Richard Stafford facts for kids
Richard Stafford (born around 1755, died 1808) was an important early settler and land developer in Hampshire County, West Virginia. He was also one of the people who helped start the town of Fort Ashby, West Virginia, in 1787.
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Richard Stafford's Early Life
Richard Stafford was born around 1755 in Wexford County, Ireland. His family had a long history in Ireland, going back to a John Stafford who moved there before the year 1335. They were known to be an important family in the area.
In 1775, Richard Stafford joined the military. He is believed to have arrived with the British fleet in New York Harbor in the summer of 1776. This was during the American Revolution, when British forces were trying to stop the colonies from becoming independent.
Under the command of General William Howe and Admiral Lord Richard Howe, a large number of soldiers and sailors landed. Stafford was later captured by the American forces. He was released in Northern Virginia, agreeing not to fight against the colonies anymore.
Settling in Virginia
On March 15, 1780, Richard Stafford married Catharine Brobeker.
In April 1783, Richard Stafford bought a small piece of land in Frederick County, Virginia. This land was near the town of Stephensburg. He owned this land for about ten years before selling it.
By December 1783, he began buying land along the North Branch of the Potomac River in Hampshire County, West Virginia. He moved there by 1785. In 1786, he bought a lot in the new town of Frankfort.
Founding Fort Ashby
On December 5, 1787, Richard Stafford was named one of eight founding trustees for the town of Frankfort. This town is now known as Fort Ashby, West Virginia. The Virginia General Assembly set aside 139 acres of land to create this new town.
In 1788, Stafford bought a large piece of land, 400 acres, near the South Branch of the Potomac River. This land had once belonged to Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron. He also owned other properties in Frankfort and near Knobly Mountain.
Richard Stafford passed away on April 7, 1808, in Hampshire County, West Virginia. His wife, Catharine, died there on September 5, 1810.
Richard Stafford's Children
Richard and Catharine Stafford had several children:
- William Josephus Stafford (1781–1823), who became a sea captain.
- Francis Asbury Stafford Sr. (1782–1868), a farmer and early settler in Ohio.
- Richard Adams Stafford (1784–1823), a wagon maker and early settler in Ohio.
- John Fletcher Stafford (1786- ? )
- James Bruce Stafford (1788- ? )
- Joseph Stone Stafford (1790-1850s), a farmer who lived his whole life in Hampshire County.
- Westley Stafford (1792–1856), a farmer and early settler in Indiana.
- Mary Stafford (1797-1797)
- Washington Stafford (1799–1810)
- Sarah Stafford (1800- ? )
