NANCY'S DEAD RELATIVES

Too Many Ashfords

The following Ashfords were obviously closely related to the Ashfords of Fairfax County, VA, but their direct line descent from Michael and Ann Ashford, who died in Prince William County in 1734, is open to question.  If you have information on any of the Ashfords, please contact me at nancy@nancysdeadreltives.com. .

Michael Ashford of Loudoun County

Michael may have been a brother to the Ashfords in Woodford or Jessamine Counties - or he may have been their uncle, son of Michael and Ann Ashford of Fairfax County.

12 Jun 1772: Michael married Jane Conn in Loudoun County, VA.  Conn would not seem to be a common surname.  In 1784, Lancelot and Margaret Johnson, "late widow of William Ashford, now wife of the said Lancelot Johnson" sold any rights to the estate of Michael Reagan to Gerard Tramill Conn.

17 Apr 1787: Michael Ashford was paid for five days round trip from Loudoun to Fairfax, a distance of 25 miles, in the matter of the J. L. Dorhey estate. 

1 Jan 1804: William Ashford of Monnongahala County [Monongalia County, now in West Virginia] sold one wagon and three horses to Michael Ashford of Loudoun County.  Witnesses: Thomas Hite, George Darr, Jane Ashford.  William was his son.

3 Feb 1804: Michael signed his will in Loudoun County:

Will of Michael Ashford[1]

In the name of God, Amen.  I Michael Ashford of Loudoun County considering the uncertainty of the mortal life and being of sound and perfect mind and memory, blessed be almighty god for the same, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say, First that all my just debts be paid as soon as my present crop of wheat can be to out [sic] and sold, if that is not sufficient it is my desire that my riding horse, saddle, watch, and wearing apparel be sold or as much as will be sufficient.  Secondly I give and bequeath to my daughter Jane Ashford one feather bed and furniture and bedstead, one cow and calf, one linen wheel, one chest that gos and is known to be her chest with one fourth part of all the puter, earthen ware, potmetal belonging to me at the time of decease besides an equal part of all my estate when it comes to be divided to her and heirs forever.  Thirdly I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Ashford one feather bed and furniture and bedstead, one cow and calf, one linen wheel, one chest with one four part of the puter, earthenware and potmetal besides and equal part of all the rest of my estate when it comes to be divided, to her and her heirs forever.  Fourth I give and bequeath to my daughter Rebeckah Ashford one feather bed and furniture and bedstead, one cow and calf, one linen, my chest with one fourth part of the puter, earthenware, potmetal besides an equal part of all my estate when it comes to be divided to her and her heirs forever.  Fifthly, I give and bequeath to my daughter Dilla Ashford one feather bed and furniture & bedstead, one cow and calf, one linen wheel, one trunk with one fourth part of the puter, earthenwear and potmetal besides one equal part of all my estate when it comes to be divided, to her and her heirs forever.  If either of the above mentioned daughters should die while single and not having an heir, for her part to be equally divided between the other three.  If it should happen a second should die, for her [part to be divided between the two sisters.  Should either of the others die, her part to be equally divided all her brothers and sisters. Sixthly, I give and bequeath to my son John Ashford one cow and calf and an equal part of my estate when it is divided, with a reduction out of his part of fifty dollars as I consider he has had more than the rest of the children.  Should there come any demand against my estate on his account for it to be taken out of his part.  In case he is dissatisfied with what I have done and bring forward an acct against my executor, he is not to have one shilling of my estate except the above cow and calf.  Seventhly, I give and bequeath to my son William Ashford an equal part of all my estate when it comes to be divided with a reduction of sixty dollars, as I consider he has had more than his sisters, to him and his heirs forever.  Eighthly, I give and bequeath to my daughter Anna Rightmire an equal part of all my estate when it come to be divided, to her and her heirs forever.  Ninethly, I give and bequeath to my daughter Sara Moxley and equal part of all my estate when it comes to be divided, to her and her heirs forever.  Tenthly, I give and bequeath to my three grandchildren, Jane & Anne & Michael Ashford, the children of my son William, one wagon, three horses and gear with all thereunto belonging, it being the wagon and horses I got from my son William for to [sic] disposed of as may be thought best for the three above children, to them and heirs forever.  Eleventhly, my will and desire that the four single daughters have the house and plantation that I lived on with the Negroes till 25th December 1808 at which time the term of Mason Johnson Lott will be fully complete and ended, then the land to be sold, rented, or divided as may be thought best and the profits arising thereon to be equally divided among all my children.  Should the land be sold on credit, take a deed of trust on the said land to secure the payment thereof and at the above mentioned time, 1808, the Negroes to be devised and to continue in the family or sold as will best suit you all.  The four girls to have two horses and as many of the utensils as will be thought necessary for their use till Dec 25th 1808.  the two horse utencils and wagon and gear to [be] equally divided among all my children, the girls that have the property of the plantation and Negroes to pay fifty dollars yearly and every year they hold it in for the above mentioned term.  Twelvethly and lastly I do hereby appoint Capt. Charles Lewis sole executor of this my last will revoking all former wills my me made.  In witness whereof I have unto set my hand and seal this 3th day of February and in the year of Lord 1804.  Should Capt. Lewis refuse, I appoint Henry Settle and John Moxley executors in room of Capt. Lewis.

Michael Ashford

Signed and sealed and delivered in the presents of

George  Shivelley

Esaias Horseman

Elisha Fox

William (x) Wolkand

Colmore McAtee

The will was proved 10 Apr 1804.

Children of Michael Ashford:

John Ashford

William Ashford (m. Elizabeth ______)

14 May 1802: William and Elizabeth Ashford sold 277 acres on "a drain" of the Cheat River in Monongalia County to John Minton of Fayette County, PA.[2]

1 Jan 1804: William Ashford of Monnongahala County [Monongalia County, now in West Virginia] sold one wagon and three horses to Michael Ashford of Loudoun County.  Witnesses: Thomas Hite, George Darr, Jane Ashford.

Sarah "Sary" Ashford (m. John Moxley c. 1805)

Anna Ashford (m. John Rightmyre)

Delilah "Dilla" Ashford (19 Sep 1786 - 27 Sep 1851, Morrow County, OH; m. Colmore Wade AcAtee)

Rebecca Ashford (m. Harrison McAtee 24 Sep 1807)

Elizabeth Ashford (m. Thomas Gist 30 Nov 1808)

Jane Ashford (m. ______ Lesse)

3 Aug 1813: John and Thomas Ashford were securities for Frederick Elgin as guardian of Sarah Elgin, infant orphan of William Elgin.  Frederick was in Woodford County, KY, but the bond was also recorded in Loudoun County, VA.[3]

In the early years of the nineteenth century, there was a John Ashford in Woodford County and a John and Thomas Ashford in Jessamine County.  Both Johns were born in the 1750s, so they weren't brothers; but the county seats were less than 15 miles apart, they associated with many of the same families, and they used the same Baptist minister to perform marriages.  My guess is that the Woodford and Jessamine County patriarchs were first cousins.   

John Ashford of Jessamine & Allen Counties

John was born between 1750 and 1760.

1801: John appears in Kentucky for the first time in the Fayette County Tax List.  He then moved to Jessamine County, and finally to Allen County c. 1818.

27 Jun 1807: The will of Walter Cunningham mentioned land in Jessamine County located near the Mount Moriah Meeting House, land on which "John Ashford, blacksmith, now lives".[4]  

1810 Census, Nicholasville, Jessamine County, KY:  He was listed with 1 male 10-16, 1  over 45; 2 females 10-16, 3 16-26, 1 over 45.[5]    The Woodford County John Ashford Senior was enumerated with 1 male 10-16, 2 males 16-26, 1 26-45, 1 over 45; 1 female under 10, 1 10-16, 2 16-26, 1 over 45; 0 slaves.[6]

2 Aug 1820: He purchased two parcels in Allen County, KY: one adjoining Robert Shipley and John C. Devasher from William (x) and Sarah Prewitt and one adjoining Foster from James and Martha Hurt.  The latter purchase was to John Ashford "Senior".[7] 

1820 Census, Allen County, KY: John was shown with 1 male 16-18, 1 over 45; 4 females 10-16, 1 26-45, 2 over 45.[8]

18 Jun 1824: John R. Ashford, John Ashford, and George S. Gibson witnessed a deed from Robert Shipley to Simon w. Whitley for 100 acres on Difficult Creek. a branch of the Big Barron River in Allen County.[9]  George S. Gibson was John's son-in-law.

1830 Census, Allen County, KY: John's household was enumerated with 1 male 70-80; 1 female 60-70.[10]

Children[11] of John Ashford:

Thomas Ashford (24 Apr 1781 - Jul 1840; m. 1st Nancy Stone 31 Oct 1803, m. 2nd Hannah ______ 17 Jan 1838)  See below.

Parmelia Ashford (c. 1784 -    ; m. George S. Gibson 25 Oct 1819, Allen Co, KY)

Hannah Ashford (c. 1792 -     )

Elizabeth Ashford (c. 1795 - c. 1827; m. Robert Pruitt 10 May 1826, Allen Co, KY)

Mary Ashford (c. 1796 -     ) 

4 Oct 1850 Census, Lamar County, TX (Precinct 6): Farmer John R. Ashford 52, born VA, with real property valued at $500; Ann 44, born KY; Levi 25, born KY, a farmer; John D. 25, born TX, a farmer; Ethalinda 23; Simeon 20, a farmer; Parthenia A. 18; Wesley 16; Mary A. E. 14; George W. 12; Francis A., a female aged 10; Mary Ashford 55, born VA.[14] 

John R. Ashford (c. 1798 - died in Lamar Co, TX; m. Ann Whitney 24 Sep 1823, Allen Co, KY)

18 Jun 1824: John R. Ashford, John Ashford, and George S. Gibson witnessed a deed from Robert Shipley to Simon w. Whitley for 100 acres on Difficult Creek. a branch of the Big Barron River in Allen County.[12]

2 Jun 1828: Along with Daniel Devasher and James Hurt, John R. Ashford witnessed a deed for 200 acres from Russell and Rachel Shipley and John and Rachel Todd, heirs of Joseph Shipley, to John C. Devazier.[13]

4 Oct 1850 Census, Lamar County, TX (Precinct 6): Farmer John R. Ashford 52, born VA, with real property valued at $500; Ann 44, born KY; Levi 25, born KY, a farmer; John D. 25, born TX, a farmer; Ethalinda 23; Simeon 20, a farmer; Parthenia A. 18; Wesley 16; Mary A. E. 14; George W. 12; Francis A., a female aged 10; Mary Ashford 55, born VA.[14]  Was Ethalinda actual Malinda?  A Malinda Davis married Levi Ashford.  That couple, ages 34 and 30,  was living in Harrodsburg, Mercer County in 1860., but that couple was associated with Mercer County, KY. 

Lindsey Ashford (c. 1800 - c. 1840; m. Simeon W. Whitney 14 Mar 1823)

Thomas Ashford

31 Oct 1803: Thomas, son of the above John, married Nancy Stone, the Stones being yet another family from Fairfax County. - Jul 1840; m. 1st, m. 2nd Hannah ______ 17 Jan 1838)    

Did he also marry Ann Hawkins on 24 Feb 1814?

1820 Census, Scottsville, Allen County, KY: Thomas had a household of 1 male under 10, 1 10-16, 1 26-45; 2 females under 10, 2 10-16, 1 26-45.[15]  They were listed next to the Whitney family and close to the Tinsley, Shipley, and Pippin families.

10 Aug 1829: Simeon and Lindsey Whitney sold 160 acres on the south west of Big Barren River in Allen County to Thomas Ashford for $300.  The land adjoined the survey of John Ashford, Robert Shipley, and John C. Devasher.[16]

1830 Census, Allen County, KY: Thomas was listed with 1 male under 5, 1 10-15, 1 15-20, 1 20-30, 1 50-60; 1 female under 5, 1 10-15, 1 15-20, 1 20-30, 1 40-50.[17]

17 Jan 1838: Thomas married Hannah, surname unknown.

40 Jun 1840: Thomas Ashford signed his will in Allen County, KY, leaving all his possessions to wife Hannah for her lifetime, having already given his children Sintha Stone, Polly Tinsley, John Ashford, Henry Ashford, Eliza Rigdon, and Jane Stone all that he was able.  The exception was his tools, which he bequeathed to grandson Wesley Ashford.  After wife Hannah's death, the estate was to be divided between his youngest daughters, Nancy and Ann Ashford Hawkins. Money due him from his brother John R. was to be divided between Hannah and all the children.  Executor: John S. Ashford.  Witnesses: Samuel Harston and John Haines.[18] 

Jul 1840: Thomas died.

Children of Thomas and Nancy Stone Ashford:

John S. Ashford (c. 1808 - 1867, m. 1st Margaret Jane Pippen 12 Oct 1830, m. 2nd Julia Ann Shipley 12 Jan 1857)

19 Aug 1850 Census, Allen County, KY: Farmer J. S. Ashford 42, born KY; female M. F. 17; farmer John P. 16; male W. H. 15; female S. 14; female C. A. 12; male J. M. 11; male Jess 10; female K. A. 8; Thomas 5; female M. A. 3; female E. A. 2.  Listed next to them is the family of John Stone; close by is the family of Thomas and Polly [Ashford] Tinsley, ages 69 and 38.[19]

16 Mar 1854: Margaret Ashford, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Pipkins, died of "palsy" at age 44.[20]

Jane Ashford (m. William Henry Stone 1 Jan 1836)

Thomas R. Ashford (     - 13 Jul 1898)

Nancy Ann Ashford (m. ______ Hawkins)

Cynthia Ann Ashford (16 Aug 1804 - 7 Mar 1884, m. John Stone 6 Feb 1831)

Mary "Polly" Ashford (m. Thomas Tinsley 22 Aug 1827)

They were residing in Allen County in the 1850 Census.

William Henry Ashford (11 Jan 1812 - 23 Jul 1856, m. Catherine Haines 12 Jul 1833)

7 Jun 1846: William H. Ashford and Samuel Haines testified for Talitha Haines, widow of Christopher, who was applying for a Revolutionary War widow's pension.

28 Aug 1850 Census, Allen County, KY: Farmer W. Ashford 38, born KY; E. [very faint] 40, born VA; male J. N. 15, also farming;  male S. F. 13; female T. [or L.] E. 9.[21]

A William Ashford died of cholera.  In the death record, his birth place was given as Fayette County and parents as Thomas and Fanny Ashford.[22]

Eliza Ann Ashford (c. 1813 - 2 Oct 1853, m. Jesse White Rigdon 10 Sep 1830)

In Virginia and Maryland:

24 Sep 1812: John Ashford was baptized in Cecil County, MD.  His sponsor was Jane Ashford.[22a]  A Jane Ashford had been named a beneficiary in the will of John Kimball Senior, proved 12 Apr 1705 in Baltimore County, MD - a will witnessed by Rachel Ashford.  On 3 Feb 1713, a Jane Ashford married John Chamberlain in St. Stephen's Parrish.

A Thomas Ashford was made a ward of John Bates on 15 Nov 1773 in Fairfax County.  On 20 Nov 1775: Butler and Susannah Ashford, sold the land he'd inherited from his father John Ashford to John Bates.

When Butler Ashford served as a Private in Capt. Winter's Battalion, Charles County, MD Militia c. 1777,  serving with him were a Thomas Ashford and Richard Elgin.  A  John Ashford served in the same battalion, but in Capt. George Dent's Company.[23]  

During the Revolutionary War, John Ashford signed a loyalty oath taken by all free males age 18 and over, in Charles County, MD. [23a]

29 Aug 1779: Thomas Ashford married Jane Taylor in Montgomery County, MD.  When Butler Ashford moved to NC, he went with the Taylor family.

Ann Ashford married Thomas Violett.  Thomas was born c. 1736 and died in Woodford County, KY in 1809.  One of their sons, born c. 1772, was named Ashford Violett; others were Augustus, Thomas, Henson, John, Edward, and William Violett.  The Violett family lived close to the Ashfords in Fairfax County, VA. 

1820 Census, Pugh, Frederick County, VA: John Ashford had 1 male under 10, 1 16-26; 1 female 16-26; 1 person in agriculture.

1820 Census, Truro Parish, Fairfax County, VA: William Ashford was listed with 3 males under 10, 1 26-45; 1 female under 10, 1 26-45; 1 person in agriculture and 1 person in manufacture; 1 female slave under 14.

12 Oct 1850 Census, Fairfax County, VA: Laborer William Ashford 69, born VA, with real property worth $800; Sarah 55, born VA; Mary 17; cooper Mary [sic] P. Davis 21.[24]

13 Aug 1850 Census, Fairfax County, VA: Harriet Ashford 39, born VA, and John Ashford 55, born VA, with "none" for occupation, were enumerated in the household of Elizabeth Larking 48, born VA.[25]

14 Aug Census, Alexandria, Alexandria County, VA: Laborer Michael Ashford 53, born VA, can't read or write; Mary A. 31, born Germany; Mary A. 7; Julia A. 5; Gustavus 1;  Sarah Branigan 30, born Ireland.[26]

In Kentucky:

War of 1812: Levy Ashford served under Capt. Zechonias Singleton's Company, 11th Regiment Mounted Volunteers, the unit known as the "Cornstalk Militia".  Due to a chronic shortage of firearms for drill, they often substituted cornstalks.  Also serving was Thomas Ashford, son of John R. Ashford of Woodford County.

24 Feb 1814: Thomas Ashford married Ann Hawkins in Jessamine County.  Ann, born c. 1786, was the daughter of John and Nancy Withers Hawkins.  John Hawkins died 15 Aug 1823 in Jessamine.

 3 Sep 1830: A Jane Ashford married an unknown Elgin in Woodford County.

If you have material about any individuals included in Nancy's Dead Relatives, can add well-documented family lines, have corrections and/or comments, or wish to establish a link to or from this site, please contact me at nancy@nancysdeadrelatives.com.  However, the decision whether or not to include any submitted material is the webmaster's (mine) alone. 

Nancy Denty Breidenthal