Mary Jane Stafford
Mary Jane Stafford was born nearly 158 years ago in Seffner, Florida which is just a short distance East of Tampa to her Mother Elizabeth Ann DeCosta, and her Father Columbus C. Stafford, Senior
** Interesting events that occurred around the World during Mary's birth year of 1861 included.
• On January 15th, 1861 the steam elevator is patented by Elisha Otis.
• On February 9th, 1861 Jefferson Davis & Alexander Stephens are elected President and Vice President of the Confederate States of America.
• On March 4th, 1861 Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated as the 16th President of the United States.
• On March 16th, 1861 Edward Clark became Governor of Texas, replacing Sam Houston, who is evicted from the office for refusing to take an oath of loyalty to the Confederacy.
• On April 18th, 1861 Colonel Robert E. Lee turns down the offer to command Union Armies. Five days later on April 23rd he is named commander of Virginia Confederate forces.
• On May 13th, 1861 Queen Victoria announces Britain's position of neutrality in the United States Civil War.
• On September 17th, 1861 the first class for escaped slaves is taught by Mary Peake at Fortress Monroe, Virginia.
• On November 18th, 1861 the USS San Jacinto commanded by Union Army Captain Charles Wilkes captures two Confederate diplomats from the British mail steamer Trent, almost causing a war between the United States and United Kingdom. The diplomats, James Mason and John Slidell were bound for Great Britain and France to press the Confederacy’s case for diplomatic recognition and financial support for the Confederacy in the name of King Cotton.
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Mary Jane's parents were married on December 21st, 1854 at Shiloh Knights Station in Hillsborough County, Florida. At the time her Father was 21 years old and Mother 15.
She was the second of three children born to her Mother and Father. Mary Jane grew up with two Brothers. Lafayette Stafford was born on February 2nd, 1859 and Columbus Stafford Junior, January 15th, 1863.
Young Stafford Patriarch Columbus, supports his family in the field of farming.
On May 15th, 1862 Mary Jane's Father Columbus enlists with the Confederate States Army Co. B, 7th Regiment Florida Infantry under Captain James Gettis in Tampa, Florida. Prior to the war, Gettis was a local judge and ardent Confederate secessionist.
Mary Jane's Father would unexpectedly pass away at the age of 29 in Loudon, Tennessee on February 27th, 1863 during the heart of the Civil War after having been stricken with pneumonia.
In the estate of the late Columbus Stafford, on petition of his Wife Elizabeth Stafford, she be granted and furnished a security in amount of $18,000 !! Mary Jane's Mother Elizabeth would never remarry.
On October 6th, 1877 Mary Jane at the age of 15 marries John Carney who is 14 years her senior in Hillsborough County, Florida. Together the couple would have two children. Daughter Mary is born two years later in 1879 and their Son John in February of 1882.
On February 14th, 1883 for reasons we know not as there are no verifiable records, Mary Jane Carney would pass away at the age of 21.
Mary Jane Carney... Beloved Wife and Mother