GEORGIA RECORDS
While searching records for Provincial Georgia and counties after the Revolution, many lineages of Stanley were found.
King George of England as a Trustee of the Georgia Colony appointed James Stanley, Eleventh Earl of Derby, in 1732. He died without heirs.
The first recorded Stanley in Georgia was Joseph Stanley, who came here with General Oglethorpe in 1733. The Abstracts of Colonial Georgia indicates his land holdings and prominence as a citizen. He embarked for Georgia on November 6, 1732, at the age of forty-five. He arrived in Savannah in February 1733. There he received a land grant of Lot #21 in the City, which he cleared and used. In 1756, he was granted one hundred acres near Savannah and one hundred acres on the Little Ogeechee River. In 1758 he was granted another town lot in Savannah. His wife, Elizabeth, was a public midwife who came to the Colony at the age of thirtyfive. She returned to England in October 1736.
Joseph Stanley left by his Last Will all his property to his friend Sam Elbert. He died in 1771. The Will is recorded in Colonial Will Book A, page 427. Button Gwinnett and William Greene witnessed the Will.
From the Reconstructed Census of 1790:
- John and Michael Stanley, Chatham Co. tax digests 1790.
- Shade Stanley. Capt. McCavy's Company, Washington Co.,
State Militia muster roll, 1793; tax digest, 1791.
- Stephen Stanley. Washington Co., State Militia muster roll of 1793. Member of a "Troop of Cavalry of the Upper Regiment of Washington County Militia under Captain Carson." Ref: Georgia Military Affairs, V. 2, Part 1, page 71.
- Samuel Stanley. Listed in Augusta Chronicle, 1794
- Thomas Stanley. Bought land in Greene Co., 1786, 1789.
Early Wills in Georgia list the names of:
- James Stanley, 1794, Columbia County. Colonial Will Book A, page 44. He left all possessions to his "loving aunt, Ann Wall." Three hundred acres, one milk cow and one sorrel colt.
- Martin Stanley, 1823, Jasper County. Will Book MR 4H, 1. Jesse and Felix Stanley were appointed administrators. Listed in the Will were three minor daughters: Elizabeth, Polly, and Kathryn.
Martin Stanley was born about 1772 in Johnston County, North Carolina. Benjamin and James Stanley also resided in Johnston County. By 1806 Martin was a charter member of White Plains Baptist Church in Greene County, Georgia. He purchased land in Jasper County, Georgia in 1809. He was a charter member of the Shady Dale Baptist Church in Jasper County. His wife, Mary, was born in North Carolina about 1776.
- Sherwood Stanley, 1838, Henry County. His wife, Sarah, was the administratrix of the estate. See “Greene County” listing.
- Samuel Stanley, 1846, Hancock County. Will Book MR Q, 248. He married Martha Brown in 1821 in Hancock County. The 1850 Census enumerates the following:
Martha Stanleyage46born inGeorgia
Samuel B.21GA
Jonathan19GA
William R.16GA
Moses14GA
Adeline10GA
Harriett12GA
Doctor9GA
Nancy6GA
Also listed in the Hancock County census of 1850 was
Spirus Stanleyage55born inNorth Carolina
Nancy35NC
Jeremiah B.19NC
John G.17NC
Sarah A.17Georgia
Fred E. B.15GA
Martha A. E.11GA
Sarah J.10GA
Samuel8GA
William H.4GA
Jacob M. B.1GA
From Revolutionary War pension files an older Spirus Stanley is identified:
Standly, Spirus, North Carolina Line, S1726, soldier was born 08 May 1764 I Old Dobbs County, NC. He lived in Hanover County, NC at enlistment and he lived there until 1818 when he moved to Greene County, Georgia. He lived in Greene County for one year then moved to Alabama for five years. Then he moved to Shelby County, Tennessee where he made application for pension on 19 October 1832.
Georgia’s Roster of the Revolution included the following entries. The Harvey List, an alphabetical list of Georgia’s Revolutionary soldiers is also cited.
Page 169.Stanley, ShadrackLieutenant
Page 429. Stanley, Shadrack. Certificate of Elijah Clarke, Colonel, February 2, 1784. Petitioner prays bounty in Washington County (Georgia). Desiring to remove from South Carolina to Georgia. He also prays headright for self and six in family in Washington County.
Claims Against South Carolina paid for military service included the following:
No. 573. Issued the 27th of April 1785, to Mr. Shadrack Stanley, for two Pounds, two Shillings & ten pence, farthing Sterling, for 36 days Military Duty in 1782. Account audited.
This Shadrack Stanley served under Colonel Elijah Clarke for about a month during 1782, service being in South Carolina. A brief summary of the skirmishes and battles Elijah Clarke’s men fought follows.
Elijah Clarke was born in Edgecomb County, South Carolina. In 1774 he moved into Wilkes County, Georgia, where he served as a Colonel in the Georgia Militia. He served at times under Pickens. He served as Brigadier General of the Militia 1781-1783.
Battles involving Elijah Clarke’s regiment:
- Alligator Creek, 1778. South Carolina.
- Kettle Creek, 1779. Located at present day Elijah Clarke State Park near Lincolnton, Georgia. Shared credit with Pickens for victory. Also serving under Clarke at this battle were brothers Charles and Dempsey Jordan.
- Musgrove Mill, 8/1780. Wounded and had narrow escape. Located in Union-Laurens area of South Carolina.
- Fishdam and Blackstocks, 10/1780. Located in Chester, SC.
- Long Cane, 12/12/1780. Wounded. Located in McCormick, SC.
- Beattie’s Mill. 3/23/1781. Defeated British leader Dunlap. Located in Abbeville, SC.
- First Siege of Augusta, Georgia, 1780. American forces were repulsed and retreated into Wilkes County, GA.
- Second Siege of Augusta, Georgia, 1781. American forces were victorious leading to removal of the British from Georgia until the end of the war. Also serving under Clarke at this battle were Charles Jordan, Sr. and his sons, Charles and Dempsey Jordan. During this engagement Charles Jordan, Sr. was killed.
The earliest tax records held by the Georgia State Archive are listed in the Index to Georgia Tax Digests and Hudson’s Wilkes County Tax Lists and include the following:
1785:Shadrick Stanley, Washington County. Capt.
Thompson’s District, paying tax on 287 plus acres
of second quality land.
Charles Jordan, Wilkes County. 100 acres.
Zachariah Jordan, Wilkes County. 700 acres.
Jacob Jordan is listed immediately after Zachariah with no indication of acreage.
Dempsey Jordan, Wilkes County. 250 acres.
1786:Charles Jordan, Wilkes County. 100 acres.
Jacob Jordan, Wilkes County. 605 acres.
Nathan Jordan, Wilkes County. 605 acres.
1787:Charles Jordan, Wilkes County. 200 acres.
1789:Thomas Stanley, Greene County. Capt. Wm.
Verdiman’s District. He paid taxes on 338 acres of
second quality land and 100 acres of third quality
land. The note for thee 1791 entry states” Return
for Thomas Standley by Thomas Terrell, Trustee.”
Thomas Standley was listed paying taxes in 1793,
1801 and 1802. Thomas Stanley (note spelling) paid
tax in 1792, 1794, 1795, 1801 and 1804.
Sands Stanley, Washington County
1791 - 1792:
Nathan Jordan, Wilkes County. 150 acres on
Savannah river.
Charles Jordan, Wilkes County. 200 acres on
Cherokee Creek.
Jacob Jordan, Wilkes County. 750 acres on
Cherokee Creek.
1797John Stanley, Greene County
1801:Stephen Stanley, Greene County
Sherwood Stanley, Greene County
Isaac Stanley, Greene County
Thomas Stanley, Wilkes County
Dempsey Stanley, Jackson County
Thomas Stanley, Franklin County
Jordan Stanley, Lincoln County
Shadrach Stanley, Lincoln County
Thomas Stanley was the only Stanley listed among those with Headrights Grants in the State of Franklin prior to 1796. That was the year Franklin was divided and Jackson County was formed. Further research has indicated this was the same man who Married Unity Crew in North Carolina.
During the mid1700s the King of England, through the Royal Governor, made land grants in the Colony.
District / TownshipParish (1758-77)County (1777)
Dist. Of AugustaSt. PaulRichmond
Dist. Of HalifaxSt. GeorgeBurke
Dist. Of Ogeechee
(above Canoochee R.)St. PhilipEffingham
Dist. Of Ogeechee
(below Canoochee R.)St. PhilipChatham
Dist. Of DarienSt. AndrewLiberty
Town of SavannahChrist ChurchChatham
Among those receiving grants were:
- Charles Jordan, 1766. 400 acres in St. Paul Parish. His presence in the Colony is traced at least to 1754 when he signed a bill of sale in Augusta. Again in 1774 he signed a petition which was written in protest to a pamphlet produced at Savannah that spoke against the King, Lords and Commons. Plat Book C, page 87. Grant Book I, page 184.
- John Stanley, 1770. 200 acres in St. Paul Parish. Plat Book C, page 340. No grant was recorded. Two additional documents give information. In March 1714 John Stanley married Elizabeth Wall in Northumberland County, Virginia. Later in 1794 there was a Will recorded at Appling, Columbia County, by James Stanley who left his possessions to his Aunt Ann Wall. Perhaps James was a son to John.
- William Stanley, 1774. 400 acres in St. Paul Parish. Plat Book C, page 356. Grant Book M, page 729. He left no Last Will. John and Charlotte Sutherland administered his estate in 1786. Note Richmond County Deeds. Charlotte was probably his daughter.
Wilkes County tax digest of 1785, listed Captain Thompson’s District [1785 QQ]. Among the names are ALFORD, JACKSON, Captain John CAIN, MOORE, VEASEY, John Comer PEEKE.
Shadrick Standley was listed as paying tax on 287.5 acres in Washington County. District QQ lay west of the Ogeechee River and south of the South Fork thereof, but east of the ‘Temporary Line’ considered by surveyors and residents of both Washington County and Wilkes County to be the boundary between the two counties. The area of this district was put into Greene and Washington counties over the protest of many residents when Green County was created 03 February 1786. Wilkes lost parts of other districts at that time, but Captain Thompson’s was the only complete district taken from Wilkes. For continuation of tax records for those residents found in this district in 1785, see early tax records for Greene County beginning 1788 (particularly districts commanded by Captains Alexander, Cain, Benjamin Gilbert, Michael Gilbert and Thompson), and for Hancock County beginning in 1794. There are no early extant tax records for Washington County.
The 1800 Census of Lincoln County was reconstructed from tax digests, which enumerate the following:
Jordan Stanley (1801) Poll defaulter Dist. F, #116
Shadrach Stanley (1800) Poll Tax Dist. F, #31
- Shadrach Stanley (1801) Poll Tax Dist. F, #68
Charles Jordan (1800) Dist. GD, #7
(100 acres on Cherokee Creek)
District F encompassed land in 1801 bounded on the east by the Savannah River and extending westward to include the Lincoln Courthouse (Lincolnton). On the north it was bounded by District CF. Both Districts F and CF included taxpayers reporting land on the waters of Mill Creek (identified on State Highway Department County map of 1965 as Murray Creek). On the South District D bound it, and both Districts F and D reported taxpayers on the waters of Well’s Creek. Most of the taxpayers in District F reported land on Soap Creek. District F was reduced in size in 1806/1807 when District DF was formed from the lower portion of District F and the upper portion of District D. Barksdale’s Ferry crossed the Savannah River into District F at a point approximately midway between the mouths of Mill Creek and Soap Creek.
District G included lands in the southwest corner of the county, bounded on the south by Little River and on the west by the Wilkes County line. On the east, District GD bound it, and both Districts G and GD included taxpayers reporting land on waters of Gray’s Creek. The boundary on the north has not been ascertained, but it would appear that Grave’s Mountain (previously known as Lloyd’s Mountain) was included in District G. Most of the taxpayers resident in this district reported land on Lloyd’s Creek. Residents of this district in 1801 who had lived there prior to 1796 in the area south and west of Lloyd’s Creek will be found in District H of earlier Wilkes County tax digests.
The 1805 Tax Digests listed the following in Tattnall County:
- Benjamin Stanley
- Jesse Stanley
- Sands Stanley (Also Henry County Bounty Land Grant, 1824, 202 acres. Died in Tattnall County, 1826. Jesse and wife, Hannah, were administrators of his estate.)
- Shadrach Stanley
Also the following were listed
- Sha_d Stanley Jackson County
- Jordan Stanley Jackson County
- Ezekiel Stanley Greene County
- Sherwood Stanley Greene County
- John Stanley Jefferson County
And the 1810 Tax Digests listed:
- James Stanley McKinney District, Jackson County
- Jordan Stanley McKinney District, Jackson County
McKinney's tax district was located between the present cities of Jefferson and Braselton, near the Mulberry River, in Jackson County, Georgia.
The area set aside in Georgia for the bounty grants was in the south end of old Franklin County and the north end of Washington County. Today the area is occupied by Oconee, Oglethorpe and Greene counties, and lies between the Oconee and Appalachee rivers. It is important to note that many Georgia bounty land warrantees qualified in more than one class.
The Act of 25 February 1784 increased the amounts of the grants. A Private in the militia, for example, might have received a certificate entitling him to 250 acres. His warrant, however, was issued for 287.5 acres.
Grants awarded in 1784 included:
NameFromRankDateAcres
Standley, SandGA_____21 April 17841000
Stanley, DempseyGA_____19 July 1784287.5
Stanley, JohnGA_____21 April 1784200
Stanley, ShadrackGA______250
Grants awarded also included:
GranteeLocationBook/PageAcresYear
Standley, AderWilkesIII/1841001785
Standley, DempseyGreeneCCCCC/680751800
Stanley, DempseyWashingtonTTT/616501790
Stanley, JosephSavannahB/20Town Lot1758
SavannahA/6221001756
Little
OgeecheeA/6231001756
Stanley, RobertTattnallR-5/5303421835
Standley, SandsMontgomeryK-5/7172001816
MontgomeryK-5/7182001816
TattnallK-5/9629001816
TattnallQ-5/1761001830
WashingtonOOO/3821961787
Stanley, SandsWashingtonYYY/4652001793
WashingtonWWWW/543287.51796
Standley, ShadrackMontgomeryF-5/465001807
WashingtonRRR/971501788
Stanley, ShadrackWashingtonTTT/451501790
TattnallY-5/13956031854
Standley, ThomasFranklinSSS/5798501789
Standley, WileyLibertyW-5/8463501850
Stanley, WileyLibertyY-5/11215171854
Stanley, WilliamSt. PaulM/7284001774
Warrantees filed petitions in 1784 and included:
- Dempsey Jordan. 250 acres in Washington County. Served under Col. Elijah Clark.
- Samuel Jordan. #1114, 287.5 acres in Franklin County. Served under Col. Elijah Clark.
- Charles Jordan. #1247, 250 acres in Washington County. Served under Col. Elijah Clarke.
- Dempsey Stanley. #1051, 250 acres in Washington County. Served under Col. Elijah Clarke.
- John Stanley. Petitioned 4/21/1784 in Washington County, “ On Reserve for twelve months.” Served under Col. Elijah Clarke.
- Sands Stanley. Petitioned 4/21/1784 in Washington County, “ On Reserve for twelve months.” 1000 acres. Served under Col. Elijah Clarke.
- Shadrack Stanley. #1221, 277 acres in Washington County, “ On Reserve for twelve months.” Served under Col. Elijah Clarke.
The Index to Headrights and Grants in Georgia and Washington County Georgia Land Warrants 1784-1787, Heritage Papers, Athens, Georgia.
- Shadrach Stanley 1786 Washington County, 100 ac
Headright Warrant
1788Washington County, 150 acres
17901790Washington County
1807Montgomery County
18171817Tattnall County
- Sands Stanley 1786 Washington County, 150 ac
Headright Grant
- Thomas Stanley 1789 Franklin County, 850 acres
Greene County, 287 acres
- Dempsey Stanley 1790 Washington County, 50 acres
1800Greene County, 75 acres
1819Bulloch County, 250 acres
Records of Washington County, Georgia, Lamar and Rothstein, Gen. Pub. Co. Inc. Baltimore, 1985, lists Shadrack Stanley (1788) and Sands Stanley (1787) as Revolutionary soldiers.
Extant Surveyor's records show:
October 6, 1789 Stanley, Sams
April 1, 1793 Stanley, Sams
Georgia Genealogical Magazine (GGM) 1969 lists
Bill of sale to Sands Stanley of Washington County from Stephen Powell for slave. January 7, 1792
Bill of sale to Sands Stanley of Washington County from James Herring for slave. March 13, 1793
Deed to Sands Stanley of Washington County for 200 acres on Big Ohoopee Creek. June 19,1793
Researching the lineage of Dempsey Stanley it was learned that the man who resided in Washington County in 1790 was probably the father of the man in Bulloch County. The 1850 Census of Bulloch County listed Dempsey Stanley at sixtysix years old born about 1784 stating he was born in Georgia. In
1850 his wife was listed as Mary, at age 47, born in Georgia. They were married in Bulloch County in 1815. Records at Statesboro indicate that a Dempsey Stanley was present there in 1816, proved by a registered cattle brand in that year.
The Land Lottery of 1820 produced the following records:
P = PrizeB = Blank
- Jesse Stanley Tattnall County P
Drew 202.5 acres in Baldwin County
- Robert Stanley Tattnall County B
- Shadrach Stanley Tattnall County B B
- Martin Stanley Hancock County B B
- Sherwood Stanley Greene County B B
- James Stanley Elbert County P
Drew 202.5 acres in Wilkinson County
Jordan Stanley Jackson County B B
Particularly interesting is the Census enumeration in 1850 for James C. Stanley in Jackson County. He lived in the area of
Jefferson, Georgia. He listed his State of birthas Tennessee.
James C. Stanleyage 39Merchant
Mary Ann34born in Georgia
The Jackson County land deed records indicate at least eight transactions wherein James C. Stanley is the seller of property between 1838 and 1859. In 1854 he was listed as a Juror on the Gwinnett County Inferior Court (Flannigan). In 1857 he is listed as having sold 300 acres in Hall County to John and Lobetha Mathews.
In the 1870 Census, he listed his State of birth as Ohio. He lived in he Pondfork District of Jackson County.
James C. Stanleyage 59born inOhio
Mary Ann54Georgia
Mary18GA
Ann16GA
James C.14GA
Robert11GA
Julius8GA
Nancy2GA
James C. Stanley died before 1880.The Census for 1880
listed his family in the Auburn area of Gwinnett County:
Mary Annage 64
James26Farmer
Ann 24
Alice18
This record indicated that all persons were born in Georgia.
James C. Stanley, Jr. was married to Martha Harvil in Gwinnett County in 1885. Their gravesites are located at Cedar Creek Baptist Church in Winder, Georgia. He was called ‘Cal’.
CLARKE COUNTY
Information gathered from records at Athens in Clarke County offer more clues than answers. The appearance of this Stanley family at an early date indicates a migration path to the north and west from earlier settlement in Washington/ Greene county areas. The following sparse records were gathered in Clarke County, the Georgia State Archive, and from descendants of Ezekiel Stanley.
The 1820 Census index listed both Ezekiel and Thomas Stanley. However, searching that record did not reveal an enumeration for the family of Thomas Stanley.
1820 Census record for Ezekiel Stanley
One maleover 16years
one maleover 48years