John Elias Sumpter is gg gran. and he was married to a woman named Doan Dennis and in a wagon crossing of the "big Muddy", Mo. River, the wagon overturned and the wife died. The two babies, Madeline and Polly(male) were saved and John and a mule. The family traveled two days and almost dead from lack of food and water, they encountered a family living on the prarie in a sod house. The family took them in and the woman nursed the baby and their lives were saved. They lived with the family for almost a year and some of their family from Kansas came to get the Sumpters and they said their goodbye's to the family that saved them. Grandpa John said to the family that he surely was in their debt and all he had to give them was his thanks. The man looked at his wife and said to John, well, It would be thanks enough if you would let us use your last name, as we were slaves and do not have a last name. Grandpa John said that he would be proud and pleased toshare his name with his friends. Then, he took the children and went into Kansas, met a woman named annie Pearl (Criss) and married her and had more kids -settling in Oklahoma. I am looking for persons of color-who have been long time kansas residents, that bear the sirname SUMPTER. Also, would like to know if there are any of the Dennis family in Kansas or in Mo. that know of a female member by the name of Doan Dennis Sumpter. I think she had a sister by the name of DOVE Dennis. This story was told to me by the child of Annie Pearl Criss Sumpter in 1960. I just thought it would be fun to try and prove it with the people that it happened to. Would really appreciate anyone on the web with access to census in Mo. around Joplin in 1880's or death records to see if you can find a female doan dennis married to a john elias sumpter? Also, if you know of dennis familys or Sumpter familys--lets try to find some documentation of this story. thanks for all help. judy hugg grimes