• Index to Genealogies

Raiford of Virginia, North Carolina & Jefferson Co., Georgia

The first Raiford in America this country was Colonel Philip Rayford. He was chr. on 2 December 1649 in Crediton, Davenport, England. He obtained a grant of 350 acres of land In Isle of Wight County, Virginia, April 23, 1681[1] as a reward for importing people into the Colony. Originally the Raiford family came from France (Brittany).[2]

His name is spelled Wrayford in the grant but Rayford in his will which was probated Dec. 28, 1724 in the Isle of Wight Co, Virginia. Philip Raiford helped to appraise the estate of John Moore on 6 March 1692 in Isle of Wight County; also one of four men to appraise the estate of John Turner.[3]

Known issue: Robert, William, Philip, Mary, Anne, Patience, Sarah and Matthew.[4]

Matthew Raiford was born 1687 in the Isle of Wight County, Virginia and died 1758. Wife, Mourning Crudup.[5]

His LWT was dated 1752 in Bladen County, North Carolina.[6] He was a member of the House of Assembly in Anson County, North Carolina, Justice of the Peace, and owned land in Craven County (North Carolina) as early as 1746. His LWT was probated in April of 1758 in Bladen County. Issue:

• William Raiford was in the House of Representatives in Newbern, Anson County, North Carolina in 1769.[7] He was married in 1728 to Miss Bryan. Issue: A. Major John Raiford, born 1730, died ca 1812 in North Carolina, married Lucy Spell (died 1822). He was a Justice of the Peace in Craven County, North Carolina in 1756 and was listed on the 1790 Wayne County, North Carolina Census.[8] Issue: 1. Maurice Raiford, Lieutenant was born in Buncombe County, North Carolina, died November 1826 in Jefferson County, Georgia. He married Aseneath Hodges in 1785 (2nd wife). Issue:

  1. Campbell Raiford, born 1 November 1809 in Jefferson County, Georgia, died 24 March 1868 in Alabama, married 22 February 1838 in Louisville, Georgia, Elizabeth Walker (born 25 August 1821, died August 1842). Issue:

  1. A. E. Fredonia Raiford, born 22 June 1843 in Louisville, Georgia, died 7 April 1898 in Atlanta, married on 22 October 1866 in Auburn, Alabama, Major Robert Scott (born 16 January 1839, died 16 September 1900).[9]

• Philip Raiford received a land grant in South Carolina on 19 September 1742, of 300 acres on the north side of the Santee River.[10] Also, on the same date, 450 acres on the north side of the Santee. Also, 300 acres in Craven County, on 6 October 1752.[11] On 1 February 1758 he received 100 acres on the north side of the Broad River in Craven County.[12]
• Robert Raiford.
• Matthew Raiford had the following land grants in Anson County:[13]
  
  3064 pg. 677 MATHEW RAIFORD 18 April 1771 150 acres in Anson on the N.E. side of Peedee river, joining the S.W. bank of Little river, Andrew Moreman, Jacob Sheppard, and the sd. Raiford.
  
  3066 pg. 678 MATHEW RAIFORD, Jr. 18 April 1771 200 acres in Anson on the N.E. side of Peedee river, joining Tar Kiln Branch and (a point) near the round pond.
  
  3055 pg. 676 WILLIAM PICKETT 18 April 1771 100 acres in Anson on the S.W. of Peedee river, joining Nicholas Smiths supposed lower line, Turkey Cock Creek, Picketts other survey, and (a point) near the mouth of the Creek at the end of Joseph Whites Line.
• Ann Raiford.
• Patience Raiford.
• Sarah Raiford.
• Rebeckah Raiford.
• Grace Raiford.
• Drusilla Raiford.

[1] VIRGINIA CAVALIERS AND PIONEERS, PATENT BOOK NO. 6, page 216. PHILIP WRAYFORD. 350 acs. Is. of W. Co; on br. Of the Blackwater; beg. At Mr. Acheley's corner; adj. Col. Bridger; &c. 23 Apr. 1681. p. 69. Trans. of 7 pers; Marke Horpu (?), Jona.l Moore, Tho. Norton, Wm. Darby, Pers. Eldy, Ja. Onakerby (or Makerby), Tho. Doubty.. PATENT BOOK NO. 7. P. 217. GEORGE PEIRCE, 400 acs. Is. of W. Co. on brs of Blackwater, adj. Mr. Asheley; Phill. Wrayfird; & his own land.; 23 Apr. 1681, p. 71. Trans. of 8 pers: Jno. Sands, Abr. Barnes, Chr. Jones, Tho. Brown, Wm. Moon, And. North, Jno. King, Fard. Stamp. P. 236. RICHARD HUCHINS, JUNR., 226 acs. Is. of Wight Co. on brs. of the Black Water, 20 Apr. 1682, p. 155. Begin at John. Watkins' line; adj. Philip Wrayford; by William Powell; &c. Imp. of 5 pers: Samuel Dunston, John Simpson, James Long, Robert Orrel, Mary Newton. P. 238 - THOMAS MANDUE, 320 acs., Is. of W. Co., on brs. of the Black Water, 20 Apr. 1682, p. 165.Begin at George Perce's land, in possession of Phillip Wrayford; to Mathew Strickland; to the Coblers line, &c. Trans of 7 pers: Tho. Parker, Richd Stanly, Christopher Ellis, Samll. Bott, John Phillips, Jeter Moore, Tho. Anderson. PATENT BOOK NO. 8. P. 375. BRIDGEMAN JOYNER, 600 acs. Is. of Wight Co., neer Kingsdale Swamp; along James Brian & and run of the maine Black Water Sw; 29 Apr. 1692, p. 222. Imp. of 12 pers: Bridgman Joyner, Elizabeth Jones, Jno. Edmond, Tho. Wright, William Walker, Phillip Rafford, Jno. Edmond, Mary Wilkinson, Jno. Edwards, Owen Ellis, Derick Stone, Black Moll. PATENT BOOK NO. 9, P. 5. WILLIAM CARVER, 45 acs., Low. Par. of Is. of Wight Co; adj. Thomas Mandue & Phillip Wrayford; 25 Oct. 1695. P. 23. Imp. of: John Ashden . P. 134. PHILLIP RAYFORD, of Is. of W. Co., 100 acs. (N. L.), Isle of Wight Co; S. side of the main Blackwater Sw; on S. side of Seacock Sw; adj. His old land 13 Nov.1713; 10 Shill. P. 139. PHILLIP RAYFORD, 325 acs. (N. L.) In the Low Par. of Isle of Wight Co, on S. side of the main Black Water Sw., 13 Nov. 1713, p. 119. On SW side of Seacock Sw; neer mouth of Round Hill Sw. 1 Lb 10 shill. PATENT BOOK NO. 10. P. 169. PHILIP RAYFORD, 525 acs. (N. L. ) Is. of Wight Co; on S. side the main Blackwater Sw; beg. On SE side of the Doctor's Br., in line of Capt. Luke Havield; near the Indian Path; on Robert Hodges' line; 23 Dec. 1714, p. 231. 1 Lb. 15 shill., & Imp. of 4 pers: George Rotherford, Edward Hopkins, Jno. Harris, Wm. Harrington. P. 204 . WILLIAM CRUMPLER, 130 acs. (N. L. ) Isle of Wight Co., on S. side the main Blackwater Sw. adj. Philip Rayford (Raiford); George Williamson & Thomas Reives; 12 Jul. 1718, p. 382. 15 Shill. P. 272. THOMAS JONES, 440 acs. (N. L.) Is. of Wight Co; on S. side the main Blackwater Sw; & on N. side the Long Branch; adj. his own, & land of Phillip Rayford; 9 July 1724, p. 90. 45 Shill. P. 324 . COL. JOHN ALLEN of Surry Co; 400 acs. (N. L.), Is. of Wight Co; on SW side the Round Hill Sw; on SW of Seacock Sw; cor of land of Phillip Rayford dec'd ; 6 May 1727, p. 75. 40 Shill.

[2] Catalogue of Noble Families and Their Coats of Arms of Brittany, Volume 3, page 24. Allan, father of Jean Ravart, died before 1479. Lord Ravart of LeMarre Parish near Lambelle. The name changed from Ravart as families journeyed through France, England, Scotland by the Bermudas, finally to Virginia colony. Rabart / Raisford / Rainsford / Rayford and finally, Raiford.

[3] Isle of Wight County Will and Deed Book 2, pp. 315, 474.

[5] Daughters of American Colonists, Ancestor Index, page 320 (1976).

[6] North Carolina Bladen County

In the Name of God Amen This 21th day of July In the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Two, I Matthew Raiford being sick a& Weak in Body but of Sound and perfect mind and memory Thanks be Given to Almighty God. Therefore And Calling to mind the Mortality of my Body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Die do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in the following Manner and form (that is to say) First of all, I, Recommend my Soul into the hands of God that Gave it and my body to the Earth to be buryed in a Christian like & Decent manner at the Discription of my Executors. Nothing Doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the Same again by the mighty power of God.

And --as Touching Such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to Bless me in this life I give and Devise and Dispose thereof in the manner & form following.

Imprimis. My will and desire is that all my just Debts & funeral Expenses be first paid and Discharged.

Item - I Give and Dispose unto my Eldest Son, Matthew Raiford the sum of one Shilling Sterling Money of Great Britain (besides what he hath heretofore received) to be paid to him out of my Estate within one year after my Descease.

Item -I give & bequeath unto my Daughter Mary, the sum of one Shilling Sterling to be paid by my Executors out of my Estate within One year after my Descease.

Item-I Give & bequeath unto my Daughter Anne the sum of one Shilling Sterling to be paid her out of my Estate within One Year after my Desease to be by her & her heirs possess and for Ever Enjoyd To go there with what she heretofore hath received & posessed.

Item-I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Mourning the Sum of One Shilling Sterling to be paid her out of my Estate within one year after my descease.

Item-I give & bequeath unto my Daughter Rebeckah Six Cows & Calves to be paid her out of my Estate in One Year after my Descease on condition that Silvester Sears shall not at any time Claim any Rights to any part thereof by virtue of his being formerly Maryd to her the sd Rebeckah.

Item-I give Devise & Dispose of all that land & plantation whereon I now dwell containing four Hundred & Ninety Acres with appes_tenan unto my Youngest Son Phillipe Rayford and his heirs for Ever to be by him possessed & Enjoyd when he attains to the age of Twenty one years his Mother therds thereof Excepted to her only propper use after he attained the age affore sd Whilest she Remain my widdow but in case the sd Phillip dies without heirs my will is that those Lands shall descend to my Son William & his heirs and in Case he die without Lawful issue then those lands shall belong to my Son Robert & his heirs for Ever.

Item-I Give & bequeath to my loving wife Mourning and to the remainer of my Children Viz. To & Robert, William, Phillip, Grace & Drusella, all my Negroe Stock and other movables what so ever To be Equally Divided between them. When my Youngest Daughter Shall or might have arrived at the age of Twenty One Years but in Case any of the last mentioned persons dies before the sd Drusilla arrive to or should have arrived to the sd age of Twenty One Years Then the sd Negroes Stock & moveable to the Equally Divided between the survivor of them AND I do hereby nominate Constitute and appoint my Dearly belove wife and my well beloved Son Robert Rayford and my Trusty Friend. Isaac Bush To be joint Executors of this my last will & testamt. Ratifying & Confirming this and no other to be my last will & testament and Disa Nulling and hereby making void all other wills Testaments & Legacy by me heretofore will or bequeath. And in Testimony whereof have hereunto set my hand & Seal the Day & year first within written.

/s/Matthew Raiford

Signed Sealed published pronounced & Declared by Matthew Rayford as his last will & Testament In the presence of us.

Margret Armstrong
Frank Armstrong
Thomas Jones

Cumberland County Court April 1758

The within will was proven in open Court by the oath of Margret Armstrong who Swore she saw Francis Armstrong and Thomas Jones sign as concoring evidences and was Recorded in the Clerks office according to Law

Saml Simpson c:c

Registered in the recorders office of Cumberland County in Book A for page 226 Saml Simpston Regrs-

Back side: Matthew Raiford Will

To be opened by his wife Mourning , his son Robert or Wm. by Isaac Bush (this (Isaac Bush)is marked out)

[7] North Carolina Colonial Records, Vol. 5, page 657.

[8] Colonial Records 1769-1771, page 107.

[9] Society of Colonial Dames Membership Application of Miss Mary Jane Gaffney (born 6 February 1908 in Gaffney, South Carolina, the daughter of Colonel Herbert Gaffney and his wife, Blanche (Farlin) Gaffney (born 4 May 1871 in LaGrange, died 12 February 1895 in Atlanta). Descended from Colonel Philip Raiford, born in the old country, who came to America by way of Bermuda from England, settled at Isle of Wight County, Virginia and branches of the family came later to North Carolina. Application dated 18 July 1931.

[10] South Carolina Land Grants, Book III, page 552.

[11] South Carolina Land Grants, Book V, page 27.

[12] South Carolina Land Grants, Book VIII, page 201.

[13] Colony of NC 1765-1775 Abstracts of Land Patents Volume Two-A by Margaret M. Hofmann.