Person:John Wolford (6)

Land Grant in 1800 From the Commonwealth of VA by then Gov. James Monroe 27 May 1800 for a location in Randoph Co, VA It was for 550 acres on the water of Reed Creek adjoining lands of George Exline on the Flat Ridge. (Source: Land Office Grants No. 44, 1799-1800, p. 492 (Reel 110).

In his pension application he states that he was born in Montgomery Co. PA in 1754. He lived in Sussex Co. NJ when called into Service (Revolutionary War). After the war he remained a few years in NJ, then moved to Hampshire Co. VA. Lived there about 17 years and then moved to present residence in Randolph Co., VA (which is now Tucker Co. WV). John Wolford built house in Stringtown between 1802 and 1805. The photo of the house was taken in 1927. When the road that passes by the house was being built (State Route 72) the house was used by some of the workers (part for living quarters and part to house their horses). One of teh 2 chimneys had fallen. They used the rocks for the "fill" near the house. The other chimney still stands as of Oct 2002.

John, Sr. was the first setter in Stringtown, WV. Fansler says (History of Tucker Co.) Lamberts bought the Wolford farm. Lamberts may have bought some of it, but not John Jr.'s which went to his son Columbus. That was passed on to his children and Wolford heirs still own and live on some of it.

After the death of wife Elizabeth, married Mary Summerfield, daughter of Margaret, wife of his sone Abraham. John and Mary had 3 children from 1830 to 1839. Abraham and Margaret had 4 children during that same time period. Does this make Abraham his own grandfather? b. 1754 in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, will signed 28 Nov 1833 in Randolph County, West Virginia, d. Sep 1839 in Randolph County, West Virginia, buried in Wolford-Rohrbaugh Cemetery, Tucker County, West Virginia, probate 4 Sep 1839 in Randolph County, West Virginia,2 occupation Farmer & Revolutionary War Soldier. Little is known about the early life of John. Records appear later in his life after the Revolutionary War. He moved from Hampshire County sometime between 1799 and 1805 to current day Tucker County (perhaps for a time he owned land in both counties). He applied for pension for the Revolutionary War service. The pension record, at the National Archives, has an interview from John himself about his birth and war experience and some letters from the early 20th Century. Service: NJ, VA #16722. Pension: #S11898.)

It's not stated how much schooling John received, but in his letters requesting pension he signed his own name. It's very carefully written. He probably had enough education for this and other phrases, but his penmanship appears shaky due to lack of continued schooling or perhaps his age. However, the ability to write his signature was more than others were capable of that could only sign their "mark".

John lived in Sussex County during the Revolution. In May 1777, he stated he went with Capt John Pipenger, under Col. Jacob West, to guard the Sussex Court House. He went out again in Sept 1777 under Capt. John Pipenger and Capt John Potty. March 1778, he went with Capt John Winter, under Col. Jacob West, to Elizabethtown. In summer of 1779, he went out with Capt. John Pippenger, under Col. West, to Hacket's Town and north western wilderness area. In September 1779, he went out with Capt. John Pippenger, under Col. West to the Blue mountains and up the Delaware River to near the York line and under Major Westbrooks. In September 1780, he went out with Capt John Pippenger, under Col. West, to Morris Town Total service: About 4 months as a sergeant and 5 months and six days as a private.

Jacob West was part of the Sussex County, First Regiment. He was a lieutenant colonel in 28 Sep 1776; also same rank 27 Nov 1776 with Col. Chamber's Battalion, State Troops. West was promoted to colonel, 6 Jun 1777, still with the First Regiment of Sussex. There is a John Pittenger (note spelling) that was a captain, First Regiment, Sussex, 6 Jun 1777. Perhaps the same man? I also found John Potter, captain, 1st Regiment, Essex. I'm not sure if this is the same man that John mentioned in his interview.

From: SnowBeri@@aol.com Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1998 17:21:49 EST Here's some info I have about John Wolford.... From John's interview, found in the Archives: (Anything in () is for clarity benefit, and word/punctuation is unaltered to perseve the 'flavor' of the document and times.) State of Virginia Randolph County On the 25th day of June 1833 personsonally appeared before the County Court of Randolph County aforesaid John Wolford a resident of the said county and state of Virginia (Later West Virginia) aged seventy nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the pensions made by the act of Congress, papered June 4th, 1832. That in the Year 1777 in the month of May but does not recollect the day of themonth; he was drafted in Capt. John Pipenger's company of militia in the state of New Jersey in Col. Jacob West's Regiment for a guard at Sussex Court House in said state; the court being convened for the purpose of trying tories and deserters; he lived in Sussex County New Jersey when he was drafted. We met at Youst Millers tavern in the said County of Sussex and marched to the said Court House and continued in the service one month and was discharged he thinks; no received no writtendischarge but only discharged by verbal order of the Captain when discharged from this service; he returned to his home and remained there until about the middle of September of the same Year (1777) when again he was called out in the Militia under Capt. John Pipenger in Col. West's Regiment to defend Elizabeth Town in New Jersey from the British. We assembled at Col. West in Sussex County New Jersey and remained there for days, waiting for the other companies under Col. West to assemble; onthe fifth day we commenced our march and on the fifth day after we commenced our march arrived at Elizabeth Town remained there thirteen days. The British having returned to Statton Island it was determined unnecessary to continue all the troops. Capt Pipenger and all his company were discharged except 8 of his men; he remains at that place and was to serve under Capt. John Potty in Col. West's Regiment and remained in the service under Capt. Potty at Elizabeth Town to protect that place thirtyfive days making with the thirteen days he was under Capt. Pippenger in the last mentioned service forty eight days. He was discharged by Capt Potty he thinks, he did not get a written discharge from Capt Potty but the Company was discharged by the verbal orders of Capt. Potty. He returned to his home after this last mentioned service and continued there until in March 1778 where he was again drafted for one month in Capt John Winter's Company of New Jersey Militia in Col. West's Regiment as leiutenant under Captain John Winter; he joined Captain Winter's Company at Elizabeth Town and continued there to guard the Town until the month expired when he was dischared; he thinks that his discharge was a verbal one; after his discharge he again returned home and remained there until the summer of 1779 when he was again called out under Capt. John Pippenger in Col. West's Regiment of New Jersey Militia and was marched to Hacket's Town and in the wilderness North west of that place in search ofdeserters and tories and finding none we returned home and was discharged having been in the service according to his present recollection twenty days. He remained at home in Sussex County until about the middle of September in the Year 1779 when he was again drafted for one month in Capt. John Pippenger's Company in Col. West's Regiment of New Jersey Militia; we marched from Sussex County by way of and Maj Bushas crossing the Blue mountains and by way of Col Rosacirbts on the Delaware up theDelaware River to near the York line. We were stationed at one Major Westbrooks under him until the month expired for the purpose of defending the frontier from the Indians; when his month expired he was discharged in the manner stated before not receiving a written discharge; during this case mentioned service from the middle of September 1779 to the middle of October 1779 he acted and served as a sergeant; he again returned home and remained there until September 1780 when he was againdrafted for one month in Capt John Pippenger's Company in Col. West's Regiment of New Jersey Militia and was marched to Morris Town to guard that place and the stores, horses and so forth those collecting items to be sent to General Washington he thinks. General Washington's army at that time was at a place called Warwick; he continued at Morris Town until this month expired when he was again discharged by verbal order of the captain, making his entire service during the Revolutionary war according to his present recollection not less than four months as a sergeant and five months and six days as a private.To the 1st Interrogatory required to be answered by the regulation of the War Department, (Where and in what year were you born?) he states that he was born in Montgomery County Pennsylvannia in the Year 1754. To the 2nd (Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?) he answers that he has no record of his age. To the 3rd (Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you live now?) he states that he has already statedthat he lived in Sussex County NJ when he was called into the service, after the Revolutionary war he remained a few Years in New Jersey and then removed to Hampshire County Virginia and continued in that County about 17 Years then removed to his present residence in Randolph County Virginia. To the 4th (How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?) he answers that was he drafted as before stated. To the 5th(State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.) he refers to that he has already stated in his foregoing declaration. To the 6th (Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, who whom was it given, and what has become of it?) he refers to his narrative in his foregoing declaration. To the 7th (State the names of person to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution) he states that his is known in the present neighborhood who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his Service as a soldier of the Revolution but that no clergyman resides in his neighborhood. He has no documentary evidence, further does he know of any person by whom he can prove his service. He duly relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the Treasury, and he declares that his name is not in the Pension roll of its agency in any state. Sworn to and subscribed the day and Year aforesaid JOHN WOLFORD (signature) (Note afterwards by Solomon Wyatt and David Holden swearing to the belief and verasity of John.)

John received $20.88 annually for his role in the war. Whether he was cheerfully "drafted" or was threatened (sometimes the Regular officers "drafted" all the men in a town and threatened to shoot them if they didn't march) it's not stated. Along with other letters in the Archives section, there were two women from Texas who wrote to the Pensions Department in 1927 seeking information on John's role. They were Lena Wolford Compton (Mrs. R. H. Compton) Box 14, San Angelo, Texas (letter 15 Feb 1927) and Mrs. L O. Nimitz, 326 West Cancho Ave. San Angelo, Texas (letter 20 Apr 1927) Mary Ella Holland Nimitz (Mrs. Louis O. Nimitz) was a member of the Pocahontas Chapter, and was Regent from 1928-1930. Her Nat # was 147762. Mary was born in Comanche, Texas. She entered DAR from Jacob Holland, a pvt in Maryland line. No mention of John Wolford in her DAR lineage. Susan E. Nimitz Compton (Mrs. H. Wolford) was Regent from 1936-38. Lena Wolford Compton (Mrs. R.H. Compton) was Regent from 1946-48. Her Nat. # was 236302. DAR in Washington DC does not have a family book on Wolford. A search in DAR library in Nov 2001 showed no woman joining DAR using John Wolford as her ancestor.

West, Jacob. Lieutenant Colonel, First Regiment, Sussex. September 28th, 1776; Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel Chambers' battalion, State troops, November 27th, 1776; Colonel, First Regiment, Sussex, June 6th, 1777.

http://www.njstatelib.org/NJ_Information/Searchable_Publications//reg/NJREGn357.html

http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/Maps.html

Did John have family that moved around in New Jersey? A John Wolford shows up in the NJ tax list index, 1793 June, Great Egg Harbor township, Gloucester County, pg 15. There's also a John in 1803, June tax list, in Cumberland County, Melville township. Not sure who these John's are or which family they belong to. According to John's pension, he probably moved to Hampshire Co., WV, sometime in 1788.

John's life after the war seemed to be farming, as did most Americans during the time. His records in Hampshire County, West Virginia, are confusing. There was another John Wolford from Maryland who lived there and had 11 children. Some even shared the same names. (Children were Henry, Martin, Jacob, Elizabeth, Phoebe, Ann, Adam, John, Rosanna, Isabella and Susana.) Fortunately, when John and Elizabeth left Hampshire county, it appears he took all his children with him.

Hampshire county personal tax list: John Woolferd, 29 Sep 1791, 1 white male, 2 horses; John Woolford, 6 Jul 1792, 1 white male, 2 horses; John Wolford, 22 May 1794, no details; John Wolford, 19 Jun 1795, 2 white males, 4 horses; John Wolford, 28 Apr 1796, 2 white males, 3 horses; John Wolford, 25 Apr 1797, 1 white male, 3 horses; John Wolford, 2 Apr 1798, 1 white male, 4 horses; and John Woolford 10 July 1798, 1 white male, 2 horses (this was first time 2 John Wolford's are listed in Hampshire County; entry year of Maryland John Wolford?); Mathew Woolford, 10 Jul 1798, 1 white male (who is this?); John Wolford, 10 Mar 1799, 1 white male, 5 horses; and other John Wolford, no date, 1 white male, 2 horses.

At this point, Hampshire county personal tax is divided into Upper/Western tax district and Lower/Eastern tax district. Upper/Western tax: 1800-1 male, 6 horses; 1801-1 male, 4 horses, 1 slave/servant; also lists Mathias Wolford, 1 male; 1802-1 male, 6 horses (taxed at 12 cents each); 1803-1 male, 6 horses, 1 slave/servent; 1804-1 male, 6 horses; 1805-2 males, 5 horses; 1806-2 males, 5 horses; 1807-none; 1808-no tax taken; 1809 onward had no John Wolfords listed in Upper district. Since John bought land in 1805 in Randolph county, there was something left behind in 1806 to be taxed. Where John was physically located in these years is currently unknown. It's also unclear the taxable meaning on slave: slave, indentured servant, hired hand?

The Lower/Eastern district lists John Wolford also, mostly having 2 horses in years 1800-01; 3 horses in 1802-03; 4 horses in 1804; missing in 1805; 5 horses in 1806-07; 2 males, 6 horses in 1810; 1811, 2 males, 6 horses; and Henry Wolford having 1 horse. The later years continue to list John Wolford in Lower district, evidently the Maryland John.

According to Randolph Co, West Virginia, history records, John bought the Henry Carr place in 1805 on Red Creek, currently at Rt 72 and 32. His first wife Elizabeth is buried there. A sale contract to his son Jacob lists some land he received from govt patent in 1800. (All info about John's land is from the book about Randolph co., pg 168.)

John's first wife Elizabeth died in Randolph County, and John remarried the daughter of his son's wife--a daughter brought into the family when Abraham married--Mary Summerfield. It gets very confusing. She was considerably younger, and when John died, she left with her two own daughters and seems to have disappeared. It appears to have been a marriage out of need to have a woman in the house to care for things. Or maybe a marriage out of convenience since it appears Mary Summerfield was illegitimate. I cannot find any record of Margaret being married before she married Abraham Wolford.

The land that John spent his final years on was--and still is--very pretty. Farming was by no means easy in this area, however. These hills are numerous and often steep. Ideal farming valleys are few. Rain can present a problem, but at times the land can be quiet and lush. Some of the children stayed within the hills. Martin, however, left after he married and had couple of children (Indiana by way of Ohio, maybe Missouri and Illinois for several years), and daughter, Anna, married and left for Iowa. It appears Jacob, after marrying Eve Hawk, moved to Ohio, but I don't know where.

John's will: In the name of God amen or be it remembered that John Woolford ceanyer (senior) of the county of Randolph considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound mind and disposing memory. I do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say: 1st: I give and bequeath to my wife Mare (Mary) Wolford, one young mar (mare) by hur (her) name of Fra (name not certain), hur (her) saddle and bridle. Two milch (milk) cows to be chose by hur (her). One bed and furniture, one pewter basin, two dishes, six plates, one large pot. Spenin (Spinning) wheel and reel. 2nd: Remainder of my personal estate of all kinds to be sold at public sale, and the monies arising from to be kept by my executors for the use of my children that I have by my last wife to be raised and until they come to py--ict (perfect?) age and what is left there to be left to be equally divided amongst all my children. (Note, no 3rd written, skipped from 2nd to 4th) 4thy: The remannor (remainder) of my home place to be until, out by my executor, til my youngest child comes with age, and the ___ for the use of my wife and hur (her) children, and when my youngest child comes of age my home place to be sold by my executor to be and the money equally divided among all my children. 5thy: My asst. (assorted) lands, 3 tracks, one by the name of the Carr survey of 181 acres, these 3 tracks of said to be sold at my death by my executor and the money arising there from to be kept for the use of my wife and her children til my youngest child comes of age. And what is lef (left) there to be equally amongst of my children. And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my friend Joseph Roy and my wife the executors of my last will and testament. By me here to you made. In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and affix my seal, this 28th day of November in the year 1833. Signed, sealed, published and declared by the me the afore named John Wolford to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence have here unto subscribed our names as witnesses to the same.

James Day, Isaac Roy, Jack Roy, Thomas "Vance", Thompson Elza, Isaac Roy, Jack Flannagan, Ebenezer Flannagan.

John Wolford (written by clerk) and (seal)

Randolph County Court, September 4, 1839, last will and testament of John Wolford, deceased, was presented in court and proved by the oath of Isaac Roy and Jack Flannagan, and ordered to be recorded.

Signed by D.W. Thintie__ak, clerk.

resident

From "Early Estate Settlements" in Randolph County chapter, John's will was appraised in Sept 1840. His will, dated Sept 1839 lists Devisee Mare wife; all children (not named). (Mare may be a misspelling for Mary) It also lists July 1847, Sale Bill for John Wolford Sr. and Settlement in July 1847 as well.

1840: Joseph Roye (exr) to Abraham Wolford; description: 161 acres, Red Creek, Randolph Co.; Deed bk 13, pg 414 Joseph Roye (exr) to John Wolford; decription: 100 acres, Flat Ridge, Randolph Co.; Deed bk 14 pg 14 Joseph Roye (exr) to John Flanagan; description: 86 acres, Black Fork & Dry Fork, Randolph Co.; Deed bk 14 pg 15 1855: Joseph Roy (exr) to John Woolford; description: 350 acres, Red Creek, Randolph Co.; Deed bk 20 pg 414 (Note: Not sure whose estate this was, but Joseph Roy was executor) 1899: Jacob Roy & Seymour Roy ux to J.K. Wolford; Description: 20 acres, Dry Fork District, Randolph Co.; Deed bk 59 p 227 (Note: Jacob Roy is son of Joseph Roy, and Seymour Roy is son of Jacob Roy)

From book "German Element in Virginia" (printed 1907) chapter 7: (Concerning the migration and settlement) From the valleys of the South Branch of the Potomac they moved westward and helped to build up Hampshire, Hardy and Pendleton Counties. Surnames found in early records include: STRADER, BOWMAN, HITE, MINEAR, STUMP, SNYDER, WOOLFORD and BRAKE. The footnote on the page says the author retrieved this info from "Fast and Maxwell's History of West Virginia" on page 9.

Darrell Bradshaw also lists another daughter, Catherine Amelia Wolford, b 1796, m. Jonas Harman, 1817. No further info. Pam Wolford (PCWolford@@ prodigy.net) lists a Catharina Wolford b 19 Dec 1805, d 26 Feb 1821. She also lists another daughter Amelia d 1816.

Some notes, but I am not sure if they belong to this Pennsylvania John or the other John from Maryland: In the book "Early Records, Hampshire County Virginia, Now West Virginia 1782-1860", in 1796 John Wolford from George Martin and wife, land deed, Grantee-Grantor list, Hampshire County. Also, Fairfax lands taken up: 1809--25 acres on North River (probably the Maryland John since that John died on North River).

He married (1) Elizabeth WOOLEVER, married 1780 in Hampshire County, West Virginia, b. 1759 in New Jersey,4 d. 28 Mar 1828 in Randolph County, West Virginia,4 buried in Wolford-Rohrbaugh Cemetery, Dry Fork, West Virginia. Elizabeth: Grave says E. Wolford 1759-28 Mar 1828. Bradshaw has POB as Hampshire County, Virginia. LDS AGI lists Jacob Woolever having a daughter Elizabeth b. 1752, NJ. These are no the same Elizabeth's. The dates, including widow and child, do not match up. (See Jacob Woolever's notes) There are many Woolever's listed on deed indexes in Sussex county in early 1800s, and in 1850 NJ, Warren Co., census, there were many households with Woolever name. Warren County's parent was Sussex county--where John served in the militia. One researcher lists her as Elizabeth Edith Woolever.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 John Wolford Sr., in Find A Grave.