Much of what has been speculated about the parents of Robert Stephens, and earlier published on this page, has likely been refuted by yDNA testing.

This page will be updated later to reflect the results of that testing and information obtained since that time. The bottom line is that now more than ever, the answer is still "We just don't know!" If you know or suspect ANYTHING, please follow the link below and let us know! THANKS!

The location of their graves has been a mystery for many years that may have been solved. Robert and Judith Stephens's names were found on a membership list for Mount Bethel United Methodist Church west of Pickens, SC and not far from Stephens Road. This information was the best clue found in many years as to the burial locations.

In the Spring of 2017 Austin and Julie Stephens visited the Mount Bethel cemetery and noticed several small gravestones apparently unmarked. Upon closer examination inscriptions could be seen on some of the stones, but were very worn. The name of STEPHENS was seen on some of the stones. After gently cleaning the stones, two were identified with the inscriptions "Bob Stephens" and "Mrs. Bob Stephens." Another stone was identified next to them with the inscription "Tilda Stephens." This could be Robert and Judith's daughter Matilda who apparently never married. Julie Stephens took high resolution photos of the stones and photo editing software confirmed the names on them. It is a shame that the inscriptions were not more detailed, but the evidence all taken together strongly suggests that the gravestones are those of Robert and Judith Stephens.

These photos were once in the possession of Matilda (Barnett) Stephens, wife of Wade Andrew Stephens. The woman in the paper frame is Wade Andrew's mother, Nancy Adoline (Strain) Stephens, but we have not been able to identify any of the other photos.