Lorenzo Dow Lafferty (abt. 1803 - abt. 1877)

Born about 1803 in Sumner County, Tennessee, United States of America.

Ancestors

Husband of Elvira (Creswell) Lafferty — married 1827 (to 1877) in Arkansas

Descendants

Died about 1877 at about age 74 in Corpus Christi, Nueces, Texas, United States of America.

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Zach Lafferty [send private message]

Biography

Lorenzo Dow Lafferty, born in 1802 in Tennessee, emerged as a significant figure in the early history of Arkansas, characterized by adventure, family, and pioneering spirit. As the youngest son of John Lafferty and Elizabeth Lindsay Lafferty, Lorenzo Dow's life was profoundly shaped by his family's bold journey from Tennessee to the wilderness of the Louisiana Territory, which would later become Arkansas.

In 1807, Lorenzo Dow and his family embarked on a remarkable expedition alongside the Criswell family, who would play a significant role in his life. Their journey commenced with teams and wagons bound for Memphis, Tennessee, where they ingeniously constructed a boat to navigate down the river to the mouth of the White River. From this point, they ventured upstream to the Post of Arkansas, meticulously gathering supplies essential for their frontier existence. Guided by his father's intimate knowledge of the region, they eventually settled in what is now Stone County, Arkansas, naming the area Lafferty's Creek and constructing a log cabin in 1810.

Lorenzo Dow Lafferty's personal life was marked by his marriage to Elvira Chriswell, with whom he shared the joys and challenges of raising a family of at least ten children. In 1830, the family resided in Ruddell Township, Independence County, Arkansas, contributing to the growth of the region. In 1850, they were living in Carrollton Township, Carroll County, Arkansas, where Lorenzo Dow earned a living through farming. Notably, he also owned enslaved individuals in Independence County.

Sometime before his passing, Lorenzo Dow Lafferty relocated to Texas, where he published a book titled "The Life and Adventures of Lorenzo Dow Lafferty." This publication, released by a New York house, delved into the romantic aspects of early Arkansas life, providing valuable insights into the region's history and culture.

Lorenzo Dow Lafferty's life journey eventually led him to Uvalde, Uvalde County, Texas, where he passed away around 1882. He was laid to rest at Bear Creek Cemetery in Concan, Uvalde County, Texas. His adventurous spirit and his contributions to early Arkansas history earned him the nickname "the Rover," and his legacy continues to be remembered as a testament to the pioneers who shaped the American frontier.

Sources

• "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M67H-CDJ : 9 November 2014), L D Lafferty, Carrollton, Carroll, Arkansas, United States; citing family 86, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
• 1830 United States Federal Census: Year: 1830; Census Place: Ruddell, Independence, Arkansas Territory; Series: M19; Roll: 5; Page: 220; Family History Library Film: 0002473 Ancestry Record 8058 #2251584
• 1850 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules: The National Archive in Washington Dc; Washington, DC; NARA Microform Publication: M432; Title: Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29 Ancestry Record 8055 #90906076
• Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/106914801/lorenzo-dow-lafferty: accessed 06 October 2023), memorial page for Lorenzo Dow Lafferty (1802–1882), Find A Grave: Memorial #106914801, citing Bear Creek Cemetery, Concan, Uvalde County, Texas, USA; Maintained by Vern L..L.. (contributor 46937067).
• Shinn, Josiah Hazen. Pioneers and Makers of Arkansas. United States: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1908. "Pioneers and Makers of Arkansas." Accessed 6 Oct 2023.