from research records (1995-2004) of Ruth Hasten Walsh. Most records reveal that Tom spelled his surname "Hastings". Confusion about surname spelling has existed for years. James Hastings named Tom and a sister, Mary Elizabeth Hastings, in a Giles County, Tennessee Deed of Gift as issue of his deceased son William Hastings and William's widow Malinda Clem Hastings. By additional deeds of gifts James identified his other surviving sons as James Hastings Jr. (married Mary E. Davis), Joseph Hastings (married Sarah Ann "Sallie" Dunnavant, and A. Zachariah Hastings (married Lillian Ann "Lilly" Phillips). It took 4 years in the late 1990s and countless interviews of family members to untangle the web created by inaccurate census records, interfamily marriages and/or relationships, etc. It is not often one sires children after their death and per birth records of some of his children by his 3rd wife, Ellen Casteel that is exactly what Tom did from the grave. Tom spelled his name Hastings not Hasting, which is how the surname is spelled by some of his grandchildren. Whoever submitted the request for the tombstone submitted paperwork spelling the surname Hasting instead of Hastings.

Thomas David Hastings was married three times, although census records seem to indicate he had a 4th wife. After much investigation and many oral inviews, as well as a comprehensive search of Limestone Co., AL records pertaining to Tom, it has been determined that the wife named Susan, listed in one census record, was actually a former slave employed to be wet nurse and housekeeper during the time frame that Tom's 1st wife, Emily Murphy, was bedridden and dying. During his lifetime, all census enumerations, except for one, inaccurately described members of Tom's household. As a boy, he was mis-listed as an Eaves in one census record. Eaves was his step-father's surname. As an adult, Tom lived on top of steep hill. To reach the house one had to transverse a winding, twisting dirt road. During inclement weather it was almost impossible to reach his house. Family members say that census takers usually didn't even try to get to his house. They collected information about Tom's family from neighbors who lived at foot of hill, which helps explain why so much misinformation appeared on his household's census enumerations.

Tom's 1st wife was Emily C. Millennia Murphy by whom he had 7 children.

1. Thomas Mandaville Manuel (Tommy or Mandiville)Hastings Bailey, wife of John Bailey.
2. Mary Jane (Mollie)Hastings who married Lee Bailey
3. William David Hasting(s)
4. James Lane Hastings
5. Socrates Calvin Hastings
6. Lemuel Richard Hastings
7. Edward Louis Hastings

Tom's 2nd wife was Jeanette Boyd by whom he had 8 children.

8. Mattie Ada Hastings, 1st wife Allie D. Clem
9. Thomas Arthur Hastings,
10. Hassie Lee Hastings, wife of Columbus Walter Street
11. Susie Hastings, wife of John Spencer Hughes
12. Bertha Bernice Hastings, never married
13. Dovie Lillian Hastings, wife of Hardy Franklin Hogan
14. Archie Neel Hastings
15. Coy Lee Hastings

Tom's 3rd wife was Ellen Casteel by whom he had 6 children Interestingly, 2 were born long after Tom had died. Per family members, these two children were actually Tom's grandchildren fathered by two of Tom's sons by Jeanette Boyd. Ellen Casteel's Hastings' children were

16. Tommie Maybelle Hastings, wife of Thomas Lorenzo Smith
17. Della Irene Hastings, wife of Grady C. Rigsby and Robert G. Lumpkin
18. Hubert Lee Hastings
19. Annie Pearl Hastings - died early childhood
20. *Lucille Hastings - died early childhood
21. *Maude Florine Hastings, wife of Robert Estilel Braden

*denotes child born after Tom's death.