Full name: Amanda Melvina Fitzallen Graves Bradley Massey. My mother, Amanda's great-granddaughter, always told me that Amanda had four given names -- Amanda Melvina Fitzallen Graves. Those did not represent earlier marriages. That was the name she was given at birth. I don't yet know the significance of Fitzallen or Graves. Perhaps one of them was her mother's maiden name.

Born to Charles L. Bradley (1805-1856) & unknown mother. Amanda M. Massey, wife of Arthur Massey, is mentioned in the will of Charles L. Bradley (born 1805 in SC), dated Sept. 8, 1856 (Order Book 3, p. 206, Monroe County, AL). Amanda's brother was George S. Bradley (1822-1870), who married Mary Ann Davis.

Amanda married Rev. Arthur W. Massey on Dec. 5, 1848, in Monroe County, Alabama. Arthur Massey was a Methodist circuit rider, a preacher who served several small, rural churches on a circuit. He was born about 1816 in Kershaw County, SC., and died about 1866 in Tocowa, Panola County, MS, grave unknown. His parents were Elias Massey (1793-1865; Memorial# 28327192) & Elizabeth Fletcher Massey (1797-1866; Memoria# 28327133) of South Carolina who moved to Leake County, MS. His paternal grandparents were Alston S. Massey (1762-1853; memorial# 21842972) & unknown wife who died before 1820.

Eleven children:
• John Oliver Massey (1849-1903)
• James Arthur Massey (1851-1872)
• William Byron Massey (1853-1889)
• Jesse Bradley Massey (1854-1928)
• Thomas Leslie Massey (1855-1890)
• Lucian Graham Massey (1859-1888)
• Charles Drury Massey (1861-1933)
• Amanda Bradley Massey Williams (1862-1924)
• Elias P. Massey (1864-1878)
• Samuel McIntosh Massey (1865-1930)
• Josephine Massey (died young in Tocowa, Panola County, MS; grave unknown)

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From the New Orleans Christian Advocate, Mar. 12, 1891:
MASSEY -- Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord! Mrs. A.M. Massey was born in Alabama, June 29, 1826; professed faith in Christ and joined the Methodist Church when about 18 years of age, and was ever afterward an active member and faithful Christian. She was married to Mr. A.W. Massey, Dec. 5, 1848, and they moved at once to Leake County, Miss., and thence in 1866 to Panola County. Here her husband and one daughter died, leaving her with 10 children, all sick. She moved in 1867 to Yalobusha County, where she died Aug. 25, 1890.

The writer was acquainted with her from Jan. 1890 til her death, during all of which time she was a sufferer. She always seemed glad to see her pastor and would have the Word of God brought and request prayer. She prayed much to be resigned to her sufferings. She expressed a willingness to die some weeks before she died.

She was a devoted and loving mother, always willing to do anything for her children's good and pleasure and tried to teach them to trust in God under any and all circumstances.

Sister Massey's life reveals more than an ordinary character. Her success in bringing up her children, being left a widow with so many, amid adverse circumstances, should encourage all Christian mothers left widows to trust in God and make the effort. -- her pastor

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My mother, a great-granddaughter of Amanda, often told me that Amanda came from a wealthy Alabama family and that when she married Arthur Massey, her parents disowned her. I wonder if that explains why there is no mention of her parents or siblings in the obituary above. Perhaps that is why Arthur & Amanda moved away immediately after their marriage.