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The People Who Lived on the Land that is Now Redstone Arsenal, page 259
Amanda is a key figure in the history of the Horton family. Ovoy Horton said she came to Jack Horton (Andrew Jackson Horton) as a servant, purchased for $900, and Jack made her a free servant. Amanda was valued at $900 in Jack's father's will; whether she was bought by Jack Horton or inherited by him from his father is a question. Although Amanda's children by Jack Horton took his name, it is said that Amanda herself did not. Her maiden name was Jacobs. Whatever Amanda's status, she has left a significant legacy in the generations that came down from her, which will be revealed in the following pages that introduce her family, most of whom lived in the Pond Beat community but extended to Mullins Flat as well. From this census, we can conclude that, depending on the month of her birth, Amanda, listed as 39 years of age, was born in 1841. If the information was recorded correctly in the census, her husband was considerably younger, as he was shown to be 27 years of age. Horton family members say she had another husband whose last name was Branford. She must have had this husband prior to Sheffield. The children Yancy, Virginia, Celia, and Everett are known to be the children of Jack Horton. However, the son listed as Paris Horton (age 4), who was born after the other children with the Horton name, is said by Horton family members to be the son of Branford, and Paris Branford is the name he used. It is possible the census taker assumed Paris was not a stepson, as the Horton children are listed, because he was younger, closer to the age of Ida Sheffield, who was nine months old. Amanda and her husband John Sheffield had a blacksmith on their farm; this was the occupation of King Goodloe, who is shown as a farmhand in the census above. The Thirteenth Census of the United States in 1910 listed Yancy Horton, head of household, and his wife Sophie both being 49 years of age. Two sons were living at home, Yancy Jr. (age 22) and Grover (age 24). Horton family members were classified as Mulatto. Also listed in the household were two hired hands, Daniel Love (age 24 and married) and Matthews Lyles (age 21 and single). An excerpt from the census: 259 - (4292)