William Thomas Stamper b 9 Nov 1858 Knott Co KY d 17 May 1894
Knott Co KY s/o James
P Stamper and Elizabeth Francis. William Thomas Stamper m. 11 Mar 1881 to Elizabeth Adams b
22 Feb 1860 d 23 Sept 1923 d/o John Adams and Frankie Smith. Children of
William Thomas Stamper and Elizabeth Adams;
i. Benton Stamper b 17 Dec 1881
Smith's Branch, Knott Co KY d 5 Jan 1944 Knott Co KY m. 17 May 1909 to
Rachel
Slone b 25 Mar 1890 d 11 Feb 1972 d/o Marion Slone and Lucinda Smith. (Source)
Benton Stamper taught at various Knott Co, KY schools for 44 years. He was
also a surveyor and a farmer. As a youth he was a student of Professor George
Clark at Hindman, KY. He received his teaching certificate in 1899 at the age
of eighteen. It is said that he never refused a friend in need and was trusted
and loved by all those who knew him in Knott Co., Kentucky.
ii. Isabell Stamper b 3 Nov 1883 Knott
Co KY d 15 Mar 1960 m.
William Hansford Austin b 8 Jan 1882 d 8 Jul 1962 s/o
Jesse Franklin Austin and Almedia Wheatley.
iii. Cora Elizabeth Stamper b 23 Sept
1885 Smiths Branch, Knott Co KY d 17 Feb 1977 m. 3 Nov 1904 to
Anderson
Breeding b 13 Sept 1881 d 17 May 1938 s/o
John Wesley
Breeding and Melvina Hagins. (Source)
The childhood of Cora Elizabeth Stamper provides a glimpse into some of the
hardships that people could experience in early times. Cora's father died when
she was nine years old, and with the family's main breadwinner gone, Cora and
her sisters and brothers had to farm and work for other people to make a
living. She and her sister Isabella stayed with other families and worked for
as little as 25 cents per week. Her mother wove cloth to make clothing for
herself and her children, and frequently the daughters would have to stand and
hold a burning pine knot to provide light for the weaving. Cora later
recounted how the rosin from the burning knot would drop on their feet and
burn them.
iv. James P Stamper b 1 Feb 1888 Knott
Co KY d 1 Jan 1962 m. 16 Dec 1913 to Millie Ison b 14 Oct 1882 d 7 Dec 1963
d/o Jefferson Ison and Mary Stamper. (Source)
James P. was known as "Jimmer" as a young man to distinguish him from the
other James/Jim Stampers in Knott Co, KY. He was also called "Hightower"
because of his 6'3" height. He worked as a carpenter, lumberman, and later
went into business with his father-in-law. He moved to Whitesburg, KY in 1928
to become Deputy Jailer for his sister-in-law. Later he was elected jailer of
Letcher Co. himself. Children of James P Stamper and Millie Ison;
iv.1). James Wayne Stamper b 1915 d
1934
iv.2). Elaine Stamper b 1922
v. Lucinda Stamper b 6 Sept 1890 Knott
Co KY m. William Collins
b 27 Nov 1884 d 27 Oct 1970.
vi. Lettie Stamper b 18 Mar 1893 Knott
Co KY d 1 Dec 1994 m. Jay Smith b 26 Jun 1890 d 19 Mar 1971 s/o Randolph
Branham Smith and Susan Amburgey. Children of Lettie Stamper and Jay Smith;
vi.1). Raymond J Smith b 1921 d 1921
vi.2). Rankin A Smith b 1921 d 1995
vi.3). Buford D Smith b 1922
vi.4). Beulah Smith b 1924
vi.5). Ruby Smith b 1927
vi.6). Betty Lou Smith b 1929
vi.7). Randolph J Smith b 1933
vii. Curtis Smith Stamper b 17 Oct 1898 d 29
Jan 1932 (not the son of William Thomas Stamper) m. Elizabeth Bentley b 24 Nov
1903 d 20 Apr 1994. Children of Curtis Stamper and Elizabeth Bentley;
vii.1). Cecil Stamper b 1930
vii.2). Lettie Joyce Stamper b 1932 d
1964
Curtis Stamper m. Nancy Adams b 18 Jan
1904 d 23 Jan 1928. Children;
vii.3). Gertrude Stamper b 1924
vii.4). Marjorie Stamper b 1925
vii.5). Mildred Stamper b 1926 d 1988
vii.6). Laura Nancy Stamper b 1928
