Key Facts

Snapshot:	moved from North Carolina to Georgia
Parents:	unknown
Born:	circa 1781 North Carolina
Died:	by 8 July 1851 presumably Houston County, Georgia
Buried:	unknown

196Stephen Ammons was born circa 1781 in North Carolina.1

He married 197Talitha Grantham, probably circa 1809 and probably in/near Robeson County, North Carolina, as explained below.

Problem: Resolved Who was 196Stephen's first wife? Because 196Stephen's son 98Jesse was born in Robeson County, North Carolina circa 1809,2 we might expect to find 196Stephen in Robeson County's 1810 census, and indeed we do: His entry is copied below; the numbers represent: 1 boy age 0-9 (98Jesse), 1 man age 26-44 (196Stephen), 1 girl age 0-9 (their daughter Hannah), 1 woman age 16-25 (proposed to be 197Talitha), no slaves.3 1810: 196Stephen's household in Robeson County, North Carolina. Full page.3 As you can see, the 1810 census suggests that 196Stephen was married to a younger wife and that they had two children. But who was she? Since people often live near close relatives, let's consider other households near 196Stephen's as listed on the same census sheet; the three households above and below his are: Duglas Powel, Britan Pillman, Jonathan Watson, Solmon Watson, Joshua Grantham, and Thomas Hill. Are there any Robeson County records that mention both 196Stephen and any of these six men? Although it doesn't mention 196Stephen directly, there is a notable record: The will of 394Richard Grantham,4 dated 31 October 1813 in Robeson County, mentions a "son Joshua Grantham" and "daughter Talitha ammons." The will also mentions a "daughter Tabitha Watson" (cf. Jonathan Watson and Solmon Watson from the 1810 census,3 although I'm unable to confirm that she was the wife of either man). (The will also mentions a "daughter Sarah ammons decd," but she was the wife of Joshua Grantham Ammons,5 so we can rule her out as 196Stephen's wife.) Relevant excerpts from 394Richard Grantham's will. Full pages: 1, 2.4 Considered together, the above evidence—i.e., that 196Stephen was married with children in 1810, that his wife was young (age 16-25, and therefore unlikely to have died during the short interval between the 1810 census3 and 394Richard's 1813 will4), that they lived very close to 394Richard Grantham's son (and 197Talitha's brother) Joshua,3 and that 394Richard named "daughter Talitha ammons" as an heir just three years later4—overwhelmingly suggests that 197Talitha Grantham was 196Stephen Ammons' (first) wife. Since 98Jesse Ammons was born in Robeson County circa 18092 and is apparently one of 196Stephen's two oldest children,3 it's likely that 196Stephen and 197Talitha had married not long before, perhaps in Robeson County.

On 27 March 1830 196Stephen paid $200 for 202.5 acres of land in Houston County, Georgia, specifically district 5 lot 196, which I've marked on the master map. An excerpt from the deed is copied below; I highlighted key phrases.6

1830: 196Stephen buys land in Houston County, Georgia. Full page.6

Not surprisingly, the 1830 census shows his family in Houston County. His first wife 197Talitha was apparently still alive. Their son 98Jesse lived closeby.7

1830: 196Stephen's family in Houston County, Georgia. Full page.7

197Talitha must have died by 23 December 1841, since that's when 196Stephen married Nicey Griffith.8

196Stephen's and Nicey's marriage record. Full page.8

The 1850 census shows 196Stephen and his wife alone in Houston County.1

1850: 196Stephen and his wife Nicey in Houston County, Georgia. Full page.1

196Stephen wrote his will circa early 1851 (The will isn't dated, but in it Stephen mentions that he had been married to Nicey for nine years.), and it was probated on 8 July 1851. The will names six children: [98]Jessie Ammons, Josiah Ammons, Hannah Duncan, Sarah Clark, Nancy Clark, and lastly Stephen Ammons (who is described as the youngest son). See my transcription or the record copy (The will begins on page 276 and ends on 280).9 There are also a few annual return vouchers.10

Sources Cited:

1: 1850 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule). Houston County, Georgia. Page 346, dwelling 579, family 579, Stephen Almons household. NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 74. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6DM9-9D6?i=70&cc=1401638&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AMZY5-YM5>.

2: Compiled Confederate service record of Private Jesse Ammons of Company E, 3rd Georgia Infantry, image 5. NARA microfilm publication M266, roll 166. National Archives Catalog, <https://catalog.archives.gov/id/163384614?objectPage=5>, accessed 19 October 2025.

3: 1810 U.S. Federal Census. page 160 (handwritten) or 239 left side (stamped), Stepon Amons household. NARA microfilm publication M252, roll 38. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YY6-SYSS>, accessed 19 October 2025. The county name (Robeson) and column headers are back on page 120 (handwritten).

4: Robeson County, North Carolina. Original wills from the years 1663-1978, microfilm reel for Neill Brown through Alexander McBryde, folder labeled "GRANTHAM, Richard   1817." FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9G4-3954-7>, accessed 27 October 2025.

5: Robeson County, North Carolina. Marriage bonds book for years "EARLY - 1868," page 2. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DRX6-25?i=421&cc=1726957&lang=en>, accessed 19 October 2025.

6: Houston County, Georgia. Deeds book D (1829-1831), page 440, deed from Jonathan Brown to Stephen Ammons, dated 27 March 1830. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4V-V9LH-R?i=232&cat=207572>, accessed April 2020.

7: 1830 U.S. Federal Census. Houston County, Georgia. Page 296, Stephen Ammons household. NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 18. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YB7-NH6?i=79&cc=1803958&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AXHPL-KX5>.

8: Houston County, Georgia. Marriage book A (1833-1852), page 72, marriage of Stephen Amonds and Nicey Griffith, dated 23 December 1841. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS7W-J3YB-9?i=90&cat=2739190>.

9: Houston County, Georgia. Wills book A (1827-1955), pages 276-280. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSWZ-139L-3?i=336&cat=2739191> et seq.

10: Houston County, Georgia. Annual returns & vouchers book C (1847-1853), pages 335-336. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L93R-D86Y>.