Nancy Mullen wrote:
The family of James Fenton Stoneburner appeared in the 1880 Vernon County census. James Fenton Stoneburner, with his sons William and John, and daughter Mattie, had been in Bates County in 1860. It looks like the War sent James back to Douglas Co., Ill., but elder son William into Co H, Tracy's Missouri Cavalry. They were still in Douglas Co. in 1870, but near Bronaugh by 1877 when James bought 80 acres, and younger son John bought the adjoining 80 A, comprising all of SE-1/4 S23 T34 R33 (Deeds 4:528 & 4:529). In 1881 they both sold their land to Frank P. Cotton (15/298 & 15/456). James bought 80A at N-1/2 NW-1/4.
In 1887 he had followed the lure of California and appointed his son William with power of attorney to sell his land in Vernon County. But apparently the lure of California was briefer than the time it took to find a buyer, and James was back in Vernon County on 4 Aug 1887 when he sold the land himself. When he had sold land in 1881, his wife Emily co-signed. When James F. sold his land in 1887, the deed pointedly says he was an unmarried man. Emily had also appeared in the 1880 census as you would expect.
Right: Grave marker for Emily Stoneburner in McKill Cemetery.
Emily is buried at McKill Cemetery. The transcription of cemetery inscription definitely gives her date of death as 1875, age 62. So this cemetery inscription appears to be incorrect. Since all the censuses say she was born in 1821, it seems more reasonable that her correct year of death was 1883.
Since Emily had been enumerated in the 1880 census and had signed the deed during the 1881 land sale, we don't have any other good explanation for this gravestone discrepancy.
If someone has another explanation or theory, we would like to hear from you.
