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- Thanks for contacting me again.
I, too, have seen the claim that Robertson STAFFORD, born 5 JAN 1777 (known to be the patriarch of the Kernersville, NC STAFFORDs) supposedly was born in Delaware (rather than in North Carolina as is evidenced below)and is thought to be the son of Zadoc STAFFORD, born between 1756 and 1758 in Delaware.
The trouble I have with that claim is that a "Zadoc Stafford" is listed in the 1790 Caroline County, Maryland census, who appears to be the same Zadock STAFFORD who some claim to be the father of Robertson, b 1777. I think, for reasons stated below, that Zadoc's 1790 Caroline census listing coupled with an 1850 North Carolina census listing for Robertson, b 1777, casts considerable doubt on the claim that Zadoc (b 1756-1758) was, in fact, Robertson's father. Until I see documented evidence to support that claim, I will continue to lean to the belief that Robertson's father more likely was John Stafford, b 1756.
For example, the "Zadock" cited in the 1790 Caroline County Census lists only one male living in his (Zadock/Zadoc's) household. That male apparently was Zadoc(k), himself. No other males are listed. That "Zadock" is believed to have been Zadoc, the son of Henry STAFFORD (b abt 1725 - d June 1776 in Sussex, DE).
If this "Zadock/Zadoc" was the real father of Robertson STAFFORD, b Jan. 5, 1777 -- who would have been no more than 13 or 14 years old in 1790 -- then why aren't any more males (other than "Zadock") listed in Zadock/Zadoc's household? If Robertson, b. 1777 was, in fact, Zadoc(k)'s son, then it stands to reason that Robertson, at the age of 13 or 14, would have been living with Zadoc(k) -- as were others in Zadoc(k)'s family (all females). As you well know, back in those days male family members were sorely needed to help their families survive. The fact that Zadoc does not appear in the 1800 or 1810 Delaware or North Carolina listings appears to cast further doubt on the Zadoc-Robertson relationship.
I am informed by another STAFFORD researcher (Dave Teague, in whom I place great trust) that Robertson, b. 1777, apparently informed the 1850 census Forsyth County enumerator (as is noted on Robertson's census listing) that he, Robertson, had been born in North Carolina (not in Delaware). Dave reasons that Robertson surely would have known where he was born.
I should add that the evidence also shows that Robertson, b 1777 probably is the "Robt. Stafford" listed in the 1810 Guilford County, NC census. This "Robt. Stafford" disappears from the Guilford County censuses after 1810. It is in 1810 that ROBERTSON, b 1777, first appears in the Stokes County census. He continues to be listed in 1820, 1830 and 1840 Stokes County censuses and finally in the 1850 census for Forsyth County after it was formed from the southern half of Stokes.
If Robertson was (as stated in the Forsyth County, NC 1850 census) born in NC, then John Stafford, b 1756 (who, the evidence suggests, was in Guilford County, North Carolina circa 1780 or before and is known to be the patriarch of the "South Fork STAFFORDs", Forsyth County, NC) seems, in Dave Teague's and my view, to be the only reasonable candidate at present for being Robertson's father. Accordingly, until I see documented evidence to support the claim that Zadoc was Robertson's father, I will continue to lean to the belief that his father more likely was John Stafford, b 1756.
In trying almost daily for many years to solve the puzzle concerning who were the ancestors of John STAFFORD, b 1756 (as well as determining if he positively was the father of Robertson, b 1777), I have been working on two separate STAFFORD lines in which the name "Robertson Stafford" appears. Early on, both of these lines lived close to each other in Dorchester County, MD. The earliest known ancestors of one of these lines was William STAFFORD, b circa 1660 and/or his son, John, b circa 1710. So far, I haven't found any direct connection between our John STAFFORD, b 1756, and the descendants of William STAFFORD, b circa 1660 and/or his son, John, b circa 1710.
The earliest known member of the other line (from which Zadoc, born 1756 - 1758 descends) is Henry STAFFORD, b abt 1700. To date, however, I've found no generational connection between these two lines, even though I've found land parcels, e.g., "Stafford's Outlett" which, over the years, were owned by members of each line. The puzzle: The "STAFFORD owner/seller" did not buy or sell the parcel to a member of the other STAFFORD line. Apparently, the parcels apparently were sold by a STAFFORD family member to non-STAFFORDs in the area who later sold it to a STAFFORD in the other line.
I am trying to find out if Henry STAFFORD, b circa 1700, also may have been a son or grandson of William (and, thus, a brother or cousin of John) -- or, if William had other sons who might have been the father or grandfather of my ancestor, John, b 1756.
So far, I've only been able to tie one child (John, b circa 1683)and many of John's descendants to William. It certainly seems reasonable -- since he outlived John -- that William had other children. In support of this assumption, the inventory of the estate of John Stafford, b circa 1703 - died prior to Feb. 20, 1750 (who was a son of John, b circa 1683, and grandson of William)was filed on 14 Feb 1752 by Elenor (Elinor) Stafford, his wife. Sureties were HENRY STAFFORD and JOHN TRICE. It is interesting to note that the name "Henry" does not appear anywhere in William's line, including the line of his son, John. It is therefore assumed that "Henry", the surety for John's estate, may have been a cousin or close friend of John, b circa 1703 -- possibly the Henry, born 1700, who was the father of Henry STAFFORD, b abt 1725 -- the father of Zadoc noted above.
As stated above, it is noted that both William/John's line and Henry's line have individuals named "Robertson STAFFORD" (the same name as is the patriarch of the "Kernersville STAFFORDs" -- who, in turn, is believed to be a son of my ancestor, John STAFFORD, b 1756). Hopefully, by locating other STAFFORD lines which lived in Dorchester County, MD, and Sussex County, Delaware between 1675 and 1775, we may be able eventually to tie all the STAFFORD lines together.
If you have any documented proof of Zadoc's paternal relationship to Robertson, b 1777, I would be delighted to see it. I also would be extremely interested in learning what happened to Robertson Stafford, b 1760 who was a brother of Zadoc. I have tracked him until he was discharged from Revolutionary War service in 1782. The last entry in his service record states "Sick in hospital Dec. 28, 1783". Presumably, the hospital was located in or near Dorchester County, MD, or in Sussex County, Delaware. Did he survive that hospitalization? If so, what became of him after he was discharged from the hospital. Any info you have re ANY of the above would be appreciated.
Regards,
Tom Stafford
Research this website...has Stafford/Robison marriage and from MD to NC
http://awt.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=pariann&id=I2588
Check headstone information...for month of birth...January or February.
1850 NC Census, Forsyth Co., August 17, 1850, p. 226-a & b:
388/399
Roberson STAFFORD, Sr., 70y m farmer REV: $700
Hannah, 66y f
Roberson STAFFORD, Jr., 30y m farmer b NC
Elizabeth J., 27y f b NC
Elias H., 2y m b NC
Ami J. C., 21y f b NC
It appears that Roberson STAFFORD may have been married to another woman before Hannah. There are several Staffords in the 1850 NC Census, Guilfo rd Co. that would be about the right ages to be his children by a first marriage.
Isaac STAFFORD, Guilford Co., Southern Division, p. 258
Frederick STAFFORD, Guilford Co., Southern Division, p. 333
Nathan STAFFORD, Guilford Co., Southern Division, p. 333
John B. STAFFORD, Guilford Co., North Division, p. 391
Much more research is required!
EXTENSIVE WEBSITE OF ROBESON FAMILY WITH NC TIES:
http://www.thekingsmeadow.com/Robeson.htm
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There is a William STAFFORD b July 1770 in Caswell Co., NC that married a Sally Johnston on 15 Aug 1793. Sally was b June 6, ???? and died J ul 1829 in Jackson Co., TN. William died 1850 in Jackson Co., TN.
Research the following interment: Is this another child of Roberson Staff ord and Hannah Johnson? No, dau of Doughty and Elizabeth Stockton.
Interment Record for STAMPS Stafford
Name: STAMPS Stafford
Born: 18 Jul 1808
Died or Buried: 16 Jan 1860
Buried: Muddy Creek
County/State: Forsyth, NC
Notes: Martha P. (is this his wife?)
SOURCE:http://userdb.rootsweb.com/cemeteries/cgi-bin/cemetery.cgi?id=3 853 08&database=Cemetery%20Records&return_to=http://userdb.rootsweb.com/ce mete ries/&submitter_id=
Notes: Martha P.
See: http://www.tyler.net/wstafford/wayaft.htm for more information on th is line.
Per will of Doughty STOCKTON, dated Dec 26, 1852 and probabted June 18 56 in Forsyth Co., NC
Martha P. STAMPS was the dau of Doughty Stockton and Elizabeth
Research this website...has Stafford/Robison marriage and from MD to NC
http://awt.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=pariann&id=I2588
Check headstone information...for month of birth...January or February.
Born:
The 1850 Census suggests he was born in NC.
findagrave.com has him born in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., North Carolina
Census:
- Listed as Robertson Stafford, a farmer, with wife Hannah.
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1777 - 1854 (77 years)
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