Moses and Mary farmed the old John E. Stephenson plantation in DeKalb Co., about 5 miles South of Lithonia on Evans Mill Road. This was in the path of Sherman's march to the sea and Federal soldiers destroyed everything but the farmhouse.
Moses enlisted in the Confederate Army on August 4, 1863, in Decatur, GA. He was appointed by Gov. Joseph E. Brown as state officer on the muster roll of Captain Edward L. Morton of the De Kalb County Silver Grays, Company B, Eighth Regiment, Georgia State Guard Infantry, Wheeler's Cavalry. He held the rank of Third Sergeant and was on picket duty around Atlanta during the battle there. (See Decatur Georgia Historical Society, 1952 Year Book, page 71)
Moses was a member of Macedonia Baptist church for 40 years and also served as choir leader and clerk of the church. One of his prize possessions was a religious book brought from Ireland by the immigrant John S. Stephenson. Possession of this book was one of the causes of the family leaving Ireland, the volume being under the ban of the church. The book was printed for T. Underhill and F. Tyton in 1746. Its frontispiece was, " THE SAINTS EVERLASTING REST", containing a Directory for the Getting and Keeping of the Heart in Heaven."
Mary read the bible through 33 times in her lifetime. She was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church over 50 years and was a member of Klondike Church at the time of her death. Hers was a beautiful, cheerful, happy life. A woman of education and culture, possessing a remarkable memory and a lovable and sweet disposition. She reared her children in the fear of God, never neglecting family worship, prayer and the reading of God's word. Three of her sons were ordained as Baptist ministers.
Graveyard Notes: Moses and Mary are buried in Old Conyers Cemetery, Conyers, GA (Rockdale Co.). The cemetery is reached from Interstate 20 after exiting at exit 41 (Conyers), thence turning left on West Ave. proceed 0.2 mile, thence turning right on Green St. at a railroad track proceed 0.5 mile, thence turning left on Scott St. proceed 0.2 mile crossing railroad track, thence turning left on Pine Log St. at cemetery entrance. Proceed to first light post and see Stephenson Monument with three lots on right. Markers: Mary Stephenson; February 15, 1830; October 28, 1922 - M. R. Stephenson; March 8, 1827; December 22, 1913 - B. F. Stephenson; February 10, 1865; October 12, 1942.
Father: John E. Stephenson b: 12 NOV 1786 in that part of Wilkes Co., GA, that later became Greene Co.
Mother: Susan Anna (Susannah) Peeler b: 7 JAN 1792 in Greene Co., GA
Marriage 1 Mary Magdaline James b: 14 FEB 1830 in Henry Co., GA