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Andrew3 Stafford Born before 1812;1 died on 06 May 1845 in Morgan County, Indiana.2,3 He was the son of Robert Stafford.1 The place of his birth has not been documented, however, his father and mother were in Highland County, Ohio at the approximate time of his birth.4 Andrew was married to Mary Lang on 23 February 1832 in Morgan County, Indiana by his uncle, Grant Stafford.5 Andrew left very few documents so little can be said about his life. A note in Noah Major's book Pioneers of Morgan County: Memoirs of Noah J. Majors mentioned that he was a bowhand on flatboats that navigated the rivers to transport goods from Morgan County to the southern port city of New Orleans, Louisiana.6 The cause of his early death is not known. Most of the information and evidence about his life comes from records left by his wife after his death.
During the period of time from 1837 to his death was a busy time for Andrew Stafford with several land deals. The first record showing his acquisition of land was the purchase a 40-acre parcel from David and Matilda Kirkendall in Morgan County, Indiana.7 The next year he purchased a 33.91 acre parcel of land from William and Phebe Jones.8 In addition to buying the parcels of land described above, he also purchased public lands through the Crawfordsville District office. The patents for both of these 40-acre plots of land issued on 10 September 1838.9,10 For some unknown reason Andrew sold the parcel of land obtained by patent from the government within 1 month of the granting of the patent.11 According to the deed records, Andrew Stafford did not own land after October of 1840, however, the tax records do not reflect this status until 1844, with his death recorded in the tax records in 1845.12
Andrew Stafford died without a will on 06 May 18453 probably in Morgan County, Indiana.2 His brother, Benjamin Stafford, was granted the Letters of Administration and posted his bond on 21 May 1845 by the Clerk of the Morgan County Probate Court.4 Benjamin gave Mary Stafford her share of the personal property within a few days of receiving Letters of Administration. Within one week he filed an inventory of the personal property held by Andrew and shortly thereafter he held an auction at Andrew's house. According to the inventory in the estate, Andrew did not own any real property when he died, which is consistent with the Morgan County tax records.12 Benjamin settled the affairs of Andrew's estate by November 1846 and was released of his responsibilities as Administrator of the estate.4 No record was found appointing a guardian for his minor children. They did not own any property and had no cash money to manage, so it was probably not necessary to appoint a guardian to handle their affairs. It is certain that their mother, Mary, cared for them until they established their own homes. The children remained with her until they married.
After Andrew's death, Mary and the younger children probably remained in Morgan County until she married William Cox from Johnson County in 1857.14 It is possible that her son, James, introduced her to William Cox. He married William's daughter, Mary Jane in 1855.15 In 1860, Mary and her children are enumerated in his household in Hensley Township.16 This marriage must not have been satisfying to Mary or William as they apparently divorced. A copy of the divorce record from the District Court is on order. Further evidence of their separation is the enumeration showing Mary Cox and her children in Morgan County in 1870.17
During the 1870s many people migrated from the more eastern states to areas west. Mary Cox and her children left their home in Indiana and migrated west to Harrison County, Missouri.18 It is possible that Mary's daughters influenced her decision to move west. Both Rebecca and Rose Ann had married in the 1850s and had their own families.19,20 Both daughters migrated west to Harrison County, Missouri.21,22 For more information about Rebecca Reeves nee Stafford and Rose Ann Adams nee Stafford see their web pages. Mary and the three youngest children followed, daughter Rose Ann and her husband James M. Adams to Harrison County where Mary spent the remainder of her life.3
Died:
Another researcher has is death on 6 May 1845.
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Bef 1812 - 1845 (> 33 years)
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