James Stoneman Jr., and Lydia and Nancy O'Hannigan
James Stoneman Jr. was the second son born to James Sr. and Sarah Freeman Stoneman. To date (1989) no records have been found relative to the location or date of his birth. James Sr. and family apparently moved from Orange County, North Carolina to Grayson County, Virginia in 1793. Thus, James Jr. probably was born near Cane Creek in western Orange County in what is now Alamance County. The 1830 census for Grayson County places James Jr. in the 30-40 age bracket, and thus using the higher figure this could translate to being born circa 1790. A leather pouch bearing the initials JS and the date of 1788 passed down through generations of descendants may afford a more accurate date of birth.
In 1808 James purchased 95 acres of land on Crooked Creek in the Eastern District of Grayson, which is now Carroll County, VA. Unlike his brothers Joshua and John, James Jr. was not a Quaker or member of the Society of Friends.
James was married first to Lydia O'Hannigan, and second on August 19, 1819 to her cousin Nancy O'Hannigan. The census of 1820 lists a female of under 10 years of age for the James Stoneman Jr. household, which may have been a daughter by his first marriage. The daughter of Daniel O'Hannigan, Nancy was born on December 11, 1794, apparently in Donegal, Ireland. Daniel O'Hannigan was a large landholder in the Eastern District of Grayson, having made his first acquisitions in 1806. James Stoneman Jr. died in 1838 in Grayson County and Nancy died in Wythe County, Virginia on April 15, 1846.
Five children of James Jr. and Nancy reached adulthood, but a son named James, born on April 8, 1829 died on February 13, 1833.
1. Daniel O'Hannigan Stoneman B. June 20, 1820
M. Sarah (Sally) Martin on Oct. 26, 1843
D. October 8, 1873 in Carroll Co. VA
(It is noteworthy that a grave marker in the family cemetery erroneously gives the death as July 14, 1869)
2. Margaret (Peggy) Stoneman B. Dec. 28, 1822
M. Nathaniel Edwards in 1841
D. May 8, 1864 in Charleston WV
3. Joshua Stoneman B. August 10, 1824
M. Elizabeth Adams on Oct. 19, 1845
D. Nov. 17, 1873 in Freeburg, IL
4. Mary Ann Ruth Stoneman B. Jan. 10, 1827
M. Francis Miller on Sept. 9, 1843
D. Sept. 9, 1894 in Surry Co NC
5. Sarah (Sally) Stoneman B. 1834
M. William Payne on Aug 18, 1851
D. Sept 14, 1885 in Carroll County VA
Written by Elvyn Stoneman 1989
