Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: Genealogy Report: Descendants of James Lankford

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Descendants of James Lankford

Generation No. 1

1. JAMES¹ LANKFORD was born Abt. 1750 in England (not sure about England), and died 1832 in St. Clair Co., AL. He married ? COLLINS. She was born Unknown, and died Unknown.

Notes for JAMES LANKFORD:
Resources: Annette Bentley Langford
Name:      James Langford
______________________
Birth:      ca 1750      England ?1,2
Death:      1832      St. Clair County, Ala.3

Spouses:
Unmarried:
Children:      Peter (ca1775-ca1853)
      Unknown (ca1777-)
      William (ca1779-1847)
      Robert (ca1785-ca1843)
      Thomas (ca1786-)
      Unknown (ca1787-)

Notes for James Langford
For many generations the Langford family of northeast Georgia that descended from Allen Langford and his first wife, Mary Saye, has believed James Langford was the progenitor of the line. The Langford family of northeast Georgia that descended from Allen Langford and his second wife, Susannah Merck, have believed their progenitor was William Langford who married Esther Thompson. Both families apparently based their belief on family lore and two documents: a letter written by Hezekiah C. Langford (Allen's son by his first wife, Mary Saye) to his son, Elisha H. Harrison and a record from a Bible owned by one of the descendants of Allen and Susannah.

Hezekiah Langford of Starrville, Smith County, Tx., wrote a letter dated 6 February 1874 to his son Elisha Harrison Langford of Hall County, Ga., in answer to Elisha Harrison's request about his ancestry. In the letter Hezekiah, states Allen was the son of William Langford who was the son of James Langford who settled on land that D. K. King lived on. D. K. (David Kerr) King was Elisha's father-in-law. The letter is as follows:

"I will commence with my graet grand farther James Langford he came from Virginia to Georgia and settled on the land that Mr. D. K. King lived on. Olde great grand father left Georgia and came to Alabama about the year1820. It has bin my understanding that he was an Englishman. My grand farther was William Langford he settled in the loer part of Jackson County Georgia and remaind till his death he raised 4 boys Alan, Willis, Willson and Chattom."4 These children are listed in William Langford's will filed in Jackson Co., Ga.

In the family Bible of Allen's second wife, Susan Merck, William and Esther are entered as the parents of Allen.5

However, the will of William Langford, son of James, leaves no question that Allen was not his biological son. In this will William refers to Allen Langford, who is definitely our progenitor, as his stepson. William's will probated in Jackson County, Ga., Will Book A., 1803-1860, on page 293 is as follows:

"Item 3rd. I leave and bequeath that all my property that may remain after the death of my wife shall be equally divided between my Stpe Son Allen Langford and my own children Elizabeth Crawford, Sarah Jane Langford, Wilson Langford, Willis J. Langford and Chatten L. Langford."6

This is proof William was not Allen's biological father. He plainly distinguishes Allen from his "own" children.

Hezekiah also made a distinction in his letter. He wrote "Alan" on a line by itself and then dropped down and wrote the other three names of the sons together on a separate line.. Was he making a subtle distinction without actually saying Allen was not William's own son?

So who was really Allen's father? Although he wasn't the biological son of William, he was apparently raised as an equal son and given the Langford surname even though he was a step-son. He was named as the executor of William's will along with William's wife Esther. Circumstantial evidence seems to indicate Allen may have been the illegitimate son of Esther and it is not unreasonable to think that William accepted Allen as his son when he married Esther.

Several records have been found that validate the connection of Allen Langford to the family of James Langford.

In a report compiled by B. B. Paddock of Ft. Worth, Tx., in 1911 there is a listing for Joseph W. Langford of Mertens, TX. Joseph W. Langford was Hezekiah's son and brother of Elisha Harrison. There are no references given as to the source of this information and there are mistakes, but it does reference James' sons, Robert, Peter and Thomas, who are found in other records. In this report it is stated that Joseph's paternal great-grandfather, Champ Langford, had sons Allen, Champ, Robert, Thomas and Peter.7 This is incorect as Joseph's paternal great-grandfather was William Langford. This William was never known as "Champ". He was listed as William in the early Georgia tax digests, census reports, deeds in Jackson Co., and his will. The Allen referred to as a son of Champ, was Joseph's grandfather, Allen Langford. Robert, Thomas and Peter were apparently James's sons as indicated by other records. They were not William's sons. (In all the records found for James Langford, he has never been referred to as Champ so it is unknown where this name came from. Hezekiah had first hand knowledge of all the individuals and made no reference to a Champ Langford in his letter. Of course, he could have been James's brother. Joseph left Georgia with his father, Hezekiah, when he was around nine years old. Either the compiler made an error entering the information or Joseph was recalling events and names from his memory of what he thought he had heard about the family and probably mixed up the names and relations.

Champ is not a nickname for James or William. It is "from the Middle English and Old French, meaning 'gladiator.' Originally from the Latin campus, meaning 'field, stadium where games are played.' Champion is a variant form"8).

There are two books both compiled by William C. Stewart9that refer to a Langford group in Pendleton Co., SC that includes a Champion (Champ) Langford in 1800 along with Eli Sr., Eli Jr., Matthew, William and Hetty Langford. The author then seems to make a jump and connect Champ and Peter Langford in St. Clair, AL in 1820. (Research has found many of Stewart's assumptions to be incorrect). He gives no references or proof these families are related. He seems to just be lumping families with the same or similar name together.

James Langford did die in St. Clair, AL and it is possible Champ may have been his brother, but there is nothing to prove that. Also, Hezekiah's letter said James was an Englishman who came from Virginia to Georgia. If so, he may not have been connected to the South Carolina group. The 1800 census of Pendleton Co., SC gives the age for Champion Langford as twenty-six to forty five which would indicate he was born circa 1755 to 1774. James was born circa 1750. The age for William Langford also shown in Pendleton Co., in 1800 was forty-five or above and too old to be James's son, William. James is only mentioned in the Pendleton book as being deceased in St. Clair, Alabama.

A report on the internet gives information on the Champ Langford Sr., that died in St. Clair, AL in 1833. According to this report Champ Sr., was born in NC, married in Haywood Co., NC in 1812 and died in St. Clair, AL on 5 Oct 1833. His wife was Elizabeth Reed and he had a son, Champ Langford Jr., who was born after his death, Champ Sr., also had a brother, Berry Langford, who had a son named Champ and they were also in St. Clair, AL.10

Documents found so far from records in Georgia and Alabama that substantiate Hezekiah's letter and seem to give some credence to the information from Joseph W. Langford are as follows:

James Langford was listed in the 1798 Tax Digest of Georgia. He was shown in Oglethorpe Co., Thompson's District, page 027.11 According to Hezekiah's letter, James was an Englishman who came from Virginia to Georgia. This would seem to indicate James did not make any lengthy stops in North Carolina or South Carolina and was probably not connected with the Langfords in those states as assumed by Stewart (and later by Sybil Wood McRay who seemed to take her information from Stewart's books). This has not been researched at this time.

In the 1800 census of Georgia, James Langford, age forty-five and above, was shown in Oglethorpe Co. With him were two males, ages ten to sixteen (Robert and Thomas?); one male, age sixteen to twenty-six (William?); one female, age ten to sixteen; one female, age sixteen to twenty-six; and one female, age forty-five and above.1 William Langford was listed in the 1800 tax digest in Oglethorpe Co., Thompson's district. According to the Tax Act of 1783 a tax was imposed on all males twenty-one years of age and over. From this we would assume that William was twenty-one years old and taxed separately. Peter, who according to census records was probably the oldest male, may have been moving around in the area and not counted. Peter, William, Robert and Thomas show up in later records in the same area.

James was again listed in the 1804 tax digest, Jackson Co., Capt. Cockrum's District. The land he was paying tax on is shown as originally granted to John King.12 Robert Langford was also shown in Jackson Co., Hendricks/Hendrix district.11

In the 1805 Land Lottery of Georgia, James Langford of Oglethorpe Co., received two draws. Every free white male twenty-one years and older, with a wife and/or child under the age of twenty-one received two draws.13 Peter Langford had one draw and William and Robert had two draws each.

On 16 December 1806, Peter Langford married Nancy Borough in Jackson Co., GA.

A deed record in Jackson Co.,dated 3 June 1807 indicates Thomas Langford bought fifty acres out of a part of land originally granted to Marbury & McCall.14

On 14 June 1807, William Langford of the county of Elbert, Ga., purchased 200 acres of land from Robert McCord of Jackson Co., Georgia. The land ajoined Thomas Armstrong. William paid $800 for the property. The deed was witnessed by Alexander Thompson Jr., and John Thompson and was recorded 30 January 1835.15

Also in 1807, James and Thomas Langford, of Jackson Co., GA won lots in the 1807 Georgia Lottery.16

Robert Langford married Rhody Burrow on 2 January 1808. (Was this a second marriage since he received two draws in the 1805 Lottery)?

On 20 October 1808, James Lankford paid $300 for a parcel of land from Jacob Pollyjohn, both of Jackson Co., GA. The property was described as "all that tract or parcel of land laying on the south side of the north fork Oconee River and being part of a survey of eight thousand acres granted to Horatio Marbury, Thomas McCall containing seventy-five acres more or less beginning at a pine...on Thomas Lankford line South...on Lewis (sp?) Pynor (sp?)..."15

In 1809 William was paying tax on land in Jackson Co., GA, originally granted to King. James was paying taxes on land originally granted to McCall & Marbury, adjoining land of Pynos. Peter, Robert and Thomas Langford were listed in Wm. Maddox District, Jackson Co., GA; no land was shown.12

The fact that the land James and William were paying tax on was originally granted to King lends validity to Hezekiah's statement that James settled on land that D. K. King lived on. David K. King's father was John King Sr., who received a land grant in Georgia as a result of his Revolutionary War service.17 John King died in 1840 in Jackson Co. David K. King married in Jackson Co., in 1825 and was in Hall Co., in the 1830 census index. Hezekiah's son, Elisha Harrison, married a daughter of David K. King, Florida Olevia King, 20 February 1873. Hezekiah was probably referring to the land as that which D. K. King lived on as a point of reference to Elisha.

In 1810 James, Peter and Robert were in Dixon's district of Jackson Co.; Thomas was in Lane's District, Jackson Co., and William was in Jas. Smith District, Jackson County.11

In 1813 (no month or day given), Thomas Langford married Keziah Blackwell in Jackson Co., GA.

On 3 September 1814, James Langford of Jackson Co., GA sold to William Wiley for $300, "all that tract or parcel of land lying on the south side of north fork Oconee River...originally granted to McCall and Marbury containing 75 acres more or less beginning...on Thomas Langfords line..."15

In 1816 James Langford of Jackson Co., received a land grant in Jackson Co., consisting of 295 acres (Grant Book K5, p. 488).18

In the 1817 tax digest a Langford, first name shown with a "?" ____ and apparently unreadable, was in Jackson County. None of the others were shown. This was probably William who was married and still in Jackson County.

The deed index for Jackson Co., GA lists a deed recorded in 1832/34 for Thomas Langford in Book K, pp. 17-18 (copy not obtained yet).

NOTE: In 1802, 1805, 1809, and 1815 a James Langford is also shown in Clarke County which adjoins Jackson Co., GA. From records found in Clarke Co., GA this was another James Langford who died in Clarke Co., in 1832. His son, Bedford Langford, was administrator of the estate.10 (Is it possible this James was connected to the Pendleton SC line referred to by Stewart and later Sybil Wood McRay who seemed to take her information from Stewart's books)?

William and his family were in Jackson Co., GA in the 1820 census. Peter Langford, age 26 to 44, is shown in the 1820 census of St. Clair, AL. James, Robert and Thomas were not found in either Georgia or Alabama. Perhaps they were making the move to Alabama and not counted.

The 1830 census of St. Clair, AL shows James, age eighty to ninety; Robert and Thomas, both ages forty to fifty, and their families; and Peter, age fifty to sixty, and his family. Peter's son, John M., was also shown. There was also another James Langford, age forty to fifty, Champ Langford, age fifty to sixty; and Berry Langford with one male, age seventy to eighty, one male fifty to sixty and three males under ten. Champ was probably Champ Sr., whose son Champ Jr., was born after his father died; Champ Sr., had a brother, Berry.10

Records of St. Clair, Alabama show Peter and Robert Langford as administrators of James Langford on October 1, 1832.3 This also verifies Hezkiah's report that James went to Alabama around 1820. Peter was apparently already there and Robert and Thomas went with James. William stayed in Jackson Co., Georgia.

Sources
1. Mary B. Warren, 1800 Census Oglethorpe County, Georgia (Athens, Ga.: author,1965).
2. 1830 Census, St. Clair, AL
3. Mrs. C. P. McGuire, Sr., Early St. Clair County, Alabama Records, (Birmingham, Ala., author, no date)17.
4. Letter from Hezekiah C. Langford to Elisha H. Langford, 6 February 1874; photocopy of the original letter in possession of Annette B. Langford (15218 Seahorse Drive, Houston , TX 77062).
5. Sybil Wood McRay, Hall County Georgia, Marriage Book A, 1819-1839, (Gainesville, Ga.: author, 1969)67.
6. Photocopy of will from Jackson County Will Book A, 1803-1860, Jefferson, Jackson Co., Ga., p.293
7. B. B. Paddock, comp., A History of Central and Western Texas, Vol. II, (Ft. Worth, Tx.: np, 1911), 552. Copy of this page received from Bonnie Langford Taylor, 9718 Checkerboard, Houston, TX 77096. Book available at Clayton Library, Houston, TX.
8. Alfred J. Kolatch, ed., Complete Dictionary of English and Hebrew First Names (Middle Village, NY: Jonathan David Publishers, 1984).
9. William C. Stewart, comp., 1800 Census of Pendleton District, South Carolina (Washington: National Genealogical Society, 1963; William C. Stewart, comp., Gone to Georgia (Washington: National Genealogical Society, 1965). Mistakes have been found in these books. All information should be verified by actual records.
10. Langford/Lankford Resource Center; http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cmddlton/lgdfmal.html#anchor771156; site accessed November 4, 2000.
11. R. J. Taylor, Jr. Foundation, An Index to Georgia Tax Digests 1789-1817 (5 Vols. Spartanburg, S.C.: The Reprint Co., 1986).
12. Jackson County, Ga. Tax Digests 1797, 1802-1805, 1808-1809, 1828, Microfilm Roll #166-5, Cabinet C29, Drawer 8, Clayton Library, Houston, Tx. Part of this microfilm was unreadable so this information is cross-referenced with R. J. Taylor's An Index to Georgia Tax Digests 1789-1817. The tax digest index shows the district as "jo" for Johnson's District which is believed to be a typographical error and should be "Co" for Cockrums District that was shown on the microfilm.
13. Virginia S. Wood, Ralph V. Wood, trans., 1805 Georgia Land Lottery (Cambridge, Mass.: The Greenwood Press, 1964).
14. Faye Stone Poss, Jackson Co., GA, Deed Abstracts, 1808 - 1822 (Snellville, GA: author, 2000).
15. Jackson Co., GA, Deed Book F, 1812-1818; Jackson Co., Courthouse, Jefferson, GA.
16. Rev. Silas Emmett Lucas, Jr., The Second or 1807 Land Lottery of Georgia (Vidalia, GA: Georgia Genealogical Reprints, 1968).
17. Revolutionary Pension Papers of John King, W7784.
18. Silas Emmett Lucas, Jr., ed., Index to The Headright and Bounty Grants of Georgia 1756-1909, (2nd Ed.; Greenville SC: Southern Historical Press, 1992).
Created:      8 Oct 2002
_________________

Children of JAMES LANKFORD and ? COLLINS are:

2.	i.	PETER² LANKFORD, b. 1777, VA; d. 1853, Tishomingo Co., MS.
3.	ii.	WILLIAM LANGFORD, b. 1779; d. March 07, 1847, Jackson Co., GA.
4.	iii.	ROBERT LANGFORD, b. 1785; d. 1843, St Clair, County, Al..
5.	iv.	THOMAS LANGFORD, b. 1784; d. Unknown.
	v.	UNKNOWN LANKFORD, b. Aft. 1784; d. Unknown.
	vi.	UNKNOWN LANKFORD, b. Aft. 1784; d. Unknown.

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