Jerry Stancil (Samuel Branch) and I (Renn Stancil Hinton) studied all the graves and information on the graves in the Hales Cemetery, this originally was Stancil land. We looked at all available census and other county records for each of Samuel’s sons; James Henry, John Thomas, Josiah and Jacob Astor.

Extensive research has been done on the Josiah Stancil Family by Jane Barnes Poston. Jane knew of the existence of Nempie Stancil, but did not know where she was buried. Josiah and family had moved from Beulah Township to Springhill Township, Wilson County, NC, before 1880.

We believe the first person buried in the Cemetery, known as the Hales Cemetery, may have been Samuel Stancil, who died in the summer of 1844. The fact that no other graves were placed near Samuel's grave over the years support this. Martha Patsy Rentfrow, Samuel's wife, whose second marriage was to Gillis Hales in 1848, would have known exactly where Samuel was buried. It was customary to mark a grave. We believe there was a marker there in 1844. In September of 2009, Coree Hinton (George Ira Branch) found what is believed to be parts of the original Samuel grave marker and Jerry Stancil (Samuel Branch) is preserving and studying these fragments.

The oldest grave with monument that survived is that of Nimpie Stancil, born June 1, 1882, died Sept. 23, 1882. Jane Barnes Poston of the Josiah linage verified that Nimpie Stancil was the twin sister of Nippie Stancil and was born on June 1, 1882, to Josiah and Trecinda Stancil. Jane had been trying for years to find her grave, never dreaming it would be in the Hales Cemetery. When this baby died, Josiah brought the baby to his boyhood home for burial at the foot of his father, Samuel’s grave. Nippie Stancil, the surviving twin, lived until 1965.

In the 1900 Census, two of the questions were: "Mother of how many children" and "How many of these children are living."

It was recorded that Elizabeth gave birth to 0 children. It was recorded that Delaney gave birth to 13 children with 11 living. It was recorded that Trecinda gave birth to 11 children with 8 living. (Her youngest children were Nippie and Nimpie) It was recorded that Milly gave birth to 5 children with 3 living.

I believe John Thomas buried his infant daughter, Sinda E.E., who died the day after her birth on Jan. 6, 1888, at the foot of Samuel's grave too.

More information
There are two Stancil/Stansell death records:

1. U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880
   Schedule 2.-Persons who Died during the year ending June 1, 1870, in Beulah Township, County of Johnston, State of N. Carolina Number of the Family: 97
   Sperious Stancil, age at death: 2/12, Sex: M (male) Race: W (white)
   Born: North Carolina
   Month died: June
   Cause: diarrhea
   (Pg 390, line6, Roll M1805_3)
   
   
2. U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880
   Schedule 2.-Persons who Died during the year ending June 1, 1870, in Beulah Township, County of Johnston, State of N. Carolina Number of the Family: 97
   Sperois Stansell age at death: 2/12, Sex: M (male)
   Race: W
   Born: North Carolina
   Month died: June
   Cause: unknown
   (Pg. 391 line 6 Roll M 1805_3)