Stanaland and Associated Families

of Taylor County, Florida

The surname Stanaland has been misused, misspelled either accidentally or on purpose since the family first appeared in Madison/Taylor County, Florida area in the late 1830's to present date. The exact origin is unknown. The name is widespread from the earliest known origin of North Carolina to present day Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas.

My goal is to stay with the Stanaland Family of Taylor County, Florida and their Associated Families. These family surnames include, but not limited to Sheffield, Howard, Carlton, Hendry, Alderman, Futch, Downing & Stephens.

WILLIAM SUMMERFORD STANALAND
&
MARY ELIZABETH SHEFFIELD

William Summerford Stanaland, born April 28, 1828, in probably Appling County, Georgia. William's origin held about the same mystic as that of Duncan Bell. His forebearance is leaking with unfounded mystery. There is a lot of supposition as to his origin. When he first showed up on the 1850 Federal Census for Madison County, Florida he was shown as William Standley. Also, shown was an older woman listed in his household as his mother, her name being Lydia. His first marriage to a Nancy Nichols in 1853, has him using the name of Wiliam Standley. After close examination of his Civil War Records, he is shown to have enlisted as William Standley. However, when he married Mary Elizabeth Sheffield in 1854, he married under the name of Stanaland. Later on the 1870 Federal Census for Taylor County, Florida, he is listed as William Stanaland. William died March 5, 1892, at his home in the Fish Creek Community of Taylor County, Florida.

STRICKLAND'S INDEPENDENT UNION RANGERS
Captain William Wilson Strickland, See Company I, 2nd Florida Cavalry.

Private Stanaland, William S. (b.. 1828 Appling Co. GA; m. Elizabeth) lived in Taylor Co. in 1860. He was a saitmaker and was originally exempted from military service. When the Exemption Act of 2/17/64 removed the exemption for saitmakers, he joined this company. He reenlisted 416/64 in Company D, 2nd Florida Cavalry in Taylor Co. as a refugee from the Confederacy and was promoted Sgt 8/12/64 but was reduced in early 1865. He was briefly missing in action 3/6/65 at Natural Bridge. He was mustered out 11/29/65 at Tallahassee. He was 6', blue eyes, dark hair & fair skin. Occupation: farmer. He had at least three children.

Private Stanaland, Raborn S (b. 1824 Appling Co. GA or 1840 GA) was a member of this company then reenlisted 4/6/64 in Company C, 2nd Florida Cavalry in Taylor Co. as a refugee from the Confederacy. He was furloughed 9/28/65 and was mustered out 11/29/65 at Tallahassee. He was 6', blue eyes, dark hair & sandy skin. Occupation: farmer.

COLUMBUS SUMMERFORD STANALAND
&
SARAH CHARLOTTE HOWARD

Columbus Summerford Stanaland. born Febuary 6, 1873, was the oldest boy six children born to William Stanaland and Mary Sheffield, after the Civil War. He died 18 November of 1951 and was buried at the Oakland Cemetary, Taylor County, Florida. Not much is known of Grandpa Lum's childhood, he married Sarah Charotte Howard, October 28, 1892, at the age of nineteen. Recalling the youthful conversations with Grandma Sally, she indicated he was a noble and proud indivdual. He did not put up with Laziness, she said she was living proof. He had carried her back to her father several times after they were married. because of her laziness. She told me that her father told Grandpa Lum to whip her if she did not do the chores she was expected to do. However, she never did admit that he had to whip her.

He was in the true sense a WoodsMan. In his early life he made his living in the woods, primarily raising cattle and farming. He and grandma Sally operated a small country store for a number of years. The majority of the goods they sold were produced by them, with the exception of staples like salt, flour, sugar, etc. It was told that he could make the best cured meats of anyone. However, his main labor went to the craft that he excelled in and this was Carpentry. He made wooden furniture, tables, chairs and rocking chairs. He made some farming implements and of course Oxen Yokes. To my knowledge there is one of the yokes he made and maybe a dozen chairs and rocking chairs that still exist. The chairs had rawhide for the seats and several still exist with the original rawhide still attached. Basically, he either learned how to makewhat he needed or did without.

With the lifestyle that my great-grandparents had to contend with, they raised three children to Adulthood. In the early 1930's he united with Rocky Ford Primitiver Baptist Church. He went on to serve as church clerk and later Ordained as a Minister of the Gospel. Also, the church co-located at the Oakland Cemetery is a Historic Landmark. This Bethel Place has been the home to several denominations since it was originally constituted, and is located approximately 20 miles west of Perry, Florida off US 98.

WESLEY COLUMBUS STANALAND
&
EDWA JO ELIZABETH STEPHENS

I don't have any early recollection of my childhood from my fathers side of the family. However, from mothers side it is much clearer. I can remember as a child visiting Grandpa Columbus and Grandma Eddie, I could not tell time, but I almost always knew when it it was time for Grandpa to come in from work. So at the porch I waited until I could hear his truck coming and then I would get so excited I knew it wasn't long till he'd be home. I guess it was more important to know what he had left in his lunch box, than actually seeing him. Yet, I could feel the relief he felt when he finally got in the house and was able to remove his shoes and soak his feet in a pan of cool water. As memory serves me, he would soak his feet, while drinking a cup of coffee. Afterward, he would bring out his shaving mug and shave. I recall him saying he felt like a new man after washing the road dust from his feet and scraping the sweat, whiskers and dirt from his face. I felt so important when he would allow me to empty his wash pan, carry his lunch box and wear his hat. If I had one millionth of his will and determination, I'd be a millionaire or at least feel like one.

Other memories were of Sarah Charlotte (Howard) Stanaland or Grandma Sally. I guess that I was either eight or nine when I really enjoyed being with her. Over the years I tend to recall some the stories she told, especially that of when she and Columbus Summerford Stanaland or Grandpa Lum first started house keeping. I only wish that I had forethought to write down part of what she related, as it was a weatlth if historical information that could have been cherished by all of us.

Then there's Edwa Jo Elizabeth (Stephens) Stanaland, my Grandma. If I were half the woodsperson or fisherman she was, but it wasn't meant to be. When someone mentioned fishing, she was ready to go. Between her fishing compainion Aunt Inez Stephens, they probably knew where every fishing hole between Deadmans Bay and Carabelle was located, and then some. Come rain or shine when she was able she was ready to go. With all the ventures she was involved with she could make money probably just by sneezing. I remember us going to Keatons Beach and catching fish and bringing them back to Perry and peddling them. Basically if she made her expenses and enough to finance another trip she was satisfied. Also, it is documented that other Carlton women had the knack for fishing. I guess it is one of them gene things. Somehow Grandma and Grandpa managed to build a laying house and she would peddle the eggs from this. To us children it was fun going in the house searching for eggs. Yet, Tommie and Janice (Gertrude) hated having to mess with them. I believe it was Tommie and Grandma had gone to the dump and he found a dog that someone had shot and left for dead. Well the dog came home with them. As the the layers began to lay out they would be butchered. It fell Tommie's lot to chop their heads off. However, there was this one chicken that refused to die. It got up and walked around for a good long time before it gave up the ghost. This ole dog would stand around and watch the chickens as they would flop around on the ground, but made no effort to mess with them. The exception was the on that got up and walked around, the dog just stood there puzzled as to what was actually happening and then laid down until the chicken dropped. He got up and walked over and sniffed the chicken, as the chicken went into one last flopping session it scared the dog and he ran off as if someone had scared him.

Grandpa Columbus passed away September 16, 1963. He was buried in the Corinth Primitive Baptist Church cemetery; where he had faithfully serves as pastor for approximately twenty years. He was a devoted loving son, husband, father and grandfather.

Grandma Eddy surviving Grandpa Columbus by sixteen years, died October 3, 1983. She was laid to rest on October 6, 1983, aside Grandpa Columbus in the church cemetery at Corinth Primitive Baptist Church. The church is located near Lee, Madison County, Florida.

J. C. Stanaland, grandson of Wesley Columbus Stanaland was born Jan 28, 1951 in Foley, Taylor Co., Fl. A biography of him from the Biographical History of Primitive or Old School Baptist Mnisters by David Montgomery & Mark Green appears on the Primitive Baptist Sermon website.

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