The William Stafford Family
Author and webmaster: Sharlene K. Miller, CGSM
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The William Stafford Family Author and webmaster: Sharlene K. Miller, CGSM |
| Direct Line: | Pedigree chart | William | Robert | Andrew | Daniel | Clayton |
Children:
The research about William Stafford and his wife is incomplete, but is included to support the conclusions regarding the direct line descendants of Robert Stafford and his two wives, Sarah Bullock and Isabella [surname not determined at this time]. The most important document linking William to his children and wife is the copy of his probate file.
~~~~~First Generation~~~~~
William Stafford and his wife Fanny [?]
1. William1 Stafford Born before 1774 probably in North Carolina;1 died before 27 February 1809 in Highland County, Ohio;2 married to Fanny, whose surname has not been determined. The information gathered to date is incomplete for this generation. William is included as the first individual in the genealogy of the Stafford family because there is evidence that he is the father of Robert Stafford and his siblings, Jonas, James, John, Mary and Rachel Stafford.2
A biographical note in Scott's A History of the Early Settlement of Highland County, Ohio describes William as a native of North Carolina, who migrated to Ohio in about 1804 just two years after Ohio was granted statehood.1 The exact route the Stafford family used is not known, but in the early days there were not many routes from North Carolina to Ohio. Since they migrated west about 15 - 20 years after completion of the Nashville Road by the Militia,3 this is probably the route they took when they left North Carolina.
This road would have taken them from Guilford County, North Carolina to points west. They may have used Daniel Boone's Cumberland Gap to make their way through the rugged Cumberland Mountains and into Kentucky. Once they crossed into what is now Kentucky, they probably followed the Wilderness Road that was cut by Daniel Boone some 25-30 years before, northwesterly through Kentucky to the Ohio River. It was common at that time for people traveling to Ohio to use ferries to cross the Ohio River. It is possible that they took the Maysville Road northward until they reached the National Road and headed east where they ended up settling in what was then Ross County, Ohio.
Analysis of the last will and testament written by William Stafford indicates that he thought highly of his wife and daughters. He referred to Fanny as his loving wife and provided for all of her needs. His instructions regarding the disposal of his estate were explicit and it is interesting to note that he named his wife and daughters before his sons in his instructions for the disposal of his property. William instructed the executor to see to it that Fanny receive his houses and most of the land where they lived for her use through the rest of her life. Besides the real estate, he also gave her a featherbed and furniture; her choice of a cow and calf; as much pork as she could use and grain enough for one year. He also left her the bay horse named "Dick." To Mary Stafford, his daughter, he bequeathed one hundred acres of land and $30 in cash. His other daughter, Rachel, who was by that time Mrs. William Wright, was to receive a sum of $200 in cash and it is interesting to note that in addition, to these three, he bequeathed a sum of $120 cash to the orfan [sic], Charles Lord when he turned 21 years of age. After these bequests were made and his debts were paid he then gave an equal share of five shillings to his four sons. If there was anything remaining after these bequests were made then the residual was to be divided equally to all six children. William left instructions that after Fanny died, the land and his tenements were to be sold at auction to the highest bidder and the proceeds were to be split evenly among his six children or their heirs. He named three executors to his estate, Fanny, James and Jonas.2 Further research is needed on this generation.
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William and Fannie Stafford were the parents of the following children:
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i. |
John2 Stafford |
Apparently left Guilford County, NC with father, William, and settled in Highland County, Ohio.3 No research done on this line. |
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ii. |
Jonas Stafford |
Apparently left Guilford County, NC with father, William, and settled in Highland County, Ohio.3 No research done on this line. |
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+ 4
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iii. |
Apparently left Guilford County, NC with father, William, and settled in Highland County, Ohio.3 The only reference concerning this son is mention of him in the biographical information and a newspaper article.4 |
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+ 5 |
iv. |
was born in North Carolina between 1780-1784 and died 29 August 1833. |
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6 |
v. |
Mary Polly Stafford |
No research done on this line. |
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+ 7 |
vi. |
m. William Wright2 |
Documentation for events in William Stafford's life:
Note: The research for this generation has just been initiated; therefore, it is incomplete. As more research is completed this page will be updated.
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William Stafford |
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Census |
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Marriage Record
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Land Patents |
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Death and burial |
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Will |
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Miscellaneous |
Maps:
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Citations for William Stafford
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1 |
Daniel
Scott, A History of the Early Settlement of Highland County, Ohio
(Hillsborough, Ohio: The Hillsborough Gazette, 1890; reprinted in 1974
by Waw-wil-a-way Chapter D.A.R. and again in 1983 by the Southern Ohio
Genealogical Society), page 494. |
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2 |
William
Stafford will (1809), Highland County Wills Volume 1:2-3, Highland
County, Ohio Probate Court; FHL microfilm 570624. |
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3 |
William Dollarhide, Map Guide to American Migration Routes, 1735-1815,(Bountiful, Utah: HeritageQuest), 2000. |
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4 |
“Grant
Stafford – A Short History of the Life of Grant Stafford of Olden
Times, and His Family,” Martinsville Republican, 10 March 1901;
received from Morgan County, Indiana Public Library, Martinsville,
Indiana. |
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5 |
William
Stafford household, 1790 U.S. Census, Guilford County, North Carolina,
page 3, line 28; National Archives microfilm publication M637, roll 7. |
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Contact Information If you have information about these families and would like to correspond please feel free to email me at smiller@stjoelive.com or by writing to me at the following address: Sharlene Miller 20788 Orchard Lane St. Joseph, Missouri 64505 816-233-7241
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Others researching these families:If you would like to be listed here please let me know and I will add your contact information
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used under license by those who have passed BCG's periodic examination process.
Page last updated 06/08/2007
Copyright © 2006-2007 by Sharlene K. Miller, CG
All Rights Reserved.
