• b. about 1765 probably Surry Co., NC
• d. June 25, 1849 DeKalb Co. TN
• m. Nancy ? about 1796 probably Stokes Co., NC

What we know and believe

Thomas Pafford is believed to be the son of John Pafford born about 1740 and who died 1786 Surry Co., North Carolinia. His mother's name is unknown.

It is believed that Thomas had at least 3 brothers, William, Samuel and James and at least 1 sister, Rachel Pafford who married Christian SMITH. (There may have been others - research is continuing)

This Thomas Pafford * * * did NOT descend * * * from James Pafford and Martha Binstead (at one time had Matthews) who married April 24, 1760 St. Mary's Church, Portsea, Hampshire Co, England.

Thomas Paffard, gentleman of Portsea, Hampshire, England and son of James and Martha of Portsea, England left a will dated 1811 in Portsea. His will mentions his wife Nanny Paffard, brother in law James Saunders, children Thomas Paffard, Jane Freeman Paffard, James Henry Paffard & Samuel Saunders Paffard. ALL of these heirs were living in England at THIS TIME.

Our PAFFORD family (sometimes spelled or transcribed as PAPHARD, PANFORD, PAFORD already lived in the the Surry Co., NC (Stokes Co., NC was formed in 1789 from Surry) as early as 1782. Surry Co., NC had been formed in 1770 from Rowan Co., NC.

* * * * *

SPECIAL THANKS and RECOGNITION

• Rachel Littlechild for finding the will of Thomas Paffard/Pafford in 1811 in Portsea, England. She has also accounted for all the children of James and Martha (Binstead) Paffard. They all remained in England. Her research has virtually DISPROVED any direct connection between this Thomas Pafford and this family. (There may still be a more distant connection earlier on to be discovered). Rachel's research continues to center on the Paffard/Pafford family that lived in the St. Thomas Parish, Portsmouth, Hampshire Co., England area at an early date.

• W. Carlton Wood, who has spent years researching the early Pafford families of Surry and Stokes Co., NC - even though he, himself, is not a direct Pafford descendant. Many of his articles can be found Huxford Genealogical Society, Inc "MAGAZINE".

  For those who are interested, the Huxford Genealogical Society, Inc MAGAZINE can be ordered from Huxford.com. A membership form is also available for you to use should you wish to join the Society.

  The issues showing the Pafford information are shown below, but each issue may include information on another person. The issues also include Carlton's thoughts on their children and movements. (Each issue is approximately 75 pages with 5 to 6 pages covering the Paffords.)

  • Dec 2004 - John Pafford
  • March 2005 - William Pafford
  • June 2005 - Samuel Pafford
  • Sept 2005 - Rachel Pafford Smith and Thomas Pafford
  • (Later issues dealt with the Curry, Corbitt and Daughtry families.)

• John Pafford who brought all of this to our attention. We have shared much correspondence and continue to work together to sort out the Pafford family in America.

• Arland Pafford - maintains Pafford Family Tree and has shared much correspondence and continue to work together to sort out the Pafford family in America.

• Glenda Sue (Wilson) Vize, who started the Pafford list on Yahoo and has kept the Paffords in contact with each other over the years. If you're a Pafford descedant (anywhere) (all variations) - we would love to have you join us.

• Thomas G. Webb - DeKalb Co,Tenn Historian (late 1960's and early 1970's)

• Others: Ben Brewer, June (Pafford) Anderson, F. E. 'Hawk' Knowles, Jr., Christy Corbitt

• Many Lawrence/Laurance and Davis descendats - Tom Simpson, Ruth Hunt, Leonard McCown, Cheryl (Davis) Holman

For more information on the Pafford and related families, be sure and see:

• abt 1765 - Thomas Pafford was born probably in Surry Co., NC

• 1810 Stokes Co., NC

  This census shows 2 Thomas Paffords, both of whom I believe to be the same person, along with a William Pafford, who I believe to be a brother of Thomas Pafford.

  1810 - Stokes Co., NC Census (Germantown) 
  
  Thomas Pafford  22010 - 200100
  
  2 males under 10    (1800-1810)
  2 males age 10-16   (1794-1800)
  1 male age 26 - 45  (1765-1784)
  
  2 females under 10  (1800-1810)
  1 female age 26- 45 (1765-1784)
  
  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
  
  1810 - Stokes Co., NC Census (Meadows District) 
  
  Thomas Pafford  2101 - 2001
  
  2 males under 10   (1800-1810)
  1 male age 10 - 16 (1794-1800)
  1 male age 26-45   (1765-1784)
  
  2 females under 10 (1800-1810)
  1 female age 26-45 (1765-1784)
  
  1810	-Stokes Co., NC - (Snow Creek District)
  
  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
  
  William Pafford 21011 - 00101
  
  2 males under age 10 (1800-1810)
  1 male age 10 - 16 (1794-1800)
  1 male age 26-45 (1765-1784)
  1 male over 45 (before 1765)
  
  1 female age 16-26 (1784-1794)
  1 female over age 45 (before 1765)
  

• 1816/17 Stokes Co., NC Court Minutes

  "Sept 13, 1816, a deed from James Moon or Moore? to Thomas Pafford was proven by Richard Beason."

  March 14, 1817, a deed from Thomas Pafford to Francis Fulton was proved by Solomon Redman."

  *This Francis Fulton is believed to be the father of Anna Fulton who married Daniel Welch.

• 1820 Warren Co., TN Census

  This census shows Thomas Pafford and very near by a James Pafford, who I beleive to be his oldest son.

  1820 - Warren Co., TN
  
  Thomas Pafford  100101-22001
  
  1 male under age 10 (1810-1820)
  1 male age 16-26    (1775-1794)
  1 male over 45      (before 1775)
  
  2 females under 10  (1810-1820)
  2 females age 10-16 (1804-1810)
  1 female over 45    (before 1775)
  
  and living very near
  
  James Pafford 000100-001
  
  1 male age 18-26 (1792-1802)
  1 female 16-26   (1794-1804)
  

• 1822 - Warren Co., TN Land Grants

  #16756      5 acres 14 March 1822     Book S    Page 803
  #16756      5 acres 14 March 1822     Book 9    Page 345
  #16767      5 acres        "          Book S    Page 802
  #16767      5 acres        "          Book 9    Page 353
  #16768      5 acres        "          Book S    Page 804
  

• 1839, June 18 - DeKalb Co, TN Deed Book A p 310

  RANDOL PAFFORD to THOMAS PAFFORD, $150, Hannah's Branch of Smith's Fork, it being the place where the old THOMAS PAFFORD now lives adjoining HEZEKIAH DAVIS near R. PAFFORD's spring, adjoining CHARLES HILL, THOMAS LAWRENCE's southeast corner, head of Sugar Camp Hollow on conditional corner made by THOMAS LAWRENCE and BLAKELEY ALLEN, conditional corner made by HUGH ALLEN and LEWIS LAWRENCE, head of DAVIS' old field, 80 acres part of 100 acre tract that HEZEKIAH DAVIS has and part of a 100 acre tract made by WILLIAM WHITE.

  Witnesses: LEWIS LAWRENCE, THOMAS LAWRENCE

• 1840 DeKalb Co, TN Census, p. 19

  *Thomas is shown as age 70 - 80 (born 1760-1770)

  (Neighbors on one side included: James Arnold, Isaac Taylor, Mary Burton, William Fite, Ferris Lawrence)

  (Neighbors on other side included: Charles Hill, Shadrick Kelly, Ferris Self, Solom Davis, Samuel Vanover)

• 1848,Dec 8 - Dekalb Co, TN Deed Book C, pp. 495-496

  Thomas Pafford to Randall Pafford a tract of land on Hannah's Branch.

• 1849, July 2 - DeKalb Co, Tenn Settlement Book 1846-1856, page 141

  Thomas Lawrence apt. admin. of estate of Thomas Pafford, dec'd.

• 1850,Oct 17 - DeKalb Co, Tn Deed Book D, p. 322

  Thomas W. Pafford, Executor of John Pafford, appoints William Pafford his power of attorney to demand from Thomas Lawrence, Executor of Thomas Pafford. Said Thomas W. Pafford is a resident of Benton County.

Nancy Unknown

We know very little about Nancy, wife of Thomas Pafford.

"Marriage of Some American Residents", Guide to Documents - Vol. 1, page 6l shows the following: (listed like this)

l) Pafford, Thomas of North Carolina - Nancy, b. l770 Virginia
Pafford, Susanna, b. l80l, North Carolina (later census records shows that Susanna was born in Stokes Co., NC)

1850- DeKalb Co, TN Census (District 12) p. 19, #539

Charles HILL      37
Ethery            38
William           12
Tabitha           11
Louisa             9
John               6
Randolph           3
Nancy PAFFORD     70

*Listed in household of her son-in-law Charles Hill who had married daughter Ethery Pafford

1860 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules Index

Surname: Nancy Paphard 
Year: 1860  
County: Dekalb Co.  
State: TN  
Age: 100  
Gender: F (Female)  
Month of Death: May  
State of Birth: NC  
ID#: MRT197_253823 
Occupation: HOUSEKEEPER  
Cause of Death: OLD AGE  

As time permits and photos become availabe, this site will be expanded. Each child, and some of the grandchildren of Thomas Pafford, will be given their own site. Be sure and click on the children's names, above, to continue with their descendants and to see photos as they become available..

1. James Henry Pafford

   --b. March 19, 1797 Stokes Co., NC
   --d. October 1838 Lowndes Co., GA
   ----buried Fender Cemetery, Lanier Co., GA
   --m. Wealthy CORBITT
   --abt 1820 Tennessee
   ----b. abt 1801 SC
   ----d. 1880 Clinch Co., GA or TN)
   ------buried Fender Cemetery, Lanier Co., GA
   ------d/o Isham Corbitt and Amelia STOKES
   --------gd/o Brinkley Corbitt, Sr. and Margaret CONNELL
   --------gd/o William Stokes and Sarah GWINN
   ----Wealthy m/2 Isaac CURRY, Jr. abt 1840
   ------Isaac was s/o Isaac Curry, Sr. and Rhoda GRESHAM
   
   • 1810 Stokes Co., NC
     --would be the male age 10-16 with Thomas Pafford
   • 1820 Warren Co., TN
     --listed as James Pafford, age 16-26
     ----living very near Thomas Pafford
   

   My 3rd Great Grandparents

2. Susannah (Pafford) Laurance

   --b. August 16, 1801 Stokes Co., NC
   --d. September 16, 1880 Pisgah, DeKalb Co., TN
   ----buried Pisgah Cemetery, DeKalb Co., TN
   --m. Thomas LAURANCE (also spelled LAWRENCE sometimes)
   --abt 1825 probably Smith Co., TN
   ----b. December 29, 1797 NC
   ----d. August 14, 1880 Pisgah DeKalb Co., TN
   ------buried Pisgah Cemetery, DeKalb Co., TN
   -------s/o William Laurance and Sarah CARUTHERS?
   
   • 1810 Stokes Co., NC
     --would be female under age 10 with Thomas Pafford
   • 1820 Warren Co., TN
     --with Thomas Pafford
   • 1840 DeKalb Co., TN Census
   • 1850 DeKalb Co,Tn Census - Dist.12, house # 506
     --enumerated September 11, 1850
     
   • 1860 DeKalb Co,TN Census (District 12-Hannah's Branch) #1293-1281)
     
   • 1870 DeKalb Co., TN Census Dist 12, #21-18
     
   • 1880 DeKalb Co., TN, District 12
     

   ---

   THIS IS MY DIRECT LINE

   
   
   

3. (?) Sarah Elizabeth Pafford (?)

   --b. abt 1803 Tennessee
   
   

4. Son Pafford

   --b. 1804/10 Stokes Co., NC
   
   

5. Randolph A. 'Randol' Pafford

   --b. August 1809 Stokes Co., NC
   --d. October 13, 1891 possibly Kinney Co., Texas
   --m/1 Mary PHILIPS
   --May 24, 1832 probably Smith Co., TN
   ----b. November 15, 1816 TN
   ----d. April 3, 1876 Val Verde Co., TX
   ------d/o Martin Phillips and Sarah LEAGUE
   --m/2 Martha Lewis SNELL
   --March 11, 1877 Kinney Co., Texas
   ----b. abt 1811 KY
   ----d. aft 1880 TX)
   
   • 1850 DeKalb Co, TN Census (District 12) p. 19, #540
     
   • 1880 Kinney, Texas, Precint 4, page 330D
   

6. Daughter Pafford

   --b. 1811/20 Stokes Co., NC
   
   

7. Ethery (Pafford) Hill

   --b. 1812 Stokes Co. NC
   --d. 1868 DeKalb Co. TN
   --m. Charles HILL
   --abt 1837 probably Warren Co., TN
   ----b. 1811/13
   ----d. 1878/80 DeKalb Co. TN
   
   • 1850 DeKalb Co, TN Census (District 12) p. 19, #539
     
   • 1860 DeKalb Co, TN Census (District 12-Hannah's Branch) #129-1278
     
   • 1880 DeKalb Co., TN, District 12 (for Lucinda, widow)

• My Davis Site -Descendants of John Davis Sr. and Abigail Duncan

• DeKalb Co., TN Cemeteries - Transcription of Pisgah Cemetery

• DEKALB CO., TN FAMILIES (3) -ALLEN-PAGE-LAWSON
  --Gedcom on World Connect

• DEKALB CO., TN FAMILIES (2) -CARUTHERS-DAVIS-DUNCAN-KELLY
  --Gedcom on World Connect

• DEKALB CO., TN FAMILIES (1) -In AEBNIT-ATNIP-INABNIT-INABITT
  --Gedcom on World Connect