| Notes |
Information on WILLIAM and John Stafford I ( believed to be his son) and their descendants was compiled by Mike Marshall from data published by Henry C. Peden Jr. and F. Edward Wright, well known Maryland genealogists, in Vol. 7 of their series "Colonial Families of the Eastern Shore of Maryland." William, as indicated below, may have had another son named Jacob.
Because of the probable birthdates of his children, e.g., JOHN II, and references made in his will that a number of his other children apparently were minors at the time of his death in late 1754 or early 1755, it is believed that JOHN I was married twice, first to Elese (Elisa) (see note # 4, below) and presumably after Elese (Elisa)'s death (sometime prior to 1748), he married to Elizabeth prior to 24 Aug 1754 (see note # 7, below ).
Elese (Elisa) is believed to have been the mother of JOHN II, b after 1701; William, b after 1703 and probably JOHN I's other children. This assumption is based on the fact that his first wife, Elese (Elisa), was still living on 28 Mar
1740 - the date John I and Elese (Elisa) conveyed land to their son, John STAFFORD II (see note #4, below).
A, JOHN I's probable birth date (1683) is inferred from the date contained in item #5, below which indicates that in 1743, JOHN I was about 60 years old. His probable birth date of 1683 also is inferred from the purchase of property made by a "William STAFFORD" believed to have been the father of JOHN I. (See "Notes" for WILLIAM STAFFORD, the father of JOHN I). That particular "William STAFFORD" is believed to be the WILLIAM STAFFORD of Dorchester County, MD, who, on March 20, 1681, purchased "Betty's Lott, 100 acres, on Fox Creek and Hungar River" from George FORGESON. It is noted, in item #4below, that JOHN I conveyed Betty's Lott -- apparently inherited from his father, William -- to JOHN II.
B. JOHN I's probable death date, as well as the names of his children, are inferred from his will which was proved 20 Feb 1755 (see item #7, below).
C. JOHN STAFFORD I also is believed to be the same "John STAFFORD" involved in each of the following property transactions (written as found in the pertinent record document):
1. On 1 Oct 1732, John STAFFORD of DO Co. purchased from James Vincent 100 a. on northwest fork of Nanticoke River.
2. 1734 Jun12---John Safford of Dorchester Co. MD planter to Robert Ross of same for £44 silver money, the 428 acre tract called "Safford" in Dorchester Co. on Farhams Creek. John Safford made "I" (crossed) his mark, Elese Safford made "H" her mark to the deed although not mentioned in text. Both appeared in Court in Cambridge to acknowledge the sale; Elese identified as wife of John Safford. [Dorchester Co. MD Deeds old 9:192-193]
3. Richard Woodland, age 27, made a deposition before a land commission, 17 Jun - 19 Sep 1734, regarding the boundary lines of the tract "Safford" and mentioned his father in law, John Stafford.
4. 1737 Mar 13---John Stafford of Dorchester Co., planter and Elisa his wife to William Stafford, planter of same; for £7.10.0, the land he now lives on, 50 acres of the upper end of tract "Vinsons's Lott". John Stafford signs. No mark or relinquishment of dower by Elisa is noted in the record. [Dorchester Co. deeds old 9:540-541]
5. On 28 Mar 1740 John STAFFORD, Senr.(sic), and his wife Elese (Elisa), conveyed to John STAFFORD, Junr.(sic), Bettys Lott containing 100 a., also Safford Hermitage, containing 50 a.; also 1/2 of Safford's Desire containing 50 a., in all 25 a. being conveyed hereby. Note: "John STAFFORD, Junr." is believed to be JOHN STAFFORD II who died prior to JOHN I and, therefore, was not mentioned in the will of JOHN I (see Note10, below). (Jade believes this reference is wrong - "Since #4 has been described this way so many times, possibly this is the way it is described in the book by Peden and Wright, Vol. 7 in their series, with the article on this family".
6. 1740 Sep 19---John Safford Junr. planter and Elender his wife of Dorchester Co. to Henry Wingate of same, planter for £50; tract where my dwelling house is, called "Bettys Lot" on the E. side of Chesapeak Bay and on the East side of Honger River in Dorchester Co., 175 acres. John Safford signed, Elinor Stafford made "+" her mark, her name and the surname spelt 2 different ways in the record [Dorchester Co. Deeds old 10:205-208]
7. At a land commission, 14 Jun 1743-4 Aug 1743, John STAFFORD, aged about 60 years, made a deposition regarding the boundary of land of Phillip Wingate.
8. 1747 Nov 11---John Stafford Junr. of Dorchester Co. to Lott Pritchard of same, for £70 MD; tract "Ought Lett" ["Outlet"] in Dorchester Co. on the West side of the Northwest Fork of Nanticoke River. John Stafford Jun'r signed. No wife mentioned. [Dorchester Co. Deeds old 14:176-177]
9. 1748 Feb 02---John Safford Se'r. of Dorchester Co. to John Safford Ju'r., of the same, for natural good will and affection toward my Son John Safford Jur,.and for £15. Tract "Addition to Lott" in Dorchester Co. on W. side of the Northwest Fork, 95 acres, plus the lower part of Vinsons Lott, 50 acres; to have possession after my decease. John Safford Se'r made "I" (crossed) his mark. No wife mentioned nor relinquished her dower. [Dorchester Co. Deeds old 14:328-330]
10. 24 Aug 1754 Recorded 10 Sept 1754, Folio 125 -- John Safford Se'r. of Dorchester Co. to John Safford Ju'r., of the same, for natural good will and affection toward my Son John Safford Jur,.and for £15. Tract "Addition to Lott" in Dorchester Co. on W. side of the Northwest Fork, 95 acres, plus the lower part of Vinsons Lott, 50 acres; to have possession after my decease. John Safford Se'r made "I" (crossed) his mark. No wife mentioned nor relinquished her dower. [Dorchester Co. Deeds old 14:328-330]
11. 1754Aug 24---John Safford of Dorchester Co., planter and Elizabeth his wife to Lot Pritchet of same, planter, for £20 current money of MD. Part of tract "Saffords Outlet," the 100 acres in the fork of the Long Branch. John Safford made "I" (crossed) his mark; Elizabeth Safford made "E" her mark. Elizabeth STAFFORD gives up dower rights. Witnesses: Cha. Dickenson, James Murray
[Dorchester Co. Deeds old 15:125-127]
12. John STAFFORD, believed to be JOHN STAFFORD I, died leaving a will dated (written 27 January, 1755 ) Dorchester County, Maryland, proved 20 Feb 1755, Book 29, PP 300-302 H-11 of Records, Annapolis, Maryland.
The will names his wife, *Elizabeth and mentions two ( 2) grandsons, Elijah and Elisha Stafford; 64 a. called Stafford Outlet. To dau. Eleaner Stafford, cattle and to son Thomas Stafford, stock; son Levin Stafford, stock; son Adam Stafford, furniture; son Solomon Stafford, furniture. To 5 youngest children, Ellener, Thomas, Levin, Adam and Solomon Stafford, personalty. To son William Stafford, my cooper's tools. He directs that his youngest son, Solomon Stafford be brought up in a Christian manner by William, his oldest surviving son. Son Adam Stafford is to be put to live with John Trice, to be brought up in a Christian-like manner and likewise son Levin Stafford to learn a blacksmith trade with John Rip. Witnessed by Joshua Wheeler, John Marret, James Layton.
* Elizabeth STAFFORD, the widow, refused to be Executor and demanded one-third of the estate as her share.
Note: JOHN II, the son of JOHN I, had died approximately five years earlier and therefore was not mentioned in JOHN I's will. Elijah and Elisha, the two grandsons mentioned in JOHN I's will, were the sons of JOHN II, deceased)
13. The "inventory" of the estate of John STAFFORD, believed to be JOHN STAFFORD I, was approved by exec. William STAFFORD on 25 Jul 1755. Next of kin were listed as Jacob STAFFORD and John STAFFORD. Distribution of the estate was made on 2 Nov 1756 and 24 May 1758.
Note:
a. William STAFFORD, the "executor" named above, is believed to be WILLIAM, born after 1703, the son of JOHN I.
b. Since JOHN II, the son of JOHN I had died in 1750, who then was the "John Stafford" listed as the "next of kin" of JOHN I? Was he JOHN III, born after 1730, or was he another relative, possibly a cousin?
c. Also, since JOHN I had no known ancestors or descendants named "Jacob", who then was "Jacob STAFFORD", his other listed "next of kin"? Was he a cousin or uncle? In this regard, a Sussex Co., DE land entry reads "JACOB STAFFORD 212 A from Sisterhood p. 491, 1756 (possibly located in Broadcreek Hundreds). Was this the same "Jacob Stafford" who was listed as the "next of kin" of JOHN I?
Note: Is "Jacob STAFFORD" the Jacob STAFFORD who married Rosanna FERGUSON about 1745 in Sussex Co., DE. The latter Jacob and Rosanna had a daughter named Sarah.
Note: There appears to be another John Stafford in the Dorchester area. These two may have been mixed up in this research.
1756 Jan 20---John Safford of Dorchester Co., planter, and Sarah his wife to Phillemon Bozman. For £45 MD money; all that tract "Addition to Lott" adjacent the first Bound of tract Vinsons Lott close by the side of the NW Fork of Nanticoke, 95 acres, plus 50 acres being the lower part of the tract "Vinsons Lott." John Stafford signed, Sarah Stafford made her mark. (Surname "Safford" in document text, "Stafford" in signing and acknowledgment portions of the recorded document). [Dorchester Co. Deeds old 15:328-329]
Will:
- Voided by Elizabeth P. Stafford on 20 Feb 1755.
- John left a Will in Dorchester Co. in 1755 in which he names grandsons Elijah & Elisha; names children Eleaner, Thomas, Levin, Adam, Solomon and William. Wife Elizabeth.
Accounting on the estate lists children Henry, James, Mary, William, Jacob, Sarah, Hagar, Elinor, Thomas, Levin, Adam, and Solomon.
Legatees of the Estate were Eleanor, Thomas, Levin, Adam, Solomon and William; and the widow got 1/3.
John Sr. mentions grandsons Ellijah and Elisha, sons of John Jr. in his will.
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1683 - Bef 1755 (< 72 years)
