Oscar Stancil
Oscar Stancil was
born Aug. 5, 1890, in North Carolina and died June 2, 1970.
|
Oscar's children
With Allie Edwards |
George 'Guy' Stancil Oct. 23, 1911-Feb. 25, 1986 |
Gurnie Patricia Stancil Crabtree Oct. 27, 1913-Oct. 26, 2010 |
Ruth Stancil Janiuk May 15, 1915-Nov. 24, 1987 at Pa. |
With Mamie Hocutt James Orville Stancil Oct. 10, 1921-Sept. 23, 2014 |
Henry Rudolph Stancil Sept. 17, 1924-Dec. 4, 1993 at Va. |
Ruby Irene Stancil Creech Dec. 17, 1926- |
With Mary House Barber
Jack Rowland Stancil Feb. 16, 1937-Jan. 27, 2014 |
James Oscar Stancil
|
James Oscar Stancil was born Aug. 5, 1890, in North Carolina. He was the second son born to Henry and Frances.
Oscar was tall, handsome and charming. He was also determined and self confident with a knack for getting his own way. Oscar had black hair. Girls were eager to go with him. He never had a shortage of companions. Oscar was musical. He played the banjo. He attended the same school as many of his cousins, the Woodard School.
Oscar and Allie grew up in the same neighborhood. Allie's Aunt Marceline Edwards, was in the photo of the First Reunion. She was a family friend.
Allie was
a tall, pretty woman with fine features and dark chestnut brown hair.
Oscar was attracted to her and wanted to marry her. Henry and Frances liked her and thought she would be a good wife for Oscar. It was also important that Allie
was from a good family. Allie was the daughter of Monroe and Martha Jane "Jessie" Spencer Edwards.
Allie's Pa,
Monroe was born in August of 1865 and her Ma, Martha Jane was born August 1862.
Monroe
and Martha married in 1888.
Joseph was a farmer in Johnston County. According to the 1880 Census, their
children
were: William Horring born in 1857, Mary born in 1858, Monrow born in 1866,
Nancy Jane
born in 1868, Serena born in 1874, Joseph born in 1875, Charlie born in 1877,
Marceline
born in 1878, Rutherford born in 1879.
Linsey was the daughter of Harris and Clara Renfrow, of the Neuse River area of
Johnston County. They farmed close to the town of Beulah. Harris was born in 1825 and
Clara was born in 1825. Harris had assets of $250 in 1850 but by 1860, he had increased
them to $914. Known children were: Nancy Linna born in 1838, Lindsay born in 1840,
Lucinda born in 1842, Penny born in 1844, William born in 1846, Edney or Ennis born in 1848,
Edwin born in 1850, Sally born in 1852, Council born in 1856, Charles born in 1859.
Harris could not read and write but his wife, Clara could. The only child in school
during 1860, was Ennis.
Monroe's wife, Martha Jane "Jessie" Spencer, was the daughter of James R.
Spencer and Harriet Renfrow. James and Harriet secured a marriage bond and were married, by
Justice of the Peace Ray Phillips, on Jan. 8, 1861, in Johnston County. Thos. D.
Snead was a witness. James was born in 1821 and died before 1880. Harriet was born in 1834
and after becoming a widow, farmed in Beulah Township of Johnston County. James and
Harriet had seven children, including a set of twin girls. Their children were: James T.
born in 1861, Martha Jane born in 1864, Williamson Haywood born in 1865, Mary An born in
1868, John W. born in 1869, twins Luezer and Sarah Harriet were born in 1870. Harriet
could
read but not write. None of the children were attending school in 1880 and none
could
read or write.
Gurnie
remembers the kindness of Miss Lizzie Boyette. Miss Lizzie had a biscuit in her
pocketbook. She broke it in half and gave Gurnie and Ruth, each half.
Mamie Hocutt
Jessie and Ida had one child: Jessie Daniel born in 1927. Emma, Jessie and
Mamie's
widowed mother were living with them as was Jessie's two brothers Joseph age 28
and John
Henry age 34. Aunt Salli Medlin was also a family member. Jessie lived on a
rented farm
in Johnston County and was probably a tenant farmer. In 1930, Mamie and Joe
worked as
farm laborers on the farm with Jessie. At the time of the Census, April 1930,
Jessie had
a radio and new son, Vannie born in 1929.
According to the Johnston County Marriage Registry, Oscar Stancil of Kenly, 18, and Allie Edwards, 18, of Kenly applied for a license on March 3, 1906. The license was
returned unexecuted, according to county records.
In 1900 Monroe lived in a rental house and was probably a tenant farmer. Monroe
and
Jessie had six children, five were living in 1900. The Census taker recorded the
following: Law M. born in August of 1888, Alley P. born in April of 1891,
Indiana born
in June of 1892, Joseph H. born in June of 1894, Charlie born in August of 1896.
Monroe
was the only one in his family that could read and write. Sisters, Law and Allie
were
attending school in 1900.
Monroe or Monrow was the son of Joseph Edwards and Linsey Renfrow. Joseph was
born in
1837 and Linsey was born in 1841. Their marriage bond is dated April 27, 1863,
with the
date of their marriage, April 30, 1863. Justice of the Peace J. Lewis of
Johnston
County, performed the ceremony. Thos. D. Snead was a witness.
According to the 1870 Census, Joseph could read and write, but Linsey, William
Horring
age 14, and Mary age 12 could not. None attended school.
Joseph was the son of Jacob and Apsilla Edwards of Johnston County, near the
Neuse
River. Jacob and Apsilla were both born in 1805. Joseph, born in 1836, grew up
in a
family of farmers. Older brothers, Howard, born in 1831 and Joshua, born in 1834,
were
farmers in 1850. Levi, at 10, was the youngest child. A girl, Sarah Creech, 10,
was
living with the family. None of the children attended school. Jacob nor Apsilla
could read or write. Jacob's land had a value of $600 in 1850. In 1860, value of real
estate was $550 and value of personal estate was $600.
Harriet, was the daughter of Brassell Renfroe and Polly Williamson. Harriet was
the
sister of Haywood Rentfrow, the father of Dillie, who married Walter Green
Stancil,
James Oscar's brother. Harriet was Dillie's Aunt and Allie's grandmother.
Allie's Aunt, Mary Ann Spencer, her mother's sister, married Jessie Hales, half
brother
of John Thomas Stancil, Henry's Pa. Allie's Aunt Marceline Edwards lived and
worked for
a time with Josiah and Minnie Stancil. While with Josiah and Minnie she had two
children. They were not Josiah's. Marceline had a son Mifford born in 1898 and a
daughter Lena, born in 1899 Mifford became the bound child of Jessie Hales. Lena
was
adopted by Oscar's great Uncle James Henry Stancil.
Oscar and Allie Edwards moved into Henry's tenant house. Oscar began farming
tobacco and
cotton. Allie and Oscar were happy when their children arrived. They were all
born at
home. Gladis was born Sept. 13, 1908, George Guy was born Oct. 23, 1911, Gurnie
Patricia was born Oct. 27, 1913 and Ruth was born May 7, 1916.
Shortly before Ruth was born, Oscar moved his family into the "Jim Place." This
was on
his grandpa's farm. John Thomas needed another tobacco barn. His grandpa had a
barn
raising. Ralph Stancil, Oscar's first cousin, recalled playing with Gladis while
the men
worked on the barn.
Gladis, was only 6, when she died on Sept. 3, 1914, of heart trouble. The
cause of
death was listed in the Johnston County Death Registry. Dr. Hayes of Fremont
made the
diagnosis. This contradicted what was told within the family. Gurnie was told
that
Gladys swallowed an open safety pin, this caused an incurable infection. Gladis
was
buried in the Stancil Family Cemetery. Her name was written in the fresh
concrete, a
reminder of her short days here on earth.
Guy, Gurnie and Ruth often visited Henry and Frances. Allie was a devoted mother
and
created a good home for her family. Oscar made wooden paddles, for his children
to use,
when they attended Uncle George's cane syrup making days in the fall.
Oscar registered for the World War I Draft on June 5, 1917, in Beulah Township of
Johnston County. Paul D. Grady was the Registrar. At this time Oscar was married
with
three children to support and requested an exemption on these grounds. He was
farming
for himself. According to his registration, Oscar was of medium height and
build. He had
blue eyes and light hair.
Allie developed serious health problems. Several member of her family suffered
with T.
B. and Allie had this as well as her Pa. There was no good treatment available.
She had
made many remarkable recoveries in the past. This time was different. Allie did
not get
rally.
Gurnie recalled standing beside her mother's bed when she was only 5. Gurnie
knew her
ma was very ill. Gurnie and Ruth saw the bowlegged Dr. Hinnant come into the room
to try
and treat her mother.
Allie died on Feb. 8, 1920, of Pulmonary T. B. She was only 28. Dr. Hinnant
of Micro
signed the death certificate. Allie's funeral was at the Stancil Cemetery.
Gurnie, Patricia and Ruth moved in with grandpa Henry and grandma Frank. Oscar
stayed
alone, grieving and adjusting to life without Allie, wondering what the future
held.
Oscar kept farming and visited his children often. He also enjoyed bird hunting
with his
brother Leonard. This provided a diversion from his sadness.
One day, Oscar went into the Micro General Store. He saw a tall, pretty woman,
with dark
brown hair and bright blue eyes. Her name was Mamie Hocutt.
Oscar was impressed with Mamie's beauty and intellect. He began seriously seeing
Mamie.
The future was looking bright. His blue eyes had a spark in them again.
Mamie had many work experiences. She even managed a country store near More
Schoolhouse
before teaching.
Mamie was well educated. She attended Sandy Springs Schools and then Turlington
Institute in Smithfield. These educational experiences enable her to teach.
Mamie wanted
even more education. She continued her education and received a 'B' Teaching
Certificate
by taking classes during the summers at NC Agricultural & Engineering College in
Raleigh. Today it is North Carolina State University. At the time Mamie
attended, female
students could only enroll during the summers, as this was an all-male school.
Mamie taught school in one and two room schools at Sandy Springs School, Price
School in
O'Neal Township and Moore School House. Mamie drove a horse and buggy to school,
most
of the students walked.
Oscar and Mamie were two of the witnesses, when Clarence Hill of the Tempy Ann
Branch
married Ella Renfrow on Aug. 29, 1920. Clarence was Oscar's first cousin.
Johnston County Marriage Registry contains the following information: Oscar
Stancil, 30,
and Mamie Hocutt, 28 applied for a Marriage License on Dec. 26, 1920. In the
1930
Census Mamie listed her age at first marriage as 27. Oscar and Mamie married at
Mrs.
Emma Hocutt's, Mamie's home. Rev. R. M. VonMiller performed the marriage.
Witnesses were
H. E. Renfrow, Clarence Starling and Moses Hill. Moses was the son of Tempy Ann
Stancil
and Fred Hill, another of Oscar's first cousin.
Mamie was the oldest daughter, of James Ruffin and Emma Narron Hocutt, James and
Emma
married about 1889. Emma was born in April of 1872. Her name was spelled by the
census
taker as ‘Emere' in 1880. James owned his own farm. James died before the 1920
Census.
Mamie's maternal grandparents were John William and Nancy Sullivan Narron. John
was born
in 1847 and Nancy was born in 1855. They married in 1871. John and Nancy owned a
farm in
the O'Neal Township of Johnston County. They had ten children and seven were
living in
1910.
Mamie's maternal great grandparents were John and Patience Narron. According to
Johnston
County Marriage Bonds, John Naron and Patience Watkins married about July 4,
1842. This
was John's third marriage. John lived in St. Charles community, close to the
Neuse
River. The value of his personal estate exceeded $2100 and his real estate was
$800.
Mamie's paternal grandparents were Atlas and Ellen Carroll Hocut. They married
Oct.
9, 1862, Atlas was 24 and Ellen was 22, in Johnston County. Thos. D. Snead was
the
witness. Atlas had farmland worth $75. They had two children: James born in May
1863,
Edward born in 1895. Ellen must have died by 1880 because Atlas was living with
his
sister Laney and her husband John F. Parish. Atlas worked on John's farm.
Mamie's paternal great grandparents were Benjamin and Cynthia Hocutt. Benjamin
was born
in 1794 and Cynthia in 1803. They had a farm in Johnston County valued at $500.
Atlas
was one of five children. His brother William was a cooper. By 1860 Atlas was
living
with his brother James, a successful farmer with a farm worth $300 and an estate
worth
$350.
Oscar and Mamie moved into one of Henry's houses, close to Henry and Frances's
home.
Oscar was glad to have his family together again. Guy, Gurnie and Ruth were
happy to be
living with their Pa again. They quickly grew to love Mamie. She was gentle,
loving and
provided the security they needed.
Mamie returned to teaching at Sandy Spring School. Gurnie was one of her first
grade
students. Gurnie had a close relationship with Mamie. She was the Mama Gurnie
needed.
Oscar and Mamie welcomed three more children over the next few years. James
Orville was
born Oct. 10, 1921. Henry Rudolph was born Sept. 17, 1924, and Ruby Irene
was born
Dec. 17, 1926.
Mamie was an expert seamstress and made dresses for Gurnie and Ruth. She also
crocheted
and made many gifts for family and friends. Mamie was called upon when neighbors
needed
a nurse. She excelled in helping others.
Mamie grew a large garden and was an excellent "country cook." Oscar raised
tobacco and
cotton. He helped other farmers and they helped him barn his tobacco crop. Oscar
had one
mule, enough hogs to keep his smoke house filled for his growing family.
Chickens
provide eggs and meat.
Once, 6-year-old James Orville, was scared by a wild woods cat. The cat ran
into the
kitchen. Then it confronted Jim, charging him. Jim ran away in time, but never
thought
much of a cat after that.
Oscar and Mamie attended Center Ridge Presbyterian Church together with their
children.
Jim recalled hearing sisters Gurnie and Ruth sing, 'M is for Mother' during a
church
Mother's Day observance. This was especially meaningful and tears filled many
eyes.
Oscar made and sold whiskey in five-gallon jugs. He kept the brew in the
corncrib. It was placed in a basket and covered with shucks. Oscar got word that the sheriff
was on
his way. Oscar had Mamie carry the basket to the cow pasture and hide it. When
the sheriff arrived, he searched for whiskey. When he found none, he left.
Jim, Henry and Ruby often visited their grandparents. In 1927, Jim recalled
seeing his
grandpa Henry's Carbide Light Plant, and being cautioned to stay away from the
chemicals
used to produce electricity.
Oscar had difficulty supporting his family. He and Mamie had many insoluble
problems.
Mamie had quit teaching after her children came along. Oscar spent his money on
himself
and his family didn't have basic necessities. Mamie tried to keep the farm going
and
look after the house and children. Impossible without cash. Mamie and Oscar
separated in
1927. Oscar left with Guy, Gurnie and Ruth. He went back home for a time. Mamie
stayed
and made sure the money crops were in before leaving the farm.
When Harvey, the sage of the family, heard they were calling it quits he said,
"Well, after all, Oscar was a Lady's man!"
Mamie packed and left with her three children: Orville, Henry and Ruby. They
moved in
with her brother Jessie and his wife Ida, who already had a full house but
welcomed her.
Mamie's brothers were very protective of her and the children. They didn't want
Oscar
coming around or the children visiting his family. They tried to help them get
over
their hurt and pain. Gurnie and Ruth continued to visit Mamie, they loved her
dearly.
Mamie had a life changing injury around 1930. Jessie had the milk cow tied up
with a
chain. The cow broke free. Mamie attempted to catch the cow and got the chain
wrapped
around her leg. This terrible injury impaired her circulation. She stayed off
her leg
for over six weeks but it never healed. It hampered her mobility somewhat for
the rest
of her life, but she still milked the cow, did chores and never complained.
In later years she went to Duke, for treatment of her ulcer and later to North
Carolina
Memorial, Ruby would crochet as she kept her mother company while she was
recovering
from a skin graft. A new gold treatment offered in Wilson finally cured her.
Mamie was always available to help with new grand babies. Mamie wrote
encouraging
letters to people she knew throughout her life. Her uplifting letters were
treasured.
According to Jim, his mother taught her children important life lessons. She
taught them
to respect others, even when you don't agree with their ideas, to lend a helping
hand
and give encouraging words.
Church was important and Mamie once again attended the Antioch Missionary
Baptist
Church, the church of her youth. Mamie was an outstanding Sunday School teacher.
Mamie
was a Christian, who many strived to emulate.
p
Oscar worked for several years in a men's clothing store in Raleigh. When Gurnie
needed
a new winter coat, Oscar picked her up in Durham, drove her to Raleigh and
bought her a
new heavy coat. An event that that Gurnie recalled vividly.
Oscar moved to Durham and bought an interest in the Blue Bird Taxi Company with
Ike
Harris. He worked in the office and only occasionally drove a taxi when a driver
was
ill.
Mary and James Oscar Stancil
|
Oscar married Mary House Barber in 1935. Mary was attractive and petite. She had
a
son, Ralph born in 1927, from her 1929 marriage to Carl A. Barber. Mary was the
daughter of Ellie A. House. Oscar and Mary had one son: Jack Roland born
Feb. 16,
1937. Jack visited Guy in Hawaii and stayed. He was a painter at one time and
later ran
a nightclub.
Oscar loved his family and often attended family reunions.
Oscar suffered from arteriosclerosis for two years. He developed bronchopneumonia
and was
hospitalized at Watts. Oscar died on June 2, 1970. His funeral was held at
Hall-Wynn
Funeral Home in Durham, NC. Oscar was buried in Woodlawn Memorial Park in
Durham.
www.stancilreunion.com Contact Us