I have been an avid genealogist since I was in middle school. I'm talking back in the days before the internet and digital access.... commonly known as the Dark Ages. Stacks of books, letters to far off libraries seeking information, and prayers asking for an occasional miracle... or trying to coax family into "spilling the beans" about "the skeletons in the closet." I've addressed other genealogy quandaries in past posts, but now I've decided I want to do more of them as I work my way further into the past.
So, this post is about the mysterious Henry Alford, a man seemingly lost in the annuals of history, or at least until I track him down.
My mother's maiden name was Alford. My grandfather, Ralph Monroe Alford, died when I was only a year old and I felt no connection to him, until I started researching his family. As I struggled to find out where the Alfords came from, I realized later that the best clue was right in front of my eyes... his middle name. Monroe... Monroe County, West Virginia.
To make a long story short, I am a direct descendent of Margaret and John Alford of Monroe County, West Virginia. I found a fellow researcher online who had already researched these branches; but being the curious type, I wanted to see the primary sources for myself. So I began to fact check...
From other's research, I knew that John Alford had married a Margaret Alford in Rockingham County, Virginia, and later moved to Monroe County. Yes, an Alford marrying an Alford; but don't fear, they were not closely related. So, I assumed as others had already pointed out that Margaret was the daughter of a John Alford from Ireland. (He is commonly referred to Irish John by some.) But my curiosity sat in and I wanted to see for myself... And that's when...
I came across a reference book in Family Search -- "Old Tenth Legion marriages : marriages in Rockingham County, Virginia, from 1778-1816, taken from the marriage bonds" complied by Harry Strickler. There is a listing for John Alford and Mary Alford, married on October 16th, 1799 in Rockingham County. (I later learned that Strickler misread her name as Mary.) But, one thing he didn't misspell was her father's name... and it wasn't Irish John.
So I wrote to the Library of Virginia where the original records are housed, and, for a $25 fee, obtained copies of their marriage record and a marriage bond. I got three sheets of paper for that $25 and it was worth it. And here they are:
1) a list of marriages that shows John Alford marrying Margaret Alford on October 16th, 1799.
2) a note showing that Robert Alford swore before the Justice of the Peace that Margaret was upward to 21 years of age and that she was also known as Peggy. (1799 - 21 makes her born in 1778. But the word "upwards" leaves room for the possibility of a different year.)
3) and the bond itself. It was a printed form that was filled out by the clerk/justice of the peace. It has John Alford, Abraham Funk, and Margaret Alford, "daughter of Henry Alford." And I said "Wait. What? Henry Alford... Who the hell is Henry Alford!?"
Since I am a librarian at a state library with a genealogy department, I consulted with my colleagues and they all agreed that it says Henry Alford, so I wasn't misreading it.
From further digging on Family Search, I did find a Henry Alford obtaining a land grant in 1769 in Augusta/Rockingham County. There was also a William Alford listed. I am still digging for more about him (and William), but he seems to be a possible candidate since the land grant date is in the right range. If he was a younger man, say 20 to 30, then he could have children born in the 1770s (since Margaret was born around 1778).
The point of this genealogical tale… Always remain curious and always look at those primary sources for yourself. You never know what someone missed.
Well that's the first part of this tale of the mysterious Henry Alford... Now to work on the second part, so stay tuned. Give me a couple of weeks to gather my thoughts.
CSM
