Virginia
Quarterlies, Books & Newspaper Articles
From the Virginia County Records, Quarterly
Magazine, June 1910, Vol. VII, No 4
Book II, p.
483: John Sandfur, 1787, 244 acres; John
Sandefer, 1787, 324 acres.
Book 28, p.
661: John Sandefer, 1793, 250 acres; p. 681 John
Sandefer, 1793, 158 acres.
Book 34, p.
237: John Sandifer, 1796, 121 acres
Index to Land Grants, Middlesex County (Same ref. as above)
Book 6, p.
582: John Sandford, 1694, 94 acres
Book 9, p.
533: John Sandford, 1703. 120 acres
From the William and Mary Quarterly:
Vol. 26, No. 2, p. 114:
John Branch: The will of John
Branch of the parish of Dale, county of Chesterfield (VA), weak and infirm, signed with a
mark, dated 11 January 1769, was recorded in Will Book II, p. 44. To daughter Johannah
Sandifer featherbed and furniture….etc. .
From the William and Mary Quarterly:
Vol. 23, No. 3, p. 217:
(Records of Dinwiddie County, VA)
1790: Joshua Spain and Martha his
wife, Epes Spain and Ann his wife, John Sandifer and Susanna his wife ,Joshua Epes
and Lucy his wife, and Samuel Sandifer, adm. Of Samuel Sandifer, dec'd. vs.
Rich Newman, executor. Of Richard Newman, dec'd.
From the Virginia County Records, Quarterly Magazine,
June 1909, Vol. VI, No 2
Lancaster County, Book No. 4, p.
169: Vincent Stanford, 1657, 300 acres; p. 257: Vincent
Sanford, 1657, 300 acres; p. 300 Vincent
Standford, 1757, 1000 acres.
From Bicentennial History of Lee County,
VA 1792-1992 compiled by the Lee Co., Historical and Genealogical Society 1992 by
Charles Stapleton.
Standefer. The
Standefer family first came to notice some 400-500 years ago. The name originated in
one of the border wars between England and Scotland. When a young officer displayed
remarkable courage in successful defending an import point, the fact was called to the
attention of the Prince in his language. "He Stands Ever".
My paternal grandmother, Laura Elizabeth Standifer Stapleton (b. 7 Feb 1877; d. 7 Feb 1906) was born and raised in Lee Co., VA (until age 13). Her "full brothers and sisters were: William (b. 1871); Mary Evelyn (b. 1873); Elisha (b. 1874); Morgan L. (b. 1876) and Mela L. (b. 1880). These were the children of Reuben and Rosannah (Short) Standifer. Laura's family moved to Claiborne Co., TN in 1890. Here she wed ca 1898 Isaac Floyd Stapleton (b. 8 Feb 1878; d. 11 Apr 1966). They had three children: Maude L. (b. 1900); George Lynch (b. 1902) and Will S. (b. 1904). Laura is buried in Payne Cemetery behind Cedar Flat Baptist Church on Hwy 33 near Hancock Co. line. Isaac is buried in Oak Grove Church Cemetery.
Laura's father was Reuben Standifer (b. 4 Nov 1845-48 in Lee Co.; d. 31 October 1933) the youngest of six children of William Standafer and his 2nd wife Mary Ann (Polley)__. The other children were: John (b. 1830); Sousen (Susan) (b. 1833); Loucinda (b. 1836); Samuel (b. 1840), and Jobe (Joab) (b. 1842). The family moved from Lee Co. after Reuben's birth and lived in Snake Hollow, near the Hancock Co. and Claiborne Co. line.
In August 1864, Reuben "Stanford" joined his brother Job "Standerford" in company "B" 2st Tnn Lt. Art Bn (Union). They served at Cumberland Gap from 1 Aug 1864 until they were mustered out at Nashville, TN on 1 Oct 1865. Reuben told my dad (Will Stapleton) that he helped push "Long Tom" over the Pinnacle. "Long Tom" was the name given a big Coastal Cannon used by the North and South during the Civil War. Years later Reuben lectured at Lincoln Memorial University on the Civil War.
After the war, Reuben returned to Virginia. In Wise Co., VA on 7 Sept 1869, R. Standafer married R. Short. His parents were William and P (Polley) and hers were J. T. and N. The 1870 Wise Co. Census lists: Stanifer, Reuben (22) farmer and Roseanah J. (21) keeping house (both born in VA). Reuben was married four times and raised three families (total of twenty children). He is buried in the Spradling Cemetery on Snake Hollow Road. Roseannah is buried in the Standifer Cemetery near Pound, VA.
Reuben's father William Standeford (Lee Co census 1820-1940) was born In North Carolina 19 May 1788 (d. after 1860), married his first wife Mary Gilbert (b. 17 May 1790) d. prior to 1826 ca 1809. They had four children: Joseph (b. 1810); Nancy (b. 1812); Sally and Roanna. Mary died 1825/26 according to her mother's (Nancy Gilbert) will.
William's parents were William Standerfer (b. 30 Mar 1757, Henry Co., VA; d. 21 June 1826. Jasper, Marion Co., TN) and Jemima Jones (b. 15 Aug 1761, Henry Co., d. 6 Nov 1838, Marion Co.) They were married in Henry Co. on 24 Jun 1779. They had thirteen children: Fanny (b. 1781); Patsy (b. 1783); James Israel (b. 1784); Luke (b. 1786); William (b. 1788); Lucy P. (b. 1803); Molly (Polly); Naomi (b. 1794); Skelton (b. 1795); Susannah (b. 1799(; Isaac (b. 1801); Samuel (b. 1805), and Alfred (b. 1808)). William Standerfer served with the Virginia State Militia as an Ensign and a 2nd Lt. during the Revolutionary War.
William Standerfer of Henry Co., VA was the tenth (and youngest) child of James Standifer (b. 6 Oct 1715, Baltimore Co., MD; d. September 1807 Franklin Co., VA) and Martha Watkins (b. 1715 Baltimore Co., MD, daughter of Samuel and Mary Watkins). They were married on 6 Oct 1737 and had ten children: Clorinda (b. 1737); James Jr. (b. 1739(; Israel (b. 1740); James (b. 1742 was named in honor of James Jr. who died young); Hanna (b. 1743); Lucke (b. 1745); Alizaniathia (b. 1747); Sarah; Naomi, and William.
James Standifer's parents were John Standiford (b. 1679 Baltimore Co., MD; d. 12 April 1720 in MD) and Margaret Skelton (dau of Israel and Mary Skelton). They had five known children: Skelton, John, Samuel, James, and Israel (b. 1720).
John's Standiford's father was William Stanfort/Standiford (first appearance in America 13 Dec 1661 in St. Mary's Co., MD). He moved to Baltimore County ca 1670 and married Mary ____. They had seven children: William Jr. (b. 1676/78; Samuel (b. 1676/78); James; John; Ephraim; Mary and Jemima.
Much of this information was taken from the book "He Stands
Ever...The Standerfer Family" by Ruby L. Ledbetter.
Submitted by Charles Stapleton.
W. A.
Sandefur. William Alexander Sandefur, b. 9 July 1804, VA., son of Matthew
(b. 1768 VA; d. 9 Mar 1844 VA) and Mary Johnson Wills (b. 1772-1775 VA; d. 12 Jan 1837
VA). He married Nancy Martha Sharp, a Cherokee Indian, 03 Sept 1827 Patrick Co., VA.
She was b. 14 Mar 1807 VA and d. abt 1900. They were living in Lee Co., VA
when Gabrella died of fever and was buried in Lee Co., VA. They appear on the 1860
Lee So., VA census and later moved into Claiborne Co., TN where they are both buried.
He was a Baptist and his politics were Republican. He taught school in VA and
TN. They had 17 children:
1. Mary Frances, b. 25 Oct 1828 Patrick Co., VA m. Matthew S. Thompson 24 Dec 1844.
2. Margaret Jane, b. 30 Mar 1830 Patrick Co., VA
3. Rev. Robert Sharp, b. 30 May 1831 Patrick Co., VA; d. 20 June 1885 Claiborne Co., TN m.
Susan Ascue (Askew) 1 June 1855 in Patrick Co., VA
4. Samuel Matthew, b. 9 Jan 1833 Patrick Co., VA; d. 12 May 1912 Claiborne Co., VAN. M.
2Rebecca Emaline Farris 10 May 1850 Washington Co., VA; m. 2 Alice Elizabeth Marcum 25 Dec
1870 Claiborne Co.
5. Penny Johnson, b. 19 Sept 1834 Patrick Co., VA died young.
6. Fairest, b. 1835 Washington Co., VA, died young.
7. Johanna L., b. 1836 Washington Co., VA
8. Abraham William, b. 1837 Washington Co., VA; d. 21 July 1848.
9. Savanna Johanna, b. 28 Jan 1838 Washington Co., VA
10. Lucy, b. 1839 Washington Co., VA
11. Gatrilla, b. 1841 Washington Co., VA
12. G. Ella, b. 1841 Washington Co., VA
13. Gabrella, b. 29 May 1843 Washington Co., VA; d. 15 Sept in Lee Co., VA
14. Eliza Augusta, b. 3 May 1845 Washington Co., VA, d. 15 Feb 1917 Claiborne Co., TN m.
Jeremiah Ellison 4 Mar 1872.
15. Shelton, b. 15 Oct 1847 Washington Co., VA; d. 24 Apr 1916 Claiborne Co., TN m. Nancy
Edna Taylor abt 1864
16. Sheldon, b. 16 Oct 1849 Washington Co., VA
17. William David b. 23 May 1853 Washington Co., VA; d. 19 May 1932 Claiborne Co., TN; m.
Adaline Massengill 8 Feb 1880 Claiborne Co., TN
Several of these children married and remain in VA.
Submitted by Earl Clest DEBusk, a gggrandson.
From
The Middlesboro Daily News (KY)
pub. Friday, March 16, 1923
OFFICERS JOIN FORCES IN LIQUOR RAID YESTERDAY
Agents of Three States Get Four Men, Complete Still, 600
Gallons Beer and 20 Gallons Moonshine in Va.
MAGISTRATE ACCOMPANIES RAIDERS TO MAKE BONDS
Officers of Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee joined forces in a liquor raid yesterday which resulted in the capture of one complete still, some parts of stills, twenty gallons of moonshine whiskey, 600 gallons of beer and six men in Virginia, just across the line. Bill Ayres, Hobert Standifer, Andy Denny, Ross Brashear, Ed Minton, were arrested and made bond. Matt Ball was taken to Jonesville jail without bond. Policeman C. M Yeary, Constable Jim Thompson and Deputy Sheriff Horace Miracle were officers from here who participated in the raid. Sheriff Jack Greer represented Claiborne county while Chas. Redmond and a number of other Virginia officers represented Lee county.
A completely equipped 50-gallon copper still was found concealed in a hole in an open field near Dicktown, Va. Officers say that a trench, presumably protection in case of a fight, was found leading to the still. Bill Ayres and Hobert Standifer were captured at a barn nearby and arrested. Following fresh footprints in the newly plowed ground around the dwelling of the men, the officers found twenty gallons of liquor concealed under a pile of leaves on the edge of a wood.
An attachment of Virginia officers accompanied by Squire Stapleton separated from the others and raided the place of Matt Ball and Ed Minton in Virginia. Ball who appeared to be intoxicated, drew a gun and fired two shots at the officers. Six hundred Gallons of beer and parts of a still were captured. Ball was taken to the Jonesville jail and incarcerated without bond.
A still cap, worm and a half pint of liquor were found on the premises of Andy Denny and Ross Brashear, also in Lee County. The distillery accessories were new and had apparently never been used, the officers said. The two men were also arrested. Another house was searched in Claiborne county near the Virginia line and a large quantity of sugar, and empty bottles were found, but the search did not disclose any whiskey or still.
The raiders were well prepared for the work. A magistrate was in the party who made bonds for the men as soon as they were arrested. This relieved the officers of the necessity of burdening themselves with the prisoners and allowed them to go on unhampered to the next job.
Officers of Middlesboro and Bell county have long been of the opinion that practically of the local liquor supply comes from Virginia and Tennessee and that is the first raid staged by officers of the three states. It is thought that the liquor traffic in Middlesboro will be almost completely broken up if the moonshiners of the adjoining counties are apprehended.
Here's an interesting article: (typed as written).
The History of Pittsylvania County Virginia, p.82
"Pinkethman Hawkins on his Oath deposed, that being Ordered out by Colonel Talbot to join Captain Mead, to go in pursuit of the Enemy who had killed Hall, stole many Horses, Robbed and plundered many Families in Bedford and Halifax Countess, and was supposed to have killed or Captivated other Families who were then missing, in his March he fell upon the House of one Standiford (where he found one Byrd whose wife the Indians had taken and threatened to carry her away as a Squaw, though she after was luckily made her escape, whilst the Enemy was Busy in plundering her Husbands House) and he found the House of Standiford stripped of everything, the Bed Ticks ripped open and carryed away, and the feathers scattered all over the House, and the Family gone, whilst there he heard a hollowing and noise of Indians. Ordered his men then with him fifteen in Number to go with twenty five of the Inhabitants, who had collected themselves, and way lay the Indians at a pass he was advised by his Guide, they must go through, and extend a line along the Ridge by that pass as long as the number of men would admit of, and wait the coming of the Indians; for that he himself and another, namely one Tarbro, would go to the Indians (who by the noise he imagined was over the River not far of) and treat with them in a Friendly manner about the Prisoners and Plunder they had got, and that he charged them, if they should see the Indians pass by with him a Prisoner, or, that they should hear of his death, or, if they should pass by with their Horses Packed, they might conclude his Treaty with them had proved ineffectual, and Ordered them if either of these things should happen, to treat the Indians (more especially as all along their March, they had declared themselves Shawanees), as Enemys, [p.83] and on the March of his men, in consequence of such Orders, He Hawkins, with Tarbro, as was concerted proceeded forwards to treat with the Indians, that when they came to the River Eight or Ten Indians came over the River to them, that he endeavored to come to terms with them, proposed peace and Friendship, and called them Brothers, they surlily answered, no, no, no Brothers, English damned Rogues, and clapping their Hands, on their Breats called themselves, and making signs signifyed to them, there was a great many Shawanees all about them, that the wood and Mountains were full of them, that he still mentioned peace and told them that he and Tarbro were unarmed and came as Brothers, but the Indians not withstanding his mentions for peace, Striped him of his Coat, Waiscoat, Shirt, Shoes, Stockings, and Hatt, and gave him several Blows with their Tomhawks and ordered him away, he remembering that in his Breeches (which .was all the Coaths they had left him) he had about five shillings in Cash, gave it to one of the Indians, who thereupon returned him his Coat, upon which the Deponent Hawkins thinking they were in a better humour, again proposed to treat with them, upon which they beat him and Tarbro very severely, and Cut him thro' the upper Lip with a Blow of a Scalping knife, led them both by the Hands up the River Banck and ordered them to run away or they would kill them, which Order they readily Obeyed, and being at two great a distance, and as they were bare footed did not come up with the men till the Battle with the Indians was over.
The History of Pittsylvania Co., VA, Chapter III; The First
Settlement:
In 1747 Thomas Jones, Roger Turner and
David Griffith were on Pigg River, and Isaac Atkinson, William Owen and Robert Hooker had
settled plantations there. William Atkinson was now operating a mill on Harping
Creek. At the same time Patrick Johnson, Peter Elliott (or Ellet), Benjamin Ray,
Thomas Gill, Thomas Hall and John Miller had cabins on Magotty Creek, and John, Mark and
Stephen Cole and John Hilton were on Blackwater. Thomas Duncan was living on
Staunton River above the mouth of Blackwater, and Nicholas Scott had a cabin on Turkey
Cock Creek. A little later James Standeford established his
home on Blackwater.
The History of Pittsylvania Co., VA, Chapter VIII;
Pittsylvania Becomes a County in 1767:
In 1774 Thomas Black, James Dillard, and
Peyton Smith were ordered to "view a Road from Standefer's Track,
joining the Road that leads from Blackwater (River) to the Road from Ross's Quarter to the
courthouse." This order shows that Standeford maintained a track for racing
horses in western Pittsylvania (now Franklin), in 1774. These first citizens of
Pittsylvania, whether Virginians from Tidewater or Scotchmen from across seas, brought
with them into their new home the gentleman's sport of breeding and raising fine horses.
Of the theiry-nine most noted horses imported into Virginia prior to the Revolution
(listed in AV Mag.nHistory, Oct. 1927), "Koulihan" was imported in 1766 by
William Tunstall, first clerk of the county, which would indicate that he maintained a
fine stable. One would judge that horse racing was a customary sport of the day from
the casual reference made in the following letter written in 1782 by Henry Innes of
Bedford County to Ralph Smit of "The Pocket".
The History of Pittsylvania County, VA; Appendix I; First
List of Tithables of Pittsylvania County, Year 1767: p. 285
Benjamin Barten. Isaac Vanbiber. John
Ferguson & negro Dinah. Mack Foster. Sen. John Savory, Jr. Richard Peari's tites are
William Lowry, William Bramby. Negroes: Jack, Harry, Jean, Hannah, Samuel, Walker and
Negro Judd & Silviah William Davis. Anthony Litle. Joseph Bird. Christoper
Lackenarie. Reuben Kieff. John Meadly. Robert Hill, Swimfield Hill I& Thomas John
Dilingham. Hill. James Lamb. Swinfield Hill.
William Webb. Austin Shot. John Ramsey. Thomas Shoat. Joshua Weaver &
Isaac Weaver. John Vanbibber. Holden McGee. Henson McDonal. Edward Richards. Francis
McGuier. Willoam Dingham & Joshua Dilinghavm. John McGuier. Amos Richardson &
negro Moll. Thomas Cart. Benj. Jenkins. John McGuier, Jr. Robert Tormet. Merry
McGuier. John Hall. Paul Henson. Francis Farley. John Henson. Wm. Heard. George
Heard &I Win. Beans. William Henson. Thomas Bird. James Standeford.
Richard Shoat. William Murphy. Jeremiah Muray. Miller Dogget. John Stevenson. Richard
Hough. John Callaway, negroes Flemen, Asher, Joshua Barton. Nan and Nell. David
Bartonh. Abraham Motley & Negro Peter. Isaac Barton. Stephen Heard &
Jesse Heard. William Ferguson. Hugh Innes, James Parberry, egroes Thomas Miller
& William Sumers. Juba, Keat & Peat. Francis Bird. John Heard.
Andrew Ferguson. Stephen Heard, JR. Joseph Rentfro.
Lewes Jenkins, and negro Jack. Robert Jones, Thomas Jones
& Henry John Justice Constable Jones. William Henson. John
Jones. William Witcher & negro Sawney. Robert Jones, JR., William
Keeny. Philip Smith. James Wade. William Cook. Daniel McKenzie. John Fushon. William
Atkinson & Owen Atkinson. James Rentfro, Jr. John Good, Jr. James
Rentfro Sen, Joseph Rentfro & Joseph Deal. Peter
Rentfro. Richard Shockicy. Veath Dilingham and negro Jeany. Daniel Witcher. Peter
Vanbiber, Jr. David Dalton & Benj. Dalton.
The History of Pittsylvania County, VA; Chapter SVI
1800-1860, Town of competition, War of 1812, Period of Development: "Be it
enacted that 8 acres of land, the property of Richard Johnson, adjoining the south end of
the court house shall be laid off by Daniel Coleman, Rawley White, John Dabney, Thomas M.
Clark, Jabex Leftwish, William Tunstall,
Joseph Sandeford, Jeduthan Carter, Francis Dabney, Joseph Carter and
William Yancey, gentlemen trustees, into lots of 1/2 acres each, with such streets and
alleys as they may think convenient, and be established a town by the name of
Competition."
From "Some Lineal Descendants of
Captain Adam Thorowgood (1701-1640), Lynnhaven Parish, Princess Anne County, Virginia,
by Mrs. Phyllis W. Francis of Williamsburg, Virginia: Published in the Virginia
Genealogist.
"Argall Thorowgood was born
abt 1785 in Princess Anne Co., VA, married Susannah Sandford about 1709 and
had died prior to 4 March 1719 when the court ordered an appraisement of his estate.
Susannah, born about 1690, was the daughter of Mrs. Sarah Woodhouse Moore, widow of Cason
Moore, by her second husband John Sandford."
"Argall and Susannah Sandford were the parents of two children, John, born abt 1711 and Pembroke, born abt 1716."
"Sarah Woodhouse Moore Sandford Clowes, mother of Susannah Sandford Thorowgood, was the daughter of Henry Woodhouse whose will, dated 29 Jan 1686 and proved 21 Feb 1686/7, leaves to his daughter, Sarah, wife of Caton Moore, money due him from Thomas Mumford. The will of Cason Moore, dated 24 Jan 1686/7 and proved 17 March 1686/7 mentions his three children Cason, Henry and Sarah Moore, his brother William Moore and his brother-in-law Henry Woodhouse.
John Sanford, the second husband of Sarah (Woodhouse) Moore, was a merchant and in 1673 was given a power of attorney by his brother Samuel Sandford, also a merchant. Born about 1649, John Sandford had patented several tracts of Land amounting to 3297 acres between 1675 and 1688. He was also a Justice of the Peace of the First Court of Princess Anne County in 1691. Samuel Sandford, sometimes of Accomack County in Virginia, 'Now of the City of London', made his Will 27 MAR 1710, proved 20 APR 1710, and left 500 pounds to Susannah Sandford, 'my niece and daughter of my brother, John Sandford, sometimes of Princess Anne County in Virginia, and 500 pounds to his daughter, Mary Sandford.' "
"Sarah Sandford was granted administration on the estate of John Sandford 1 MAR 1692/3. On 6 FEB 1694/5, Mrs. Sarah Sandford, through her attorney, her brother, Mr. Henry Woodhouse, acknowledged a deed of gift to her sons, Cawson (Cason) and Henry and her daughter, Sarah Moore."
From the William and Mary Quarterly:
Vol. 23, No. 4, p. 267:
James Sanford, of Richmond
County, in his will probated there November 2, 1700 names his grandson Thomas Sandford
and leaves a legacy to Sanford Jones. Sanford Jones was a son of Edward Jones (will
probated 1715), who names his sons, Sanford, Edward and Charles and daughter, Alicia
Payne. Raleigh Travers, will Feb. 20, 1701, leaves legacies to Samuel and Mrs. Peachy and
Edward Jones. Mary Peachey's will, 1713, names her daughters, Mary Tarpley and Elizabeth
Jones. These wills are all from Richmond County, VA and they unfold genealogical problems
not yet worked out.
"December 20, 1719.
Captain Maurice Jones probated the will of Thomas Sandiford (This name was also
spelled Sandford and Sanford). This will was dated September 21, 1721 and recites,
"I, Thomas Sandiford living at Maurice Jones at Fleet's Bay in North'd
Co." names Swann Jones, Mrs. Judith Jones (wife of Capt. Maurice), Judith Jones, Jr.,
Betty Smith, his father Mr. (Dr.) Thomas Sandiford and Captain Maurice Jones.
At the same time that Capt. Maurice Jones presented the will of Thomas Sandiford for probate, he made a deed for land to Dr. Thomas Thornton---Mrs. Judith Jones, his wife, relinquished her dower rights by her atty. Mr. Richard Lee.
Maurice Jones was the youngest son of Mr. Robert Jones and his wife Martha. He was born in 166_; d. before April 13, 1733. He m. second Judith Swan, daughter of Captain Alexander Swan. ………
April 18, 1733. The will of Capt. Maruice Jones was presented for probate by his widow, Judith Jones. Mr. Swann Jones and Spencer Ball executors.
*See the Jones Genealogy from the William and Mary Quarterly.
From the William and Mary Quarterly:
Vol. 26, No. 1, p. 32:
John Sandifer is shown to be
living in York County, VA in 1662. He was assessed a Levy tax.
