Matthew Fleming Stephenson, Assayer of Dahlonega Mint, 1850-1854
I am interested in any information regarding the origins and biography of Mathew Fleming Stephenson. See the summary below of an online article on his career. He is also referred to as Dr Matthew Fleming Stephenson in other historical sources. I would like to find out the details of his birthplace, parentage, siblings, education, and possibly and earlier marriage prior to the one listed in this article in 1836.
My family tree shows a "Matthew Stephenson MD", who married Nancy Elizabeth Lee, "of the Virginia Lee's" according my mother, but that doesn't narrow it down much. Their daughter, Ann Maria Stephenson, married her first cousin, Robert Edelen Stephenson. He was Matthew's nephew and son of John D Stephenson. They married in Oregon in 1854 according to my family tree, but I haven't found confirmation of this.
John D and Robert E came out to Oregon on a wagon train in 1853. Ann Maria came on the same wagon train according to my mother, but I haven't found records to confirm this. Her later census info says she was born in Indiana or Virginia. Her name varies quite a bit on different records.
Here is the article:
________________
Stephenson, Mathew Fleming, 1803-1881
"Thar's Gold in Them Thar Hills"
Players and Places
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/dahlonega/figures.php#shttp://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/dahlonega/figures.php#s
Gold miner and promoter of gold mining in the Dahlonega region. In 1836, Stephenson marries Sarah Elizabeth Sumter Lyon in Habersham County, Georgia. In 1849, as miners prepare to leave Georgia for California, Stephenson speaks from the steps of the Lumpkin County Courthouse, exhorting them to remain. Reportedly pointing to Findley Ridge, he argues, "Why go to California? In that ridge lies more gold than man ever dreamt of. There's millions in it." In 1850, President Millard Fillmore names Stephenson assayer of the Branch Mint of the United States at Dahlonega, a position he holds for four years. Stephenson continues mining and promoting the Dahlonega mining industry. Stephenson writes several scientific papers discussing the geological features of Georgia. He also writes two ethnological treatises about Indian mounds in Bartow County. He diverts the Chestatee River from its natural course to benefit mining operations, an action that is criticized by some for damaging the environment. Stephenson is not a particularly successful miner, in spite of his enthusiasm. By the 1870s, he acquires land in Gainesville, Georgia, where he is buried in an unmarked grave. In 1917 the first public library in Lumpkin County is founded by the Lumpkin County Home and School Improvement Club to honor Stephenson.
________
Digital Library of Georgia >"Thar's Gold in Them Thar Hills": Gold and Gold Mining in Georgia, 1830s-1940s
http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/dahlonega/http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/dahlonega/
__________________________________
I would appreciate any verifiable information on Mathew/Matthew Fleming Stephenson, Nancy Elizabeth Lee, or Ann Maria Stephenson. Please give some details regarding your sources so I can investigate further - at this point I have too many possibilities and want to narrow it down.
Thanks!
More Replies:
-
Re: Matthew Fleming Stephenson, Assayer of Dahlonega Mint, 1850-1854
Bill 4/09/10
-
Re: Matthew Fleming Stephenson, Assayer of Dahlonega Mint, 1850-1854
Margaret Murdock 4/09/10
-
Re: Matthew Fleming Stephenson, Assayer of Dahlonega Mint, 1850-1854
Bill 4/09/10
-
Re: Matthew Fleming Stephenson, Assayer of Dahlonega Mint, 1850-1854
Margaret Murdock 4/09/10
-
Re: Matthew Fleming Stephenson, Assayer of Dahlonega Mint, 1850-1854
-
Re: Matthew Fleming Stephenson, Assayer of Dahlonega Mint, 1850-1854
-
Re: Matthew Fleming Stephenson, Assayer of Dahlonega Mint, 1850-1854