the Y & M Valley R.R. Co. for the balance of the purchase money to be paid to us on the following described land; we, A.T. Stapp and his wife S.E. Stapp, hereby convey and warrant to I.C. Denton the land described as SE1/4 of SW1/4 and the SW1/4 of SE1/4 and NE1/4 of SW1/4, all in Section 9, Township 28, Range 1 West in Quitman County and containing 120 acres, more or less.

2 May 1904
Book T, Page 494. In consideration of $545.00, I, W.T. Covington convey and forever quit claim unto Mrs. S.E. Stapp the land described as Lot 5, in section 14, Township 28, Range 1 West situated in Quitman County, Mississippi.

16 November 1908.
Book Y, Page 50. The purchase money agreed to be paid by Aaron T. Stapp having been paid in full for the following described tracts or parcels of land in Quitman County, Mississippi: SE1/4 of SW1/4 and SW1/4 of SE1/4 of Section 9, Township 28, Range 1 west, as evidenced by Deed of Trust, No. 5410, dated Sept. 25, 1902, I hereby release said lands from any and all liens. Original Deed of Trust is recorded in book R, Page 242.



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THE QUITMAN QUILL, BELEN, QUITMAN COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, JANUARY 22, 1904

Died.
Mr. A.T. Stapp, of pneumonia at his residence in Tudor, on the 21st inst. between four and six o'clock. He was Supervisor for the next four years for Beat 3. He leaves a wife, and several children and a hose of friends. The Quill sincerely sympathizes with the family and relatives.

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Mrs S.E. Stapp, Administrator(rix) of the Estate of A.T. Stapp, Deceased
Feby 24, 1904
Petition for Letters of Administration filed, bond filed with T.J. Williams and H.C. Green, surities., Warrant of appraisement issued to Charles Waddill, A.B. Sims, and J.B. Austin to appraise the estate of A.T. Stapp, deceased.

Aaron married MULLINS Susan Elizabeth on 9 Jun 1888 in Quitman County, Mississippi. Susan (daughter of MULLINS James M. and GATTIS Tranquilla Susan Elizabeth J) was born on 27 May 1861 in Mississippi; died on 14 Feb 1913 in Hinchcliffe, Quitman County, Mississippi; was buried in Feb 1913 in Hinchcliffe Cemetery, Hinchcliffe, Quitman County, Mississippi. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Susan "Elizabeth" was buried in Hincliffe Cemetary because weather and high water would not allow her body to be taken to Belen Cemetary where her husband, Aaron Thomas Stapp was buried.

Source: Christine Kelso (Smith), granddaughter of Susan Elizabeth Mullins (Stapp)

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Register of Claims against the esate of S.E. Stapp, diceased.

Name Type Amount Date
G.N. Eubanks M.D. Account $16.50 March 17, 1913

Source: Register of Claims of Diseased book, Quitman County Courthouse

Notes:

The History of Marion County, Iowa
John W. Wright and W. A. Young, supervising eds. 2 vols. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1915.

Hiram T. Stapp - page 31
The year 1866 witnessed the arrival of Hiram T. Stapp in Marion county and he remained a continuous resident of the county until he was called to the home beyond. He was well known in Columbia and Washington township and in other sections of the county, and wherever he went he made friends by reason of his sterling worth and many excellent traits of character. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia, August 12, 1840, a son of Joseph Stapp, who lived and died in the south. The son acquired his education in southern schools and at the outbreak of the Civil war enlisted in the Confederate army. Later he came to the north, and because his opinions had changed regarding the condition of affairs, he enlisted at Crawfordsville, Indiana, for service in the Union army, with which he continued until honorably discharged at the close of hostilities.

In the following year, or in 1866, Mr. Stapp made his way westward to Iowa, reaching Knoxville, Marion county, on the 2nd day of March. He worked for others for a time and then purchased property in the village of Columbia. At length he acquired farm land and from that time forward followed agricultural pursuits and stock-raising until his death. He always held to high ideals in relation to his work and he added to his farm many valuable improvements. The place was divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences and in the pastures could be found good grades of stock. Barns and other outbuildings afforded ample shelter for grain and for his cattle and horses, and when invention brought out new machinery he secured it to promote the work of the fields. He loved all kinds of animals and became very indignant upon seeing them abused. It is needless to state, therefore, that the stock upon his place was well treated and he did not a little to improve the grade of farm animals raised in this sec

On the 8th of March, 1868, Mr. Stapp was united in marriage to Miss Juliett Kiger, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Huffman) Kiger, who had five children, two of whom are deceased. Mrs. Kiger died in 1847 and subsequently the father was again married. About 1850 he came to Marion county, Iowa, in search of a home, locating in Washington township, where he devoted his attention to the pursuits of farming and stock-raising. He gave his political allegiance to the democracy but never sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. He passed away on the 17th of April, 1892, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his remains were interred at Columbia.

The death of Mr. Stapp occurred on the 14th of August, 1902, and he was laid to rest in the Columbia cemetery. Two years after his demise his widow took up her abode in Columbia, where she now resides. She is widely and favorably known and has many friends in the village and throughout the surrounding country. Mr. Stapp voted with the democratic party and always kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that he was able to support his position by intelligent argument. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church and his Christian faith guided him in all the relations of life, making him a man whom to know was to esteem and honor.

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OBITS:

H.T. Stapp

Concerning the life of the late H.T. Stapp, whose death was noted last week, a somewhat dilatory correspondent sends the following:
Hiram Thomas Stapp was born in Atlanta, Georgia, August 12, 1840. He came to Iowa in 1867 and resided in Lucas and Marion counties till his death, which occurred Aug. 14, 1902 at the age of 62 years and 2 days.
"Mr. Stapp married Miss Julia Ette Kiger March 8, 1868, who survives him. Mrs. Stapp carefully nursed her husband and did all that a faithful wifecould do during his illness and she has this enconium as a priceless heirloom from her dying husband. Mr Stapp was ill for several weeks during the last winter but after a short period of convalescence he took suddenly worse eight weeks before his death and gradually sank to his death. He was strangely rendered speachless during the final seven weeks of his illness. Mr Stapp was drafted into the southern army, but soon left it and joined the union army, and served his country faithfully. Mr Stapp has no children, though he was a lover of children. He had many kind traits of character; was a friend to the poor, and always gave willingly to his means to relieve their suffererings. His funeral services were conducted by Rev. E B Scroggan from his late home one-half mile north of Columbia."

Died, at his home one-foruth of a mile north of Columbia on August 12, 1902, H.T. Stapp, aged 67 years. The diceased leaves a wife but no children. He had been in poor health for years with a chronic brain trouble and in 1897 suffered a stroke in paralysis from which he never fully recovered. The Stapp family came to Marion county some time during the half decade which ended with 1865. Some of his acquaintances in this city claim that Mr. Stapp was a soldier in the war of the rebellion, and that he enlisted from this county; others are of the opinion that he did not come to Iowa until after the war closed, and that he had been a confederate soldier. Be this as it may he was a well known Washington township farmer and horseman and accumulated considerable property.
The funeral service were held on the afternoon of August 13.

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WILL OF H.T. STAPP
In the name of God Amen I H.T. Stapp of Columbia Marion County Iowa being of sound mind and memory do hereby make publicly and declare this to be my last Will & Testament herby seeking(?) and making void all former wills by me at any time hereafore made
First I order and direct My Executrix as soon after my dicease as practicable to pay off and discharge all the debts due and liabilities that may exist against me at the time of my dicease
Second. I give and bequeath unto my wife Juliaette Stapp all my preoperty both personal and real moneys & credits
Third I hereby nominate and appoint my wife Juliaette Stapp as executrix
In witness whereof I have hereinto subscribed my name (by mark) This 6th day of July A.D. 1902

H.T. (his X mark) Stapp


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UNION CIVIL WAR PENSION FILE OF H.T. STAPP, #691571

State of Iowa, County of Marion
19 July 1890

H.T. Stapp of Co K, 140th Reg't Ind Inf
We certify that the applicant is suffering from the following disability: "Dislocation of right Elbow and fracture of left collar bone and dislocation left shoulder. Liver and heart disease. Fracture of left collar bone and shoulder 10 years ago. I had my arm broken in 1867 by being thrown from a horse. I think I have some form of heart disease." Upon examination, we find the following objective conditions:
Pulse Rate: 60 Respiration: 24 Temperature: 99 Feet: 5 Inches: 8 Weight: 142

State of Iowa, Marion County
Comes before me Eli Whittatch, a physician declares in relation to the aforesaid case as follows that on or about August 18th, 1880, I was called upon to reduse a fracture of collar bone and dislocation of shoulder for claimant H.T. Stapp who had been set upon by a vitious (sic) bull and injured by braiking (sic) his collar bone and dislocating his shoulder. I know these facts from having been called upon as a physician to treat him in said case.

State of Iowa, Marion County
Comes before me Hiram T Stapp claimant and declares the following, that on the 18th day of August 1880, I was leading my bull from the stable to the pasture on my farm in Lucas County, Iowa, the bull became unruly, attacked me, throwing me up and as I fell I struck my shoulder on the root of a tree fracturing my collar bone and dislocation my shoulder. Since I have but little use of that arm and shoulder.

Deparment of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions
...it is essential that your name in full be made known to this Bureau on the reverse side of this letter.

(on back side of letter is written:)
Columbia Iowa June 20th 1891
Honored Sir my full name is Hiram Thomas Stapp


UNION CIVIL WAR PENSION FILE OF JULIAETT STAPP, WIDOW OF H.T. STAPP

Do you remember Hiram T. Steep, who served in Co. K, 140th Ind. Inf., from October 1864 to July 1865?
"yes i knew a step but not the given name."
Did you know of him after the company was discharged? If so, where did he reside?
"i did not. he was afflicted with jiles"
-Mr. Francis Brace, Republic, MO. March 22, 1910.

State of Iowa, Marion County
I am the identical person who filed claim for pension as widow of hiram T. Stapp late of Co K 140 Ind. I first became acquainted with said soldier about 1865 or 6. I cannot furnish evidence that he was not married previous to that date because no one at Talladega, Alabama, the place where he had lived has been or can be found who can recollect him. He alsways told me that he was never married, I am satisfied that he was never married because he made two trips to his former home since our marriage and wrote back almost every year.
(signed) Julia E Stapp 6 February 1908

"I first knew Hiram T. Stapp the latter part of 1865 or the early part of 1866, probably the latter year. He was working for some man - name not remembered - three miles from my father's and seven miles south west of Knoxville, Iowa. In 1866 or 1867, he went to Columbia and remained there or near the town to the time of his death. He must have been near 30 years of age when I met him. I do not know whether he was ever married before he married the claimant. He came from Alabama. I heard him say he had not been married before he married claimant. There was not a man in the Country I was better acquainted with than Hiram T. Stapp. I think I heard him say he was from Collodega, Collodega Co., Ala. He went back to his old home once, but I cannot tell when though. It was in the latter part of his life. He told me he first served the Confederate Army but I do not know what organization. He said he could enlist or be drafted and that he enlisted in preference to waiting to be drafted. Don't know
(signed) George K. Dawson

"I am a widow of Alfred Molesworth and a sister to claimant. Stapp came from Georgia or Ala. but I do not know from what town. It was reported that he changed his name and that Stapp was not his right name but I cannot tell from what source this report emanated, and I never mentioned the matter to claimant nor to soldier. He said he served in the Confederate Army and got away & enlisted in the Union Army to help him get away, but it was against his belief to help the Union. I may have heard him say in what Confederate organization he served, but if so I have forgotten, and do not recall that he mentioned any of his officers or comrades. I do not know that soldier was married before he married claimant. it was reported at Coliumbia, Ia that he had been married before, but I do not know who brought the report nor where it came from. He ran a saloon in Columbia and supported the cause of the Rebellion in his conversation before he married claimant and I thought someone possibly had started the rep
(signed) Mary Jane Molesworth

"I became acquainted with Hiram T. Stapp about the year 1883. our acquaintance commenced when I was attorney in a law suit against him, and from that time was his attorney in most all of his business until he died. I saw him frequently. We never talked over our early history much but I learned that he served in a Confederate Regiment and deserted from that and came North and joined an Indiana regiment. Since his death I have been empoyed, not as attorney aforesaid, but simply to prepare some affidavits and ascertain if he had been previously married. I could get no definite informationas to whether soldier had been married before he married this claimant but learned through a man by name of L.C. Agan I think, wo lives near Belinda, Iowa, that soldier had enlisted in a confederate regiment, but I could not ascertain the number of regiment nor letter of company. My information was that he with 10 or 12 others deserted the Confederate Army and come up North. I did not learn the name of any of the
(signed) G.W. Alexander

"They were married at her father's residence half a mile east of here. She lived with Hiram T. Stapp as his wife to the time of his death. I first knew of Hiram T. Stapp some three or four, or two or three years before he married claimant who was Julia Kiger. He kept a little store up here in town. I became acquainted with him after he opend the store in Columbia. I do not know wheter he was ever married before he married claimant. I heard him say he came from Ga or Ala. but don't know I ever heard him say what town he, Stapp, came from. A man by the name of Wm Thomas who knew Stapp before the war was here a short time - perhaps a year but went back and I have never heard of him since. I do not know where he came from but he told me he & Stapp came from the same place. My wife says she thinks he was from Eufaula, Ga. I never heard Hiram T. Stapp discuss his army service, only I heard him say he was in the Confederate Army and deserted and enlisted in the Union Army but I never heard him say
(signed) Dr. E. Whittatch

"I cannot give the date of his death, but I was at his burying. I knew Hiram T. Stapp a year or two before he married claimant. He was living here in Columbia and running a little grocery when I got acquainted with him. I do not know and don't think I ever heard wheteher he was married beofre he married claimant. Don't think I ever heard him say where he came from but I think I understodd from other sources that he came from Georgia. Don't remember that I ever heard him speak of his Army service."
(signed) Martha Ellen Murr

"Juliaett Stapp, this claimant is my wife's aunt. I have known her all of my life and her late husband also to the date of his death. I am not sure as to the date of his death but I think Aug 11th but don't know the year. If I were at my house I could tell by reference some papers I have. I have never heard soldier say and never learned from any source what organization he served in, in the Confederate Amry nor where his home had been in the South only he had lived at some place near Birmingham, Alabama. I don not know to what place he went when back there on a visit some years ago."
(signed) E.D. Flanagan

"I knew her and her late husband for some years, and they lieved as husband and wife to the date of his death. At the time of his death soldier owned a farm of 40 or 60 acres of land a half mile North of Columbia, improved with a barn and house and wells and windmill - fair improvements. I suppose it is worth from $60 to $75 an acre in cash. He had some cows and horses but I do not know how many nor their value."
(signed) Geo W. May

"I am the unmarried widow of Hiram T. Stapp who served in the 140th Ind Inf I think. I do not know what company he served in. I think he served two years and more, until the war was out. His discharge certificate show but I think Corse Agan, who lives about three miles Southeast of here has it. Hiram T Stapp never enlisted but the one time. I think he never served in any company and regiment but one and was never in the U.S. Navy. He came from Indiana and i think he served in but one regiment. I hand you my marriage certicate given to me by Job Clevenger, J.P. at the time of our marriage. (Certificate is made in usual form; signed & dated the 8th day of March A.D. 1868.) Soldier and I were not married more than one time and if he stated we were married Oct. 8, 1868 it is a mistake. We were never divorce nor legally seperated prior to the death of soldier, Aug 14, 1902 a half mile north of Columbia. I became acquainted with soldier about the year 1867, less than a year before our marriage.
Soldier was not married before his marriage to me that ever I knew. I don't think he was but I can't say. I never asked him for I didn't think he was and I never heard him say whether he was but I can't say. I never asked him for I didn't think he was and I never heard him say whter he was married before or not. I cannot furnish any data to show whether he was previously married or not nor what organization he served in in the Confederate Army.
At the time of his death soldier owned forty acres of land a half mile north of this place. Twenty acres of it is kind of brken and in pasture and the balance is tillable land. it is improved with a small like house, a big barn but old, few fruit trees, wells, and windmill. i reckon it is worth seventy or eighty dollars an acre. I supposed when he died it was worth only forty or forty five dollars an acres. It has been rented since four years ago the first of last March for $150 a year in cash to Charles Morehead. Soldier also had a few horses - three I think, and four cows, one sow and a few pigs and that is all. He had no other real estate and no other personal but a buggy. he had a few notes coming to him but not much. I don't hink he had more than three hundred dollars asidefrom then stock. He made a will leaving all his property to me. The will was probated and the estate settled."
.........
How much money or what value in Notes had you at the time you paid for the house over and above the cost of the house?
Ans. "I will not answer any more questions for I don't consider it necessary. I'd rather abandon the claim than to answer all those questions about my property. I did not know that I signed a statement that soldier made two trips to his former home since our marriage and wrote back almost every year for he never made but one trip and then he was gone only about three weeks. He never wrote to any of his people." (Notice the above statement given by Juliaett 6 February 1908, in which her name IS signed to a document saying that Harmon/Hiram visited twice and wrote back every year!) I have heard & read the testimony of Geo R. Dawson & G.W. Alexander taken our special examination and am satisfied with it.
(signed) Juliaette Stapp 6th September 1909

(The next part of the pension application takes place the next day. It appears that Juliaett refused to answer any more questions on the 6th, but changed her mind and the next day returned and gave more information on this case)

7th September 1909
(additional) "After further consideration of the matter, I desire to prosecute my claim filed under the act of June 27, 1890 and May 9, 1900. The only reason I though I did not want to prosecute it was that I felt discouraged...."
........


(The rest of the pension talks about her finances, property, etc.)

There are a few things about Juliaetts pension, including her and other's comments that can be discussed. First of all, Hiram had mentioned Talladega when he was living in Iowa. That in itself will tell you he is Harmon and apparently he later changed his name to Hiram. Juliaett's sister had mentioned that she thought he had changed his name. Second, when he enlisted in the 140th Indiana, he signed his name as Harmon, and Francis Brace, who also served in the 140th, mentioned that he didn't know a Hiram T Steep, but he knew a 'Step' but by a different first name. Third, concerning whether or not Hiram was married before he married Juliaett, most of the people that gave testaments thought that he had not. But Juliaett's sister also mentioned that she thought that in Columbia it was mentioned that Harmon/Hiram had been previously married. Today we know that he was previously married, but it surprises me that the investigator didn't look at the Talladega County Courthouse for the marriage certific

Also, his report, W.R. King (investigator) states: "...she seemed much provoked when she learned that the information was out that soldier had served in the Confederate Army." Also, "...and to nearly every question I asked claimant, [she] volunteered the information 'Mrs. Smith didn't have to answer that question' and 'Mrs. Jones wans't asked any of them questions' and finally claimant decided she would abandon her claim rather than answer more questions."

It appears that Juliaett was having problems with answering Mr. King's questions. It's not hard to figure out why either; First of all, as stated before since Harmon/Hiram had served with the Confederacy, his enemies could use that against him, and apparently it was according to Juliaett's sister's statement. Second, it kept coming up whether or not he was previously married, and I'm sure she knew that he had been previously married, and that she didn't want it to get out for two reasons: that it would give someone (Harmon's first wife and children) to also apply for his pension and/or it would tar his and her reputation because Harmon/Hiram would have still been married to Patsy "Martha" Herring when he married to her. And both of those are reasons enough not to let word get out about his previous marriage! Even in his own pension, Harmon/Hiram stated that he was not previously married, so I would assume that he didn't tell the truth because he would've been been open to criticism due to his mar

Another thing of mentioning is Juliaett's talk of Harmon/Hiram's family and contact towards them. First she said that he had visited them twice, and wrote every year, but later she changed her story and said that he never wrote and had only visited once. It is very unusual for her to have conflicting stories, and it can be wondered which is the correct one. She mentions that he had an uncle still living that he visited in Alabama. That would be impossible. All of his uncles were either dead or living in Georgia or Arkansas at the time period he would have visited. Also, she mentioned that he had a brother named George, and that is a match and probably true. But she mentions that he had sisters, Minnie and Latetia. I may be able to explain this...we know that Harmon/Hiram did have a sister, Sarah Ann, that went by "Mamie" which is similar to Minnie, so that could be a possibility. But Latetia is another story. Nothing points that Harmon/Hiram had a sister by that name. It's possible, since J

But it really doesn't make any sense that Harmon/Hiram wouldn't have told Juliaett, his wife about his past. Why would he have kept secrets from her like she said? It doesn't make sense! Especially if he went to see his family, he surely would have told her about it. I personally think there's more to the story and she didn't want to tell it to the investigator!

Harmon\Hiram married HERRING Patsy Martha on 3 Aug 1857 in Talladega County, Alabama. Patsy (daughter of HERRING Daniel and MOORE Athelia) was born on 15 Jun 1835 in Gwinnett County, Georgia; died in in Mississippi?. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

"They [Harmon Stepp & Patsy Herring] were divorced, and indications [from other sources] are she lived in St. Clair Co., Alabama before her second marriage to Berney Brooks."

Source: Herring Highlights III, Grimwood, James Maurice; Copyright 1998

Notes:

2ND DISTRICT, YALOBUSHA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI LAND DEEDS

Book M, Page 557. Deed
1 November 1850. Michael H Melton of Yalobusha County sold to James Mullins of Yalobusha County in consideration of the sum of fifty dollars, the said following piece or parcel of land, situate lying and being in the County of Yalobusha State of Mississippi and more particularly known as the N1/2 W1/2 NE 1/4 of Section No. Ten in township No 24 of Range 6 East containing forty acres and thirty one hundredths. M.H. Melton (seal) Personally appeared before me, John C Carnagee Clerk of the probate court the above name M.H. Melton who acknowleged the signed, sealed, and delivered deed. Recorded 4 November 1850. John C Carnagee, Clerk.

Book N, Page 541. Deed of Trust
30 May 1873. James Mullins of the first part, Willis and Johnson of the second part, and Johnathon Dilz of the third part. James Mullins of the first part is indebted to said Johnathon Dilz in the sum of forty five dollars for which he has given his note dated March the 29, 1853 due the 25th day of December. In consideration of sum aforesaid the party of the second part sell the following parcel of land

Book Y, Page 183. Deed of Trust
19 March 1870. James M. Mullins of Yalobusha County of the first part. Thos. J Kelly of the second part. Mercantile firm composed of L Guichup and Mary L Brown of the third part. The party of the first part for the consideration of one dollar in hand paid by the party of the second part the party of the first part hereby grants bargains sells and conveys to the party of the second part the following land with appurtenances to wit: N1/2 of W1/2, NE 1/4 of sect 10, Township 24, Range 6 East and the following personal property now on the plantation to wit: 1 Bay mare: or Tilly 4 years old, 1 Grey mare (N'om) 12 years old, all the crop of cotton, corn, and oats. Whereas the party of the second part in the sum of four 10/100 due for the plantation supplies furnished by him. Whereas the party of the third part have against the party of the first part supplies to .... on said plantationduring the presnt year to the amount of one hundred and fifty dollars.

(Notice on the above three deeds, the 'James M. Mullins' who put in a deed of trust in 1870 on that exact parcel of land that was bought by 'James Mullins' in 1850 and 1853, could be our James M. Mullins. But, there is no proof that the James M. Mullins in 1870 is the same as the James Mullins that first bought the land. It could be that James M. was a son of James and inherited the land from his father. It would be impossible to assume that James M. could have bought the land back in 1850, because he would have only been 13-15 years old. Proof of James M. Mullins' birthdate by his Civil War service record. So the question now is, is the James Mullins that bought the land in 1850 a father of James M. Mullins, or is he the same man, and there are two different James M. Mullins living in Yalobusha County at the same time, one being older, and ours being younger?)


Book 30, Page 4. Deed of Trust
9 January 1874. Between J.M. Mullins of the County of Yalobusha of the first part and M.H. Harbour of the second part and James and Aston & Aston of the third part. Whereas the first party is indebted to the party of the third part in the sume of one hundred three and 97/100 dollars as evidenced by promissary note of him. Whereas it is stipulated and agreed that the party of the third part will sell & furnish him of the first part goods merchandise and supplies as they of the third part may have in store for sale and during the year 1874 to the amount of one hundred dollars should he of the first part need and require so much. The party of the first part bargained, sold, and conveyed to the party of the second part the following described personality to wit: three good mules, one black mare mule, on horse mule, and one bay mare mule, also all the crop of cotton and corn. Nevertheless that if on the 1st day of November, if any unpaid, the second part shall size and take all of the property of afor

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Co. H 42nd Mississippi Infantry Regiment
Mullins, James M.
Private
Aged 25 years (in 1862)
Appears on Company Muster-In Roll of the organization named above. Roll dated Grenada, April 17, 1862.
Enlisted March 7, 1862
At Grenda, Mississippi by Captain Hugh R. Miller


RECORD OF EVENTS OF JAMES M. MULLINS'S SERVICE WITH THE 42ND MISSISSIPPI INFANTRY REGIMENT


1862, May 14 Enlisted at Grenada, Mississippi

1862, July & Aug Appears on Company Muster Roll as "Present"

1862, Sept & Oct Appears on Company Muster Roll as "Present"


1862, Nov & Dec Appears on Company Muster Roll as "Absent, detached temporarily Dec 6, 1862 as Wagoner. 9 left at Camp Liddell near Richmond, Va."

1862, December Appears on a Regimental Return for the 42nd Mississippi Infantry. "Enlisted men on Extra or Daily Duty: Wagoner Dec 1st"

1863, Jan & Feb Appears on Company Muster Roll as "Present"

1863, Mar & Apr Appears on Company Muster Roll as "Present, Name appears in column of Names Present as Jas. M. Mullins"

1863, April 9
to Appears on a Receipt Roll for Clothing. "Remarks: Prisoner in the North"
1863, Oct 8

1863, May & June Appears on Company Muster Roll as "Present"

1863, July 3 Captured at the Battle of Gettysburg

Not Dated Appears on a Register of sick and wounded Confederates in the hospitals in and about Gettysburg, Pa., after the battle of July 1, 2, and 3, 1863

Not Dated Appears on a Roll of prisoners of War at the hospitals in and about Gettysburg, Pa.; captured July 1, 2, and 3, 1863. Remarks: "Transferred to Pro. Mar."

1863, July & Aug Appears on Company Muster Roll as "Absent, Missing in Battle of Gettysburg, July 3"

Not Dated Name appears as signature to a Roll of Prisoners of War paroled at Fort McHenry, Md., and sent to Fort Delaware, Del., July -, 1863 (Name signed as "his X mark"

1863, July Received at Fort Delaware

1863, Sept & Oct Appears on Company Muster Roll as "Absent, Captured at Gettysburg, July 3"

1863, Nov & Dec Appears on Company Muster Roll as "Absent, Captured at Gettysburg, Pa July 3"

1864, May & June Appears on Company Muster Roll as "Absent, Prisoner of War since July 3, '63 capt. at Gettysburg"

1864, July & Aug Appears on Company Muster Roll as "Absent, Prisoner captured at Gettysburg, July 3, '63"

1864, Sept. 14 Name appears as signature to a Roll of Prisoners of War paroled at Fort Delaware, Del., September 14, 1864. Remarks: "signs by his mark"

1864, Sept. 18 Exchanged from Fort Delaware

1864, Sept 21 Appears on a Register of Receiving and Wayside Hospital, or General Hospital No. 9, Richmond, Virginia. "Admitted: Sept 21, 1864; Disposition: Stewart; Date: Sept 22, 1864"

1864, Sept 22 Appears on a Register of Stuart Hospital, Richmond, Virginia. "Disease: Debilitas; Admitted: Sept 22; Furloughed: 40 days Sept 27, 1864"

1864, Sept 27 Appears on a Receipt Roll for clothing, at Stuart Hosp. Richmond, Va. "Date of issue: Sept 27, 1864. Signature: by X"

1864, Sept & Oct Appears on a Company Muster Roll as "Absent, Prisoner of War since July the 3, 1863"

Not Dated Appears on a "Record" of the organization named above, from May 14, 1862, to October 27, 1864. "Born (State): Miss Occupation: Farmer Residence (Nearest P.O): Coffeeville Miss Age when enlisted: 22 Married or single: M"

James married GATTIS Tranquilla Susan Elizabeth J on 11 Jan 1859 in Yalobusha County, Mississippi. Tranquilla (daughter of GATTIS John) was born about 1850 in Alabama. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Tranquilla "Tranny" was said to have re-written letters for traveling slaves, whose masters had addressed that they were to be beaten when encountered by road watchers.

Source: This statement came from an elderly African American woman that knew "Tranny" as a young girl. It was told to Christine Kelso (Smith) when she was a young woman.