Amanda Susan Ragan was born in Mississippi on 9 Mar 1822 (470), a daughter of Jesse Battle Ragan and Sarah King (Bohannon) Ragan. Amanda Ragan’s mother, Sarah, was a daughter of Wiley Bohannon and Ann (King) Bohannon. At Amanda’s birth, Jesse Ragan was 22 years old, and Sarah Ragan was age 18 years. Amanda was the couple’s second known child; her older sister Elizabeth Ann Ragan was born on 16 Feb 1819 at Vicksburg in Warren County, Mississippi (1283).
Between 1820 and 26 Apr 1824, Jesse B. Ragan migrated from Covington County, Mississippi to Copiah County, Mississippi, where he established a 260 acre plantation (523, 524). At the 1830 federal census, the Jesse B. Ragan family, including four children, was living in Warren County, Mississippi (388). Amanda Ragan was likely the female enumerated as 5–9 years old. Amanda’s younger brother, John Curtis Ragan, and her sister, Vansa Laura L. Ragan, were both less than five years of age. The Jesse Ragan family may have migrated to Hinds County, Mississippi before Amanda Susan Ragan married there in Nov 1838.
On 6 Nov 1838, Amanda Susan Ragan and William Patrick Stone married in Hinds County, Mississippi (540). Following their marriage William Stone and Amanda (Ragan) Stone likely lived in the Hinds County household of Amanda’s father, Jesse Battle Ragan. In Oct 1839, a son, William Ragan Stone, was born to William and Amanda Stone.
The 1840 federal census of Hinds County, Mississippi enumerates the household of Jesse B. Ragan, age 40–49 years and a female, age 30–39 years, presumably Sarah King (Bohannon) Ragan (389). Also living in the household were a male, age 20–29 years, and a female, age 15–19 years, likely William Patrick and Amanda Susan Stone who are not otherwise apparent in the 1840 federal census. Their son, William Ragan Stone, was likely the male less than five years of age.
On 8 Jan 1841, a daughter, Sarah Katherine Stone, was born to Amanda Susan and William Patrick Stone at Mississippi Springs in Hinds County, Mississippi (402). In about 1844, a son, Coleman Stone, was born to William Patrick and Amanda Stone, likely in Hinds County, Mississippi. A third son, Frederick Walter Stone, was born in Hinds County, in about 1845.
Before Oct 1846, the William Patrick Stone family migrated from Hinds County, Mississippi to Madison Parish, Louisiana where William P. Stone established Stonington Plantation near the town of Delta. The land on the Mississippi River owned by Colonel W. P. Stone is depicted on a map of Louisiana by John La Tourrette published in 1848 as well as on a later version published in 1853 (87). Prior to the 1850 federal census, two additional sons were born to William P. and Amanda Stone in Madison Parish, Louisiana. James Armstrong Stone was born on 1 Oct 1846 (401, 15 Oct 1864; 403). John Beverly Stone was born in 1848 (395, 406). Both sons were likely born on the Stonington Plantation.
The 1850 federal census of Madison Parish, Louisiana enumerates the William P. Stone household including Amanda S. Stone, 28 years old and born in Mississippi; William R. Stone age 11; Sarah C. Stone, age 9; Coleman P. Stone age 7; Fredrick W. Stone age 6; and James A. Stone 4 years old (404). William Patrick Stone was 36 years of age and a planter. Thompson E. Stone, a student age 18 years and born in Tennessee was also living in the William P. Stone household. Presumably, Thompson E. Stone was a relative of William P. Stone.
On 23 Dec 1852, a daughter, Amanda Rebecca Stone, was born to William P. and Amanda Susan (Ragan) Stone at Delta in Madison Parish, Louisiana (424). A daughter, Cornelia Stone, was born in about 1853 and died within a year of her birth.
William P. Stone died, likely of yellow fever, on 6 Dec 1855 at Delta in Madison Parish, Louisiana (541). He was about 41 years old. William Patrick Stone was buried on Stonington Plantation. In about 1860, his family moved his remains to a cemetery in Carroll Parish, Louisiana on the plantation established by Amanda Stone.
On 16 May 1859, Amanda Susan (Ragan) Stone purchased 1,280 acres in Carroll and Madison Parishes of Louisiana from the Estate of William H. K. McAlpine at auction for $40,000 (391). The deed describes the property as:
Township 18 N, Range 12 E, Section 12;
West half of northwest quarter of Section 13;
East half of northwest quarter of Section 11;
Southeast quarter of Section 11; and
Northeast quarter of Section 14.
The 11 Jul 1860 federal census of Carroll Parish, Louisiana enumerates the household of Amanda Stone, a plantation owner, age 36 years (308). Living in the household were William R. Stone, age 20 years; Sarah K. Stone, age 20; Coleman P. Stone, age 16; Walter F. Stone, age 15; James A. Stone, age 13; John B. Stone, age 12; and Amanda R. Stone, age 10 years. Amanda Stone and her children William R. Stone, Sarah K. Stone, Coleman P. Stone, and Walter F. Stone were born in Mississippi. All other children were born in Louisiana. Amanda Stone’s brother, Ashburn R. Ragan, 16 years old and born in Mississippi was living in her household as was Albert B. Newton, 24 years old, born in Mississippi and working as a teacher.
By May 1861, Amanda Stone developed the Carroll Parish land to establish Brokenburn Plantation, including a new house for her family (401). With the onset of the American Civil War, however, the Stone family were separated. By Oct 1862, Amanda’s three oldest sons; William Ragan Stone, Coleman Stone, and Fredrick Walther Stone; were serving in the Confederate Army (401, 10 Apr 1863).
Having taken New Orleans as well Confederate fortifications on the Mississippi River north of Vicksburg, the Union military were pressing Vicksburg and its actions extended into Madison and Carroll Parishes of Louisiana. With Union soldiers ransacking plantations near Brokenburn, the Stone family fled their home at about midnight on 27 Mar 1863, eventually seeking refuge in Lamar and Smith Counties of Texas. Stone family refugees included: Amanda Susan Stone; Amanda’s sister, Vansa Laura L. (Ragan) Buckner; Laura Buckner’s daughter, Beverly Buckner; Sarah Katherine “Kate” Stone, James Armstrong Stone, John Beverly Stone, and Amanda Rebecca Stone. On 9 Jun 1863, Laura Buckner and her daughter Beverly returned to Mississippi to join Laura’s husband Dr. Buckner. In route to Texas, difficulties arranging transportation delayed the family’s progress, and they paused along the way to rest and recuperate from their trials. The family arrived in Lamar County, Texas on 7 Jul 1863, about three months after leaving Brokenburn. The Stone family remained in Texas as refugees until 8 Sep 1865 when they began the journey from Tyler, Texas back to Brokenburn (401, 11 Sep 1865), arriving two months later on 11 Nov 1865 (401, 16 Nov 1865).
On 7 Mar 1866, a cutoff of the Terrapin Neck on the Mississippi River that had been predicted for more than half a century finally occurred (485, 486). Terrapin Neck had narrowed until it was only about 30 feet wide, and the channel that the river cut across it rapidly enlarged. On 28 Mar 1866, it was reported that the little steamer Lida Norvell had come down through the new cutoff instead of taking the bend way, and her captain said he believed the new channel was now safe for all boats. Perhaps this diversion of the Mississippi River channel eventually reduced flood risk to Brokenburn, but at the time, the cutoff likely damaged levies and may have been responsible for periodic inundation at Brokenburn for some time (401, 22 Sep 1867).
Mrs. Amanda S. Stone paid excise tax on a carriage and a gold watch in Nov 1866 (394).
After a break in the Harris levee about five miles east of Brokenburn, the Stone family again sought alternative living arrangements (401, 22 Sep 1867). They moved to Mr. Goodrich’s plantation and eventually rented part of the Wilton Plantation house. Kate Stone’s brother, William Ragan Stone, rented land from Mrs. Henderson as well as Rose Hill Plantation on the Mississippi River in Madison Parish, where Amanda Stone and the rest of the family joined him.
The 8 Jul 1870 federal census enumerates the household of Mrs. A. Stone in Curry’s Ward 1 of Carroll Parish, Louisiana (405). Amanda Stone was age 45 years, and living with her were James Stone, age 25 and working as a planter; John Stone, age 20; and Rebecca Stone, age 18 years. Before 28 Sep 1872, Amanda Susan Stone took residence at Omega in Madison Parish, Louisiana. On that date she filed a claim for damages during the American Civil War to the Southern Claims Commission (79). Ultimately, the Southern Claims Commission did not accept her claim for $34,188 in damages.
On 27 Jun 1876, Amanda Susan Stone acquired lots at Tallulah in Madison Parish, Louisiana from her son William Ragan Stone (396). The deed describes the land as Lots 186 and 187. With the same deed, William Ragan Stone acquired 150 acres of the Brokenburn Plantation situated in Carroll Parish, Louisiana. William Ragan Stone and Amanda Susan Stone exchanged $1,500 each.
By 1879, Amanda Susan Stone was living at Tallulah in Madison Parish, Louisiana. According to the 1879 Madison Parish, Louisiana Tax Rolls, Mrs. A. S. Stone owned Tallulah property valued at $1,000 (117).
The 15 Jun 1880 federal census of Tallulah, Madison Parish, Louisiana enumerates the household of Mrs. Amanda Stone, 58 years old and born in Mississippi (518). Amanda R. Stone, 27 years old and born in Louisiana was living with her mother.
In 1881, Amanda Stone paid tax on Tallulah Property valued at $750, and in 1885, she was assessed tax for Tallulah Property, a house and lots 186 and 187, valued at $930 (117).
Amanda Susan (Ragan) Stone died on 12 Mar 1892 at Tallulah in Madison Parish, Louisiana (469). She is buried in Silver Cross Cemetery at Tallulah (470).
In May 1901, Sarah K. Holmes, John B. Stone, and James A. Stone prepared a document assigning their rights in claims by Amanda R. Stone, deceased, against the USA by reason of the taking of property belonging to the said Amanda R. Stone, consisting of stores or supplies taken or furnished during the Rebellion for the use of the Army of the United States in the State of Louisiana to William S. Holmes to prosecute said claims against the government (471). The document states that Amanda R. Stone died intestate. The surviving typewritten copy is not signed, and an original, and the document may not have been executed. William S. Holmes was a son of Henry Bry and Kate Stone Holmes. Apparently, he was living in New York City at the time the document was prepared.
Notes and Comments
Amanda Susan Ragan was likely born in either Covington County or Copiah County, Mississippi. At the 1820 federal census, the Jesse Ragan family was living in Covington County, Mississippi. Prior to 1824, the family migrated from Covington County to Copiah County, Mississippi, where Jesse Ragan acquired land. Jesse Ragan and his wife Sarah owned land in several parts of Mississippi. Various narratives imply that the Jesse Ragan family also had a home in Vicksburg, Mississippi (401).
Sarah Katharine Stone, a daughter of William Patrick Stone and Amanda Susan (Ragan) Stone, graduated from the Nashville Female Academy in Jul 1858.
79. Petition of Amanda S. Stone to the Commissioners of Claims, 28 Sep 1872. U.S. Southern Claims Commission, Disallowed and Barred Claims,1871-1880. Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, Record Group 233, National Archives, Washington, D.C. (Images on file)
87. “Louisiana Map Showing Townships, Sections and Plantations.” John La Tourrette, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1848, 1853.
117. Tax Rolls, Madison Parish, Louisiana. Richard P. Sevier, “Madison Parish, Louisiana Historical and Genealogical Data,” 1999.
308. Amanda Stone Household, 1860 U.S. Federal Census, Carroll Parish, Louisiana, 11 Jul 1860. Ward 1, Roll: M653_409, Page: 347, Image: 350, Family History Library Film: 803409. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com, Image on file.)
388. J. B. Ragan Household, 1830 U.S. Federal Census, Warren County, Mississippi, 1 Jun 1830. Roll 71, Page 207. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com, Image on file.)
389. Jesse B. Ragan Household, 1840 U.S. Federal Census, Hinds County, Mississippi. Roll 214, Page 203. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.)
390. William P. Stone Household, Madison Parish, Louisiana, 19 Aug 1850. Western District, Roll M432_233, Page 382, Image 95. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.)
391. Deed by Malvina McAlpine to Amanda S. Stone. 1,208 acres of land, Carroll Parish, Louisiana, 16 May 1859. Carroll Parish Deed Books, East Carroll Parish, Louisiana. (Images on file.)
392. Map of Plantations in Carrol Parish, Louisiana and Issaquena County, Mississippi, A. McFarland, Plantation Agent, Skipwith District, Mississippi. (Image: U.S. Library of Congress. Image on file.)
393. Bragg, Marion. Historic Names and Places on the Lower Mississippi River. Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army, Department of the Army. Mississippi River Commission, Vicksburg, Mississippi, 1977.
394. Mrs. Amanda S. Stone, Excise Tax List, Division 13 of Collection District 3, Louisiana, Nov 1866. 1866 NARA Series M669, NARA Roll 10. (Images: Ancestry.com. Images on file)
395. Obituary, John Beverly Stone, 25 Nov 1928. (Image on file.)
396. Deed by Wm. R. Stone to Mrs. A. S. Stone for Lots in the Village of Tallulah, Madison Parish, Louisiana, 27 Jun 1876. (Print and image on file.)
401. Stone, Sarah Katherine. Brokenburn: The Journal of Kate Stone 1861-1868. John Q. Anderson (Ed.). Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1972.
402. Kate Stone Holmes, Petition to United Daughters of the Confederacy, Louisiana Division, Tallulah, Madison Parish, Louisiana. 21 Oct 1903. (Original and image on file.)
403. Obituary, James Armstrong Stone. The Madison Journal. Tallulah, Madison Parish, Louisiana, 1905. (Image on file.)
404. William P. Stone Household, 1850 U.S. Federal Census, Madison Parish, Louisiana, 19 Aug 1850. Western District, Roll M432_233, Page 382, Image 95. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.)
405. Mrs. A. Stone Household, 1870 U.S. Federal Census, Carroll Parish, Louisiana, 8 Jul 1870. Curry’s Ward 1, Roll M593_509, Page 200B, Image 404, Family History Library Film 552008. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com. Images on file.)
406. Gravestone, John Beverly Stone, Silver Cross Cemetery, Tallulah, Madison Parish, Louisiana, USA. Find A Grave Memorial 13762812. (Image on file.)
424. Petition to United Daughters of the Confederacy, Louisiana Division, Madison Parish, Louisiana. Amanda Rebecca Stone, 5 Mar 1902. (Original and images on file.)
469. Obituary, Mrs. Amanda S. Stone, The Daily, Vicksburg, Mississippi, 15 Mar 1892. (Print and images on file)
470. Gravestone, Amanda Susan (Ragan) Stone, Silver Cross Cemetery, Tallulah, Madison Parish, Louisiana. Find A Grave Memorial 13762786. (Images: WRE and Find A Grave. Images on file.)
471. Transfer Rights in Southern Commission Claims by Amanda S. Stone. Sarah K. Holmes, John B. Stone, and James A. Stone. Tallulah, Madison Parish, Louisiana, May 1901. (Print and image on file.)
485. Bragg, Marion. Historic Names and Places on the Lower Mississippi River. Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army, Department of the Army. Mississippi River Commission, Vicksburg, Mississippi, 1977.
486. Board of State Engineers. Report of the State Engineer of the State of Louisiana to the General Assembly, Session — January, 1867. J. O. Nixon, State Printer, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1867.
523. Patent Issued to Jesse B. Ragan, Copiah County, Mississippi, 26 Apr 1824, 104 acres. Document 270, Accession/Serial Number MS0080_.268. General Land Office Records, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. (Images: General Land Office Records. Image on file.)
524. Patent Issued to Jesse B. Ragan, Copiah County, Mississippi, 26 Apr 1824, 79 and 30/100 acres. Document 269, Accession/Serial Number MS0080_.267 General Land Office Records, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. (Images: General Land Office Records. Image on file.)
540. Marriage Bond, License, and Certificate, William Patrick Stone and Amanda Susan Ragan, Hinds County, Mississippi, 6 Nov 1838. (Print and image on file.)
541. Family History Notes, Amanda Julia Holmes, Tallulah, Madison Parish, Louisiana, 1954. Special Collections, Louisiana State University Libraries, Baton Rough, Louisiana. (Image on file.)
1283. Eliza Ragan Austin Memorial, Bohannon-Ragan Cemetery, Antioch, Warren County, Mississippi. Find A Grave Memorial 27531480.