006 Stanton Pierce c.1870
Stanton was born in Russell Co., KY, where his father was
probably a farmer. His father had died by 14 Dec 1840, when the will of his
grandfather mentions the heirs of Jeremiah Pierce. At this date, he was probably
already located in Jefferson Co., TN, since he married Mary A. Bettis there in
1841. He might have been apprenticed to Andrew Gass, a local blacksmith, since
Stanton is listed as a blacksmith in the 1850 census. Andrew Gass, a Baptist
lay-minister, married the young couple.
Why Jefferson Co., TN? Other Pierces were in this area earlier - were they
cousins or uncles? No, they are actually no relation, being haplotypes R1B1,
whereas Stanton's line is I1a. Stephen Hall is in Jefferson Co., TN by 1840, and
in 1850 is housing Stanton's sister Mary (Polly), so perhaps Stephen is a
relation, who, being a saddler, knew that Andrew Gass needed an apprentice.
By 1860, Stanton & family moved to Crittenden Co., KY, where his brother-in-law
Jacob W. Bettis had already located by at least 1857.
This photo is a carte de visite c.1870, which is in
excellent condition because it was toned with gold or platinum when printed.
The identification as Stanton is based on his marked resemblance to known photos
of his sons, and the fact that he appears to be closer to 50 (the age of Stanton
in 1870) than 30 (the age of his sons).
