a) James Winslow Stinson
i. Married: Martha Lashley Jackson
ii) Anne Elizabeth
iii) Catherine Margaret
iv)Martha J.
v) John F.
vi) Mary Jane
vii) Laura A.
viii) Caroline.
a) Ann Elizabeth
i. Married: George Willis Radcliff
ix) Lilly and Lulie (twins)
x) James Stinson Radcliff
1. 2.James Stinson Radcliff
2. (1st wife): Mary Hawkins (died)
2) Willis
i) Married: Nellie B. Young
3) Mary
4) Florence
i) (2nd Wife): Emma Smith
b) Lilly Carolyn
c) Lulie Martha
d) Herndon
e) James
i) Lulie Martha (My namesake) "Grandmother Lulie/ms. Lulie)
a. Married: Alfred Edward Maumenee
(2) Alfred Edward Maumenee, JR
(3) James Radcliff Maumenee (My grandfather)
Dr. James Winslow Stinson owned the Stinson Plantation of Meriwether County, Georgia. A settler and physician of this community the town of Stinson, Georgia was named in his honor. Eventually, the town of Stinson was changed to Durand, Georgia as the Central of Georgia Railroad was built. Although the plantation is gone today after it burnt down on November 21, 1896, the trinity unity Methodist Church can be found in its place today.
The importance of the Stinson plantation leads the Radcliff to its roots of Georgia, so here is the story of Dr. Stinson, and what eventually led to the destruction of this once lively and hospitable home. Dr. James Stinson originally from North Carolina married Martha Lashely Jackson on January 14, 1830. In 1834 the newly married couple moved to Meriwether County, Georgia where he worked as a physician and soon built his plantation.
In 1850 he was the owner of 50 slaves, all of whose names and births can be found in the following appendix and the father of six daughters, all considered, "southern belles." And exceptional women who were popular among the luck gentleman of their generation. According to the 1850 census the Stinson Plantation consisted of 990 acres, of land, that 1,o80 acres were unimproved lands. Listed below was the cash value of his property dating to the census of 1850.
1. Cash Value - $10,350.00
2. Machinery - $3,341.00
3. Slaughtered Animals - $200.00
4. Personal Estate - $68,000.00
5. Real Estate - $21,000.00
Total Value: $105,291.00
Animals found on the plantation were: horses, donkeys, mules, oxen, cattle, sheep, and pigs. Crops harvested were: wheat, Indian corn, oats, peas, beans, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, and butter.
The original house was built between 1845-1850. Copied as a Greek revival architecture, this two-story home, contained doubled doors, with no central hallway.
Instead, the entryway contained a foyer, with a free hanging balcony and a grand staircase. Four white columns supported the front of the house and a white picket fence surrounded the front yard. the house was known for its southern hospitality, and grand parties many hosted by the daughters of Dr. Stinson. Not only an exceptional physician, Dr. Stinson prided himself as a farmer, slaveholder, and businessman.
In an editorial found in the Meriwether Gazette it was noted" In 1834 Dr. Stinson removed to Meriwether and so successful was he, " Editor Revill said, "that before the war he counted his servants and cotton bales by the hundreds, and his borad adres ran away up into the thousands. His corn cribs and smoke houses were annually filled to overflowing, his slaves well fed, warmly clothed, and kindly cared for, were fat, sleek, and happy, his business affairs moving on like a well regulated piece of machinery."... " for all this grand success the doctor is largely indebted to the good wife he secured on January 14, 1830."
The last great event held at the Stinson plantation was the 50th wedding anniversary of James and Martha Stinson on January 14, 1880
As Noted:
"There's a bliss beyond all the minstrel has told when two are linked in one heavenly tie.
With hear never changing and brow never cold.
Love on tho all fails and love on till they die.
Fifty years of a love so sacred is worth,
Whole ages of heartless and wandering bliss,
And OH! If there been an Elysium on earth, it is this-it is this."
- Revill, W.T. (Meriwether Vindicator)
With as much life, love and happiness shared at the Stinson plantation, a tragic occurrence ended such fond memories, On November 26, 1896, the Stinson plantation burned to the ground as noted by the Meriwether Vindecator. No clear reason, person, or incident has ever been traced to this tragedy, but according to a servant, it was assumed that the house was robbed and then set on fire. no person was ever found guilty of brining to ruin's one of Georgia's finest home. Dr. James Stinson passed away and was buried at Union Cemetery at Ogletree Plantation, near Durand, Land lot 259, 3rd district of Merewether County.
What is the significance of the Stinson plantation? How did this event change the course of a family? The role of the Stinson plantation represented not only a house that a family dwelt in, but also it also held the history of a family, where 3 generations dwelt, until its tragic ending. This event changed the course of a family by moving the location of a Georgia family. My great grandmother Lulie Martha, was born and raised on the plantation, and later married Alfred Edward Maumenee and moved to Mobile, Alabama.
All previous history explained to this point, has dealt with the Radcliff side of my father's family. His mother, Lulie Martha Radcliff, is where this history came from;
Maumenee 13,14,15,16,
I can't seem to find the appendix with the names and births of the slaves Dr. Stinson owned. Can you help please?
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