Family History

SANFORD FAMILY HISTORY

The Sanford Family was among the earliest families to come to Virginia. They are of Anglo-Saxon origin and their name is found among the ancient records in England. Our branch of the family came from Shropshire County, England.

The family crest includes a falcon with wings endorsed feeding on a partridge. The motto is "nec temere, nec timide" (Latin, for "neither by accident, nor timidly.")

Sanford Family Crest

Robert Sanford, the immigrant, and his wife Ann Smith Sanford settled on Nomini Creek on land that had been in an Indian District called Chichacoan, later to become Northumberland and then Westmoreland County, Virginia. Their land adjoined the Stratford, the Lee family estate. Born circa 1640, Robert immigrated prior to 1674.

Robert's son William Sanford (wife Jemima?) lived in Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, as did William's son Joseph Sanford, who was married to Ann Barbary Muse. In 1749 Joseph bought land in Prince William County.

Joseph's son Joseph II served in the Revolutionary War. He was married to Jane Bunbury. He bought land in Culpeper County in 1778. By 1820 he was an established landowner in Stafford County, and is buried there at the home of his son Lawrence, known as Home Tract or Rocky Pen, on the Rappahannock River.

Rocky Pen or Home Tract Farm, Stafford County

Lawrence I married Apphia Farmer whom he met in in Culpeper County. They lived at Home Tract or Rocky Pen in Stafford County and owned land in other counties as well. At his death Lawrence willed some thirty slaves to his family members. He served in the War of 1812. Lawrence and Apphia are buried in the cemetery at Home Tract.

Lawrence Sanford II	Lawrence's son Lawrence II settled at Newington near Everona in Orange County. He married Lucy Henshaw Walker, daughter of Benjamin Walker and Betsy Henshaw Walker. Both Lawrence and Lucy are buried at Newington Cemetery. Lawrence Sanford owned a family Bible including family history records that is preserved at Woodley.	Newington, Everona
Lucy Henshaw Walker Sanford

Berry Hill, Orange, VA

Lawrence II's son Walker Wallace married Lelia Johnson of Berry Hill in Orange, and settled at Woodley. Walker and Lelia are buried at Graham Cemetery just outside Orange, Virginia.

Walker Wallace Sanford

Lelia Johnson Sanford

Harry Estil Sanford

Mary Gertrude Lewis Sanford

Walker's son Harry Estil married Mary Gertrude Lewis. They had 12 children. They lived at Woodley, Rockwood, Far Away, Rowe's Mill, and Goldenrod Farm. Harry and Mary are buried in Graham Cemetery just outside Orange, Virginia.

Woodley, Orange County
Woodley, Orange