| Notes |
- DOCUMENTATION
That I have seen, there are six mentions of Catherine Stafford in the records of Hampshire County, Virginia.
Early records of Hampshire County, Virginia, by Sage & Jones
1791: Richard Stafford and wife Catherine sold to John Littlejohn of Leesburg, Virginia, 1/4 acre in the town of Frankfort, recorded 15 Dec 1791.
1809 & 1810: Widow Stafford was on the tax rolls for Hampshire county, Virginia.
1810: Catherine Stafford made her will 23 Jul 1810, listing two children as devotees: Washington and Sarah. It was witnessed by John F. and Joseph S. Stafford, presumably her sons, along with Daniel Collins, Joseph Cresap, and Nicholas Durbin. Executors were Daniel Collins and William Bruce. See full text below. (FROM SAGE & JONES)
1811: There was an appraisal of Catherine's property on 14 Aug 1811, perhaps an assessment of her estate following her death.
1820: There was a settlement of Catherine Stafford's estate on 22 Jun 1820; on the same date, there was a settlement of her daughter Sally/Sarah Stafford's estate. It is possible that Sarah came of age on or about the date, being 18 years old, and received her share of the estate.
The will, appraisal, and settlement documents are on file in the courthouse in Romney, West Virginia.
BIRTH
Catherine Stafford's birth year is based upon the birth of Elizabeth Stafford, presumed to be her oldest child, who was born about 1777. A birth year of 1755 would make her 22 years old, not an unreasonable age for a woman of this time period giving birth to her first child. It's just a guess of mine that Catharine was of German heritage, perhaps from one of those Pennsylvania Deutcher families who came around that time to Hampshire County. For Ashby had a large population of Germans.
MARRIAGE
See notes for Richard Stafford
DEATH
Based on information from her will, and the appraisal and settlement of her estate, it would seem that Catherine died shortly after she made her will, either in 1810 or 1811.
OTHER
From the little information available to us about Catherine Stafford, we may infer the following:
1) Richard Stafford, her husband, was probably dead at the time she made her will in 1810. Catherine does not mention him, and his estate is first mentioned in 1809.
2) John F. and Joseph S. Stafford were probably the oldest sons available at the time of her will. Both were married and living close by. Francis was in Ohio, and Richard may have been also, or may have been unavailable at the time she wrote her will.
3) Washington and Sarah were probably minors at the time she wrote her will. Westley was eighteen, and probably the unidentified male living in the household of John Stafford, Allegany County, Maryland, 1810 census. Washington and Sarah's whereabouts are unknown in 1810, though they could have been living with another relative or neighbor for the census. If Sarah came of age in 1820 (being 18 years old), that means she would have been born in 1802.
Daniel Collins who witnessed Catherine's will is probably Daniel Cresap Collins, born 04 apr 1774 to Thomas and Elizabeth Sprigg Cresap Collins in Hampshire County, Virginia, or Allegany County, Maryland. He was the grandson of Daniel Cresap and Ruth Swearingen. He took his family to Clinton, DeWitt County, Illinois, where he died in 1832.
CATHARINE STAFFORD will, Sept court 1810, proved by 2 witnesses, okd., will #644 on file in the Hampshire County Court House, Romney, West Virginia, seen and copied by CLS 9-28-2007.
I Catharine Stafford of Hampshrie County and Commonwealth of Virginia do hereby make my last will and testament in the manner and form following that is to say.
1st, I desire that all my estate be immediately sold after my decease adn out of the monies arising therfrom all my just debts and financial expenses be paid.
2d. AFter the payment of my debts and funeral expenses I give unto my son Washignton Stafford one half of my estate forever.
3d. I give unto my daughter Sarah Stafford the other half of my estate forever.
And lastsly I do hereby constitute and appoint my friends Daniel Collins & William Bruce executors of this my last will adn testament herby revoking all other or former wills or testaments by me heretofore made.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 23d day of July 1810.
Signed sealed publihsed and declared as and for the last will and testament of the above named Catharine Stafford in presence of us--Catharine Stafford, her mark and seal
Joseph Cresap
Nicholas Durbin
Dan Collins
John F. Stafford
Joseph S. Stafford
At a court held for Hampshrie county the 17th day of September 1810--
This last will & testament of Catharine Stafford dec'd. was presented in court by Daniel Collins, one fo the executors herein named, proved by the oaths of John F. Stafford & Joseph S. Stafford, two fo the wintesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of the said executor, who made oath according to law, certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in our form, he having with Thomas Collins and Thomas Mulledy (?)--his securities entered into bond int he penalty of five thousand dollars, conditional as the law directs.
signed by the county clerk And. Wodrow.
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Abt 1760 - 1810 (~ 50 years)
