My name is Darrel Bell, I'm a descendant of Thomas Stanaland born ca 1795 NC, son of Needham Stanaland. Trying to put together facts and sort them away from folklore and fantasy, I would like to know if any of you have heard of any of these tales.

All through my younger years I'd been told stories as to how our family came to America. This being that there were three children who stowed away on a ship that came to the US in about 1835. They were supposed to be trying to escape the wrath of their step-mother. Some family members indicate it was three boys and some say it was two boys and a girl. To accept my lineage through Thomas Stanaland logic tells me that the stories are something that was made up. However, there are few hard-liners that will not accept anything but what was told to them.

The other story relates to a woman and a small girl who were kidnapped by indiands and several months later just reappeared, the exact time frame for this is unknown. However, this tale has be recounted from various people who have a Stanaland/Stanley heritage.