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There was a Jonathan Stanford that served during the American Revolution. He enlisted as a private in the Worchester Militia, Wicomico Battalion, in Captain Charles Bennett’s Company. We do not have these records and cannot say that he is the father or brother of our Joshua Stanford. Additional research will be needed on this issue.
Many researchers identify the father of Jonathan Stanford, Sr. as Joseph Stanford, Jr. This is based on several early land records found in Somerset County, MD. Joseph Stanford, Jr. was bom on February 2, 1694, as found on his baptism record at Stepney Parish Church in Wicomico District, Somerset, MD. His parents are also listed on this record as “Joseph and Jane Stanford.” This church is now called St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Quantico, MD. With a Joseph, Jr. and Joseph, Sr. living in the same area, at the same time, it is very difficult to identify one from the other, especially when neither use the suffix Jr. or Sr. on their records. Land records we assign to Joseph Stanford, Jr. who was bom in 1694, are:
1746 - Joseph Stanford patented 100 acres called “Stanford’s Finding,” located at the head (means beginning) of Wicomico Creek, as well as several other pieces.
May 20, 1746 - Joseph Stanford sold 50 acres of “Stanford’s Finding” to son William Stanford.
August 20, 1760 - Joseph and Sarah Stanford sell 50 acres on “Tamroon’s Ridge” to Jonathan Pollitt.
April 6, 1772 - Joseph Stanford gives 69 acres of “What You Please” plantation to his son, David V. Stanford. On this same date, he also gives 11 'A acres located in Somerset County to his son, Jonathan Stanford (Deed Book E, page 188). This is the same piece of property that Jonathan Stanford later paid taxes on in 1783. With this transaction, we know Joseph Stanford, Jr. died after April 6, 1772, probably in Somerset County, MD.
Stanford researchers identify Joseph, Jr. and Sarah Stanford’s children as: Elizabeth, Mary, Jonathan, Thomas, William, Sarah, David V., and Obediah Stanford. Other than Jonathan, we have not researched any of the other children.
We will now share what we have found on Joseph Stanford, Sr. He had two children that have been identified. Joseph, Jr. and one older sister, Anne Stanford, bom on August 5, 1692, and baptized at the same Church as her brother. We have no further information on their mother, Jane. If Joseph Stanford, Sr. was 20 years old when his daughter, Anne, was bom in 1692, we could estimate that he was bom around 1672.
Land records we assign to Joseph Stanford, Sr. are:
1695 - Joseph Stanford “patented” a 125 acre plantation called “Long Ridge” Near the head of Wicomico Creek in Princess Ann District, Somerset County, MD.
November 18, 1718 - Joseph Stanford bought 50 acres on “Tamroon’s Ridge” in Somerset County from Thomas Pollitt.
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Stanford, John John-Stanford-and-Family-of-South-Mississippi---Ancestors-and-Descendants-13
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