| Notes |
- Grant's parents are inferred from their names and dates being in the same bible with Grant, his wife's and children's names. A Mooresville Library Legacy Link has his parents as Robert and Sarah Bullock Stafford (Branch 003).
"Grant Stafford. A Short History of the Life of Grant Stafford of Olden Times and His Family" Martinsville Republican, 10 March 1901, page and column not cited; received from the Morgan Co. Public Library, Martinsville, Indiana.
James Stafford and his wife Mary Stafford, their son Grant Stafford, and two daughters came from Hillsburrow, the county seat of Highland Co., Ohio to Morgan Co., Brown Township, Indiana, in the year 1826. It was in 1821 Grant Stafford first came. He taught the first school that was ever taught in Brown township.
Miss Lucy Jones, twin sister to Richard Jones, of Harrison Co., near Corydon, Indiana, first capitol, was married to John Moffett in 1808. To them were born three children - John Moffett Dec 17, 1809; Polly Dec 25, 1811; Sally Dec 24, 1813. John Moffett Sr. died and William Gregory married his widow, Sept 1, 1814. Gregory had eleven children, but lost one, leaving them with thirteen children. After marriage eleven children were born to them. In 1817 they moved from Harrison to Morgan Co., Indiana, three miles south of Mooreaville on what is now known as the Paul Cox farm. Here is where Grant Stafford met Miss. Polly Moffett and they married Sept. 27, 1827.
John Moffett (Jr) lived to be an old man, but was never married. Sallie married Thomas Russell. Hiram Matthews married one of Grant Stafford's sisters and James Matthews married the other.
After looking some time for a location, James Stafford bought a farm south White River, on the Martinsville and Indianapolis road, three quarters of a mile above Clear Creek. In 1832 Grant Stafford built a brick house on the farm. It was considered one of the best farms, and he one of the best farmers in Morgan Co.. He was prosperous and happy. His home was not only pleasant to the family but it was made pleasant to all who came under his roof. The latch string was always out.
Grant Stafford was county treasurer in 1850. Attorney W. R. Harrison says he prepared the documents and assisted him in collecting. He had to go to Mooresville a few days to collect. He had to cross the White river in a ferry boat, once known as the Gregory ferry. The river was up bank full, mush ice running heavily. His two boys, Wiley and Manual, were pulling the boat by a rope. Stafford had on a heavy blue blanket overcoat and leggings of the same material. He was standing by his saddle mare, Jule, saddlebags were on the saddle with the documents in them.
They got about one third across the river when the boat commenced sinking. When the water struck the mare's body, she gave a snort and struck off for the other shore. Stafford caught the mare's tail and she took him to shore. He patted her on the back and said, "nothing but death shall part us". Wiley started to swim back. Someone on shore called to him the saddlebags were floating down. He turned, swam to them and made for the shore. He got out safely with the documents. Manuel cooned the rope on the underside until he got near the shore and fell in the river exhausted. George Leadsfield handed him a rail and pulled him out, otherwise he would have died.
( The rest of this text too dark to read clearly and can be found at http://www.midwest-genealogy.com/Midwest/images/Bio_STAFFORD_Grant.jpg )
Grant Stafford was elected Representative in 1833 and in 1834 defeating opponent J. W. Cox by two votes and Senator in 1836, 1837, 1838, 1839 and 1840. From then until 1852 he came to Martinsville either to church or on business or when sick with sinking chills. He was conscious of approaching death ... for Atty W. R. Harrison to write his will. While sitting up in bed, he dictated the metes and bounds in dividing his farm equally to his heirs. The will was found to be correct. He passed away with the third chill March 29, 1852 at the home of his brother-in-law John Moffitt in the house now Wm. Schnaitens store. He was laid to rest in the Williams graveyard, side by side with his father, mother, two wives and four children.
From a Family Bible owned by M. W. Gregory.
Marriages
James Stafford to Mary Brown - Nov 12, 1800.
Grant Stafford to Polly Moffett - Sept 27, 1827
Grant Stafford to (second wife) Fanny Gregory - May 24, 1838
??en Frobridy to Sarah Stafford June 5, 18xx
Wiley Stafford to Sarah Slaughter.
David Breedlove to Mary Stafford
James Stafford to Louisa Trestler
Births
James Stafford born Dec. 30, 1779
Mary Brown b. Dec 29, 1769
Grant Stafford b. Feb 18, 1803
Polly Moffett b. Dec 25, 1811
Wiley Staffird b. Sep 17, 1828
Riley Stafford b. July 23, 1831
Sarah Stafford b. Aug 1, 1831
James Stafford b. Oct 31, 1835
Amos B. Stafford b. March 4, 1838
Fanny Gregory (2nd wife) b. April 17, 1821.
Dennis Stafford b. Feb ?, 18?? (obscured)
Mary Stafford b. March 12, 18??
Newton Stafford b. June 1, 18??
Oliver Stafford b. Aug 2, 1845
Phebe Ann Stafford b. Sept 25, 18??
Scott Stafford b. July 9, 1851.
Deaths
James Stafford, Feb 22, 1829
Mary Stafford, May 7, 1838
Polly Stafford, May 2(?), 18??
Riley Stafford, July 11, 1832
Dennis Stafford, May 10, 1810 (Not that clear)
Newton Stafford, Oct 10, 1845
Grant Stafford, March 26, 1852
Fanny Stafford,
Wiley Stafford
Spouse: 1) Mary ("Polly") Moffett; 2) Fannie Gregory
Other: Age 49 years, 1 month, 11 days. Born in Paint Twp., Highland Co., Ohio; son of Robert and Sarah Bullock Stafford. married first wife on Sept. 27, 1827 in Washington Twp., Daviess Co., Ind. They had 6 children together: Emanuel W., Wiley, Riley, Sarah, James N., and Amos B. Polly died on May 2, 1838. On May 24, 1838, he married his second wife, in Washington Twp., Morgan Co., Ind. They had 6 children: Dennis, Mary J. (Mollie), Newton, Oliver, Phoebe Ann, and Scott. [From an article in the Morgan Co. Republican for Nov. 2, 1871: "...He was very popular with the people, having been elected four years to the House of Representatives and eight years to the Senate of Indiana, from Morgan County.
Of his surviving children, the oldest, H.M. Stafford, a farmer, resides in Champaign County, Ohio. Wylie married Sarah Slaughter, and he died in 1857, afterwards Sarah married A.H. Trowbridge of Illinois. James Stafford resides upon the old homestead."
Source: Mooresville Library Legacy Link
Born:
Died:
Buried:
- Other: Age 49 years, 1 month, 11 days. Born in Paint Twp., Highland Co., Ohio; son of Robert and Sarah Bullock Stafford. Married first wife on Sept. 27, 1827 in Washington Twp., Daviess Co., Ind. They had 6 children together: Emanuel W., Wiley, Riley, Sarah, James N., and Amos B. Polly died on May 2, 1838. On May 24, 1838, he married his second wife, in Washington Twp., Morgan Co., Ind. They had 6 children: Dennis, Mary J. (Mollie), Newton, Oliver, Phoebe Ann, and Scott. [From an article in the Morgan Co. Republican for Nov. 2, 1871: "...He was very popular with the people, having been elected four years to the House of Representatives and eight years to the Senate of Indiana, from Morgan County.
Of his surviving children, the oldest, H.M. Stafford, a farmer, resides in Champaign County, Ohio. Wylie married Sarah Slaughter, and he died in 1857, afterwards Sarah married A.H. Trowbridge of Illinois. James Stafford resides upon the old homestead."
Source: Mooresville Library Legacy Link
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1803 - 1852 (49 years)
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