Richard Stafford (pioneer) facts for kids
Richard Stafford (born around 1755 – died 1808) was an important early settler and land buyer in Hampshire County, West Virginia. He helped start the town of Fort Ashby, West Virginia in 1787, serving as one of its first leaders.
Richard Stafford's Life Story
Richard Stafford was born around 1755 in Wexford County, Ireland. His family in Wexford County is believed to be connected to a John Stafford, who came from a noble family in Buckinghamshire, England, before 1335. His family gained land called Ballymachrane during the time of King Henry VII.
In 1775, Richard Stafford began military service. It is thought he arrived with the British Fleet in New York Harbor in the summer of 1776. He was part of the large British forces, including 30,000 soldiers, who came to stop the American Revolution. Richard Stafford was later captured by American forces. He was released in Northern Virginia, agreeing not to fight against the colonies anymore.
On March 15, 1780, Richard Stafford married Catharine Brobeker.
Settling in Virginia
In April 1783, Richard Stafford bought a 2-acre piece of land near Stephensburg, Virginia, in Frederick County, Virginia. This land was along the road from Winchester to Stephensburg. He paid £10 for it and owned it until about 1793.
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. On December 5, 1787, he was named one of eight founding leaders for the town of Frankfort, which is now Fort Ashby, West Virginia. The Virginia General Assembly set aside 139 acres for this new town.
In 1788, Stafford bought 400 acres near the crossroads on the South Branch of the Potomac River. This land had once belonged to Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron. He also owned more 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
- William Josephus Stafford (1781–1823), a sea captain from Baltimore, Maryland
- Francis Asbury Stafford Sr. (1782–1868), a farmer and early settler in Coshocton County, Ohio
- Richard Adams Stafford (1784–1823), a wagon maker and early settler in Coshocton and Muskingum Counties, Ohio
- John Fletcher Stafford (1786- ? )
- James Bruce Stafford (1788- ? )
- Joseph Stone Stafford (1790-1850s), a farmer who lived his whole life in Hampshire County, West Virginia
- Westley Stafford (1792–1856), a farmer and early settler in Fayette and Kosciusko Counties, Indiana
- Mary Stafford (1797-1797)
- Washington Stafford (1799–1810)
- Sarah Stafford (1800- ? )
