Stevens Creek -
Contributed by Sam Womack
First I didn’t know there was a built up area called Stevens Creek. However, I read the
article done from an interview with Virgil Louks. Virgil was my 5th/6th grade teacher;
and bus driver also until I graduated in 1959.
As for the name of Stevens Creek, the waterway, my Grandmother, Katie Jewel McDaniel Brewer,
told me it was named after her greatgrand father Reuben Stevens[also spelled Stephens].
James McDaniel married Reuben's daughter, Pernecia, sometime prior to 1845.
Their Son, James Jackson married twice, the latter being my Grandmothers mother,
Mattie Ellen Arnold.
Reuben was in this area prior to 1831 when he had a son, only name initial C, was born.
and another, Morris in 1837. He came from, as far as I can determine, Liberty County SC
born in 1794. It is questionable whether Pernecia was born in AR in 1824.
I am unsure of the actual area Virgil is referring to, but it possibly is further up the
road from the creek its self - Possibly in the area we used to call Bliss. I was in the
area visiting my Aunt in Aug 2008. Her place is right on the creek. I saw no real
build up there at that time.
I also know there was an article done on the Old Providence school by a Paul Miller.
The general info is factual but there was some pertinent data left out. The school he
refers to is the rock building moved to the campus of White County Central some years ago.
Then original was in the one portrayed here http://www.samsawadee.com/dubsdungeon/chs/provsch.html Some of this school was used to build the rock one shown in the smaller photo.
Mr Miller gave a photo of the old two room building that later became our lunch room when we
moved into the rock building sometime during my first grade year. This building also was later
moved to the Central campus as the lunch room there.
However, one little item remains. There used to be a combination church/school building eastward,
across the road from the old Edgar Humphries farm - My mother, and her brother, both told me
about it; and I think I remember my grandmother, Katie Brewer, telling me she went to Sunday
school there and my great grandmother, Carrie Womack, taught her in Sunday School. This
was apparently the forerunner of the now Providence Missionary Baptist Church.
Here is my first grade group photo which you may use as you see fit:
http://dubbie.tripod.com/samsville/prov.html
Also here you will find the 1957, 1958, 1959 seniors for Central High School [now White County Central]
http://www.samsawadee.com/dubsdungeon/index.html
Sam Womack
Central Class of 1959
" Stevens Creek, in White County, is said to be named after Reuben [also has been spelled Rubin].
Rumor has it that during the civil war, Reuben got wind the Yankees were in the area and took
all his gold on a wheel barrow and either dumped it in the creek; or buried it on his farm.
Even today, the person who now owns the farm finds fresh holes dug by someone who follows
the legend. [This was relayed to me in a letter from another descendant a number of years ago,
good stuff either way!].
He was also supposed to have been, at one time, a JP or Probate Judge for White Co.
From Goodspeed's White Co AR
"The place where the courts were first held, and the site of Searcy became competing points for the location of the permanent seat of justice. The commissioners who located the seat of justice were John Arnold, Jesse Terry,Byram Stacy, David Crise and Reuben Stephens."
"Reuben Stephens settled in the Pate Settlement on the creek that now bears his name. "
Also, by the way, we Womacks used to own the 40 acre parcel staddling the creek from where the bridge is and down to almost the curve where the old Andrew Moore store used to be. Last time
I was there [2008] the building was still there. Aunt Shirley and her first husband, Lee Hamm, bought the acreage from us.
Also, a little trivia, Did you know there was another Searcy Arkansas? Post office Vandale. Searcy Township, Cross Co.
You have my permission to use as you will - Just remember some is heresay; but isnt that what legends are born of?
I have an aunt still living, 94 years old, Lola Simpson; She either lives with her daughter Beverly Hopkins in the Judsonia area;
or, daughter Neva Yandell, of Searcy. Not sure how lucid she may be, However, she may be able
to add to or correct some of the "myths" surrounding the Providence/Stevens Creek areas. Also, Shirley Carpenter,
the aunt who still lives on Stevens Creek, in low 80's; but in early Altzheimers stages - She was doing real well
when I visited her last year.
Anyway, sorry to bend you ear so much, but at times memories come back.
Sam
----- Original Message -----
From: Marie Harvey
To: Sam Womack
Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2009 8:40 PM
Subject: Re: White Co AR
Which article on Stevens Creek did you read?? Was it on the archives website?? I enjoyed reading your e-mail
and would like to include this on the archives web site with your permission - but I haven't found the one you referenced.
Marie
On Jul 11, 2009, at 9:46 PM, Sam Womack wrote:
Marie
Gina Hefferman gave me your name and address:
Reference artice on Stevens Creek -
First I didn’t know there was a built up area called Stevens Creek. However, I read the
article done from an interview with Virgil Louks. Virgil was my 5th/6th grade teacher;
and bus driver also until I graduated in 1959.
As for the name of Stevens Creek, the waterway, my Grandmother, Katie Jewel McDaniel Brewer,
told me it was named after her great grand father Reuben Stevens[also spelled Stephens].
James McDaniel married Reuben's daughter, Pernecia, sometime prior to 1845.
Their Son, James Jackson married twice, the latter being my Grandmothers mother,
Mattie Ellen Arnold. James Jackson and both his wives, [1} Ann Robbins, [2] Mattie
Arnold, are buried in the Providence Cemetery, unmarked graves. I know the general
area where they are located.
Reuben was in this area prior to 1831 when he had a son, only name initial C, was born.
and another, Morris in 1837. He came from, as far as I can determine, Liberty County SC
born in 1794. It is questionable whether Pernecia was born in AR in 1824.
This establishes dsomewhat of a timeline when Reuben came to AR. First in that part
of Indeopendence Co that late became White Co.
1830 Christian Twp, Independence Co, AR Territory
Stephen, Reuben
201101 males
010001
1840, Arkansas, Liberty White Co
Stevens, Reuben
Males 2012101000000
Females 00010000000
1 female 15 and under 20 (Pernecia, my GGG-GM)
1850, Arkansas, Liberty White Co, 22 Nov 1850
Stephens R age 56 born SC
Phoebe age 32 born NY
Morris age 13 AR
Margaret age 09 AR
Allen age 05 AR
Ruben was married three times [1] Nancy Rutledge in SC, by which he had 3 children,
Pernecia, C, and Morris; [2} Phebe LNU, by whom he had two or three children, and
last to a Barberry [Barbara?] Williamson in 1857 [White Co Marriages].
I am unsure of the actual area Virgil is referring to, but it possibly is further up the
road from the creek its self - Possibly in the area we used to call Bliss. I was in the
area visiting my Aunt in Aug 2008. Her place is right on the creek. I saw no real
build up there at that time.
I also know there was an article done on the Old Providence school byh a Paul Miller.
The general info is factual but there was some pertinent data left out. The school he
refers to is the rock building moved to the campus of White County Central some years ago.
Then original was in the one portrayed here http://www.samsawadee.com/dubsdungeon/chs/provsch.html
Some of this school was used to build the rock one shown in the smaller photo.
Mr Miller gave a photo of the old two room building that later became our lunch room when we
moven into the rock building sometime during my first grade year. This building also was later
moved to the Central campus as the lunch room there.
However, one little item remains. There used to be a combination church/school building eastward,
across the road from the old Edgar Humphries farm - My mother, and her brother, both told me
about it; and I think I remember my grandmother, Katie Brewer, telling me she went to Sunday
school there and my great grandmother, Carrie Womack, taught her in Sunday School. This
was apparently the forerunner of the now Providence Missionary Baptist Church.
Here is my first grade group photo which you may use as you see fit:
http://dubbie.tripod.com/samsville/prov.html
Also here you will find the 1957, 1958, 1959 seniors for Central High School [now White County Central]
http://www.samsawadee.com/dubsdungeon/index.html
Sam Womack
Central Class of 1959
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