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Vermelle Stafford

Vermelle Stafford smiles in front of an Eldora home.
Vermelle Stafford smile for the camera.

NPS/Photo

Vermelle Stafford worked at the Well’s family home, known as the State House, in the historic community of Eldora that was once present in what is now Apollo Beach, Canaveral National Seashore. She was born Vermelle Tarpley, in March 1901 in the state of Georgia, she married and became Vermelle Stafford.

Vermelle's husband, William, was born in Hazlehurst GA, served as a Ranger in WWI 157 beginning April 29, 1918, and was discharged on December 12, 1918. In 1920 Mr. & Mrs. Stafford, a young 18 & 24 years of age, lived in Beach Town, Ware County Georgia and boarded with Rosa and Sandy Campbell. William was a laborer at the “Cross Tie Camp” in Beach Town GA, which was located adjacent to Way Cross Georgia.

Justice in the late 19th century in Ware County Georgia was often carried out by street violence such as shootings or lynchings. Racial tensions were high. Somewhere between 1920 and 1935 the Stafford’s moved to New Smyrna Beach.

Mr. Stafford worked full time for the New Smyrna railroad station where he earned $1500 that year.Throughout their years while in Florida both worked odd jobs doing yard maintenance (1956), general labor (1947 - 1957), and an oiler. William also worked at Owens Bros. Concrete at 415 Flagler Ave.Vermell lived in New Smyrna Beach until her death in Nov 1962.

Resources:
(n.d.). The Varn Mill Riot of 1891: Lynchings, Attempted Lynchings, and Justice in Ware County, Georgia. JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/40583032?seq=10#metadata_info_tab_contents

(n.d.). 1920 United States Federal Census. Ancestry. https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/1601656?mark=67a0a38a8ae20e04705fc51cea4e00fe8827b759ece792536509747ca8e80e9b

(n.d.). 1935 Florida Census. Ancestry. https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1506/images/CSUSAFL1867_089293-00437?treeid=&personid=&rc=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=dYt48&_phstart=successSource&pId=2501116

(n.d.). 1940 United States Federal Census. Ancestry. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/shoebox?page=1&tab=0

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Canaveral National Seashore

Last updated: September 17, 2023