Tempy Ann Stancil Hill

• Born April 10, 1868 Johnston County, NC
• Died Aug. 16, 1909 Johnston County, NC
• Married Fred Hill on Nov. 27, 1889 Johnston County, NC

Tempy Ann Stancil Hill in 1902 Tempy Ann Stancil Hill was born April 10, 1868, and died Aug. 16, 1909. She married Fred Hill on Nov. 27, 1889.
Tempy Ann's children with Fred Hill
Delia Hill Bailey Sept. 1, 1890 Kenly, NC-Sept. 10, 1969 Johnston, NC; Buried in Bailey Family Cemetery in Middlesex, Johnston County
Ronia Hill Stancil Sept. 2, 1891 Kenly, NC-Aug. 25, 1956 Kenly; Buried in New Jerusalem Free Will Baptist Church, Kenly
John Fletcher Hill Aug. 23, 1893 Kenly, NC-Oct. 29, 1932 Johnston, NC; Buried in Kenly Cemetery, Kenly
Millard Lee Hill Dec. 27, 1894 Kenly, NC-Sept. 16, 1956 Kenly; Buried in Fred Hill Cemetery, Kenly
William Moses Hill Feb. 23, 1896 Kenly, NC-Nov. 3, 1977 Wilson, NC; Buried in New Jerusalem Free Will Baptist Church, Kenly
Delphia Pearl Hill Nov. 1, 1898 Kenly, NC-April 1, 1985 Smithfield, NC; Buried in Kenly Cemetery, Kenly
James Clarence Hill March 23, 1900 Kenly, NC-Dec. 17, 1971 Kenly; Buried in Fred Hill Cemetery, Kenly
George Preston Hill Dec. 23, 1902 Kenly, NC-June 11, 1935 O'Neals Township, Johnston, NC; Buried in Kenly
Edgar Resley Hill Aug. 12, 1903 Kenly, NC-Aug. 22, 1975 Goldsboro, NC; Buried in Evergreen Memorial Park, Wilson, NC
Floyd "Jack" Jackson Hill Oct. 15, 1905 Johnston, NC-July 7, 1988 Wilson, NC; Buried in Maplewood Cemetery, Wilson
Tonie Hill Nov. 23, 1907 Johnston, NC-Sept. 11, 1990 Smithfield, NC; Buried in New Jerusalem Cemetery, Kenly, NC

Tempy Ann Stancil, born on April 10, 1868, holds a special place in the Stancil family history.

Early Years and Education

Tempy Ann was the fourth child and oldest daughter of John Thomas and Delaney Cathern Sasser Stancil. Growing up, she attended the Woodard School, where she completed grammar school alongside her sisters Arnettie and Catherine. The school year was brief—only four months from November to February—allowing time for planting, growing, and harvesting crops. Tempy Ann’s hard work extended beyond the classroom; she toiled alongside her mother and sisters in the fields, chopping and picking cotton.

Homemaking Skills

Delaney, Tempy Ann’s mother, imparted valuable homemaking skills to her daughter. Tempy Ann learned to spin thread, knit, quilt, and sew—a testament to the practical knowledge passed down through generations.

Matters of the Heart

Tempy Ann’s romantic journey took an interesting turn. She initially dated Morris Godwin, a neighbor who lived across the swamp. However, it wasn’t until she met Fred Hill that true love blossomed. Fred, despite his reputation as a drinker and whiskey maker, captured Tempy Ann’s heart. Their courtship faced challenges, including disapproval from Tempy Ann’s father, John Thomas, who didn’t hold Fred in high regard.

A Corn Shucking Incident

One memorable incident involved Tempy Ann’s brother, Josiah (known as “Joe”). During a corn shucking event attended by family and friends, Joe spotted Fred at the house, courting Tempy Ann. Joe promptly informed their father, leading to a heated exchange where John Thomas expressed his disapproval of Fred.

Fred Hill: Origins and Occupation

Fred Hill hailed from Smithfield and completed grammar school, as indicated by census records. He worked for Ben Woodard, a landowner who had generously donated the land for the Woodard School—a connection that tied Tempy Ann’s family to their educational roots.

Faith and Community

Tempy Ann’s faith played a significant role in her life. She joined the Holly Springs Free Will Baptist Church, finding solace and community within its walls.

Tempy Ann Stancil’s story is woven into the fabric of her family’s history, reflecting the challenges, love, and resilience of generations past.

Fred and Tempy Ann’s Elopement

Fred and Tempy Ann continued to meet on the sly and decided to get married. Alvin Raines helped Tempy Ann and Fred Hill elope (Alvin Raines was half brother to Delaney Sasser Stancil and was Tempy Ann’s Uncle). Alvin and Tempy Ann decided that a whistle would be her signal to slip out of the house to meet Alvin and Fred. Alvin picked up Tempy Ann at midnight and took her and Fred Hill to Smithfield. Justice of the Peace B. Godwin married them in his office on Nov. 27, 1889. The Johnston County Marriage Registry listed them as F. A. Hill 23 and Tempy A. Stancil 21.

Quilting Party

Delaney Sasser Stancil had a quilting party soon after Tempy Ann was married and invited her, she came without Fred.

John Thomas Stancil asked his daughter, “Where is Fred?”

Tempy replied, “I knew you would not want him here.”

Her Pa remarked, “Well you married him, so he can come.”

Land and House

Tempy Ann was given land by her father. It joined up with the Hill farm. She was also given a cow.

Fred built a wooden board house on Tempy Ann’s land. It joined his land. There was a chimney at both ends, a hallway down the center. A kitchen was built on the back. There were both back and front porches stocked with rocking chairs.

Livestock and Family Life

Fred kept a number of mules and horses. Harvey raised several mules. Fred sold a black and white mare to his brother-in-law, Harvey. This mare was the mother of “Zeb,” a spotted mule. Harvey sold “Zeb” to his brother George for $100.

Tempy Ann knitted stockings and sewed clothes for her children. She taught her daughters to knit, sew and quilt.

Children

Tempy Ann and Fred’s first child died, it was unnamed and the sex isn’t known.

Tempy Ann and Fred had 11 living children. Delia, the oldest was born on Sept. 1, 1890, Ronia was born Sept. 2, 1891, John Fletcher was born Aug. 23, 1893, or May 30, 1894, Millard Lee was born in Dec. 27, 1894 or 1895, William Moses was born Feb. 23, 1896, Delphia Pearl was born Nov. 1, 1898, James Clarence was born March 23, 1900, George Preston was born Dec. 23, 1902, Resley H. was born in 1903, Floyd Jackson “Jack” was born Oct. 15, 1905, Tony was born Nov. 23, 1907.

Delaney delivered most of Tempy's children including the last one when both mother and child died.

Once when the children complained about the singing of the Mockingbird, Fred told his children, "Don't you bother the Mockingbird, it's my bird."

Fred Hill was a member of the Masonic Order and a Republican.

Fred had an anvil that he received from his brother Jethro. It was sold at his sale along with a syrup kettle.

Tempy Ann died in childbirth on Aug 16, 1909. She and the child were buried together in the Hill Family Cemetery.

Tempy Ann died in childbirth on August 16, 1909. Delia, 19 and Ronia, 18, looked after Fletcher 17, Millard 16, Moses 13, Delphia Pearl 10, Clarence 9, Preston 8, Resley 6, Jack 3 and Tony 20 months.

— Renn Stancil Hinton