Michael Kruse, Kansas City, MO
September 1, 2001
My great-great-great-grandfather was John Halford of Lawrence and Wayne
Counties in Tennessee. Census records indicate he was born 1796-1803 in South
Carolina. I have searched for years to find his parents. For a long time I have
suspected that John Halford was somehow related to the Halfords of Rutherford
County, North Carolina. John Halford was present in Lawrence County, Tennessee,
with Joseph Halford, Bradley Halford, and other Halfords that are reported to
be from Rutherford County. My recent research in primary records from
Rutherford County makes me more inclined than ever to believe that there is a
direct connection between my ancestor and the North Carolina family.
While my research has been very beneficial in developing my Halford line,
I believe I have uncovered information that will be useful to researchers
claiming descent from 18th Century Rutherford County, North Carolina, Halfords.
The prevailing scenario is that a John and Nancy (Dalton) Halford married at
Rutherford County in 1782 and had a number of children. Both John and Nancy
died by 1804 leaving orphans. I am convinced that this scenario is in error.
I conclude that there were two John Halfords, a father and son, in
Rutherford County, North Carolina. John, Sr., was likely born in the 1740s and
died in the 1790s. His wife Lucy was likely born in the 1740s and died after
1810. John, Jr., was likely born before 1770 and may have been born in 1765. He
married Sally Dalton in 1789. John died about 1803. I believe Sally Dalton is
the ancestor widely known as Nancy Dalton. She was likely born before 1773 and
died sometime prior to July 1804. The purpose of this report is to review the
evidence I believe substantiates these conclusions.
I have read a variety of materials that tell of the John and Nancy
(Dalton) Halford family from Rutherford County, North Carolina. The best
description of this family I have read is an article written by Audrey Halford
Probst. It was published in "The Heritage of Rutherford County North
Carolina, Volume 1, 1984."1 Probst lives in central
Illinois and claims descent from Jonathan Adkinson Halford. Jonathan is
believed to be the youngest son of John and Nancy Halford. The Illinois
Halfords have had an active Family Reunion program going for many years and
Probst has had access to a great wealth of oral histories and family records.
She also has had contact with many branches of the Halford family over the
years. She has spearheaded the compilation and circulation of Halford
information and all of us working on the family history are deeply indebted to
her.
Probst maintains that John and Nancy Halford were both born in 1765. She
notes that, in 1803, John Halford was riding his horse across a log that
bridged a stream when his horse slipped and fell. John was killed in the
accident. Nancy apparently died sometime between the birth of her last child on
22 July 1800 and when her daughter Nancy was referred to as an orphan in court
records in July 1804. Some of the Halford children were bound out to neighbors.
Probst says that John's brother Andy took the couple's three youngest boys to
live with him in Western Tennessee. Unfortunately, sources for this information
are not well identified.
Probst does not give vital records for all the children she assigns to
John and Nancy Halford, so I have added the information that I have been able
to find. The Children according to Probst are:
Jesse Halford b. 14 Sep 1781,
NC?; d. 22 Nov 1856, MO; m. Rebecca Powel, 10 Oct 1810. 2
James Halford b. 14 Sep 1784,
NC?; d. 14 Oct 1834, IL; m. Elizabeth Hammond, before 1810, NC?. 3
Margaret Halford b. c. 1786,
NC?; d. ?. 4
Andrew Halford b. 12 May 1787,
NC; d. 18 Apr 1861, IL; m. Elizabeth Harris, 15 Jan 1812, NC. 5
Joseph Halford b. c. 1791, NC;
d. 11 Nov 1851, TN; m. Eleanor ?, before 1816, ?. 6
Bradley Halford b. 1790-1794,
NC; d. 25 Sep 1837, TN; m. Kesiah ?, before 1813, ?. 7
Milberry Halford b. Apr 1795,
NC; d. 27 Aug 1867, MS; m. William Sims Dalton, c. 1816, NC?. 8
Jacob Halford b. c. 1796, NC; d.
?. 9
David C. Halford b. c. 1798, NC;
d. After 1860; m. Elizabeth Lackey?, before 1816, NC?. 10
Nancy Hider Halford b. 5 Jul
1799, NC; d. After 1830, TN?; m. Abraham Steel, 1 Nov 1820, NC. 11
Jonathan Adkinson Halford b. 22
Jul 1800, NC; d. 8 Oct 1863, IL; m. (1) Sarah Gilley McCallister, 24 Jul 1821,
TN, (2) 27 Sep 1827, Martha Riley, TN. 12
Probst notes, as do others, that a John Malachi Halford, born about 1797,
may have been John and Nancy Halford's son. 13 Probst
also notes a son that was born and died in 1790 and another infant child that
was born and died in 1798. 14
The problem with this scenario is that it significantly conflicts with
primary data from Rutherford County, North Carolina.
If a 1790 Census record were constructed based on the Probst scenario we
would expect to find a John Halford household with the following configuration:
Males 16+ = 1 (John)
Males under 16 = 3 (Jesse,
James, Andrew)
Females = 2 (Nancy and daughter
Margaret)
However, when we look at the Census record we find two John Halfords. One
is called "Jno. Alford" and the other is called "Jno. Alford,
Jr." A family headed by Ephraim Cook is listed between these to Halford
households. The records for the two Halford families are as follows:
Jno. Alford:
M 16+ = 4
M -16 = 4
F = 515
Jno. Alford, Jr.:
M 16+ = 1
M -16 = 0
F = 116
Now, moving ahead ten years, if an 1800 Census record were constructed
based on the Probst scenario we would expect to find a John Halford household
with the following configuration:
John Halford: M51210 F21010
M under 10 = 5 (Joseph, Bradley,
Jacob, David, Jonathan)
M 10-15 = 1 (Andrew)
M 16-25 = 2 (Jesse, James)
M 26-44 = 1 (John)
F under 10 = 2 (Milberry, Nancy)
F 10-15 = 1 (Margaret)
F 26-44 = 1 (Nancy)
However, when we look at the 1800 Census records, we get a different
picture. There were three Halford families. One was headed by a John Halford.
This was likely John Halford, Jr., as we will see shortly. There was an
Achillis Halford who had two sons under 10 years old. He was in the same age
range as John, Jr. Then there was a household headed by an older woman named
Lucy with only one child under 10. Unfortunately, the 1800 Census information
was arranged alphabetically and does not indicate the geographic proximity of
the households. The records for these households read as follows:
Achillis Halford: M20010 F00010
M under 10 = 2
M 26-44 = 1
F 26-44 = 117
John Halford: M50010 F20100
M under 10 = 5
M 26-44 = 1
F under 10 = 2
F 16-25 = 118
Lucy Halford: M13100 F03101
M under 10 =1
M 10-15 = 3
M 16-25 = 1
F 10-15 = 1
F 45+ = 119
What can we conclude from this Census information?
The most obvious conclusion we can draw is that there were two John
Halford families. There was a John Halford, Sr., and a John Halford, Jr. It is
more than likely that these two men were father and son.
A second observation is that John, Sr., and his wife were likely born
before 1750. We can assume that one of the males over 15 in the "Jno.
Alford" household in the 1790 Census was John, Sr., and one of the females
was his wife. It is likely that the remaining seven males and four females were
children of this couple. However, some of the "children" could
actually have been spouses of married adult children. Furthermore, it is
possible that one or more of the "children" was actually a
grandchild. It is also possible that other relatives were present in the home;
possibly a widowed mother of John or his wife. With this caution in mind, it is
assumed for present purposes that the people in the home, apart from John and
his wife, were John's children.
I have said that John, Jr., is the son of John, Sr. We know from the 1790
Census that John, Jr., was at least 16 in 1790 and therefore was born before
1775. If we assume that John Halford, Sr., was at least 16 years old when he
married and age 17 when his namesake was born, then he would have been at least
33 years old in 1790 (born before 1758). But the 1790 Census record suggests
that John, Sr., had at least three more sons over age 15. It is reasonable to
assume that one of the four females was also at least 16 years old. If so,
there would be four more children that were at least 16, in addition to John.
If we assume an average of 18 months between the births of these four children,
then six more years must be allocated to John's age, placing his birth before
1752. It is more likely that John was at least 20 when he married and therefore
born before 1748. It is possible that John, Sr., and his wife were born as late
as 1750, but it seems more likely that they were born around 1745. This is
important to note with regard to John's wife since she would have been at, or
near, 45 years old (at the end of her childbearing years) in 1790.
A third observation is that John, Jr., was likely born in the mid-1760s.
We know that he was at least 16 in the 1790 Census. This indicates he was born
before 1775. However, if we assume that John is the oldest son, having been
given his father's name, then he likely had four younger brothers and sisters
that were 16 years old in 1790 (see preceding paragraph). Assuming as before
that there were 18 months between births, John's birth date would have to be at
least six years earlier. That means that he was born 1768 or earlier.
A fourth observation is that John, Jr., and his wife had no children by
August of 1790. This implies a young couple that were newlyweds.
Putting these observations together, the following scenario develops:
1. There were two John Halfords
living in Rutherford County, North Carolina, by 1790.
2. John, Sr., and his wife were
likely born in the 1740s.
3. John, Sr., and his wife
appear to have had eight sons and four daughters. Four of the sons were born
before August 1774 (over 16 in August 1790) and it is likely that there was one
daughter this age as well.
4. John's oldest son was John
Halford, Jr., who lived nearby.
5. John, Jr., was likely born in
the mid-1760s.
6. John, Jr., appears to have
married not long before August of 1790.
From land records and court records we can determine the year that both
John Halford, Sr. and John Halford, Jr. died.
When settling land in during the late 1700s in North Carolina, there was
a two step process. First, one staked out a claim and settled on it. At that
time the settler entered their claim with the county. Once the claim was
entered, the settlers claim went on to a list of patents to be surveyed. The
wait was often years. Once surveyed, the settler bought the land from the
government at a price based on the
surveyor's determination of the acreage.
On 20 March of 1786, "John Ollford" entered 100 acres on the
main branch of "Nob Creek" (Knob Creek) in Rutherford County.
He notes in the entry that the claim includes his "one
improvement," so he had apparently been on the land sometime before filing
the entry. 20
On 16 January of 1792, "John Halford" paid into the treasury
ten pounds for one hundred acres in Rutherford County situated "on the
main branch of Nobb Creek." The surveyor must have finally gotten around
to John in 1791 and he was able to purchase 100 acres. For simplicity, I will
refer to this acreage as the "Halford Patent." 21
On 5 January 1799, "John Alpherd enters 100 acres of land in
Rutherfourd lying joyining his own & Bengbin Hiders & John Lewess
landes." There is no record of John Halford obtaining additional land
since 1792 so it seems that he entered a claim for an additional 100 acres next
to the Halford Patent. This acreage will be called the "Halford Patent
Addition." 22
Based on what we know about the two John Halfords, these land
acquisitions were by John Halford, Sr. Later in 1799, there is an acquisition
of land but it is not clear by which John Halford. 23
On 9 June 1799, "John Olford" enters 50 acres of land in
Rutherfourd lying on the waters of Cove Creek joining Pitter Edwards
surveay." Cove creek is just a few tenths of a mile to the west of the
Halford Patent. This could be John Halford, Jr., but it is not clear from the
record alone. This will be called the "Cove Creek Acreage."
24
On 5 July 1799, "John Halford" bought 100 acres of land on the
bank of Mountain Creek from Andrew Miller, which Miller received by patent 20
Dec 1796. 25 The transaction was proved by Richard Lewis at
the October 1799 Quarter Session of the Court, but the indenture was not
actually recorded until the next April. Mountain Creek is to the east of the
Halford Patent, closer to Rutherfordton. This will be called the "Mountain
Creek" acreage. I am inclined to think that this may be a purchase by John
Halford, Jr., only because it is away from the other purchases. 26
On 15 January 1800, "John Olford enters 200 acres in Rutherfourd on
the hed of Nobs Creek joyning Eaphram Cooks land & Robert Hilles land where
he now lives for compliment." This is the critical transaction. The land
description is 200 acres on Knob Creek. We have seen that John Halford, Sr.,
amassed 200 acres on Knobs Creek. Furthermore, we know from the 1790 Census the
Ephraim Cook was the man who lived between the two John Halfords. There is no
mistake that we are talking about the land John Halford, Sr., owned. Yet
"John Olford" was entering under his name "this land where hee now
lives" and he was receiving it "for compliment" or free. This
unmistakably was John Halford, Jr., entering his father's land under his own
name. Apparently, his father had just died (or was on his death bed.)
27
On 11 April 1804, "Surrel and Jesse Halford" issued Letters of
Administration to handle the estate of "John Halford, deceased." As
John Halford, Sr., died at least three years before this time, "John
Halford, deceased" must be John Halford, Jr. From a record presented later,
we see that Nancy Hider Halford "orphan of John Halford" is bound out
to Benjamin Hider in July of 1804. Since the child is called an orphan, his
wife was also dead. It is not possible to tell who went first or if they went
together, but both clearly died between the time of the Census in August 1800
and this record in July 1804. 28
On 6 August 1804, "Killis Halford, Surrel Halford, & Jesse
Halford" sold on hundred acres to John Ledbetter. It is described as a 100
acre parcel of land on Knob Creek "granted to John Halford int the fourth
day of January ... one thousand nine hundred & ninety two." This is
the "Halford Patent" acreage. 29
At the April 1805 Superior Court Quarter Session, Joseph Hamilton and
Benjamin Hider petitioned the court to have John Halfords executors auction off
land to cover the debts owed them from the estate. The land named is 100 acres
on Knob Creek adjoining Benjamin Hiders land. 30 Looking back
at the transaction on 5 January 1799 we can see that this is the "Halford
Patent Addition" acreage. The July court reported that the sheriff
auctioned of the land to Benjamin Hider, the highest bidder. 31
I have yet to determine what became of the "Cove Creek Acreage"
or the "Mountain Creek Acreage," but the history of the original
first 200 acres reveals much about the relationships of the early Halfords.
From this information I conclude.
1. John Halford, Sr., died about
December 1799.
2. John Halford, Jr., died by
April 1804.
3. Sally Halford, the wife of
John Halford, Jr., died by July 1804.
4. Achillis, Sirrel, and Jesse
Halford were next of kin to John Halford, Jr., and based on there ages were
almost certainly his brothers.
There is only one John Halford family in the 1800 Rutherford County,
North Carolina, Census. 32 The head of household is
listed as 25-44 years old. This is too young to be John Halford, Sr. However,
John Halford, Jr., was married and without children in the 1790 Census, and the
John Halford in the 1800 Census had seven children, all born since August of
1790. Furthermore, we know from the 1790 Census that the wife of John, Sr., was
too old to have had more than one or two children after August of 1790 (she
turned 45 around 1790). The 1800 John Halford must have been the John Halford,
Jr., of the 1790 Census.
There is no John Halford, Sr., household in the 1800 Rutherford County
Census but there is a Lucy Halford household. 33 Lucy
was listed as 45+ years old. There was one male 16-25, three males and a female
10-15, and one male under 10. Since the head of household is an older woman
with older children it is likely that she was a widow. She very likely was the
widow of John Halford, Sr., and the mother of John Halford, Jr. I have found no
evidence of any other Halfords in the vicinity of the right age to be Lucy's
spouse other than John Halford, Sr. I conclude that Lucy was the wife of John
Halford, Sr.
There is also an Achillis Halford listed in the 1800 Census who was 25-44
years old. This was the same age range as for John Halford, Jr. 34
He was married and had two sons under 10 years old. The marriage records for
Rutherford County tell us that Killes Halford married Elizabeth Jones 14 Nov
1795. The bondsman at the wedding was John Halford. 35
This strongly points toward the conclusion that John and Achillis were
brothers. Achillis was likely one of the three sons 16+ in the 1790 household
of John Halford, Sr.
A remaining question is the identity of John Halford, Jr.'s, wife. The
traditional understanding is that John Halford married a woman named Nancy
Dalton. I have seen the undocumented date of 27 Oct 1782 circulated as the
marriage date. An article published by Frank Block is the only place I have
seen the date published but he does not give a source. 36
The best source (only source?) given for evidence of a marriage between
John and Nancy Halford is a handwritten note written by David H. Halford and
placed in his family Bible. The note reads as follows:
John Halford B. [inserted later
"1765"] unknown
Wife Nancy Dolton B. [appears to
be an illegible number or letter]
Their son Jonathan A. Halford
was Bornd [sic] July 22, 1800. and was Married to Sarah G. McChalister 1821
Their son J. M. B. Halford was Bornd [sic] January 26, 1824 and was married to
Nancy W. Riley April 24. 1845
Nancy W. Riley was Bornd [sic]
July 21. 1823
Died Dec. 25 186[?] [possibly
"1865"]
Jonathan A Halford Died October
7 1863
David H. Halford was a son of James McCallister Bradley Halford,
mentioned in the above record. David's daughter was Nancy Hill Halford
Strickland. My record is a photocopy, of a copy, that Nancy had notarized.
David H. Halford was born in 1848 and I have read that David's Bible notes were
written about the turn of the century. 37
There are three major problems with this reported marriage of John to Nancy.
First, Jesse Halford, the oldest child attributed to John and Nancy Halford,
was born in September of 1781. This is one full year before his parent's
ostensible marriage on 27 October 1782. This is not impossible but
extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. Second, there is no legal
or primary record of a marriage for John Halford and Nancy Dalton. Third, and
most importantly, there is a marriage record for John Halford and Sally Dalton
in Rutherford County, North Carolina, on 27 October 1789. 38
The marriage of John Halford and Sally Dalton on 27 October 1789 is
significant for two reasons. First, note that the alleged marriage date for
John Halford and Nancy Dalton is given as 27 October 1782, exactly seven years
earlier to the day than the John Halford and Sally Dalton marriage. Surely the
1782 date is an error. Second, it was noted earlier that John Halford, Jr., in
the 1790 Census, appears to be a newlywed. If he was the John Halford who
married Sally Dalton on 27 October 1789, then he would have been married about
nine and one half months by August of 1790. It is unlikely that John and Sally
would have had children by that time.
I conclude the following from these observations:
1. Lucy Halford of the 1800
Census was the wife of John Halford, Sr. They likely married in the mid-1760s.
2. John Halford, Jr., in the
1790 Census, and John Halford in the 1800 Census, are one in the same person
with the John Halford believed to have married Nancy Dalton.
3. The 27 Oct 1782 marriage date
for John Halford is an erroneous report of the 27 Oct 1789 date.
4. Sally Halford and Nancy
Halford are one in the same person. We have two conflicting sources for her
name. The marriage record calls her Sally and it is a contemporary primary
record. The Strickland Bible record was written by a descendant born nearly
half a century after her death and it was written after the death of those with
firsthand knowledge. If we are to conclude that one is in error than more
validity must be given to the marriage record. It is very possible that her
full name was Sarah Nancy Dalton or Nancy Sarah Dalton (Sally being a nickname
for Sarah).
Some have suggested that John and Sally may have married, that Sally
died, and that John then married Sally's sister or relative, named Nancy. While
this is not impossible, the fact that seven children were born in a ten year
timeframe suggests few gaps between births. Usually there is a gap between the
births of children from a first marriage and children from a second marriage.
There is no evidence to suggest a two marriage scenario unless one is trying to
make both names fit. I know of a John Halford who married a Nancy Rice, likely
before 1810, in South Carolina, and a John Halford who married a Nancy Chaffin
in 1816 in North Carolina. It is possible that one of these "John and
Nancy" couples have had their names confused with John and Sally Halford
somewhere in the past. Anyway, it must be reiterated that no primary records
have indicated a Nancy Dalton marriage or identified John's wife as
"Nancy."
Further evidence that Sally Dalton was the mother of John Halford's seven
children is found in the names of the grandchildren. For reasons given below, I
conclude that John's children were Joseph, Bradley, Milberry, John, David,
Nancy and Jonathan. Only two of these seven had a daughter named Nancy but all
seven had a daughter named Sarah. Joesph, Bradley, Milberry, David, and Nancy
all named their first daughter Sarah.
The evidence suggests that Lucy Halford was at or near 45 years old in
August of 1790. Sally (Dalton) Halford married 27 October 1789 and had no
children by August of 1790. Clearly none of the Halfords born before 1790 were
John and Sally Halford's children. The 1800 Census lists one son under 10 years
old in the Lucy Halford household. Other than this child, it seems safe to
conclude that Lucy had no more children after August of 1790. Achillis Halford
married in 1795 and had two sons born between about July 1796 - August 1800 (date
of the 1800 Census). There is evidence for the identity of these two sons and
they are not children previously attributed to John and Nancy Halford.39
Achillis is the only other male Halford I have found who was married before
1800 and living in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Therefore, it is
reasonable to assume that children born before August of 1800 in Rutherford
County were born to either Lucy Halford or Sally Halford. The children born
before August 1790 should be Lucy's children. With the exception of one male,
the children born after August of 1790 should be Sally's children. How does
this compare with the Census records?
If the children born after August of 1790 that are attributed to John and
Nancy Halford by Probst and others are included in the John and Sally Halford
Family, we get the following list of children:
Joseph Halford b. c. 1791, NC;
d. 11 Nov 1851, TN; m. Eleanor ?, before 1816, ?.
Bradley Halford b. 1791-1794,
NC; d. 25 Sep 1837, TN; m. Kesiah ?, before 1813, ?.
Milberry Halford b. Apr 1795,
NC; d. 27 Aug 1867, MS; m. William Sims Dalton, c. 1816, NC?.
Jacob Halford b. c. 1796, NC; d.
?.
David C. Halford b. c. 1797, NC;
d. After 1860; m. Elizabeth Lackey?, before 1816, NC?.
Nancy Hider Halford b. 5 Jul
1799, NC; d. After 1830, TN?; m. 1 Nov 1820, NC.
Jonathan Adkinson Halford b. 22
Jul 1800, NC; d. 8 Oct 1863, IL; m. (1) Sarah Gilley McCallister, 24 Jul 1821,
TN, (2) 27 Sep 1827, Martha Riley, TN.
If we construct an 1800 Census record based on this scenario, and compare
it with the actual Census record for the John Halford family, we find some
interesting results:
Scenario
John Halford: M50010 F20010
M Under 10 = 5 (Joseph, Bradley,
Jacob/John,40 David, Jonathan)
M 26-44 = 1 (John)
F Under 10 = 2 (Milberry, Nancy)
F 26-44 = 1 (Sally/Nancy)
Actual
John Hallford: M50010 F20100
M Under 10 = 5 (Joseph, Bradley,
Jacob/John, David, Jonathan)
M 26-44 = 1 (John)
F Under 10 = 2 (Milberry, Nancy)
F 16-25 = 1 (Sally/Nancy)
The only variation is in Sally's age. The 1790 Census says she was 16
years old by August of 1790, but the 1800 Census says she was 16-25 years old
by August of 1800. The 1790 Census indicates she was born before August of
1774. The 1800 Census indicates she was born between August 1774 and August
1784. Clearly both are not right. If the 1800 Census was correct, then it would
mean that the earliest possible birth date for Sally was August of 1774. If
true, then Sally married when she was less than 15 years and 3 months old. She
likely would have been younger. Marriages of girls under 15 certainly occurred
but it seems more likely to me that either the 1800 Census taker marked the
wrong column or he was given inaccurate information. It seems likely that Sally
was born in the early 1770s or earlier. Excepting Sally's age, we have a
perfect match.
Primary records shine some more light on the identities of John and Sally
Halford's children. The county court records for Rutherford County, North
Carolina, include the following entry for the July 1804 Session:
"On motion ordered that
Nancy Hider Halford orphan of John Halford decd aged 5 years the 5th of this
instant be bound to Benjamin Hider untill she attain to the age of eighteen
years the said Benjaman agrees that he will give the said Nancy at freedom one
good feather bed & furniture over and above what the law directs."
41
The county court records for Rutherford County, North Carolina, include
the following entries for the October 1806 Session:
"On motion ordered that
David Halford orphan of John Halford decd computed to be nine years old be
bound to William Ballard untill he attain to the age of twenty one years. The
said William Ballard agrees that he will give the said boy at freedom a horse
saddle and bridle to the value of seventy dollars over and above what the law
allows.
On motion ordered that Milbey
Halford an orphan of John Halford deceased computed to be twelve years old next
April be bound to Joseph Reavis untill she attain to the age of eighteen years
who is to comply with the act of assembly in that case made & provided for
binding apprentices.
On motion ordered that John
Halford orphan of John halford decd 10 years of age 22nd of last September be
bound to George Defrease untill he attain to the Age of twenty one years who
agrees to comply with the act of assembly in the case made &
provided." 42
These records confirm that Nancy Hider, David, and Milberry Halford were
John and Sally Halford's children. However, the court records add a son named
John who was born 22 Sep 1796. What can we say about the identity of John and
Sally Halford's remaining children including this new John Halford?
Jonathan Adkinson Halford is attributed to John Halford and Nancy (Sally)
Halford by the David H. Halford Bible record. Jonathan's close association with
other Rutherford County Halfords, the Strickland Bible record, circumstantial
evidence, and family tradition give strong support to this claim.
Joseph and Bradley were residents of Lawrence County, Tennessee, before
1820. Joseph was a bondsman at Andy Halford's wedding in 1812 at Rutherford
County, North Carolina.43 Bradley is closely linked with
Joseph in records after 1820. Probst has Bible records she obtained from
Captain James A. Halford that calls Joseph and Bradley brothers.
44
Jacob Halford is the only child for which I find no evidence. Probst's
article, and an estimated birth date in the International Genealogical Index,
are the only mentions of Jacob I have found. 45 Probst
mentions in a collection of notes at the Tennessee Archives that a Halford
infant was born and died in 1798. It is possible that this was Jacob. It is
certain that Jacob Halford was not born in 1796 unless he was John's twin or
was John himself. In fact, excepting twins, the only time another child could
have been born to John and Sally between July of 1794 and April of 1801 is an 8
month period from Jan. to Aug. of 1798. The gaps between the birth of one child
and the conception of the next child do not allow for more than one more birth:
Milberry. Conceived: July 1794.
Born: April 1795.
John. Conceived: Oct 1795. Born:
22 Jul 1796. Gap: 5 months.
David. Conceived: Jul 1796 to
Mar 1797. Born: Between Apr 1797 and Jan 1798. Gap: 0 to 8 months.
Nancy. Conceived: Sep 1798.
Born: 5 Jul 1799. Gap: 9 to 17 months.
Jonathan. Conceived: Oct 1799.
Born: 22 Jul 1800. Gap: 3 months
Next possible birth after April
1801.
It is possible that John's name was mistakenly replaced by Jacob's name
somewhere in the family tradition. It is hard to evaluate the assertion that
Jacob existed as John and Sally's son since I have been unable to find
documentation for Jacob. I will revisit Jacob's identity later in the
discussion of John Halford, born 1796.
Finally, there is the infant male that Probst says was born and died in
1790. Whose son was he? John Halford, Jr., had a son John but he was at least
their third son. Why did they not name their first son after the father as was
more typically done (though by no means universally done)? Is it possible that
the child born in 1790 was John and Sally Halford's first son and that they
named him John? It was not uncommon to reuse the name of a deceased sibling
when naming younger children. This is pure speculation but it would explain why
a son other than the first son was named after the father. The most certain
observation is that much more documentation is need.
From the above observations I make the following conclusions:
1. John Halford, Jr., and Sally
Dalton were married 22 Oct 1789 at Rutherford County, North Carolina.
2. Nancy Dalton and Sally Dalton
are the same person.
3. John and Sally Halford had at
least five sons and two daughters between August of 1790 and August of 1800.
4. The identities of the
children are as follows:
Infant Son, b. 1790 - Maybe
Joseph Halford, b. 1791 - Likely
Bradley Halford, b. 1791-1794 -
Likely
Milberry Halford, b. 1795 -
Certain
John Halford, b. 1796 - Certain
Jacob Halford, b. 1796 -
Questionable (Could be John)
David Halford, b. 1797 - Certain
Infant Child, b. 1798 - Maybe
Nancy Hider Halford, b. 1799 -
Certain
Jonathan Adkinson Halford, b.
1800 - Very Likely
5. John and Sally Halford died
between August of 1800 and July of 1804.
I have concluded that the following John Halfords are one in the same
person:
John Halford born 22 Sep 1796 at Rutherford County, Tennessee
John Halford who married Nancy Chaffin at Burke County, North Carolina.
John Halford of Habersham County, Georgia
Above we have seen that a John Halford was born 22 Sep 1796 at
Rutherford County, North Carolina. He had a brother named Bradley. Burke County
marriage records record a marriage bond for John Halford and Nancy Chaffin
married on 19 Apr 1816. Burke borders Rutherford County on the northeast.
Bradley Halford was the bondsman. 46 This surely is
John Halford, brother of Bradley, born to John Halford in Rutherford County on
22 Sep 1796.
The 1810 Census for Burke County reveals only one Chaffin family.
"Amos Chaffin" was over forty-five years old and apparently had
eleven children, 5 of them daughters over ten or.47 This
is almost certainly Nancy's family.
The 1820 Census for Burke County shows Amos Chaffin with eight
children but only one under ten. He and his wife are over forty-five.
48 "John Olford" is four pages earlier in the census
with a boy and two girls under ten years old. 49
When we check the 1830 Burke County Census records, the Halfords and
Chaffins are not to be found. However, in Habersham County, Georgia, we find
two households next door to each other:
"John
Holfort" M011001 F11100150
"Amos
Chaffin" M00001 F0000151
This is John Halford, born in the 1790s, and a younger Amos Chaffin.
Surely this is Amos Chaffin namesake
and brother-in-law to John Halford. On page twelve of the Census is another
Amos Chaffin who is in his sixties. 52 A Joseph
Chaffin can be found on page eight (in his thirties) 53
and an Elijah Chaffin is on page twenty (also in his thirties.)
54 There were no Halfords or Chaffins in Habersham censuses
before 1830.
John Halford can be found in the Habersham County Censuses in 1840
under "John Holford" and in the 1850 Census under "John
Alford." It is the 1860 Census that adds one other important clue.
"John Holford" and wife Nancy, both born in North Carolina, were
living alone in household 697. Next door in household 696 we find "Amos
Holford," age 37, born in North Carolina. 55
This surely is John and Nancy's son and the namesake of Nancy's father Amos
Chaffin.
Further evidence can be found for the connections in the naming
patterns. I have collected Halford Census records (1790-1920) over
the years from across the old Confederate states as well as Illinois, Missouri,
Kansas, and Oklahoma. I have searched printed copies of vital records, county
histories, and collected letters and e-mails about the Halford families. I have
also had access to "Halford Notes" published about 1975 by Audrey
Probst. I have entered all of these names into a Family Tree Maker database and
now have about 15,700 individuals entered. While doing some research I became
aware of how frequently the name Bradley appears as a first or middle name
among early Halford descendants. I looked at all of the Bradleys born before
1900 to determine their ultimate ancestors. The results were revealing.
I have found fifteen early Halford descendants with a first or middle
name of Bradley. First, there is Bradley Halford the son of John and Sally
Halford. Ten more of the descendants are from Bradley or his siblings Milberry
(Halford) Dalton and Jonathan Adkinson Halford. Two descendants are through
Bradley's uncle James Halford who had a son and grandson named James Bradley
Halford. I suspect the son was named in celebration of Bradley's election to
the state assembly in 1832. (James Bradley Halford, b. 19 December 1832.)56
Bradley represented the area where both James and he were living. An
unidentified Bradley Halford is listed in the 1870 Census for Sunflower County,
Mississippi, as age twelve and born in Mississippi. That makes a total of
fourteen Bradleys. Eleven were descendants of John and Sally Halford and two
were descendants of John's brother James. All but the unidentified Bradley are
closely linked to John and Sally Halford.
The remaining Bradley Halford was a son of John Halford of Habersham
County, GA. Additionally, two of John's children, William Preston Hallford and
William Cornelius Hallford, were living in Buncombe County, North Carolina,
during the 1880 Census.57 Buncombe borders Rutherford
County on Rutherford's northwest border.
All of these clues convincingly point to John Halford, Jr., as the
father of John Hallford of Gerogia, born 22 Sep 1796, and married to Nancy
Chaffin. I conclude that John Hallford of Habersham County, GA, was actually
John Hallford, III, NC.
John Halford of Lawrence County, TN, is frequently postulated as the John
Halford born in 1796 but only his approximate age makes him a candidate. He was
likely the oldest son of Jacob Halford. We know that Jacob was in Darlington
County, SC, from before 1800 until at least 1805. His first son, as yet
unidentified, was born in the 1790s. As we will see below, Jacob also likely
named his oldest daughter Lucy. (First son "John" and first daughter
"Lucy" after his parents.) Also, John and Jacob appear on the scene
in Lawrence/Wayne Counties in Tennessee about the same time. This is hardly
documentary evidence but the pieces do fit well.
Based on these assumptions, the John and Sally (Dalton) Halford family
would be as follows:
Infant John Halford, b. 1790 -
Possibly
Joseph Halford, b. 1791 - Likely
Bradley Halford, b. 1792-1794 -
Likely
Milberry Halford, b. 1795 -
Certain
John Halford, b. 1796 - Certain
Jacob Halford, b. 1796 - Very
Unlikely
David Halford, b. 1797 - Certain
Infant Child, b. 1798 - Maybe
Nancy Hider Halford, b. 1799 -
Certain
Jonathan Adkinson Halford, b.
1800 - Very Likely
From the 1790 and 1800 Censuses we can conclude that John and Lucy
Halford had at least nine sons and four daughters. This is true if we assume
that all of the persons, excepting John and Lucy, were John and Lucy's
children. Rutherford County marriage records suggest that there may be two more
daughters to add to the list. What can we say about the identity of John and
Lucy's children?
First, there are four children traditionally assigned to John and Nancy
Halford that were born before August of 1790, that should be assigned to John
and Lucy Halford:
Jesse Halford b. 14 Sep 1781,
NC?; d. 22 Nov 1856, MO; m. Rebecca Powel, 10 Oct 1810.
James Halford b. 14 Sep 1784,
NC?; d. 14 Oct 1834, IL; m. Elizabeth Hammond, before 1810, NC?.
Margaret Halford b. c. 1786,
NC?; d. ?.
Andrew Halford b. 12 May 1787,
NC; d. 18 Apr 1861, IL; m. Elizabeth Harris, 15 Jan 1812, NC.
Based on previous discussion, the following children can also be added:
John Halford b. 1760s; d. before
Jul 1804, NC; m. Sally Dalton, 22 Oct 1789, NC.
Achillis Halford b. 1771-1774;
d. 1830, KY; m. (1) Elizabeth Jones, 14 Nov 1795, NC, and (2) Tabitha Lane, 19
Jul 1810, KY.58
Then there are the following marriage records from Rutherford County,
North Carolina:
1. Linna Holfred and Andrew L.
Vest 14 May 1789 bm. R. O. Ledbetter59
2. John Alphard and Sally Dolton
27 Oct 1789 bm. Thomas Morris60
3. Joseph McDonald and Penny
Alphard 15 Dec 1789 bm. James McDonald61
4. William Kelly and Dicy Alfred
3 Sep 1795 bm. Henry Kelly62
5. Killes Alford and Elizabeth
Jones 14 Nov 1795 bm. John Alford63
6. Surrel Halford and Mary Young
3 Jan 1804 bm. Jesse Halford64
7. Andy Halford and Elizabeth
Harris 15 Jan 1812 bm. Jos. Harris65
8. John Halford and Nancy
Chaffin 19 Apr 1816 (Burke County) bm. Bradley Halford66
9. Posey Ellison and Levina
Alford 7 Oct 1817 bm. Sims Harris67
10. Jones Halford and Polly
Early 16 Sep 1820 bm. Andrew Early68
11. Abraham Steel and Nancy
Alfred 1 Nov 1820 bm. James Bradley69
12. Thomas Halford and Sally
Hill 27 Jan 1824 bm. Elijah Dalton70
Marriage records 2 and 5 are the marriages of John Halford and Achillis
Halford. Record 10 is the marriage of Jones Halford who was a son of Achillis
Halford.71 Nancy, in Record 11, is Nancy Hider Halford,
the daughter of John and Sally Halford. Thomas, in Record 12, is possibly a son
of Achillis Halford born about 1803.72 John, in
Record 8, is John Halford, III, who moved to Georgia. That leaves Halfords in
records 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9, unidentified.
The Rutherford County court records contain a number of records
referencing matters surrounding the disposition of the land owned by the
deceased John Halford, Jr. One record dated 8 Mar 1805 begins:
"This indenture made this 6
day of August, one thousand eight hundred & four between Killis Halford,
Surrel Halford & Jesse Halford of the county of Rutherford ..."73
These three Halfords are the primary participants in the legal proceedings
regarding John's Estate. What is their relationship to John Halford? We know
that John Halford, Sr., had died by this time. John Halford, Jr., and his wife
Sally were also gone. Joseph Halford was not yet an adult. The next of kin
(males) would be the brothers of John Halford, Jr. We have already seen
evidence that Killis was John's brother and it seems almost certain that Surrel
and Jesse were additional brothers. It should also be noted that Jesse was the
bondsman at Surrel's marriage. Probst and others have also concluded that Jesse
was a son to a John Halford of Rutherford County, but in this case he would be
the son of John Halford, Sr., and not John Halford, Jr.
There is also documentary evidence that Andrew Halford was a brother to
Jesse Halford. I have read of the existence of a Halford letter written in the
1830s from Jesse, living in Missouri, to Andrew living in Wayne County,
Tennessee, in which Jesse begins the letter by saying "Dear Brother."74
Clearly Andy is present with all of the Rutherford County Halfords in Tennessee
and Illinois.
As a side note, you will recall that Probst reported that John Halford's
(Jr.) brother Andy Halford took in some of John's children after John's death.
Probst says Andy took them to western Tennessee where he lived. I have never
been able to find a contemporary Andy Halford other than the one living in
Wayne County, Tennessee. He was born in the 1780s. Based on the Probst
scenario, this Andy Halford was the orphaned children's brother. So where was
uncle Andy? With the understanding that there were two John Halfords and that
Andy was a son of the older John Halford (and was not a son but a brother to
John Halford, Jr.), the story makes sense.
James was clearly present with Rutherford County Halfords throughout his
life. Jesse and James, along with Sirrel, are found together on land records in
Union County, South Carolina, in the 1810s.75 James
turned up later in Wayne County, Tennessee, with Andy and other Halfords in
later years. James moved to central Illinois in 1834 with other Halfords and
died there shortly after the move.76
This leaves the Halfords in marriage records 1, 3, 4, and 9 to account
for. The first three are of women of the right age and in the right place to be
daughters of John Halford, Sr. If it is assumed that each of these women were
at least 16 when they married, then there would be the following daughters with
the following birth dates:
Lina Halford, b. before June
1773
Penny Halford, b. before Jan
1774
Dicy Halford, b. before Oct 1779
The last marriage record, number 9, is for Levina Halford. It is possible
that Levina was a daughter of John and Lucy Halford. However, Levina could have
been born as late as 1801. She may have been a daughter of Achillis Halford.
Another Candidate for a son of John Halford, Sr., is Jacob Halford. Jacob
Halford's signature and his wife Dicy's signature are found on legal records
dated 1805 in Darlington County, South Carolina. 77
There is also a "Jacob Alford" in the 1800 Census in Darlington
County. 78 There are other Halfords present in
Darlington County that help establish a link with Halfords in Barnwell County,
as we will see later. Grainger County, Tennessee, court records report a
marriage between Talifaro Partin and Lucy Halford, 8 Sep 1814, with Jacob
Halford as the bondsman.79 This may be a remarriage
for the widow of John Halford, Sr., with her son Jacob serving as the bondsman.
More likely, it is the marriage of Jacob's daughter with Jacob serving as the
bondsman. Widow Lucy Halford would have been 70 years old or more at this time
so it is doubtfult that it was her. More likely it was Jacob's oldest daughter
named after Jacob's mother. More work is needed before this can be claimed with
any certainty. Finally, Jacob and Dicy Halford turn up in Wayne County,
Tennessee, by 1830, where apparently Jacob died. 80
They lived near Rutherford County Halfords Andy and Jonathan Adkinson.
Descendants of Jacob Halford later turn up in Gibson County, Tennessee,
with descendents of Joseph and Bradley Halford. Grainger County, TN, marriage
records show show marriages for Elam and Wintson Partin about the same time
Lucy married Taliafaro Partin. While I have no further record of Talifaro, a
Partin descendant tells me that Winston had a son named "Faro Partin."
Elam and Winston both settled in Knox County, KY, by 1840. They located right
where Achillis Halford's son John was living, having moved there in the 1830s.
Combined, these facts point to a relationship with the Rutherford County
Halfords. Census Records indicate that Jacob was born in the 1760s.
A promising candidate for the youngest son is Ivy Halford who was listed
in the 1830 Census for Lawrence County, Tennessee. He was listed as 40-49 years
old (1780-1790) and apparently was married with four sons and two daughters.
His oldest child was born 1810-1815. If Ivy was born about 1790, then he would
fit as John and Lucy's youngest son listed in the 1800 Census. He was living in
Lawrence County, TN, with the other Rutherford Halfords in 1830 and this at
least implies a connection.81
A final candidate is Owen Halford of Darlington County, SC. Under the
discussion of South Carolina Halfords below it is noted that Jacob and Owen
lived near each other in Darlington County. Census records suggest a birth date
around 1775 for Owen. Based on the analysis so far we are still missing one son
who was 16+ in 1790. Could Owen be the missing son?
What can we say about the identities of John and Lucy's Children based on
these observations?
John Halford, b. 1760s - Certain
Jacob Halford, b. 1760s - Likely
Achillis Halford, b. 1771-1774 -
Very Likely
Lina Halford, b. before June
1773 - Likely
Penny Halford, b. before Jan
1774 - Likely
Son Halford, b. before 1775 -
Likely
Surrel Halford, b. 1776-1785 -
Very Likely
Dicy Halford, b. before Oct 1779
- Likely
Jesse Halford, b. 14 Sep 1781 -
Very Likely
James Halford, b. 14 Sep 1784 -
Very Likely
Margaret Halford, b. 1786 -
Maybe
Andrew Halford, b. 12 May 1787 -
Very Likely
Daughter Halford, b. before 1790
- Likely
Daughter Halford, b. before 1790
- Likely
Infant Son Halford, b. 1790 -
Maybe
Ivy Halford, b. c.1790 - Maybe
If this list is correct, then eight of the nine sons have been accounted
for (excluding the infant) and four of six daughters have been accounted for. It
should be noted that Lina and Penny married in 1789 before the 1790 Census and
should not have been in their father's 1790 household. Since the 1790 Census
said there were four females in the household in addition to Lucy, two
daughters remain unaccounted for (again assuming that they were daughters).
That brings the total number of daughters to six instead of four. Given our
assumptions two daughters born before 1790 are unknown as is one son born prior
to 1775.
The 1790 through 1830 Censuses record an Achillis "Killis"
Halford in Barnwell County, South Carolina.82 He was
born 1756-1760. We have already seen that John Halford, Sr., very likely had a
son named Achilles. If John Halford, Sr., was born in the mid-1740s, he would
have been about ten years older than the South Carolina Achillis Halford. Was
this Achillis a younger brother or nephew of John Halford, Sr.? The name
"Achillis" is far too unique for there not to be a connection between
the two families.
Furthermore, living next to Achillis Halford in the 1800 Census for
Barnwell County is James Sims.83 Frank Block says that
Milberry Halford, daughter of John and Sally Halford, married William Sims
Dalton. William's parents were John and Lucy (Sims) Dalton. Lucy's father was
Capt. William Sims of Albermarle County, Virginia, under whom John Dalton
served in the Revolutionary War.84
Living next door to James Sims in the 1800 Barnwell County Census is
George Kirkland.85 Seven and nine households away from
the Halford and Dalton Households in the 1790 Census for Rutherford County are
Jess Kirkland and James Kirkland.86 Are these all
coincidences?
The 1800 Census for Darlington County, South Carolina, reports a Burwell
(Burrell?) Halford, age 26-44 (b. 1756-1774), 87 an Owen
Halford age 16-25 (b. 1775-1784), 88 and Jacob
Halford age 26-44 years old (b. 1756-1774). 89
Then, in the 1810 Census for Barnwell County, we find Owen Halford, age 26-44
(b. 1766-1784),90 and Killis Halford were living 29
households apart. 91 Between these two Halfords are
listed people with the surnames of Kirkland, Riley, Grimes, and Gordon. These
names are regularly connected with Halford families. Were Owen and Burrell
brothers to John Halford, born 1740s, and Achillis, born 1750s? Was Owen John's
son or possibly Burrell's son? Certainly some type of relationship existed.
I believe that the scenario I have presented here, that of two John
Halfords in Rutherford County, better corresponds with the evidence than does
the one John Halford scenario. I have presented evidence that I believe
substantiates my conclusions, though there is certainly plenty of room for
error in some conclusions. I would note that I have come across evidence (i.e.,
letters, Bible records) that link the children assigned to John Halford, Jr.,
to each other as siblings. I have also come across evidence that links the
children assigned to John Halford, Sr., to each other as siblings. However, I
have not found evidence that indicates a sibling relationship between the persons
I have assigned to John Halford, Jr., and those I have assigned to John
Halford, Sr. This makes me all the more inclined to believe the scenario of two
John Halfords. Only further research and documentation will tell if this is
right.
1 Probst, Audrey Halford, The John and Nancy Dalton Halford Family, (in
William B. Bynum, et al. ed., "The Heritage of Rutherford County North
Carolina, Volume 1, 1984," Winston-Salem, NC: Genealogical Society of Old
Tryon County in cooperation with Hunter Publishing Co.: Forest City, NC, 1984),
231-232.
2 Birth and death data are from: Parker, Richard, compiler, Cemeteries
of Moniteau County, Missouri, (Kansas City, MO: Richard Parker, 19??.), 46. The
marriage data is from the Probst article.
3 Birth and marriage data is from the Probst article. The death data is
from: Probst, Audrey (Halford), Halford Records, (Nokomis, IL: Audrey (Halford)
Probst, 1975?. Page numbers added), 5.
4 Margaret is mentioned as daughter in the Probst article. The birth
data comes from: International Genealogical Index, (Church of Jesus Christ
Latter Day Saints, March 1992.), Fiche 10089. Source: Film 0442436.
5 Birth data is from the Probst article. Death data is from: Joan
Hallford, (World Family Tree, Vol. 2, Family 2347, 1600-Present, Broderbund
Software, 1996), "CD-ROM." The marriage data is from: Rutherford
County, NC, Marriage Bonds Early to 1868, (Family History Library. Church of
Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints. 1996. Microfilm Roll 0418151), 3191.
6 The birth data is from: US Census Bureau, National Archives and
Records Administration, Census Records: US Census, 1850, Tennessee, Gibson
County (Town of Trenton) "Joseph Halford", Roll 878, Page 274A,
Family 2072, Line 8. Age given as 59. The death data and marriage data are from
the Probst article. The 1850 Census record confirms that Joseph's wife name was
Eleanor.
7 The birth data for Bradley is based on two Census records: US Census
Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration, Census Records: US
Census, 1820, Tennessee, Lawrence County, "Bradley Halford", Roll
123, Page 91, Line 33. His age is given as 26-44 or born 1776-1794. US Census,
1830, Tennessee, Lawrence County, "Bradly Halfud", Roll 177, Page
297, Line 19. His age is given as 30-39 or born 1790-1800. Combining the two
records indicates a birth date of 1790-1794. The death and marriage data are
from the Probst article.
8 The birth data is from: County Court, Rutherford County, North
Carolina, October 1806 Session. On Microfilm at the Family History Centers of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. Roll 0428855. Probst quotes the
birth date as 6 Oct 1794 but this is in error. The record says "... Mibley
Halford an orphan of John Halford deceased computed to be twelve years old next
April ..." The death data is from the probst article. The marriage data is
from: Frank E Block, "David Dalton and His Children," Bulletin of The
Genealogical Society of Old Tryon County, Volume XVIII, (May 1990), No. 2, p.
63-67: 65.
9 Probst mentions that there was a son Jacob. The birth date is from:
International Genealogical Index, (Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints,
March 1992.), Fiche 10089. Source: Film 0442436.
10 The birth data is from: County Court, Rutherford County, North
Carolina, October 1806 Session. (On Microfilm at the Family History Centers of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. Roll 0428855), The record says
"... David Halford orphan of John Halford decd computed to be nine years
old ..." The Death data is from: US Census Bureau, National Archives and
Records Administration, Census Records: US Census, 1860, North Carolina,
Buncombe County,(PO: Hominy Creek) "David Halford": Roll 889, Page
310B, Family 625, Line 37. This is the last record I have found of David
Halford. The marriage data is indicated in the Census records.
11 The birth data is from: Court Records: North Carolina, Rutherford
County, County Court, (On microfilm at the Family History Centers of the Church
of Jesus Christ Latter-Day-Saints. Roll 0428855), July 1804 Session. The record
says "... Nancy Hider Halford orphan of John Halford decd aged 5 years the
fifth of this instant..." The death data is from: US Census Bureau,
National Archives and Records Administration, Census Records: US Census, 1830,
Tennessee, Blount County "Abraham Steel", Roll 118, Page 225, Line 7.
She is not mentioned by name in this record but she was the wife of Abraham
Steel. This is the last record I have found. The marriage data is from:
Holcomb, Brent H., compiler, Marriages of Rutherford County, North Carolina,
1779-1868, (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1986), 140, Name
spelled Alfred.
12 The birth and death data are from: Halford, David Houston, Bible:
Family Bible of David Houston Halford., Photocopy of a notarized photocopy of
an entry made in a family Bible that belonged to David Houston Halford.
Notarized by Nancy Hill Strickland 25 Mar 1976 at Pulaski County, AR. Photocopy
sent to me by Wayne Halford of East Peoria, IL, 31 Mar 1997. Marriage data for
both marriages from: Joan Hallford, (World Family Tree, Vol. 2, Family 2347,
1600-Present, Broderbund Software, 1996), "CD-ROM."
13 Ibid, Probst, Audrey Halford, The John and Nancy Dalton Halford
Family, 232.
14 Probst, Audrey (Halford), Halford Records, (Nokomis, IL: Audrey
(Halford) Probst, 1975?. Page numbers added), 5.
15 Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce and Labor, Heads of
Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790. North
Carolina, (Washington, DC: U. S. Bureau of the Census, 1908), 116. Listed in
the "Third Company."
16 Ibid.
17 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1800, North Carolina, Rutherford County,
"Achillis Hallford"; Roll 33, Page 119, Line 1.
18 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1800, North Carolina, Rutherford County, "John
Hallford"; Roll 33, Page 115, Line 21.
19 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1800, North Carolina, Rutherford County, "Lucy
Hallford"; Roll 33, Page 119, Line 11.
20 Alford, Orville, "Chronological Transcription of the Records of
Rutherford County," 19 June 1996. Nine typed pages of land and court
records in Rutherford County, North Carolina, involving Halfords. Copy obtained
from Lynn Shelley of the American Alford Family Association, Post Office Box
1586, Florissant, Missouri 63031-1586. Page 1.
21 Ibid, 1.
22 Ibid, 1.
23 Ibid, 1.
24 Ibid, 1.
25 Clerk of Superior Court, Rutherford County, North Carolina. Quarter
Session Minutes. Volume for 1799-1802. October 1799, unnumbered page 20. Family
History Center, Church of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints. Microfilm roll
0428855.
25 Alford, Orville, "Chronological Transcription of the Records of
Rutherford County." Pages 1-2.
27 Ibid, 2.
28 Clerk of Superior Court, Rutherford County, North Carolina. Quarter
Session Minutes. Volume for 1803-1809. April 1804, unnumbered page 4. Family
History Center, Church of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints. Microfilm roll
0428855.
29 Alford, Orville, "Chronological Transcription of the Records of
Rutherford County." Page 2.
30 Clerk of Superior Court, Rutherford County, North Carolina. Quarter
Session Minutes. Volume for 1803-1809. April 1805, unnumbered pages 5 and 6
respectively. Family History Center, Church of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints.
Microfilm roll 0428855.
31 Clerk of Superior Court, Rutherford County, North Carolina. Quarter
Session Minutes. Volume for 1803-1809. July 1805. Family History Center, Church
of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints. Microfilm roll 0428855.
32 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1800, North Carolina, Rutherford County, "John
Hallford"; Roll 33, Page 115, Line 21.
33 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1800, North Carolina, Rutherford County, "Lucy
Hallford"; Roll 33, Page 119, Line 11.
34 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1800, North Carolina, Rutherford County,
"Achillis Hallford"; Roll 33, Page 119, Line 1.
35 Holcomb, Brent H., compiler, Marriages of Rutherford County, North
Carolina, 1779-1868, (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1986),
2, Bondsman was John Alford.
36 Frank E. Block, "David Dalton and His Children," Bulletin
of The Genealogical Society of Old Tryon County, Volume XVIII, (May 1990), No.
2, p. 63-67: 67.
37 Halford, David Houston, Bible: Family Bible of David Houston
Halford., Photocopy of a notarized photocopy of an entry made in a family Bible
that belonged to David Houston Halford. Notarized by Nancy Hill Strickland 25
Mar 1976 at Pulaski County, AR. Photocopy sent to me by Wayne Halford of East
Peoria, IL, 31 Mar 1997.
38 Holcomb, Brent H., compiler, Marriages of Rutherford County, North
Carolina, 1779-1868, (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1986),
3, Name is spelled Alphard. Sally's name is listed as Dolton. Bondsman was
Thomas Morton.
39 Alford, Orville. "Notes, etc." Handwritten Notes on file
at the American Alford Family Association in Florissant, MO. Notes dated 20 May
1995. Sent to Michael Kruse from Lynn Shelly of the Alford Family Association.
Page 65.
40 See the discussion near the end of the next page about the possible
identity of Jacob Halford.
41 Clerk of Superior Court, Rutherford County, North Carolina. Quarter
Session Minutes. Volume for 1803-1809. July 1804. Family History Center, Church
of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints. Microfilm roll 0428855.
42 Clerk of Superior Court, Rutherford County, North Carolina. Quarter
Session Minutes. Volume for 1803-1809. October 1806. Family History Center,
Church of Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints. Microfilm roll 0428855.
43 Holcomb, Brent H., compiler, Marriages of Rutherford County, North
Carolina, 1779-1868, (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1986),
59, Bondsman was Joseph Halford.
44 Ibid, Probst, Audrey (Halford), Halford Records, 147.
45 International Genealogical Index, (Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day
Saints, March 1992.), Fiche 10089. Source: Film 0442436.
46 Rutherford County, NC, Marriage Bonds Early to 1868, (Family History
Library. Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints. 1996. Microfilm Roll
0418151), 3191, The Marriage was in Burke County.
47 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1810, North Carolina, Burke County, "Amos
Chaffin", Roll 39, Page 314, Line 18.
48 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1820, North Carolina, Burke County, "Amos
Chaffin", Roll 83, Page 99, Line 20.
49 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1820, North Carolina, Burke County, "John
Olford", Roll 83, Page 95, Line 17.
50 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1830, Georgia, Habersham County, "John
Holfort", Roll 18, Page 50, Line 6.
51 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1830, Georgia, Habersham County, "Amos
Chaffin", Roll 18, Page 50, Line 7.
52 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1830, Georgia, Habersham County, "Amos
Chaffin", Roll 18, Page 31, Line 12.
53 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1830, Georgia, Habersham County, "Joseph
Chaffin", Roll 18, Page 41, Line 8.
54 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1830, Georgia, Habersham County, "Elijah
Chaffin", Roll 18, Page 40, Line 20.
55 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1860, Georgia, Habersham County, "John
Holford", Roll 125, Page 918, Family 697, Line 8, and "Amos
Holford", Roll 125, Page 918, Family 696, Line 3.
56 Ibid, Probst, Audrey (Halford), Halford Records, 5, 31.
57 William Preston Hallford - US Census Bureau, National Archives and
Records Administration, Census Records: US Census, 1880, North Carolina,
Buncombe County (Sandy Mush Twp), "W P Halford", Roll 954,
Enumeration District 30, Page19, Family 159, Line 44. William Cornelius
Hallford , 1880, North Carolina, Buncombe County (Sandy Mush Twp), "W P
Halford", Roll 954, Enumeration District 30, Page19, Family 157, Line 30.
58 Birth data is derived from: US Census Bureau, National Archives and
Records Administration, Census Records: US Census, 1800, North Carolina,
Rutherford County, "Achillis Hallford", Roll 33, Page119, Line 1: Age
26-44; 1810, Kentucky, Casey County, "Kellius Alford", Roll 9, Page
46, Line 11: Age 26-44; 1820, Kentucky, Casey County, "Killefs
Alford", Roll 18, Page 218, Line 2: Age over 44; 1830, Kentucky, Casey
County, "Archilles Alford": Roll 34, Page P281, Line 24: Age 50-59.
Death data is from: Alford, Orville. "Notes, etc." Handwritten Notes
on file at the American Alford Family Association in Florissant, MO. Notes
dated 20 May 1995. Sent to Michael Kruse from Lynn Shelly of the Alford Family
Association. Page 66. The first marriage data is from: Holcomb, Brent H.,
compiler, Marriages of Rutherford County, North Carolina, 1779-1868,
(Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1986), 2, Bondsman was John
Alford. The second marriage data is from: Burns, Annie Walker, Record of
Marriages in Casey County Kentucky, (Washington, DC: Annie Walker Burns, 1937),
1.
59 Holcomb, Brent H., compiler, Marriages of Rutherford County, North
Carolina, 1779-1868, (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1986),
149, Name is spelled Holferd. Bondsman was R. O. Ledbetter.
60 Ibid, 3. Name is spelled Alphard.
61 Ibid, 97. Name is spelled Alphard.
62 Ibid, 83. Last name spelled Alfred.
63 Ibid, 2.
64 Ibid, 60.
654 Ibid, 59.
66 Rutherford County, NC, Marriage Bonds Early to 1868, (Family History
Library. Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints. 1996. Microfilm Roll
0418151), 3191, The marriage was in Burke County.
67 Ibid, Holcomb, 42. Her name is spelled Alford.
68 Ibid, 60.
69 Ibid, 140. Name spelled Alfred.
70 Ibid, 2. Name spelled Thomas H Alford. I suspect that the
transcriber put a space between the H and A that should not be there.
71 Alford, Orville. "Notes, etc." Handwritten Notes on file
at the American Alford Family Association in Florissant, MO. Notes dated 20 May
1995. Sent to Michael Kruse from Lynn Shelly of the Alford Family Association.
Pages 52-66.
72 See US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1830, North Carolina, Rutherford County,
"Thomas Alford", Roll 124, Page 443, Line 4. Age 20-29; 1840, North
Carolina, Rutherford County, "Tom J Halford", Roll 370, Page 342,
Line 11. Age 30-39; 1850, North Carolina, Rutherford County, (Montford Cove),
Roll 644, Page 281A, Family 736, Line 39. Age 46; 1870, North Carolina,
Rutherford County, (Chimney Rock Twp, Rutherfordton), Roll 1159, Page 16B,
Family 27, Line 17. Age 68.
73 Alford, Orville, "Chronological Transcription of the Records of
Rutherford County," Page 2.
74 Ibid, Alford, 49.
75 Ibid, Alford, 48.
76 Ibid, Probst, Audrey Halford, The John and Nancy Dalton Halford
Family, 231-232.
77 Deed. 1805, Darlington County, South Carolina. Grantor: Jacob and
Dicey Halford. Grantee: Humphry Higgs. This information was sent to Michael
Kruse by Trudy Witt 12 Mar 1999. The information was compiled from information
from Jerri Kennedy, Mary Wilson, and Trudy Witt in 1996.
78 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration
Census Records: US Census, 1800, South Carolina, Darlington County, "Jacob
Alford", Roll 47, Page 121 , Line 6.
79 Whitley, Edythe Rucker, compiler, Marriages of Grainger County,
Tennessee: 1796-1837, (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1982),
32, The bondsman was Jacob Halford.
80 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1830, Tennessee, Wayne County, "Jacob
Hallford", Roll 182, Page 283, Line 16; 1840, Tennessee, Wayne County,
"Dicy Halford", Roll 536, Page 71, Line 20; 1850, Tennessee, Wayne
County, "Dicy Halford", Roll 899, Page 281B, Family 183, Line 7.
81 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1830 Tennessee, Lawrence County, "Ivy
Halford", Roll 182, Page 305, Line 22.
82 Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce and Labor, Heads of
Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790. South
Carolina, (Baltimore, MD: Southern Book Company, 1952), 101, listed in the
Orangeburgh District (South Part); The 1800-1830 Census records are, US Census
Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration, Census Records: US
Census, 1800 South Carolina, Barnwell County, "Killis Halford", Roll
47 Page 69 Line 10; US Census, 1810 South Carolina, Barnwell County,
"Killis Halford", Roll 60 Page 75 Line 43; US Census, 1820 South
Carolina, Barnwell County, "Killis Hallford": Roll 119 Page 112 Line
10; US Census, 1830 South Carolina, Barnwell County, "Killis
Hallford", Roll 169, Page 139, Line 21.
83 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1800 South Carolina, Barnwell County, "Killis
Halford", Roll 47 Page 69 Line 10.
84 Ibid, Block, 67.
85 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1800 South Carolina, Barnwell County, "Killis Halford",
Roll 47 Page 69.
86 Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce and Labor, Heads of
Families at the First Census of the United States Taken in the Year 1790. North
Carolina, (Washington, DC: U. S. Bureau of the Census, 1908), 116. Listed in
the "Third Company."
87 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1800 South Carolina, Darlington County,
"Burwell Halford", Roll 47, Page 119, Line 19.
88 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1800 South Carolina, Darlington County, "Owen
Halford", Roll 47, Page 119, Line 7.
89 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1800 South Carolina, Darlington County, "Jacob
Halford", Roll 47, Page 121, Line 6.
90 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1810 South Carolina, Barnwell County, "Owen
Halford", Roll 60, Page 75, Line 14.
91 US Census Bureau, National Archives and Records Administration,
Census Records: US Census, 1810 South Carolina, Barnwell County, "Killis
Halford", Roll 60, Page 75, Line 43.