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(My sincere thanks to Stewart Stanfield who contributed most of the following information. Also sincere thanks to Wesley Smith for his corrections and additional information.)
George Ryland Stanfield was born November 18, 1800, in Abbeville District, South Carolina, the son of John Stanfield and Sarah Roberts, according to information received from Wesley Smith. (Wesley said the full name and date of birth are from a Bible that belonged to George Ryland Stanfield's son in law's family.)
Information contributed by Wesley Smith shows that George married Elizabeth Knopt (Knop) about 1820 in Abbeville District, South Carolina. Elizabeth Knopt (Knop) was the daughter of Charles Knopt.
My sincere thanks to Mary Lu Johnson who wrote me, "I found a record of Geo. R. divorcing Elizabeth in "Hollingsworth Collection", microfilmed index cards at Wallace State Community College, Hanceville, AL. .... "STANFIELD: George R. Rule nisi, Newton Co. GA Superior Court, in re George R. Stanfield vs Elizabeth Stanfield, petition for divorce. Defendant Elizabeth is a nonresident. Notice in SOU. RECORDER, Milledgeville, (GA) 12-3-1827."
Also sincere thanks to Wesley Smith who writes that Newton County, Georgia, Supreme Court Vault Record Book 1827-1829, page 304-305 shows that George filed for divorce from Elizabeth in August of 1827. He informs me that her maiden name was written on the petition as Elizabeth Canup (Knopt). Wesley further writes: "the petition states that Elizabeth "last left his house in the year 1820" and that she had been his "legal wife for (7) years". George's brother, Peter, states that "he was at the wedding in Abavill (sic) Dist., S.C." and that Elizabeth had only lived with George for "one and one half months." Wesley Smith goes on to write, "So, evidently they married in 1820 in Abbeville Dist, SC, lived together 6 wks., but it was (7) years before George filed for divorce, which was granted. No children mentioned."
George then married Irena Pulaski Davenport about 1833. Irena Davenport was born about 1814, in Georgia.
A note from Stewart Stanfield says, "George's mother Sarah was living with him in Bellefonte, DeKalb, Jackson Co., AL in the mid 1830's".
The 1840 Murray County, Georgia census shows George's family as one male 30-40; one male 10-15; one male 5-10; one female 20-30; and three females under 5 years of age. (A note from Wesley Smith says: "The male in George's household, age 10-15, has been a question mark to researchers. Some have assumed him to be a son of George by Elizabeth, but previous census', as well as later, and his divorce proceedings, indicate no children by Elizabeth. I think this is probably a younger borther or nephew of Irena.")
The 1850 DeKalb County, Alabama census shows George R. Stanfield, age 49, a farmer; Irena, 36, born in Georgia; Pulaski D., 16, born in Georgia; Sarah E., 14, born in Alabama; Parthena E., 11, born in Alabama; Emily M., 9, born in Alabama; William W., 7, born in Tennessee; Anna J., 4, born in Tennessee; and his mother Sarah, 92, born in Virginia. Sarah remained in their household until her death in 1854.
Wesley Smith writes: "George R. Stanfield, at age 61, and his son, William W., rode off to war together. From their home near Huntsville, Madison Co, AR, they rode about 100 miles to Van Buren and on 22 Dec 1861 joined Co. K, of the 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles, C.S.A. They fought at the Battle of Pea Ridge. George's military papers just say "died June 1, 1862". On this date, this unit was just south of Corinth, MS at Baldwyn, Lee Co. I assume that is where George died. William W. Stanfield fought till the end of the war and surrendered in North Carolina."
(Birth, death and marriage records below courtesy of Wesley Smith.)
Children of George Stanfield and Irena Davenport
1. Pulaski D. Stanfield, b. abt 1834, GA; m. Mary Elizabeth Mayes on Aug 31, 1852, Dekalb Co, AL
2. Sarah E. Stanfield, b. abt 1836, GA
3. Parthena E. Louisana Stanfield, b. abt 1837, GA; d. Dec 14, 1889, Hunt, Johnson Co, AR; bur. Liberty Hill Cem, Hunt, AR; m. Samuel Janes about 1857
4. Emaline M. "Emily" Stanfield, b. abt 1841, GA; m. Gilford P. Vaughan about 1856, AR
5. William W. Stanfield, b. Jan 29, 1843, TN; d. Aug 5, 1911, Sebastian Co, AR; bur. Mountain View Cem; m. Tennessee Wilson on Jan 7, 1867, Carroll Co, AR
6. Anna Jane Colbert Stanfield, b. Jan 6, 1846, TN; d. Oct 24, 1885, Madison Co, AR; bur. Liberty Cem, Newton Co, AR; m. John Britain Smith on Sept 14, 1873, Carroll Co, AR