The Stanton Family

Early Springboro Settlers - Noted Abolitionists

 

Stanton Family History

Five Generations In Virginia ~ Five Generations In Springboro

Springboro’s Stanton family resided for five generations in Virginia before James Stanton (1779-1852) led his family in 1826, from Southampton Co, Virginia to Springboro, Ohio, where he established the family farm, named it Green Hill and where the family resided for another five
generations. James Stanton was a noted abolitionist both in Virginia and in Springboro and a tireless worker in freeing people from slavery. At the end of his life he wrote a notable journal of some of his abolition work. Green Hill is on the National Register of Historic Places and the home remains at 8894 Tanglewood Dr., which is currently the residence of the historically-minded Kern family.

By 1830, the number of freed and escaped slaves in Ohio caused pressure  to create settlements in Canada beyond the reach of slave hunters, and one such was the Wilberforce settlement, near Norwich, Ontario, one of the most successful Quaker communities in Upper Canada, Norwich is located half way between Detroit and Toronto, just above Lake Erie. Frederick Stover took funds donated by area Quakers to buy land and in 1831, wrote a letter to James Stanton and John Bateman in Springborough from Norwich, on the progress, conditions and state of affairs. See the letter, here.

James’ grandson, John F. Stanton (1841-1925), was interested in the family history and corresponded with a few serious researchers. One, William A. Stanton, an attorney from Albany, NY, published his family history book* in 1891. Another, William Batte Stanton, a physician in North Carolina (Duke Medical Center) has done some good research on North Carolina Stantons which contributed to Wm. A. Stanton’s book.

  1.      Some references for John Stanton’s research, noted in his hand, are as follows:
              •    Book of Settlers of Rhode Island
              •    Life of Edwin M. Stanton Stanton, Genealogy of Robert Stanton 
              •    And, an article from the New England Historical and  Genealogical Magazine by

  2.                William A. Stanton of Pittsburg, PA (same as from Albany), “Jo Stanton of the brig Severance”

*“A Record, Genealogical, Biographical, Statistical of Thomas Stanton, of Connecticut, and His Descendants, 1635-1891”, William A. Stanton, Ph.D., D.D.,  Albany, NY (and Pittsburg, PA), Joel Munshell’s Sons, Publishers, 1891. This book can be read online in an enjoyable format at OpenLibrary.org. Search on the title.




Joseph Stanton (1812-1895)                            Catherine Ann Stanton (1820-1913)

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The following people witnessed the 1837, Springborough wedding of James & Ann Stanton’s daughter Catherine Ann to Joseph Stanton:

Joshua Bailey, Sarah Baner, Mary Stanton, Rebecca Garretson, Deborah Bateman, Mary Lynch, Ann Scott, Delitha Hunnicut, Patience Silver, Susan B. Stroud, John Bateman, John Garretson, Cha. Stroud, Edward Lynch, James B. Brook(e), Hiram D. Thomas, Hannah L. Matson (?), Margaret Evans, Mary E. Butler, Eliza Stanton, Almedia Stanton, Elizabeth Stanton, Elizabeth A. Lynch, Jane (C. Wicthiss?), Eliza D. Stroud, Lydia A. Baner, Phebe Garretson, Lydia Garretson, Juliette Pretlow, Jonathan J. Baner, William E. Butler(?) Rhoda Stanton, James H. Stanton, Thomas Evans, Micajah Butler, James Stanton, Ann Stanton, Chalkley Stanton, James Hunnicutt, Margaret A. Stanton, Edna Stanton, ___-Mary Hibben & Elizabeth M. Evans. Some handwriting is not yet deciphered, but the best guess is included.)



James Stanton (CatherineAnn’s father) left us an interesting item from his extensive abolition work, this pre-dating his move to Springborough, “Queries Respecting the present Condition of Slaves and Free People of Color in the United States of America.” The answers provided by James Stanton (c. 1820) are a compelling way to understand the times and this family, which continued to strive for abolition, women’s suffrage and temperance for another century. James Stanton (1779-1862), through his Journal, a recollection of his abolitionist activities, is well-known for his work in freeing people from slavery in his native state of Virginia.




Toward the end of his life, James Stanton (1779-1852) wrote about some of his activities in support of freeing slaves in his home state of Virginia. The “Journal of James Stanton” tells of the difficulties of employing the legal system to reach just ends and clearly shows how individuals obstructed the process either through intent or fear.

































Green Hill, the Stanton home (off Lytle-Five Points Rd, on Tanglewood Drive.)



Green Hill, the gardens.



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