Reece Bailey Stone (1842 - 1928)

Born 25 Jan 1842 in Tennessee, United States

Husband of Mary Susan (Snider) Stone — married 1865 in Marion, Virginia, United States

Descendants

Died 5 Oct 1928 at age 86 in Marion, Smyth, Virginia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Zane Parks [send private message] and Ben Parks [send private message]

Biography

Reece may be the son of James B. and Freelove Stone.^[1] He married Mary Susan Snider.

Reece was a private in Company K, 29th Regiment, Tennessee Infantry.^[2]

From "The Stone Family" by Henry Parks.

"My grandfather was Reece Bailey Stone. He was born January 25, 1844 in Surry County, Tennessee. I know nothing of his parents or if there were other children.

"He told me that when he was 16 years of age he ran away from home and joined the Confederate Army. He served until the end of the war and was under the command of General Longstreet.

"The war ended on April 9, 1865 with the surrender of General Robert E. Lee to General Ulysses S. Grand at Appomattox Court House at Appomattox, Virginia. It was not until several days later that all the soldier received the news that the war had ended.

"Grandfather said when they were discharged they were given their rifles and started walking to their homes. After several days they were so tired that they threw their rifles into a field by the road.

"They begged or sometimes even stole their food. They slept under trees or in fence corners at the side of the road. Occasionally a friendly farmer would give them food and permit them to sleep in his barn. Eventually they separated as they went to their individual homes.

"When grandfather arrived at home his neighbors and friends were up in arms and they hated the Confederate soldiers.

"Tennessee was in the South and the young and old men fought for the South.

"The hatred of the homecoming soldiers was caused by the fact that some time before the end of the war a company of Union soldier went through the South destroying crops, burning barns, stealing valuables, taking horses and driving the cattle away with them. This company of Union soldiers was 'piloted' by a Confederate soldier. Grandfather said that the soldier was paid $1,000 to pilot the Union soldiers on this trip. That is how this man got his start in life. I know the man. He and his family were good friends of ours. His first wife, the mother of his children, died. He remarried and this wife was a friend of mother's.

"This man was considered wealthy by his friends. He was kind and used part of his wealth to help those less fortunate. Grandchildren are his closest living relatives. They are also friends of mine. Telling their names would only cause heartbreak. I shall remain silent..

"It was necessary for grandfather to leave his home to protect his life. He went to Marion, Virginia.

"My grandmother was Mary Susan Snider. She was born May 17, 1848 near Marion, Virginia. ...

"Grandfather and grandmother were married in 1865 or 1866. Their home was near Marion, Virginia, where for several years he was 'Farm Boss' for J.B. Raye. ...

"Grandfather and grandmother bought a farm on Walders (or Waltters) Mountain and had lived there several years. Uncle William willed his farm to grandmother, and after his death they moved to this farm near Atkins, Virginia. They both spent their remaining years there. ...

"Grandfather Stone died in 1928 and grandmother died March 20, 1920."

+++ End of quote +++

Sources

1. ↑ United States Census, 1850
2. ↑ United States Headstone Applications for U.S. Military Veterans, 1925-1949

• Second-hand information.
• United States Census, 1860
• United States Census, 1870
• United States Census, 1920
• "Virginia, Death Certificates, 1912-1987
• Find A Grave Memorial # 68849112
• "The Stone Family" by Henry Parks, under source images for Henry Parks.