The following information was provided by William Gorman. William's grandmother, Texas Penina Owen Gorman, was Sarah's grand-daughter and made audio recordings depicting the life of Sarah. These are excerpts from her stories:
Texas told stories about Sarah living in the "Big House" at her grandfather Joseph Little's plantation. It was said to have 6 bedrooms, each with its own fireplace. These rooms were large enough to accommodate two or three full sized beds. Sarah never had any chores to do since they had servants to make the beds, clean the house and do the laundry. The kitchen had a big open fireplace where cooking was done. A small pig could be roasted over the fire. The kitchen was manned by servants on nearly a 24 hour per day basis. Her grandfather Joseph Little's plantation extended from Carroll County, GA to adjoining Benton County, Alabama.
SARAH'S MARRIAGE
Sarah married Calaway Stephens of Gwinnett County, GA on January 10, 1841. (Sarah and Calaway had a total of nine children (source - 1910 Census for Kerens, Navarro County, Texas, Pct 3, Sh 9A, dwelling 181): Martha, Mary Amanda, John Wiley, Francis Calloway, Joseph Richard, Arletha, Bird Alexander, Ella and an unnamed child who was likely a still birth and of unknown birth year.
CIVIL WAR EXPERIENCE:
At the start of the Civil War, Calaway and Sarah were living in Lawrence County in NW Alabama where Cal was a blacksmith and operated a grist mill. Six children were still living at home. Daughter Martha died prior to 1860 and daughter Mary was married. Their fourth daughter, Ella had just been born. During the war their oldest son, John Wiley went off to serve the CSA cause. Calaway joined the 23rd Alabama Infantry Regiment on October 1, 1861 leaving Sarah and their younger children supported by her two oldest sons, John Wiley (14) and Francis Calloway (12). Sometime after Calaway left, Yankee bushwhackers burned Sarah's house and grist mill. Sarah told the story of her journey back to her father's place in Benton (Calhoun) County, Alabama after the grist mill was burned. They had no food and their belongings were just the clothes on their backs. They reportedly picked and ate wild berries and begged for milk for the baby Ella along the way. Sarah told passing travelers who got word to her father about their plight. Her father sent Sarah's younger brother John in a wagon to find them. "My great grandmother, Arletha C. Stephens OWEN was about 7-8 years old at the time and helped take care of the younger ones on the journey. She said that the greatest sight her eyes had ever seen was the day the wagon driven by her Uncle John pulled into the yard of her grandfather Little's house and the family was there waiting for them with food and shelter."
AFTER THE WAR: DEATH OF HER PARENTS AND HER MOVE TO KENTUCKY
According to Sarah's granddaughter Texas, in her 1978 taped interview, Sarah's mother Martha died shortly after Sarah arrived home following the burnout of her home and gristmill. Her father Josiah died about a year later. By 1866, Sarah had lost her husband, both of her parents, her brother John, her sister Elmina (and Elmina's husband} and her two living brothers had moved away. Sarah had a house full of children with no other adult care or support. She did still have John Wiley (19) and Francis Calloway (17) to help support the family. Daughter Mary (22) had moved back home after the death of her husband during the war. In 1866, Calaway's youngest brother, Joshua Cordelia (who fought in, and survived, the war) married Almira Jane Norris in Marengo, County, Alabama. He, his new wife and his parents moved to Crittenden County, KY. Sometime between 1866 and 1868 Sarah followed Calaway's parents and brother to Kentucky, moving to Trigg County about 25 miles from where his parents and brother had located.
MOVE TO ARKANSAS
We know that Sarah and her children, including married daughter Mary Amanda, moved to Jackson Township, Newton County, Arkansas sometime between the time of the 1870 Census and August 1871 when her sons John Wiley and Francis Calaway married Newton County women. Later that fall her son Joe was married and in 1874 her daughter Arletha was married...both in Newton County. Finally, her youngest son Bird Alexander was also married in Newton County in March 1878. We don't know for sure when Sarah and her clan moved to Bear Creek Twp, Boone County, AR but we know they were living there at the time of the 1880 Census. This included Sarah and all of her married children.
Texas told stories about Sarah living in the "Big House" at her grandfather Joseph Little's plantation. It was said to have 6 bedrooms, each with its own fireplace. These rooms were large enough to accommodate two or three full sized beds. Sarah never had any chores to do since they had servants to make the beds, clean the house and do the laundry. The kitchen had a big open fireplace where cooking was done. A small pig could be roasted over the fire. The kitchen was manned by servants on nearly a 24 hour per day basis. Her grandfather Joseph Little's plantation extended from Carroll County, GA to adjoining Benton County, Alabama.
SARAH'S MARRIAGE
Sarah married Calaway Stephens of Gwinnett County, GA on January 10, 1841. (Sarah and Calaway had a total of nine children (source - 1910 Census for Kerens, Navarro County, Texas, Pct 3, Sh 9A, dwelling 181): Martha, Mary Amanda, John Wiley, Francis Calloway, Joseph Richard, Arletha, Bird Alexander, Ella and an unnamed child who was likely a still birth and of unknown birth year.
CIVIL WAR EXPERIENCE:
At the start of the Civil War, Calaway and Sarah were living in Lawrence County in NW Alabama where Cal was a blacksmith and operated a grist mill. Six children were still living at home. Daughter Martha died prior to 1860 and daughter Mary was married. Their fourth daughter, Ella had just been born. During the war their oldest son, John Wiley went off to serve the CSA cause. Calaway joined the 23rd Alabama Infantry Regiment on October 1, 1861 leaving Sarah and their younger children supported by her two oldest sons, John Wiley (14) and Francis Calloway (12). Sometime after Calaway left, Yankee bushwhackers burned Sarah's house and grist mill. Sarah told the story of her journey back to her father's place in Benton (Calhoun) County, Alabama after the grist mill was burned. They had no food and their belongings were just the clothes on their backs. They reportedly picked and ate wild berries and begged for milk for the baby Ella along the way. Sarah told passing travelers who got word to her father about their plight. Her father sent Sarah's younger brother John in a wagon to find them. "My great grandmother, Arletha C. Stephens OWEN was about 7-8 years old at the time and helped take care of the younger ones on the journey. She said that the greatest sight her eyes had ever seen was the day the wagon driven by her Uncle John pulled into the yard of her grandfather Little's house and the family was there waiting for them with food and shelter."
AFTER THE WAR: DEATH OF HER PARENTS AND HER MOVE TO KENTUCKY
According to Sarah's granddaughter Texas, in her 1978 taped interview, Sarah's mother Martha died shortly after Sarah arrived home following the burnout of her home and gristmill. Her father Josiah died about a year later. By 1866, Sarah had lost her husband, both of her parents, her brother John, her sister Elmina (and Elmina's husband} and her two living brothers had moved away. Sarah had a house full of children with no other adult care or support. She did still have John Wiley (19) and Francis Calloway (17) to help support the family. Daughter Mary (22) had moved back home after the death of her husband during the war. In 1866, Calaway's youngest brother, Joshua Cordelia (who fought in, and survived, the war) married Almira Jane Norris in Marengo, County, Alabama. He, his new wife and his parents moved to Crittenden County, KY. Sometime between 1866 and 1868 Sarah followed Calaway's parents and brother to Kentucky, moving to Trigg County about 25 miles from where his parents and brother had located.
MOVE TO ARKANSAS
We know that Sarah and her children, including married daughter Mary Amanda, moved to Jackson Township, Newton County, Arkansas sometime between the time of the 1870 Census and August 1871 when her sons John Wiley and Francis Calaway married Newton County women. Later that fall her son Joe was married and in 1874 her daughter Arletha was married...both in Newton County. Finally, her youngest son Bird Alexander was also married in Newton County in March 1878. We don't know for sure when Sarah and her clan moved to Bear Creek Twp, Boone County, AR but we know they were living there at the time of the 1880 Census. This included Sarah and all of her married children.
The following information was provided by William Gorman. William's grandmother, Texas Penina Owen Gorman, was Sarah's grand-daughter and made audio recordings depicting the life of Sarah. These are excerpts from her stories:
Texas told stories about Sarah living in the "Big House" at her grandfather Joseph Little's plantation. It was said to have 6 bedrooms, each with its own fireplace. These rooms were large enough to accommodate two or three full sized beds. Sarah never had any chores to do since they had servants to make the beds, clean the house and do the laundry. The kitchen had a big open fireplace where cooking was done. A small pig could be roasted over the fire. The kitchen was manned by servants on nearly a 24 hour per day basis. Her grandfather Joseph Little's plantation extended from Carroll County, GA to adjoining Benton County, Alabama.
SARAH'S MARRIAGE
Sarah married Calaway Stephens of Gwinnett County, GA on January 10, 1841. (Sarah and Calaway had a total of nine children (source - 1910 Census for Kerens, Navarro County, Texas, Pct 3, Sh 9A, dwelling 181): Martha, Mary Amanda, John Wiley, Francis Calloway, Joseph Richard, Arletha, Bird Alexander, Ella and an unnamed child who was likely a still birth and of unknown birth year.
CIVIL WAR EXPERIENCE:
At the start of the Civil War, Calaway and Sarah were living in Lawrence County in NW Alabama where Cal was a blacksmith and operated a grist mill. Six children were still living at home. Daughter Martha died prior to 1860 and daughter Mary was married. Their fourth daughter, Ella had just been born. During the war their oldest son, John Wiley went off to serve the CSA cause. Calaway joined the 23rd Alabama Infantry Regiment on October 1, 1861 leaving Sarah and their younger children supported by her two oldest sons, John Wiley (14) and Francis Calloway (12). Sometime after Calaway left, Yankee bushwhackers burned Sarah's house and grist mill. Sarah told the story of her journey back to her father's place in Benton (Calhoun) County, Alabama after the grist mill was burned. They had no food and their belongings were just the clothes on their backs. They reportedly picked and ate wild berries and begged for milk for the baby Ella along the way. Sarah told passing travelers who got word to her father about their plight. Her father sent Sarah's younger brother John in a wagon to find them. "My great grandmother, Arletha C. Stephens OWEN was about 7-8 years old at the time and helped take care of the younger ones on the journey. She said that the greatest sight her eyes had ever seen was the day the wagon driven by her Uncle John pulled into the yard of her grandfather Little's house and the family was there waiting for them with food and shelter."
AFTER THE WAR: DEATH OF HER PARENTS AND HER MOVE TO KENTUCKY
According to Sarah's granddaughter Texas, in her 1978 taped interview, Sarah's mother Martha died shortly after Sarah arrived home following the burnout of her home and gristmill. Her father Josiah died about a year later. By 1866, Sarah had lost her husband, both of her parents, her brother John, her sister Elmina (and Elmina's husband} and her two living brothers had moved away. Sarah had a house full of children with no other adult care or support. She did still have John Wiley (19) and Francis Calloway (17) to help support the family. Daughter Mary (22) had moved back home after the death of her husband during the war. In 1866, Calaway's youngest brother, Joshua Cordelia (who fought in, and survived, the war) married Almira Jane Norris in Marengo, County, Alabama. He, his new wife and his parents moved to Crittenden County, KY. Sometime between 1866 and 1868 Sarah followed Calaway's parents and brother to Kentucky, moving to Trigg County about 25 miles from where his parents and brother had located.
MOVE TO ARKANSAS
We know that Sarah and her children, including married daughter Mary Amanda, moved to Jackson Township, Newton County, Arkansas sometime between the time of the 1870 Census and August 1871 when her sons John Wiley and Francis Calaway married Newton County women. Later that fall her son Joe was married and in 1874 her daughter Arletha was married...both in Newton County. Finally, her youngest son Bird Alexander was also married in Newton County in March 1878. We don't know for sure when Sarah and her clan moved to Bear Creek Twp, Boone County, AR but we know they were living there at the time of the 1880 Census. This included Sarah and all of her married children.
Texas told stories about Sarah living in the "Big House" at her grandfather Joseph Little's plantation. It was said to have 6 bedrooms, each with its own fireplace. These rooms were large enough to accommodate two or three full sized beds. Sarah never had any chores to do since they had servants to make the beds, clean the house and do the laundry. The kitchen had a big open fireplace where cooking was done. A small pig could be roasted over the fire. The kitchen was manned by servants on nearly a 24 hour per day basis. Her grandfather Joseph Little's plantation extended from Carroll County, GA to adjoining Benton County, Alabama.
SARAH'S MARRIAGE
Sarah married Calaway Stephens of Gwinnett County, GA on January 10, 1841. (Sarah and Calaway had a total of nine children (source - 1910 Census for Kerens, Navarro County, Texas, Pct 3, Sh 9A, dwelling 181): Martha, Mary Amanda, John Wiley, Francis Calloway, Joseph Richard, Arletha, Bird Alexander, Ella and an unnamed child who was likely a still birth and of unknown birth year.
CIVIL WAR EXPERIENCE:
At the start of the Civil War, Calaway and Sarah were living in Lawrence County in NW Alabama where Cal was a blacksmith and operated a grist mill. Six children were still living at home. Daughter Martha died prior to 1860 and daughter Mary was married. Their fourth daughter, Ella had just been born. During the war their oldest son, John Wiley went off to serve the CSA cause. Calaway joined the 23rd Alabama Infantry Regiment on October 1, 1861 leaving Sarah and their younger children supported by her two oldest sons, John Wiley (14) and Francis Calloway (12). Sometime after Calaway left, Yankee bushwhackers burned Sarah's house and grist mill. Sarah told the story of her journey back to her father's place in Benton (Calhoun) County, Alabama after the grist mill was burned. They had no food and their belongings were just the clothes on their backs. They reportedly picked and ate wild berries and begged for milk for the baby Ella along the way. Sarah told passing travelers who got word to her father about their plight. Her father sent Sarah's younger brother John in a wagon to find them. "My great grandmother, Arletha C. Stephens OWEN was about 7-8 years old at the time and helped take care of the younger ones on the journey. She said that the greatest sight her eyes had ever seen was the day the wagon driven by her Uncle John pulled into the yard of her grandfather Little's house and the family was there waiting for them with food and shelter."
AFTER THE WAR: DEATH OF HER PARENTS AND HER MOVE TO KENTUCKY
According to Sarah's granddaughter Texas, in her 1978 taped interview, Sarah's mother Martha died shortly after Sarah arrived home following the burnout of her home and gristmill. Her father Josiah died about a year later. By 1866, Sarah had lost her husband, both of her parents, her brother John, her sister Elmina (and Elmina's husband} and her two living brothers had moved away. Sarah had a house full of children with no other adult care or support. She did still have John Wiley (19) and Francis Calloway (17) to help support the family. Daughter Mary (22) had moved back home after the death of her husband during the war. In 1866, Calaway's youngest brother, Joshua Cordelia (who fought in, and survived, the war) married Almira Jane Norris in Marengo, County, Alabama. He, his new wife and his parents moved to Crittenden County, KY. Sometime between 1866 and 1868 Sarah followed Calaway's parents and brother to Kentucky, moving to Trigg County about 25 miles from where his parents and brother had located.
MOVE TO ARKANSAS
We know that Sarah and her children, including married daughter Mary Amanda, moved to Jackson Township, Newton County, Arkansas sometime between the time of the 1870 Census and August 1871 when her sons John Wiley and Francis Calaway married Newton County women. Later that fall her son Joe was married and in 1874 her daughter Arletha was married...both in Newton County. Finally, her youngest son Bird Alexander was also married in Newton County in March 1878. We don't know for sure when Sarah and her clan moved to Bear Creek Twp, Boone County, AR but we know they were living there at the time of the 1880 Census. This included Sarah and all of her married children.
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