Josiah Seth STAFFORD, II, b. 13 May 1808 SC d. 6 May 1862 near Houston, TX, and wife Jeannetta KIRKLAND, b. 27 Dec 1819 d. 24 Sept 1870 Houston, TX. His parents were Leroy STAFFORD and Rachael Providence AUDEBERT, both of SC. Her parents were Edward KIRKLAND (of LA), whose parents were Sarah HAY and Jesse KIRKLAND, and Celeste BAILLIO (of LA), whose parents were August BAILLIO and Amelia LESSARD.
VEDDER-KING fiftieth wedding anniversary, 1899. Numbers 16 and 22, Jacob Suydam VEDDER and Margaret Ashburn KING, are the celebrating couple. Photo taken in Galveston, Texas.
Galveston, Texas: After the 1900 Storm, the city of Galveston was raised several feet. This view looks across Broadway from in front of (possibly) the VEDDER house. From left to right are Julia STAFFORD (granddaughter of Jacob), Jacob Suydam VEDDER, and Julia VEDDER Key (Jacob's daughter).
Margaret Ashburn KING, wife of Jacob Suydam VEDDER.
Julia VEDDER, only sister of Jacob Suydam VEDDER. If she married is not known.
Julia VEDDER, married Brewer W. KEY , philanthropist of children of Galveston, Texas. Julia was the sister of Kate VEDDER (Mrs. Wm. Maner) STAFFORD and m. aunt of Kate, Seth, Earl and Margaret Jeannetta STAFFORD
Julia VEDDER and husband Brewer W. KEY.
My maternal grandmother, Margaret Jeannetta STAFFORD, dressed in her brother's (Seth STAFFORD) clothes, in backyard of her parents' home. I was told she felt SO wicked!
Margaret Jeannetta STAFFORD Crow, sister of Kate, Earl, Seth, and Julia STAFFORD. Date of photo unknown.
Margaret Jeannetta STAFFORD Crow, sister of Kate, Earl, Seth, and Julia STAFFORD. Born in Galveston, 26 Oct 1889, survived the 1900 Storm, died in Galveston, 30 Apr 1973. Photo by Willyerd 2215 Market Street, Galveston, ca. 1890's?. My mother often told me that when Mom was a teenager, boys would come to her house to visit--my grandmother, not my mother.
Margaret Jeannetta STAFFORD on the Seawall and beach, Galveston, Texas, ca 1907, with some of her many friends.
Margaret STAFFORD had a lot of beaus. From what my mother told me, she was quite sweet on one in particular when Asa Lee CROW asked her to marry him. She refused his proposal and he left town. Her friends told her she should not let such a fine man go. She wrote to Asa Lee that she would marry him and he sent back a telegram saying "Sure am glad."
Their wedding was 10 Apr 1911, and the following announcement was in a Galveston newspaper:
A Pretty Wedding The marriage of Miss Margaret Jeannetta Stafford of this city to Mr. Asa Lee Crow of Chattanooga, Tenn., was solemnized at Trinity Episcopal Church, Tuesday afternoon at 4 o'clock. Because of recent bereavement the wedding was quiet, only relatives and a few friends being present.
Rev. Charles S. Aves read the ceremony according to the Episcopal ritual. This bride is the third generation of her family to be married at old Trinity. Her grandfather and grandmother were married in the original church, and her father and mother plighted their wedding vows in the present edifice.
Professor J. J. Blood, at the organ, gave a program of nuptial music previous to the entrance of the bridal party, and at the coming of these changed the notes to the well-known wedding march from Wagner's "Lohengrin."
The bride's attendants were her sister, Miss Julia Stafford, maid of honor, and Misses Aimee Flood and Emilie Dorsey, bridesmaids. Misses Dorsey and Flood were gowned in white lingerie robes, handomely fashioned with lace and delicate embroideries. Girdles of pink satin ribbin completed the chic toilettes. Cordray hats of white lace with shirred bands of pink satin were worn. The arm bouquets were of pink sweetpeas caught with maline. Miss Stafford, as maid of honor, wore no touch of color in her robe of pure white. Her gown was like the bridesmaids', fashioned of dainty lace and hand embroidery. A hat similar to those worn by the other attendants, with the exception that the shirred ribbon was of white, completed the dainty costume. Her bouquet was composed entirely of white sweetpeas with white maline.
The groom entered from the vestry, attended by the bride's brother Mr. Seth Stafford.
The bride entered with her father, Colonel William Manor [sic] Stafford, who gave her away. She wore a traveling suit of Copenhagen blue, with burnt leghorn hat, ornamented with blue plume and blue and gold band. The bridal bouquet was of bride roses and lilies of the valley.
Immediately after the ceremony the young couple, attended by the bridal party and relatives, left for the station.
The young couple will travel for a few weeks, after which they will go to Chattanooga, Tenn., to make their home. The gifts sent in were magnificent. These were displayed in the library of the Stafford residence, and had all cards removed.
The Stafford family is an old one here, and this bride, the youngest of the family, is a great favorite with many, as her disposition and charm have made her popular with young and old.
Among those who witnessed the wedding was Aunt Frances, who was her nurse in infancy.
Among the out-of-town relatives were: Mr. and Mrs. L. P. Featherstone and Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Featherstone, and the little Featherstone children, all from Port Bolivar; also Mr. Fort Smith and Miss Laura Lettie Smith, from Houston. Friends and relatives of the groom were here from Dallas.
Wedding gifts to Margaret Jeannetta Stafford, along with names of givers
Wedding date and location: April 14, 1911, Galveston, Texas
| Cut glass nappy | Miss Anna Lange | Pin cushion | Mr. Stewart Cox | Cut glass vase | Mr. and Mrs. Frank H. Davis | Silver tea set | Inman Nelson & Co. | Cut glass powder dish | Dr. and Mrs. G. H. Lee | Hand embroidried under suit | Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf | Cut glass bowl | Mr. W. H. Hull | Cut glass dish | Mana and Julia Stafford, of Wharton | Lemon Dish and Silver Fork | Miss Alice Sweeney | Silver Salad Set | Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Spurlin | Cut Glass Pitcher | Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Shaw | Cut Glass Vase | Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Long | Bouquet of white roses | Frances Jones, colored nurse | Silver tea strainer | Mrs. Jos. F. Campbell | Hand painted plate | Miss Gladys O'Neeil | Cut glass bowl | Randall Kerr | Hand painted plates | Mr. and Mrs. Hammersmith | Cut glass dish | Mrs. Zetwiler | 1 doz. salad forks | Emily and Lucy Dorsey | Sheffield tray | Mr. and Mrs. Flood and Geo. Flood | Cut glass butter dish | Mr. Archie Campbell | Silver cream and sugar deposit | Mr. and Mrs. Adams and Eleanor | Glass tumbler stand | Mrs. Warren and Julia Wren | Comport and silver spoon | Miss E. Heffron | Cut glass bon bon dish | Mr. and Mrs. Kelley | Lemon dish and fork | Mary Runge | Silver plate | Mr. and Mrs. W. R. A. Runge | Sugar and Cream, cut glass | Ella Keenan and Mrs. J. Z. H. Scott | Ribbon holder and bodkin | Miss Goodwin | 1/2 doz. silver forks | F. Smith and daughters | 1/2 doz. silver spoons | F. Smith and daughters | Silver bon bon basket | Ben LeBaron | Cut glass dish | Miss Betsey Cowley | Clothes case | Mrs. Cowley | Spoons | Mr. Will McDonald | Hand made lace | Mrs. Romquin | Silk shirt | Mrs. Hawkins | Fancy apron | Clyde Leverett | Cut glass dish | Mrs. H. P. Cooke | Cut glass nappy | Mary Noble | Sardine fork | Miss Zena McMeans | Table cloth and napkins | Fellman D. G. Co. | Silver bread plate | Mr. H. R. Robinson | Cut glass comport | Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Key | Olive fork | Miss Josephine Goldman | Sugar spoon | Mr. G. H. Sykes Jr. | 1/2 doz. silver spoons | Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Sykes | Irish crochet bag | William and Reid Crow | Silver napkin ring | Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Briggs | Cut glass ice cream set | B. Fountain and W. Mayer | Cut glass vase | May Calvert | Haviland China dinner and tea set | Mr. and Mrs. B. W. Key | Towels | Mrs. Etheridge | Hand Painted picture | Laura Brooks | Thimble | Julia Stafford | Gold hat pin | Seth Stafford | Traveling bag | J. D. Featherstone | Hand painted plate | Miss Lelia Long | Silver Punch Ladle | Tony Smith | Cut Glass nappy | Miss Ruth Shomstein | Rock crystal bowl | Mr. and Mrs. Z. Taylor | 1/2 doz. silver knives, 1/2 doz. silver dessert spoons, 1/2 dog. teaspoons | Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Vedder | Cut glass bowl | Will Fisher | Silver baking dish | Mr. and Mrs. Gifford | Electric lamp | W. C. Brothers | Chafing dish spoon tray and alcohol reservoir | Messrs. A. H. Callums (?), W. Hayden, R. H. McFalls, D. B. Bertant |
Julia Laura STAFFORD, favorite sister of Margaret Jeannetta STAFFORD. She married Taylor Dickson KEMP. Following is a newspaper article about their wedding, November 27, 1913:
A wedding of interest to a wide circle of friends was solemnized Wednesday afternoon at 4:45 o'clock at the Grace Episcopal Church, when Rev. Haywood Lewis Winter performed the marriage ceremony of Miss Julia Laura Stafford, daughter of Colonel William Maner Stafford, and Mr. Taylor Dickson Kemp of Wharton.A color scheme of gold and white was developed throughout the decorations of the church and in the gowns worn by the bride and her attendant. The church was decorated by the girls of the Altar Guild, of which the bride was president, the altar being banked with palms and ferns, interwoven with white and golden glow chrysanthemums.
Mr. Douglas Montgomery played the nuptial music.
While the guests were assembling the following selections were given:
"Elevation," Edouard Batiste
"Melody of Love," H. Engelman
"The Rosary," E. Nevin
"Bridal chorus, from "Lehengrin," Wagner
Hymn, "O Perfect Love" (during ceremony)
Wedding march, from "Midsummer Night's Dream," MendelssohnRelatives entering previous to the bridal party were: Mr. and Mrs. John D. Featherstone, brother and sister of the bride and sons, John D. and Maner Featherstone; Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Vedder and Miss Katherine Vedder, Mr. and Mrs. Brewer W. Key, Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Kemp of Wharton, father and mother of the bridegroom, and Mrs. Joe Brookshire of Houston.
Mrs. Asa Lee Crow, the bride's sister, as matron of honor, wore white crepe de chine with gold chiffon drapery, with this a large white hat touched with gold and ornamented with white velvet and gold rose. She carried an arm bouquet of golden hued chrysanthemums.
The bride, entering with her father, Colonel Stafford, wore a handsome three-piece gown of white charmeuse de Lux with trimmings of white swan's down built in coat style, carrying an arm cluster of large snowy chrysanthemums showered with tiny blossoms of chrysanthemums and maline. With this effective gown was worn a traveling hat of white velour, ornamented with large white aigrettes. The ornaments worn were a rope of pearls and pearl brooch, heirlooms of the family, the bride's mother and grandmother having worn them at their weddings.
The bride was met at the altar by the groom and his attendant, Mr. J. Seth Stafford, brother of the bride.
After the ceremony, the bridal party, relatives and a few friends were driven to the Union Station and Mr. and Mrs. Kemp left on the 5:35 Missouri, Kansas & Texas for Dallas and will be at home after Dec. 15 at Wharton.
Many beautiful gifts were received. These were placed in the drawing room.
Among the out-of-town guests at this wedding were: Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Kemp, father and mother of the groom, and Mrs. Joe Brookshire of Houston.
Tragically, Julia died in childbirth of their first child, 15 Aug 1915, Galveston, Texas. The baby died as well.
Asa Lee Crow and Col. Wm. M. Stafford in front of the latter's home
Home of Col. William Maner STAFFORD, and wife Kate Eleanor VEDDER, 2723 Broadway, Galveston, Texas. The STAFFORDs and their children rode out the 1900 Storm in this home or the home of Jacob Suydam VEDDER, Kate's father, and opened it to all who needed shelter. Kate STAFFORD used an iron-heating stove to cook grits for everyone. Kate and Maner's daughter Margaret STAFFORD and Asa Lee CROW married in 1911 and moved to TN; several years after their marriage, Margaret returned to Galveston for the birth of Mary Kate, their firstborn. Brewer W. KEY offered Asa Lee a job running the Gulf Lumber Company, which he did until his death in 1967. Mary Kate CROW and her parents lived at 2723 Broadway with Col. STAFFORD until 1922 when it was razed because her mother was tired of the big Victorian house and wanted a smaller home. The new home was built at 2709 Broadway. They moved into the new house with Col. STAFFORD, who died in 1930. The CROWs stayed at 2709 Broadway until the 1950's. At that time, they moved to 5209 Avenue O where they lived until their deaths in the 1960's and 1970's.
Seth Stafford and daughter Betty
Josiah Seth Stafford (right) and friend Harry L. Littlejohn. Seth is the brother of Margaret STAFFORD Crow, son of Col. William Maner STAFFORD. Harry was one of her beaus.
Judith Ann STAFFORD, b. 1817, only sister of Col. William Maner STAFFORD. Photo by W. W. Washburn, 113 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA.
Cute courting photo of unknown couple. Man looks a bit like Harry LITTLEJOHN.
Telegram from newborn Mary Kate Crow to her Daddy, Asa Lee Crow, 22 Jan 1915
First car bought by Asa Lee CROW for his wife Margaret STAFFORD Crow. Margaret and daughter Mary Kate are standing by the car. Margaret depended on others for transportation and it embarrassed her to trouble others; she convinced Asa Lee to buy a car (Source: Mary Kate Crow Sinclair)
Margaret Jeanetta STAFFORD, wife of Asa Lee CROW Sr. (ca. 1911)
Kate STAFFORD, sister of Earl, Seth, Julia and Margaret Jeannetta STAFFORD, known by her nieces and nephews as "Nanny." She married John D. Featherstone, Sr. They had two sons: John D. Featherstone Jr. and Maner Featherstone. The elder, John D. Featherstone, died at age 17 years from bleeding to death from an accidental gunshot wound while hunting sustained when he dropped his gun and the discharge hit him in the leg. His friends knew nothing about tourniquets and applying pressure, and he bled to death while they rushed him back to Galveston. Nanny never got over this terrible loss. (Source: Mary Kate Crow Sinclair) Another photo of John D. as an infant. (A HREF=" ">Maner lived to be middle-aged, but died from Parkinson's.
Kate Eleanor VEDDER Just a portion of the set of pearls given to Kate Eleanor VEDDER by her husband William Maner STAFFORD, Sr., as a wedding gift (June 9, 1868). Only two pieces are left: this one is in possession of a nephew, and the other possessed by a sister. The full set is seen in this photo of Kate STAFFORD, daughter of Kate VEDDER and William Maner STAFFORD. It not only encircles the neck, but also graces the neckline of her dress. The full set of pearls is described in this
"part of letter written by Mrs. Charlotte Barstow to Mrs. Cecelia Tucker, her sister, June 28th. (no year date). (Mrs. Tucker was visiting in Vermont).""Well, Katie Vedder was married on the 9th to Mr. Stafford. She was married in the Episcopal Church at half-past ten A. M.; had six bridesmaids: Grace Vedder, Mollie Terry, Maggie Sterrett, Helen Delespine, Ella Hurd and Mollie Moore; the gentlemen were strangers to me. Her dress was white alpaca trimmed with white satin, sash of same, long train, veil with pearl ornaments in place of a wreath. Mr. Stafford presented her with a bridal set of pearls, consisting of breastpin, earrings, two bracelets, sprig for the hair and necklace. Her veil was fastened with the sprig and she wore the necklace. She looked very pretty. A large crowd was at the church. They stepped up lively and all came down the aisle smiling and lively. It passed off very well. Mrs. Vedder had a table of cakes, ice-cream and champagne, set on the back porch. They received congratulations, then the refreshments: and Kate changed her dress for a traveling dress, which was a salmon colored poplin or alpaca with small satin figures, trimmed with a bias fold and crystal nail-heads, a pretty straw hat, oak-leaf wreath. Her bridesmaids accompanied them to the New Orleans steamer, which left at 12:00 M.
P.S. June 30th.
As the steamer leaves today with the bride I see I am not too late with this. Mamie V. told Mamie that Kate had just received an elegant present from Mr. Tucker. I brought Mrs. Vedder a very pretty cake-basket, silver-plated, from the North and gave Kate a handsome card-case besides many other little things, as I felt too poor to give any more. Mrs. Lufkin and Mrs. Hurd made her cake, Mrs. Goeppinger, a pyramid and Jim Hall, the cream.
H. Kirkland STAFFORD, son of Josiah Seth STAFFORD and Jeannetta KIRKLAND.
Jno. L. SPURLIN, married Margaret "Maggie" VEDDER, daughter of Jacob Suydam VEDDER and Margaret KING.
Kate Eleanor VEDDER, married Col. William Maner STAFFORD--parents of Kate, Earl, Seth, Julia, and Margaret Jeannetta STAFFORD. Kate had "goiter." Daughter of Jacob Suydam VEDDER and Margaret KING, daughter of Gray B. KING.
Kate Eleanor VEDDER, married Col. William Maner STAFFORD--parents of Kate, Earl, Seth, Julia, and Margaret Jeannetta STAFFORD.
Maner STAFFORD, son of William Maner STAFFORD and Kate VEDDER, with Aunt Mirah. A former slave is buried in the STAFFORD plot in the Episcopal Cemetery in Galveston, Texas; perhaps it is Aunt Mirah.
Maner STAFFORD, son of William Maner STAFFORD and Kate VEDDER. He died 9 Nov 1876 Galveston, Texas, when a young child; see obituary.
William Maner STAFFORD, Confederate soldier. Ended up a colonel. He was in the Battle of Galveston (TX), and Battle of Poison Spring, AR, among other events during the Civil War.
William Maner STAFFORD, Confederate soldier. Ended up a colonel. Lieutenant in the Battle of Galveston (TX) under General MacGruder, and Captain in Arkansas Campaign under General Gano. Fought in Battle of Poison Spring, AR. Grandfather of Mary Kate Crow
William Maner STAFFORD (seated), Confederate soldier. Man on his left is unknown--perhaps a sibling.
William Maner STAFFORD, Confederate soldier
Three STAFFORD brothers of the Confederacy. Number 3, my grandfather William Maner STAFFORD, was known as "the Boy Soldier." Mickle Wm E, Well Known Confederate Veterans and Their War Records, Vol. I, New Orleans, LA: Wm. E. Mickle, April 9, 1907, page 69.
I found the preface to be interesting:
In presenting this work to the public I cannot refrain from expressing surprise at the lack of interest which the Veterans have shown in the book. It was to be expected that the number who would insert portraits would necessarily be limited; but that so few should have responded to the circular asking that war records be sent in is a matter difficult to comprehend. It is possiblly to be accounted for by reason of the advanced age of the Veterans, and the little and brief interest they show in any matter.Of late, however, a desire to insert portraits and records has been manifested, but the long-delayed publication could not be deferred to accommodate these parties. It has been decided, then, to issue a second volume of the work if there should be found a number interested sufficient to warrent such an undertaking. Those who contemplate taking advantage of this offer should at once communicate with me.
Wm. E. Mickle
New Orleans, La.,
April 9, 1907
Anyone who thinks he/she might have a Veteran in this volume is welcome to ask me to look up the name. My e-mail: asbalch@hal-pc.org
Col. William Maner STAFFORD, dapper gentleman
Col. William Maner STAFFORD as a younger man, possibly ca. 1900)
Col. William Maner STAFFORD(ca. 1925), father of Margaret Jeanetta STAFFORD
Col. William Maner STAFFORD, father of Margaret Jeanetta STAFFORD. Photo taken by Morris' Studio, Galveston, TX, evidently for History of Galveston. When a child, my mother, Mary Kate Crow, loved crawling in bed with her Grandpa. He would talk about his experiences in the Civil War as a Confederate soldier. Being a child, Mom was not interested--she just loved the time with her Grandpa. As an adult, she wished she had listened (don't we all).
Near the Cathedral Door, written by Katharine VEDDER Pauls. It is about Col. William Maner STAFFORD and his respect for his mother's Roman Catholic faith. Just about every time my mother and I passed by that church in Galveston, she told me of her grandfather's mother being Roman Catholic and his father being Episcopalian. When they married, they decided to raise every other child Episcopalian. I guess it was my great grandfather's lot to be raised Episcopalian. I still do not understand how my great-great-grandparents got permission to marry and not raise every child Roman Catholic.
Col. William Maner STAFFORD, father of Margaret Jeanetta STAFFORD.
Isaac "Ike" STAFFORD, Confederate soldier--brother of William Maner and Josiah Seth STAFFORD
Isaac "Ike" STAFFORD, Confederate soldier--brother of William Maner and Josiah Seth STAFFORD. A note on back states, "With love to Kate - who is a 'good one' and buried several of my family and maybe have to do same to me. I.C.S." Kate is most likely his sister-in-law Kate VEDDER Stafford (Mrs. William Maner Stafford)
Charles BROWN, child of Milton BROWN and Grace VEDDER.
Grace and Maggie VEDDER, wives of Milton BROWN and John SPURLIN, respectively.
Margaret Jeannetta STAFFORD. Born in Galveston, b. 10/26/1889, survived the 1900 Storm, died in Galveston 4/30/1973. Photo by Willyerd 2215 Market Street, Galveston, ca. 1890's?. My mother often told me that boys would come to her house to visit--to visit my grandmother, not my mother.
Mary Kate CROW, perhaps around 1925, with sibling.
Left to right: Asa Lee CROW, wife Margaret Jeannetta STAFFORD, his sister Lucy CROW ____, and Margaret's sister "Nannie" Kate STAFFORD Featherstone. Taken probably in Galveston perhaps around the early 1960's. Lucy lived in, I believe, Mississippi. Nannie lived next to Asa Lee and Margaret on Broadway in Galveston.
(ca. 1930). Daughter of Asa Lee CROW Sr. and Margaret Jeannetta STAFFORD; future wife of William Stanley SINCLAIR, Jr.
Mary Kate Crow Sinclair at tomb of her great-great-grandfather Leroy STAFFORD, Greenwood Plantation, Cheneyville, LA, April 1982.
Trinity Church (Episcopalian) in Cheneyville, Rapides Parish, LA.
Mary Kate CROW. Born 22 Jan 1915, Galveston, Texas, died 10 June 2001, Houston, Texas. ca. 1915.
Mary Kate Crow toddler, 1916
Mary Kate Crow, Mardi Gras Queen, Galveston, Texas, 1935. See The Houston Post, 1986.
Mary Kate CROW SINCLAIR and her mother Margaret Jeannetta STAFFORD CROW at the CROW's home in Galveston, ca. 1970.
Mary Kate Crow SINCLAIR, January 2001
Obituary of Mary Kate Crow SINCLAIR.
Left to right: Asa Lee CROW, Jr., Asa Lee CROW, Sr., Mary Kate CROW, CAMPBELL child, Margaret STAFFORD CROW, and Mrs. Campbell.
Mary Kate CROW and first cousin Maner FEATHERSTONE, son of Kate STAFFORD Featherstone and John (?) FEATHERSTONE.
Mary Kate Crow SINCLAIR, January 2001
Obituary of Mary Kate Crow SINCLAIR.
Asa Lee Crow and Col. Wm. M. Stafford in front of the latter's home
Sources: STAFFORD Bible, family papers, family tradition, Federal censuses.
The STAFFORD family Bible (in possession of family of Asa Lee CROW Jr.) has the following information inscribed in it:
Births
Marriages
Deaths
