( Authors note:This is the original paper file from which we have proceeded to produce to family tree and extended lineage now on the database. It is far outdated and much of the incompleted information has been filled in. I place it here only for comparison with the present day)
Doyle
THE STERLING FAMILY- THE EARLY YEARS 1800 to 1912
. The lineage of the present day Sterlings and their descendants can be traced from the birth of our ancestor, John Sterling Sr. His story, and that of his children, is quite a saga.
The birth of John Sr. is not recorded that we can locate. We know it was somewhere in Ireland probably, as future records would indicate, between 1750 and 1760, prior to the American Revolution. We have not determined the reason for his migration to this country, but one can surmise from the political and economic climate of the era, that it was from both desperation and desire for a better life. We believe his arrival to be about 1799.
From records maintained and recovered, we have determined that John was married to Rebecca Pitts. This was his only marriage, and it produced nine births resulting in eight recorded children. We have the date of only one such birth, that of our direct ancestor, John Jr. It is recorded as 1-11-1804 in Newberry District, South Carolina. (Newberry District became the present county in 1818.)
There is some debate as to exactly when John Sr. arrived in South Carolina, and whether in fact he brought his family with him, or sired it after arrival; although we cannot be certain, records seem to indicate the latter. It would seem that in fact his children were born in, or near, Newberry, SC, as a bond for guardianship of minor children was executed in 1820. This would indicate that Rebecca Pitts had died just prior.
This guardianship bond listed as minor children: William, John Jr., Henry, Sarah, and Mary. The three not listed were: James, Elizabeth, and Martha. It would seem that they were older children, and may in fact have arrived with John Sr. and his wife from Ireland. This can only be surmised as the other dates of birth are not recorded. Of Rebecca Pitts, we know little except that her father is recorded on the bond as one Henry Pitts.
John Sr. arrived in South Carolina with four brothers; they are recorded as James, Seth, Ephraim, and Harry, the last two names being somewhat in question. It is not recorded as to where the other brothers settled. We can imagine it to be nearby, as the Irish family units of that day and this are rather close knit in their relationships. We do know that John Sr. settled in or near Newberry District and there lived out his remaining life.
The only other facts we have of John's children is that Martha married a Hosea Johnston, and bore him one child: Ezekiah Eastlin Johnston. The census of 1830 shows John Sr., between the ages of 70 and 80, living alone in Newberry, and a Henry Sterling, age 20 to 30, along with one female, age 15 to 20, living in a separate household. We can believe the female to be Henry's young wife. His listed age would indicate John's birth in Ireland to be between 1750 and 1760.
This information leads us to our next direct ancestor, John Sterling Jr.
John Sterling Jr. is recorded to have been born 1-11-1804 in Newberry County, South Carolina. He died 5-6-1865. He married twice, the first to Eliza Johnston, who bore him eleven children, and the second, Mary (Polly) Cleland, who bore him an additional six children.
Eliza Johnston was born 11-13-1801 and died 1-17-1844. They were married in Buchanan, Georgia, Carroll County. During her 43 year life she bore John Jr. The following children:
Margaret Rebecca , born 11-13-1824, died 9-27-1825Mary Katherine, born 4-29-1826, death not recorded. She married a Garner, and bore one child, Mary Garner.
General George Pinckney Sterling, born 1-1-1828, died 1-21-1865, Civil War.
Griffin Tucker Sterling, born 1-1-1828, died 12-24-1843, twin to the above
(There is no record of a General George P. Sterling to be found; this may in fact have been part of his given name.)
Records show they were both unmarried.
John Henderson Sterling, born 3-3-1830, died 6-25-1834
Martha Louiza, born 1-16-1832, died 11-10-1855
** Hosea Asbury Sterling, born 3-14-1834, died 3-23-1893(our g. grandfather)
Sarah Elizabeth, born 5-6-1836, death unrecorded, married a Blancnette, lived in Abbeville, S.C.
Frances Adaline, born 10-5-1838, death unrecorded. Unmarried.
Daniel Mangum Sterling, born 1-28-1841, died 11-21-1855.
Emaline Elliot, born 3-2-1843, death unrecorded, married James Waldrop, lived in Abbeville, SC
The following children were born of John Jr. and Mary Cleland, 1818-1887Charles Thomas Sterling, born 11-19-1845, died 11-14-1864, Civil War
Cornelia (Neely ) Caroline, born 11-8-1847, death unrecorded, married Pitts.
Dosky Allis, born 6-1-1850, died 10-6-1857
Eliza Susan (Sue), born 4-11-1854, died 3- 29-1917 unmarried.
Died in Voss, Texas, but was returned to South Carolina for burial.
John Pinkney Yustin Sterling, born 6-24-1857, died 9-11-1931,
married Wilhemina Schultz, Children: Charles, Richard, Furman.
Davis Lee Sterling, born 9-3-1860, died 11-23- 1920, unmarried died in Voss, Texas, body returned to South Carolina for burial
Commentary: John Sterling Jr. is said to be buried with no marker in Smith-Johnston Cemetery, near the Bush River. If this is true it is likely that Eliza and their young children are there also.
All the children of John, and Mary Cleland are said to be buried in the Cleland family cemetery near Newberry, off Belfast Road.
Our next g. grandfather was Hosea Asbury Sterling.Hosea Asbury Sterling was born 3-14-1834, died 3-23-1883. He married Anna Caroline Cagle, born 5-29-1840, died 6-29-1887; she was the daughter of Benjamin and Parthenia Jinks Cagle.
The date of birth of Benjamin is given as 1818. The marriage of Hosea and Anna Caroline produced 10 children
John Harvey Sterling, born 2-2-1863 died 7-5-1945
Anna, born 6-23-1866, death not recorded
James Spencer Sterling, born 7-1-1868, death not recorded
**Charles Hampton Sterling, born 3-13-1870, died 8-6-1949 ( our grandfather )
SusanEmma , born 4-22-1872, died 2-22-1898, married Powell, first name unknown.
Laura Evaline, born 4-10-1874, died 1-18-1907, married Wm. Asbury Robertson.
Thomas Robert Sterling, born 11-1-1875, died 12-16-1902
Margaret Minnie, born 2-17-1879, death not recorded
Jesse Alvin Sterling, born 6, 23, 1880, died 9-14-1980, married Linda Caroline Canant. Jesse is known to have resided in Plainview, Texas, and had family there.
Mary Etter, born 5-29-1884, death listed as 1904 she married James Arthur McAlpine and bore one son, Archie Ulysses McAlpine
Hosea and Caroline Cagle Sterling are both buried in Mt. Vernon cemetery
Commentary: As the previous current genealogy in possession of most Sterlings begins with Charles Hampton and Harriet Glasner Sterling, and extends to the present day, being 1997, this summary will end at this point except for comments of interest.
From the foregoing list and records it appears the current line of Sterling cousins and their children can expect the lineage to follow thusly:
John Sterling Sr., born 1750's in Ireland, married Rebecca Pitts >
John Sterling Jr., born 1801, Newberry, SC, married Eliza Johnston >
Hosea Asbury Sterling, born 1834, married Anna Caroline Cagle >
Charles Hampton Sterling, born 1870, married Harriet Mellie Glasner >
Individual child of Charles and Harriet Sterling >
All current first cousins of the Sterling family >
Our children and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren >
I appreciate the response we have had from most of the living family of Sterling first cousins. I hope, time permiting to include all your children, grandchildren, and in some cases great-grand-children in a complete Sterling family history with index, and location register.
It is my further wish to Publish this information on the Sterling Web Page on the Internet which can be reached by anyone with computer capability. To the preceding genealogy we would add the following comments of interest:
Although we can't determine the exact date of birth for John Sterling Sr., we feel it would have been prior to 1760. This is based upon the 1830 census of newberry county listing one John Sterling Sr., living alone, between 70 and 80 years old.
Some years ago, much of this genealogy was studied by Sarah Sterling, the daughter-in-law of Jesse sterling in Plainview, Texas. She surmised that the mentioned Henry was John Jr., and that he later, after his father's death used the first name John. We find this to be unlikely as later research shows that John Sr. had a son named John, and one named Henry. This raises the question of where the other children were at this census.
The following are facts of interest from recovered records:
The 1790 census shows only one Sterling in the entire state of South Carolina, that being an Ishom Sterling and household of two males, himself and one 16 to 20, 2 females, ages not given. The census of 1820 lists 4 Sterling households. In Sumter County is found a Seth Sterling; in Fairfield County, a Samuel Sterling, and in newberry County is found John Sr., household consisting of himself, 1 male 10 to 16, 1 male 16 to 18, and 1 male over 45, this being John Sr.
There are also listed:1 female under 10, and 1 female 10 to 16. His wife Rebecca being unmentioned.This would support that she died between 1810, and 1820.
From a distinct copy of the will of John Sterling Jr., written and witnessed in 1860, we note that he was a slaveholder. He wills to his wife 4 Negroes, namely two boys, Martin, and Ned, and one woman, Betty and her child Jane. He further directs that upon his death, for the purpose of paying debts, that along with numerous holdings, real and personal, his four Negroes, Isom, Jack, Ketty, and Henry be sold. It is noted from records on hand that, after his death, 5-6-1865, distribution of his estate was begun, and then concluded on 9-20-1866 as follows; His wife Mary, (Cleland) was given 100 dollars, in coin and currency, and ten children received 34.80 each in coin and currency. His will was executed by E.P.Lake, and distribution made and witnessed by John L. Peterson. The date of probate is not given. It is noteworthy that each of his heirs, Mary, and the ten children, signed their surname as Stirling. John use the same spelling in writing and signing the will in 1860. Further note: in the census of 1870 the spelling was Starling. The present generation of first cousins starts with our grandfather and grandmother Charles and Harriet. We have provided or can provide the lists of remaining names which began in 1891 with the birth of their first child Allie, and ends with the last, Sydney.
Credits:The foregoing research would have been impossible without the interest and help of a lot of people associated with the name Sterling. It would also be impossible to give each his or her due credit.
Family ties are a precious thing, and the basis of good memories. It is my earnest hope that this work will be received in the manner in which it was prepared; a sense of loss in not keeping contact with family of the past, some with whom we have shared our early life, and some whom we have not seen in many years.
Our deepest appreciation to the members who have contributed so much, such as Lew Sterling, Opal Barkley, Uncles Sidney and Milford, Aunt Bonnie,
Betty Mason, who gave me the idea for doing this, Sarah Sterling, who unknowingly provided the basis of comparison of early records,
My brother Barry Chambers, who provided much material from our mothers notes;
Elva McClure, who put me in touch with her family,
Jewell Dutton for her help and in particular to Perry and Missy Wigley who provided me with a vast supply of early dates, and records.
Also to Jean Williams, whose generosity helped with mailings and calls.
Over the past months I have talked to, and corresponded with so many of the family, that I may have forgotten some to whom credit is due, My apologies.
The work is dedicated to Ruby Hazel Sterling Chambers, 1911-1996. Her love of family, both past, present, and in the future, and her desire to keep in touch, made it necessary. My only regret is it was not prepared during her lifetime. She would have enjoyed it.
Doyle Chambers, with love.
November 4, 1997.
E-Mail address: [email protected]