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Jeptha "Jep" (King) Stephens was born on Sept. 18, 1846 in Whitley Co., Kentucky, not far from the present day town of Pine Knot, now part of McCreary Co., KY. He was the first known child of "Dipen" Burl King (1825-1917) and Burl's first wife (legally married ?) who is thought by some to have been Virginia (?) Jane Stephens (abt 1825-abt 1851?).
Jep's father, Burl, was the son of Thomas Murray "Tom" King (1790-1880) and Mary Rebecca "Polly" Cox (1800-1881). Jep's grandfather, Thomas, was the patriarch of the King family in McCreary Co. (formally part of Whitley Co.), having moved his family to the area from NE Tennessee (Campbell Co.) about 1919 or 1825-28. He apparently came from the area of KY/TN that was disputed (Walker Line) by the two states.
As indicated earlier, the name of Jep's biological mother is somewhat uncertain. For some reason (death ?), Jep remembered little or nothing about his biological mother. It is thought that she died when Jep was very young (abt 4 ?).
Jep's father, Burl, apparently divorced his first wife (Jane Stephens ?) about 1848-49. He then married Rebecca Stephens (1835-1901) on Mar. 4, 1849. Some think that Rebecca may have been a sister to Virginia, others believe her to have been a cousin. What is interesting to note is that Jane and Jep continued to live in the Burl King household for a while. They appear together in the 1850 census together with Burl's new wife. It's possible that Burl's first wife (legally married ?) was terminally ill and that he allowed her to live with them until she died. It is also possible that he was allowing her to live in his household until she found another place to live. Unknown.
Dipen's 2nd wife, Rebecca, was the daughter of Whitmill Stephens (1809-abt 1866) and Elizabeth Waters (abt 1807-bet 1871/80). As mentioned earlier, Jep's biological mother, Jane Stephens, is thought to have died when he was young (abt 1851 ?). Consequently, Jep considered Rebecca his mother as she was the only mother he really knew.
Burl and second wife, Rebecca, had two children before their divorce in late 1852-early 1853. They were Daniel King (1850-bef 1860) and Emby King Sr. (1852-1937). As an adult, Emby, was a well respected citizen in his community, donating land, lumber and labor for the Emby King School (mid 1880s?), Kingtown Cemetery (1891) and 2nd Otter Creek Church (1820).
When Rebecca left Dipen, she took her son Emby with her. She may have taken their other son Daniel as well, however, he does not appear in the 1860 US Census. It is thought that he died in the 1850s but it is not known whether it was before or after Rebecca's divorce from his father, Burl. Rebecca also took Jep with her, again her cousin's son by Burl.
Apparently, the children did not stay with Rebecca very long. The 1860 US Census shows Jep (age 14), living with a Nancy Stephens (age 75), probably his biological maternal grandmother, while Emby (Embassy?) is shown in 1860 as living with Rebecca's parents, Whitmill Stephens and Elizabeth Waters. The 1870 census shows Jeptha (age 23) as married. It also shows Emby (age 18) living back with his father, Burl King, in the Pine Knot area of Whitley Co., KY (now part of McCreary Co.).
After the divorce, Rebecca returned to using her maiden name (Stephens). Both she and Jep used the Stephens surname the rest of their lives. However, her son, Emby, chose to use the King surname.
Rebecca never remarried, however, she did have two other known children, both born out of wedlock. One, Andrew Marion "Andy" Stephens (1862-1951), was the son of James G. "Jim" Chitwood (1840-1916). Andy was a well-respected and well-liked man around the communities of Kingtown, KY and Isham, TN.
Rebecca apparently had a daughter out of wedlock as well, Elizabeth Stephens (1875-1910), whose father was a Burl King, possibly her former husband, Burl King. Emby King, with his half-sister, Lensy King, are shown in the 1860 census living with their maternal grandparents, William and Elizabeth (Waters) Stephens.
Rebecca died in Scott Co., TN on Dec. 25, 1901 at the age of 66. She is buried in the Stephens Family Cemetery located in Isham, Scott Co., TN. It is thought that her parents are buried there as well as they owned the land at the time of their deaths. Their grave sites, as are the sites of several other Stephens family members, are no longer marked.
Jep married Martha Laxton (1849-1898) on Feb. 14, 1867 in Scott Co., Tennessee. Jep was 20 years of age, Martha 18. They are shown in the 1870 US Census as living near Winfield, Scott Co., Tennessee. Martha was the daughter of Alfred Gallatin Laxton (1819-1892) and Sarah E. "Sallie" Thomas (1825-1893). Both of Martha's parents were born in Campbell Co., TN, possibly in an area that became part of Scott County when it was formed in 1849. Both died in Scott Co., TN and are buried in the Laxton Cemetery near Oneida in that county.
Jep and wife Martha were married for 31 years and had ten known children. In order of their birth they were Rev. Burrell Stephens (1868-1951), Sarah Stephens (1869-1896), Rebecca Jane Stephens (1871- ?), Alfred Stephens (1873-1950), Jasper Marion "J. W." Stephens (1876-1950), Burnetta "Nettie" Stephens (1879-1965), Elbert Stephens (1882-1970), Chester Allen Stephens (1885-1978), Ernest Stephens (1887-1977) and Frances Elizabeth "Fannie" Stephens (1890-1985).
It is interesting to note that Jep named his first son Burrell, apparently after his father, Burl King. However, either he or his son spelled his given name differently. Jep apparently had some contact with his father growing up and must have had reasonably good feelings toward him or he would not have named his first born son after him. That first son, Burrell, became a long-time preacher.
Jep named his second daughter, Rebecca Jane Stephens, apparently after his his two mothers, Jane Stephens (biological) and Rebecca Stephens (the woman who raised him). As mentioned earlier, Jep considered Rebecca, Dipen's second wife, as his mother as she was the only mother he really remembered.
Jep's second son was named, Alfred, and his first daughter, Sarah. They were obviously named after his wife's parents, Alfred & Sarah Laxton.
In the early 1880s, Jeptha moved his family from Scott Co., Tennessee to Hamby, Taylor Co., Texas. At the time he was in his mid-to-late 30s. His motivation for the move to Texas is currently unknown. By the late 1890s, the family had moved on to Bowie, Montaque Co., Texas.
Jep's wife, Martha, died on Sept. 12, 1898 at the age of 50. She is buried in the Brushy Cemetery in Bowie, Montague Co., Texas. Jep, who was 51 at the time of his wife's death, did not marry again.
The 1900 US Census shows Jep as "widowed" with four of his children living with him. He died later that same year (July 20), at the age of 53. He too, is buried in the Brushy Cemetery, next to his wife, Martha.
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The information contained in this memorial for Jeptha "Jep" (King) Stephens, his wife, family members, ancestors and descendants, is thought to correct. This memorial is revised/corrected, however, as new information becomes available.
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Jeptha "Jep" (King) Stephens was born on Sept. 18, 1846 in Whitley Co., Kentucky, not far from the present day town of Pine Knot, now part of McCreary Co., KY. He was the first known child of "Dipen" Burl King (1825-1917) and Burl's first wife (legally married ?) who is thought by some to have been Virginia (?) Jane Stephens (abt 1825-abt 1851?).
Jep's father, Burl, was the son of Thomas Murray "Tom" King (1790-1880) and Mary Rebecca "Polly" Cox (1800-1881). Jep's grandfather, Thomas, was the patriarch of the King family in McCreary Co. (formally part of Whitley Co.), having moved his family to the area from NE Tennessee (Campbell Co.) about 1919 or 1825-28. He apparently came from the area of KY/TN that was disputed (Walker Line) by the two states.
As indicated earlier, the name of Jep's biological mother is somewhat uncertain. For some reason (death ?), Jep remembered little or nothing about his biological mother. It is thought that she died when Jep was very young (abt 4 ?).
Jep's father, Burl, apparently divorced his first wife (Jane Stephens ?) about 1848-49. He then married Rebecca Stephens (1835-1901) on Mar. 4, 1849. Some think that Rebecca may have been a sister to Virginia, others believe her to have been a cousin. What is interesting to note is that Jane and Jep continued to live in the Burl King household for a while. They appear together in the 1850 census together with Burl's new wife. It's possible that Burl's first wife (legally married ?) was terminally ill and that he allowed her to live with them until she died. It is also possible that he was allowing her to live in his household until she found another place to live. Unknown.
Dipen's 2nd wife, Rebecca, was the daughter of Whitmill Stephens (1809-abt 1866) and Elizabeth Waters (abt 1807-bet 1871/80). As mentioned earlier, Jep's biological mother, Jane Stephens, is thought to have died when he was young (abt 1851 ?). Consequently, Jep considered Rebecca his mother as she was the only mother he really knew.
Burl and second wife, Rebecca, had two children before their divorce in late 1852-early 1853. They were Daniel King (1850-bef 1860) and Emby King Sr. (1852-1937). As an adult, Emby, was a well respected citizen in his community, donating land, lumber and labor for the Emby King School (mid 1880s?), Kingtown Cemetery (1891) and 2nd Otter Creek Church (1820).
When Rebecca left Dipen, she took her son Emby with her. She may have taken their other son Daniel as well, however, he does not appear in the 1860 US Census. It is thought that he died in the 1850s but it is not known whether it was before or after Rebecca's divorce from his father, Burl. Rebecca also took Jep with her, again her cousin's son by Burl.
Apparently, the children did not stay with Rebecca very long. The 1860 US Census shows Jep (age 14), living with a Nancy Stephens (age 75), probably his biological maternal grandmother, while Emby (Embassy?) is shown in 1860 as living with Rebecca's parents, Whitmill Stephens and Elizabeth Waters. The 1870 census shows Jeptha (age 23) as married. It also shows Emby (age 18) living back with his father, Burl King, in the Pine Knot area of Whitley Co., KY (now part of McCreary Co.).
After the divorce, Rebecca returned to using her maiden name (Stephens). Both she and Jep used the Stephens surname the rest of their lives. However, her son, Emby, chose to use the King surname.
Rebecca never remarried, however, she did have two other known children, both born out of wedlock. One, Andrew Marion "Andy" Stephens (1862-1951), was the son of James G. "Jim" Chitwood (1840-1916). Andy was a well-respected and well-liked man around the communities of Kingtown, KY and Isham, TN.
Rebecca apparently had a daughter out of wedlock as well, Elizabeth Stephens (1875-1910), whose father was a Burl King, possibly her former husband, Burl King. Emby King, with his half-sister, Lensy King, are shown in the 1860 census living with their maternal grandparents, William and Elizabeth (Waters) Stephens.
Rebecca died in Scott Co., TN on Dec. 25, 1901 at the age of 66. She is buried in the Stephens Family Cemetery located in Isham, Scott Co., TN. It is thought that her parents are buried there as well as they owned the land at the time of their deaths. Their grave sites, as are the sites of several other Stephens family members, are no longer marked.
Jep married Martha Laxton (1849-1898) on Feb. 14, 1867 in Scott Co., Tennessee. Jep was 20 years of age, Martha 18. They are shown in the 1870 US Census as living near Winfield, Scott Co., Tennessee. Martha was the daughter of Alfred Gallatin Laxton (1819-1892) and Sarah E. "Sallie" Thomas (1825-1893). Both of Martha's parents were born in Campbell Co., TN, possibly in an area that became part of Scott County when it was formed in 1849. Both died in Scott Co., TN and are buried in the Laxton Cemetery near Oneida in that county.
Jep and wife Martha were married for 31 years and had ten known children. In order of their birth they were Rev. Burrell Stephens (1868-1951), Sarah Stephens (1869-1896), Rebecca Jane Stephens (1871- ?), Alfred Stephens (1873-1950), Jasper Marion "J. W." Stephens (1876-1950), Burnetta "Nettie" Stephens (1879-1965), Elbert Stephens (1882-1970), Chester Allen Stephens (1885-1978), Ernest Stephens (1887-1977) and Frances Elizabeth "Fannie" Stephens (1890-1985).
It is interesting to note that Jep named his first son Burrell, apparently after his father, Burl King. However, either he or his son spelled his given name differently. Jep apparently had some contact with his father growing up and must have had reasonably good feelings toward him or he would not have named his first born son after him. That first son, Burrell, became a long-time preacher.
Jep named his second daughter, Rebecca Jane Stephens, apparently after his his two mothers, Jane Stephens (biological) and Rebecca Stephens (the woman who raised him). As mentioned earlier, Jep considered Rebecca, Dipen's second wife, as his mother as she was the only mother he really remembered.
Jep's second son was named, Alfred, and his first daughter, Sarah. They were obviously named after his wife's parents, Alfred & Sarah Laxton.
In the early 1880s, Jeptha moved his family from Scott Co., Tennessee to Hamby, Taylor Co., Texas. At the time he was in his mid-to-late 30s. His motivation for the move to Texas is currently unknown. By the late 1890s, the family had moved on to Bowie, Montaque Co., Texas.
Jep's wife, Martha, died on Sept. 12, 1898 at the age of 50. She is buried in the Brushy Cemetery in Bowie, Montague Co., Texas. Jep, who was 51 at the time of his wife's death, did not marry again.
The 1900 US Census shows Jep as "widowed" with four of his children living with him. He died later that same year (July 20), at the age of 53. He too, is buried in the Brushy Cemetery, next to his wife, Martha.
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The information contained in this memorial for Jeptha "Jep" (King) Stephens, his wife, family members, ancestors and descendants, is thought to correct. This memorial is revised/corrected, however, as new information becomes available.
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Jeptha "Jep" (King) Stephens was born on Sept. 18, 1846 in Whitley Co., Kentucky, not far from the present day town of Pine Knot, now part of McCreary Co., KY. He was the first known child of "Dipen" Burl King (1825-1917) and Burl's first wife (legally married ?) who is thought by some to have been Virginia (?) Jane Stephens (abt 1825-abt 1851?).
Jep's father, Burl, was the son of Thomas Murray "Tom" King (1790-1880) and Mary Rebecca "Polly" Cox (1800-1881). Jep's grandfather, Thomas, was the patriarch of the King family in McCreary Co. (formally part of Whitley Co.), having moved his family to the area from NE Tennessee (Campbell Co.) about 1919 or 1825-28. He apparently came from the area of KY/TN that was disputed (Walker Line) by the two states.
As indicated earlier, the name of Jep's biological mother is somewhat uncertain. For some reason (death ?), Jep remembered little or nothing about his biological mother. It is thought that she died when Jep was very young (abt 4 ?).
Jep's father, Burl, apparently divorced his first wife (Jane Stephens ?) about 1848-49. He then married Rebecca Stephens (1835-1901) on Mar. 4, 1849. Some think that Rebecca may have been a sister to Virginia, others believe her to have been a cousin. What is interesting to note is that Jane and Jep continued to live in the Burl King household for a while. They appear together in the 1850 census together with Burl's new wife. It's possible that Burl's first wife (legally married ?) was terminally ill and that he allowed her to live with them until she died. It is also possible that he was allowing her to live in his household until she found another place to live. Unknown.
Dipen's 2nd wife, Rebecca, was the daughter of Whitmill Stephens (1809-abt 1866) and Elizabeth Waters (abt 1807-bet 1871/80). As mentioned earlier, Jep's biological mother, Jane Stephens, is thought to have died when he was young (abt 1851 ?). Consequently, Jep considered Rebecca his mother as she was the only mother he really knew.
Burl and second wife, Rebecca, had two children before their divorce in late 1852-early 1853. They were Daniel King (1850-bef 1860) and Emby King Sr. (1852-1937). As an adult, Emby, was a well respected citizen in his community, donating land, lumber and labor for the Emby King School (mid 1880s?), Kingtown Cemetery (1891) and 2nd Otter Creek Church (1820).
When Rebecca left Dipen, she took her son Emby with her. She may have taken their other son Daniel as well, however, he does not appear in the 1860 US Census. It is thought that he died in the 1850s but it is not known whether it was before or after Rebecca's divorce from his father, Burl. Rebecca also took Jep with her, again her cousin's son by Burl.
Apparently, the children did not stay with Rebecca very long. The 1860 US Census shows Jep (age 14), living with a Nancy Stephens (age 75), probably his biological maternal grandmother, while Emby (Embassy?) is shown in 1860 as living with Rebecca's parents, Whitmill Stephens and Elizabeth Waters. The 1870 census shows Jeptha (age 23) as married. It also shows Emby (age 18) living back with his father, Burl King, in the Pine Knot area of Whitley Co., KY (now part of McCreary Co.).
After the divorce, Rebecca returned to using her maiden name (Stephens). Both she and Jep used the Stephens surname the rest of their lives. However, her son, Emby, chose to use the King surname.
Rebecca never remarried, however, she did have two other known children, both born out of wedlock. One, Andrew Marion "Andy" Stephens (1862-1951), was the son of James G. "Jim" Chitwood (1840-1916). Andy was a well-respected and well-liked man around the communities of Kingtown, KY and Isham, TN.
Rebecca apparently had a daughter out of wedlock as well, Elizabeth Stephens (1875-1910), whose father was a Burl King, possibly her former husband, Burl King. Emby King, with his half-sister, Lensy King, are shown in the 1860 census living with their maternal grandparents, William and Elizabeth (Waters) Stephens.
Rebecca died in Scott Co., TN on Dec. 25, 1901 at the age of 66. She is buried in the Stephens Family Cemetery located in Isham, Scott Co., TN. It is thought that her parents are buried there as well as they owned the land at the time of their deaths. Their grave sites, as are the sites of several other Stephens family members, are no longer marked.
Jep married Martha Laxton (1849-1898) on Feb. 14, 1867 in Scott Co., Tennessee. Jep was 20 years of age, Martha 18. They are shown in the 1870 US Census as living near Winfield, Scott Co., Tennessee. Martha was the daughter of Alfred Gallatin Laxton (1819-1892) and Sarah E. "Sallie" Thomas (1825-1893). Both of Martha's parents were born in Campbell Co., TN, possibly in an area that became part of Scott County when it was formed in 1849. Both died in Scott Co., TN and are buried in the Laxton Cemetery near Oneida in that county.
Jep and wife Martha were married for 31 years and had ten known children. In order of their birth they were Rev. Burrell Stephens (1868-1951), Sarah Stephens (1869-1896), Rebecca Jane Stephens (1871- ?), Alfred Stephens (1873-1950), Jasper Marion "J. W." Stephens (1876-1950), Burnetta "Nettie" Stephens (1879-1965), Elbert Stephens (1882-1970), Chester Allen Stephens (1885-1978), Ernest Stephens (1887-1977) and Frances Elizabeth "Fannie" Stephens (1890-1985).
It is interesting to note that Jep named his first son Burrell, apparently after his father, Burl King. However, either he or his son spelled his given name differently. Jep apparently had some contact with his father growing up and must have had reasonably good feelings toward him or he would not have named his first born son after him. That first son, Burrell, became a long-time preacher.
Jep named his second daughter, Rebecca Jane Stephens, apparently after his his two mothers, Jane Stephens (biological) and Rebecca Stephens (the woman who raised him). As mentioned earlier, Jep considered Rebecca, Dipen's second wife, as his mother as she was the only mother he really remembered.
Jep's second son was named, Alfred, and his first daughter, Sarah. They were obviously named after his wife's parents, Alfred & Sarah Laxton.
In the early 1880s, Jeptha moved his family from Scott Co., Tennessee to Hamby, Taylor Co., Texas. At the time he was in his mid-to-late 30s. His motivation for the move to Texas is currently unknown. By the late 1890s, the family had moved on to Bowie, Montaque Co., Texas.
Jep's wife, Martha, died on Sept. 12, 1898 at the age of 50. She is buried in the Brushy Cemetery in Bowie, Montague Co., Texas. Jep, who was 51 at the time of his wife's death, did not marry again.
The 1900 US Census shows Jep as "widowed" with four of his children living with him. He died later that same year (July 20), at the age of 53. He too, is buried in the Brushy Cemetery, next to his wife, Martha.
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The information contained in this memorial for Jeptha "Jep" (King) Stephens, his wife, family members, ancestors and descendants, is thought to correct. This memorial is revised/corrected, however, as new information becomes available.
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Jeptha "Jep" (King) Stephens was born on Sept. 18, 1846 in Whitley Co., Kentucky, not far from the present day town of Pine Knot, now part of McCreary Co., KY. He was the first known child of "Dipen" Burl King (1825-1917) and Burl's first wife (legally married ?) who is thought by some to have been Virginia (?) Jane Stephens (abt 1825-abt 1851?).
Jep's father, Burl, was the son of Thomas Murray "Tom" King (1790-1880) and Mary Rebecca "Polly" Cox (1800-1881). Jep's grandfather, Thomas, was the patriarch of the King family in McCreary Co. (formally part of Whitley Co.), having moved his family to the area from NE Tennessee (Campbell Co.) about 1919 or 1825-28. He apparently came from the area of KY/TN that was disputed (Walker Line) by the two states.
As indicated earlier, the name of Jep's biological mother is somewhat uncertain. For some reason (death ?), Jep remembered little or nothing about his biological mother. It is thought that she died when Jep was very young (abt 4 ?).
Jep's father, Burl, apparently divorced his first wife (Jane Stephens ?) about 1848-49. He then married Rebecca Stephens (1835-1901) on Mar. 4, 1849. Some think that Rebecca may have been a sister to Virginia, others believe her to have been a cousin. What is interesting to note is that Jane and Jep continued to live in the Burl King household for a while. They appear together in the 1850 census together with Burl's new wife. It's possible that Burl's first wife (legally married ?) was terminally ill and that he allowed her to live with them until she died. It is also possible that he was allowing her to live in his household until she found another place to live. Unknown.
Dipen's 2nd wife, Rebecca, was the daughter of Whitmill Stephens (1809-abt 1866) and Elizabeth Waters (abt 1807-bet 1871/80). As mentioned earlier, Jep's biological mother, Jane Stephens, is thought to have died when he was young (abt 1851 ?). Consequently, Jep considered Rebecca his mother as she was the only mother he really knew.
Burl and second wife, Rebecca, had two children before their divorce in late 1852-early 1853. They were Daniel King (1850-bef 1860) and Emby King Sr. (1852-1937). As an adult, Emby, was a well respected citizen in his community, donating land, lumber and labor for the Emby King School (mid 1880s?), Kingtown Cemetery (1891) and 2nd Otter Creek Church (1820).
When Rebecca left Dipen, she took her son Emby with her. She may have taken their other son Daniel as well, however, he does not appear in the 1860 US Census. It is thought that he died in the 1850s but it is not known whether it was before or after Rebecca's divorce from his father, Burl. Rebecca also took Jep with her, again her cousin's son by Burl.
Apparently, the children did not stay with Rebecca very long. The 1860 US Census shows Jep (age 14), living with a Nancy Stephens (age 75), probably his biological maternal grandmother, while Emby (Embassy?) is shown in 1860 as living with Rebecca's parents, Whitmill Stephens and Elizabeth Waters. The 1870 census shows Jeptha (age 23) as married. It also shows Emby (age 18) living back with his father, Burl King, in the Pine Knot area of Whitley Co., KY (now part of McCreary Co.).
After the divorce, Rebecca returned to using her maiden name (Stephens). Both she and Jep used the Stephens surname the rest of their lives. However, her son, Emby, chose to use the King surname.
Rebecca never remarried, however, she did have two other known children, both born out of wedlock. One, Andrew Marion "Andy" Stephens (1862-1951), was the son of James G. "Jim" Chitwood (1840-1916). Andy was a well-respected and well-liked man around the communities of Kingtown, KY and Isham, TN.
Rebecca apparently had a daughter out of wedlock as well, Elizabeth Stephens (1875-1910), whose father was a Burl King, possibly her former husband, Burl King. Emby King, with his half-sister, Lensy King, are shown in the 1860 census living with their maternal grandparents, William and Elizabeth (Waters) Stephens.
Rebecca died in Scott Co., TN on Dec. 25, 1901 at the age of 66. She is buried in the Stephens Family Cemetery located in Isham, Scott Co., TN. It is thought that her parents are buried there as well as they owned the land at the time of their deaths. Their grave sites, as are the sites of several other Stephens family members, are no longer marked.
Jep married Martha Laxton (1849-1898) on Feb. 14, 1867 in Scott Co., Tennessee. Jep was 20 years of age, Martha 18. They are shown in the 1870 US Census as living near Winfield, Scott Co., Tennessee. Martha was the daughter of Alfred Gallatin Laxton (1819-1892) and Sarah E. "Sallie" Thomas (1825-1893). Both of Martha's parents were born in Campbell Co., TN, possibly in an area that became part of Scott County when it was formed in 1849. Both died in Scott Co., TN and are buried in the Laxton Cemetery near Oneida in that county.
Jep and wife Martha were married for 31 years and had ten known children. In order of their birth they were Rev. Burrell Stephens (1868-1951), Sarah Stephens (1869-1896), Rebecca Jane Stephens (1871- ?), Alfred Stephens (1873-1950), Jasper Marion "J. W." Stephens (1876-1950), Burnetta "Nettie" Stephens (1879-1965), Elbert Stephens (1882-1970), Chester Allen Stephens (1885-1978), Ernest Stephens (1887-1977) and Frances Elizabeth "Fannie" Stephens (1890-1985).
It is interesting to note that Jep named his first son Burrell, apparently after his father, Burl King. However, either he or his son spelled his given name differently. Jep apparently had some contact with his father growing up and must have had reasonably good feelings toward him or he would not have named his first born son after him. That first son, Burrell, became a long-time preacher.
Jep named his second daughter, Rebecca Jane Stephens, apparently after his his two mothers, Jane Stephens (biological) and Rebecca Stephens (the woman who raised him). As mentioned earlier, Jep considered Rebecca, Dipen's second wife, as his mother as she was the only mother he really remembered.
Jep's second son was named, Alfred, and his first daughter, Sarah. They were obviously named after his wife's parents, Alfred & Sarah Laxton.
In the early 1880s, Jeptha moved his family from Scott Co., Tennessee to Hamby, Taylor Co., Texas. At the time he was in his mid-to-late 30s. His motivation for the move to Texas is currently unknown. By the late 1890s, the family had moved on to Bowie, Montaque Co., Texas.
Jep's wife, Martha, died on Sept. 12, 1898 at the age of 50. She is buried in the Brushy Cemetery in Bowie, Montague Co., Texas. Jep, who was 51 at the time of his wife's death, did not marry again.
The 1900 US Census shows Jep as "widowed" with four of his children living with him. He died later that same year (July 20), at the age of 53. He too, is buried in the Brushy Cemetery, next to his wife, Martha.
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The information contained in this memorial for Jeptha "Jep" (King) Stephens, his wife, family members, ancestors and descendants, is thought to correct. This memorial is revised/corrected, however, as new information becomes available.
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Family Members
Siblings
