John Stanford (1831 - 1879)

Born Jul 1831 in Grates Cove, Newfoundland [uncertain]

Husband of Mary Alice (Martin) Stanford — married 2 Oct 1853 in Grates Cove, Newfoundland

Descendants

Died 4 Mar 1879 at age 47 in Old Perlican, Newfoundland

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jeffrey Martin [send private message]

John Stanford is one of twins.

Biography

In the 1900 census for Everett, MA, both Ann Strong and Janette Hall gave the place of birth of their father as being Mississippi (Janette also listed her father's birthplace as Mississippi and her mother's as England in the 1920 census). This seems like a curious migration, however, Carbonear was a major port on the way to Britain and was supposedly involved in running guns during the Civil War. In an old letter sent to my grandmother (Mary Belle Strong Whittaker) the author gives her grandparents as being John Stanford of Carbonear and Mary Alice Martin of Grates Cove. Inquiry at the Carbonear Historical Society (Mr. Burt Parsons) did not reveal any information on this trade or the Stanford family. The parish records for Carbonear are also silent concerning the Stanford family. The records of Old Perlican seem to indicate that the Stanford or Sansford family was of that place. If John was involved in running guns to his old home he must have been involved from his home in Newfoundland as he was married there and his children were born there, not in Mississippi. Superficial inquiries in Mississippi reveals several Stanford families living there in the early 1800's and it is certainly possible that John shipped out from one of the ports in that area as a young man. Ann and Janette stating that their mother was born in England could certainly imply that she was from Newfoundland as it was a Crown Colony and part of Britain. However, others in the census were listed as being born in Canada or Newfoundland if they were from "The Rock".

"The List of persons entitled to vote in the Election of a member of the District of Trinity Bay on the first day of September One Thousand Eight Hundred and thirty five in the respect of Dwelling Houses situate in then the said District… 765 Sansford, John Old Perlican Mount" ^[1] A John Sansfords is also listed in 1836, '37 and '38. In 1836 William Sansford is also listed. As our John named his son William was he related to this William Sansford? A William Sansford died in Old Perlican in 1867 age 80 years. If our John was the son of William or John Sansford perhaps they were the ones who emigrated from Mississippi? No Stanfords/Sansfords are listed in the 1800 census. John was contemporary with Henry and George Stanford of Grates Cove as well as Stephen and James of Old Perlican. ^[2] Joseph Sansford also appears on the tax lists for 1838 and 1838 for Old Perlican and Joseph and Anne Sansford had a son John born 9 July 1831 in Grate’s Cove. Interestingly, no Stanfords/Sansfords are listed in the 1864/5 Newfoundland directory for either Old Perlican or Grates Cove, although John and Henry Sansford are listed for Scilly Cove (Winterton) in the 1871 directory as are a John Sandford of Charles Brook, White Bay, and a Stephen Sansford of Wiseman's Cove, White Bay.

Sources

1. ↑ Trinity Bay Manuscripts- The William White Collection- Voters List, Trinity Bay District 1835-38- PANL 18/a1,6
2. ↑ Parish Records for Old Perlican as well as Old Perlican Class Lists- United Church Archives, St. John's

• Twin brother of William - Birth and Baptism dates: http://ngb.chebucto.org/Vstats/pre-1891-trinity-north-ce-bap-1827-1832-p-30-54-fb.shtml
• "Canada, Newfoundland Vital Statistics, 1753-1893," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK9T-5MKZ : 23 February 2021), John Sanford, 09 Jul 1831; citing Birth, Grates Cove, Trinity North, Newfoundland, Canada, Provincial Archives, St. John's.
• Vital Records of Old Perlican & Grate's Cove, Nfld.
• Evelyn Dwyer- Grand Falls, Nfld.; Otto Martin- Little Heart's Ease, Nfld.
• 1900 Census- Everett, MA, Vol.40, ED 742, sheet 3, line 41ff