James Bashford (abt. 1752 - bef. 1824)

Husband of Nancy (Smith) Bashford — married about 1772 (to about 1824) in Taghkanic, Columbia County, New York colony

Descendants

Died before 22 Nov 1824 before about age 72 in Taghkanic, Columbia, New York, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Ken Bashford [send private message]

NOTE: This profile has been revised to reflect the removal (without replacement) of previously connected parents from the Vital Data section. -- KB, 3/17/24

Biography

No record has been found to establish the date or place of birth for this James Bashford. His year of birth is estimated to be 1752. James married Nancy Smith, probably around 1772, as their oldest child was at least 26 on the 1800 census. James died in 1824. His will was proven on 22 Nov of that year.

In his will James mentioned his wife Nancy, his 4 sons, and his 5 daughters: John, James, George, Bylay [Byaly], Abigail, Phebe, Martha, Polly, and Nancy.

Solomon Smith, Sr., Nancy’s father, made his will in 1794. In the will he named his daughter ‘Nancy Bashford’ and appointed his son-in-law, James Bashford, as co-executor of the will.

Research Note: James's father

THEORY #1: One reference suggests that James Bashford emigrated to America in 1770 from England or Holland, but no record or ship's passenger list could be found to verify this suggestion. This theory also points to a baptismal record naming a 'Josiah Bashford' as the father of a 'James Bashford' in Sussex, England in 1755. However, there is no corroborating evidence to confirm that this baptismal record attaches to the James Bashford of this profile. It should also be noted that James did not name any of his sons Josiah.

THEORY #2: A 'Byaly Bashford' is identified in a Find A Grave citation (below, with gravestone photo) as having died in 1794 in his 84th year in Westchester County, New York. James DID name one of his sons Byaly. Thus, it is possible this Byaly who died in 1794 was James' father. No record and no other hard evidence of a connection between James and the elder Byaly has been found. However, other available records & references suggest that descendants of this Byaly Bashford lived in proximity to where Byaly was buried. In the 1790 Census (4 years before Byaly's death), the James Bashford of this profile lived in Westchester County.

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21314880/byaly-bashford: accessed 13 December 2023), memorial page for Byaly Bashford (unknown–22 Jun 1794), Find a Grave Memorial ID 21314880, citing Old Van Cortlandtville Cemetery, Van Cortlandtville, Westchester County, New York, USA; Maintained by Pat (contributor 46871295).

CONCLUSION: While THEORY #2 is the more compelling of the two theories, there is insufficient solid evidence to validate either theory. Therefore, the previously connected parents have been removed from the Vital Data section and have not been replaced.

Sources

• James' birth year, emigration to America, and descendants, pages 7 and 8 of a book online at Internet Archive: “American Ancestry: Giving the Name and Descent, in the Male Line, of Americans Whose Ancestors Settled in the United States Previous to the Declaration of Independence, A. D. 1776. VOL. II (Local Series.) Columbia County, State of New York”, published 1887. NOT a primary source. https://archive.org/details/americanancestry002hugh

• James Bashford, baptized in England, 1755: https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/3027183?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a227264444a6b6a5269386a4c435779456930717049516f62397969376f4d6461732f506e51684171764336673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d

• Arriving New York, 1770: https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/3041085?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a2268776d64796a336232594a73576a62624d344a56336a48366a696433354f394a494d2b6e746845616767303d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d NOTE: Further investigation of this reference failed to locate a ship's passenger list or other record of James Bashford's arrival in America from England or Holland. - KB, 3/17/24

• 1790 Census: "United States Census, 1790", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHK5-KD7 : Fri Mar 08 02:03:53 UTC 2024), Entry for James Bashford, 1790.

• 1799 Tax Assessments: https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/2612784?mark=0c82d226f84740a3fb0002765d921581d5b5200038d529be9148be1f1cf1a2cd

• 1800 Census: "United States Census, 1800," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHRZ-3LC : accessed 21 March 2023), James Bashford, Livingston, Columbia, New York, United States; citing p. 1095, NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 22; FHL microfilm 193,710.

• "United States Census, 1820," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHGF-GLF : accessed 21 March 2023), James Bashford, Taghkanic, Columbia, New York, United States; citing p. , NARA microfilm publication , (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll ; FHL microfilm .

• Last Will & Testament, James: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L992-9QLY?i=143

• Abstract of James’ will listing names of wife & children mentioned in the will: https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/2612762?mark=4b408493ea6188e52588b156f1590f9394bc1221dad476bcc73da285f090ad8a

• Last Will & Testament of Solomon Smith, Sr, father of Nancy: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L99R-NDX2?i=363