Individual Details
Matthew Raiford
(Abt, 1687 - Abt, 1758)
"In listing his children in his will, Philip might have done so in the order of their seniority. Contrastingly, we might just as well conclude that, after listing his son Robert as the sole executor, he listed the four girls and then the remaining three boys. The only reason for mentioning this latter arrangement, showing "ladies first," is the fact that 1687 has been accepted by the Daughters of the American Revolution as the alleged birthdate of Matthew. (D.A.R. National No. 380443 for Mrs. Marie Owen-Myers) Having previously established that Philip and his wife, Sarah, were probably married between October 9, 1681, and February 9, 1687, if we assume the "senority" order as listed in the will, then there is insufficient time for seven births from the earliest possible date of 1682 until Matthew's alleged birthdate of 1687. The one exception to this would be multiple births; but not one instance of a multiple birth has been noted in researching almost eight hundred years of Raiford family history, until in the 19th century Virginia branch, twins did occur twice.
"At a Council held at New Bern, Jen. 27, 1746, read the petition for warrants: 640 acres Craven. (THE COLONIAL RECORDS OF NORTH CAROLINA, 10 vols., William L. Saunders, Editor. Raleigh, North Carolina: 1886 - 1890, Vol. 4, page 805.) Matthew Raiford moved to North Carolina about 1700.
"Sorting out of the "North Carolina" Raifords" has proved to be almost insurmountable. During the War Between the States, many early records of North Carolina were either burned or lost.
"In 1712, Craven County, North Carolina, was created by renaming the County of Archdale. Out of Craven County were created, among others, the following counties: Bladen, in 1734; Johnston, in 1746; Anson, in 1750; Cumberland, in 1754; Wake, in 1770; and Montgomery, Richmond, and Wayne, in 1779. (In 1911, Hoke County was formed from Cumberland and Robeson, and the county seat was named Raeford, honoring two prominent citizens, McRae and Williford. The family name "Raiford" was not misspelled, as has been alleged.) In each of the nine counties so noted, and certain other counties yet unmentioned, there are found records pertaining to the Raiford family. The earliest document is dated 1720 in Craven County; and the latest 19th Century ones are dated 1850 and may be foung in Anson, Johnston, and Wayne. As an illustration of the complexity of my genealogical research in North Carolina, "a Matthew Raiford" appears in Craven County in both 1720 and 1746, in Cumberland County in 1756, in Anson County in 1769, and in Montgomery County in 1790. Since Montgomery was created out of Anson, and both Anson and Cumberland were created out of Anson, and both Anson and Cumberland were created out of Bladen, and Bladen was created out of Craven; the question arises as to whether this might possibly be the same Matthew who never moved, or might there more probably be several Matthews during the period from 1720 to 1790? My final charting of the "North Carolina Raifords" was done by comparing land grants, deeds and transfers, wills, census lists, and family groupings at certain places within the state at certain times. I have been unable to substantiate some of the conclusions with actual documentation. However, in several instances, the logical conclusion was that "that Raiford belongs there at that time."
"Matthew Raiford was born in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, after 1681, and possibly about 1687. He first appears on the tax list of Craven County, North Carolina, in 1720. Matthew and his wife, Mourning, sold two hundred acres of land to William Kinchen in 1735. (This William Kinchen was most probably Matthew's uncle, the brother of Matthew's mother, Sarah.) In 1739, William Whitehead sold to Matthew Raiford, Jr., one hundred acres of land for one thousand pounds of pork. This transaction was witnessed by Mattehw Raiford (Sr. ?). This junior Raiford was the eldest son of Matthew, Sr., and his wife, Mourning. In later years, he himself became known as Matthew, Sr., of Anson and Montgomery Counties. About this same time, Philip, brother of Matthew, Jr., was selling his lands in Edgecomb County, North Carolina, in preparation for his move to South Carolina, subsequently to establish the "South Carolina Raifords." Perhaps these 1739 transactions indicated that the Matthew Raiford, Sr. family was preparing to move to Bladen County, for, in 1740, Matthew's name first appears in Bladen County with the notation that he recently moved from Edgecombe County. Also, his second son, Robert, received land grants in Craven County in 1744 and 1747.
"On March 30, 1749, William Robards sold six hundred, forty acres of land "on the northeast side of the northwest branch of the Cape Fear River" to Matthew, Sr. Robards was a son-in-law to Matthew, Sr., being the first husband of Matthew's daughter, Mourning.
"Matthew Raiford, Sr., made his will on July 21, 1752. He died in the spring of 1758, and his will was admitted to probate in the April 1758 Court for Cumberland County. (Cumberland had been created from Bladen in 1754.) Executors were his wife, Mourning, his son, Robert, and Isaac Bush. (After Matthew's death in 1758, his widow married Patrick Conner, as proven by land transfers in 1761, recorded in Cumberland County.) The children of Matthew and Mourning, as listed in his will in the following order, were Matthew, "eldest son;" Robert; Mary, who married Captain William Terry of Savannah Creek, also known as William Terry of Anson County; Anne, who also married a William Terry who was known as "William Terry east of the Pee Dee," to distinguish him from Mary's husband, Anne being alive in 1805 when her husband's will was probated in Richmond County; Mourning, born about 1733 in Bertie District, who married first William Robards and then, after his death in 1760, married William Pickett about 1761, and whose will is on file in Robeson County following her death in 1803; Rebecca, who married Sylvester Sears, but divorced him before 1752, at which time she married John Liles, she being alive in 1778 at the time of Liles' death and being named executor of his will; William; Grace, who married John Stevens but was dead before 1768, because in that year, Stevens and his wife, Sarah, made land transfers; Philip, "youngest son;" and Drusilla, "youngest daughter," who was a minor when her father died, for John Stevens, husband of sister Grace, was appointed her guardian. Drusilla later married John Mask (see full will below).
"In 1779, the will of John Stevens was recorded in Cumberland County, naming as executors his wife Sarah and "my trusty friend Philip Raiford." This Philip was the brother of Stevens' first wife, Grace." (RAIFORD FAMILY by W. R. Raiford, 1989, pages 46-47, 69-74, 137)
"Bladen County, North Carolina. 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. (signed) Matthew Raiford
"Signed Sealed published pronounced & Declared by Matthew Rayford as his last will & Testament In the presence of us. (signed) 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)." (Transcribed from a copy of the actual will by Diane Mason Kelly.)
"At a Council held at New Bern, Jen. 27, 1746, read the petition for warrants: 640 acres Craven. (THE COLONIAL RECORDS OF NORTH CAROLINA, 10 vols., William L. Saunders, Editor. Raleigh, North Carolina: 1886 - 1890, Vol. 4, page 805.) Matthew Raiford moved to North Carolina about 1700.
"Sorting out of the "North Carolina" Raifords" has proved to be almost insurmountable. During the War Between the States, many early records of North Carolina were either burned or lost.
"In 1712, Craven County, North Carolina, was created by renaming the County of Archdale. Out of Craven County were created, among others, the following counties: Bladen, in 1734; Johnston, in 1746; Anson, in 1750; Cumberland, in 1754; Wake, in 1770; and Montgomery, Richmond, and Wayne, in 1779. (In 1911, Hoke County was formed from Cumberland and Robeson, and the county seat was named Raeford, honoring two prominent citizens, McRae and Williford. The family name "Raiford" was not misspelled, as has been alleged.) In each of the nine counties so noted, and certain other counties yet unmentioned, there are found records pertaining to the Raiford family. The earliest document is dated 1720 in Craven County; and the latest 19th Century ones are dated 1850 and may be foung in Anson, Johnston, and Wayne. As an illustration of the complexity of my genealogical research in North Carolina, "a Matthew Raiford" appears in Craven County in both 1720 and 1746, in Cumberland County in 1756, in Anson County in 1769, and in Montgomery County in 1790. Since Montgomery was created out of Anson, and both Anson and Cumberland were created out of Anson, and both Anson and Cumberland were created out of Bladen, and Bladen was created out of Craven; the question arises as to whether this might possibly be the same Matthew who never moved, or might there more probably be several Matthews during the period from 1720 to 1790? My final charting of the "North Carolina Raifords" was done by comparing land grants, deeds and transfers, wills, census lists, and family groupings at certain places within the state at certain times. I have been unable to substantiate some of the conclusions with actual documentation. However, in several instances, the logical conclusion was that "that Raiford belongs there at that time."
"Matthew Raiford was born in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, after 1681, and possibly about 1687. He first appears on the tax list of Craven County, North Carolina, in 1720. Matthew and his wife, Mourning, sold two hundred acres of land to William Kinchen in 1735. (This William Kinchen was most probably Matthew's uncle, the brother of Matthew's mother, Sarah.) In 1739, William Whitehead sold to Matthew Raiford, Jr., one hundred acres of land for one thousand pounds of pork. This transaction was witnessed by Mattehw Raiford (Sr. ?). This junior Raiford was the eldest son of Matthew, Sr., and his wife, Mourning. In later years, he himself became known as Matthew, Sr., of Anson and Montgomery Counties. About this same time, Philip, brother of Matthew, Jr., was selling his lands in Edgecomb County, North Carolina, in preparation for his move to South Carolina, subsequently to establish the "South Carolina Raifords." Perhaps these 1739 transactions indicated that the Matthew Raiford, Sr. family was preparing to move to Bladen County, for, in 1740, Matthew's name first appears in Bladen County with the notation that he recently moved from Edgecombe County. Also, his second son, Robert, received land grants in Craven County in 1744 and 1747.
"On March 30, 1749, William Robards sold six hundred, forty acres of land "on the northeast side of the northwest branch of the Cape Fear River" to Matthew, Sr. Robards was a son-in-law to Matthew, Sr., being the first husband of Matthew's daughter, Mourning.
"Matthew Raiford, Sr., made his will on July 21, 1752. He died in the spring of 1758, and his will was admitted to probate in the April 1758 Court for Cumberland County. (Cumberland had been created from Bladen in 1754.) Executors were his wife, Mourning, his son, Robert, and Isaac Bush. (After Matthew's death in 1758, his widow married Patrick Conner, as proven by land transfers in 1761, recorded in Cumberland County.) The children of Matthew and Mourning, as listed in his will in the following order, were Matthew, "eldest son;" Robert; Mary, who married Captain William Terry of Savannah Creek, also known as William Terry of Anson County; Anne, who also married a William Terry who was known as "William Terry east of the Pee Dee," to distinguish him from Mary's husband, Anne being alive in 1805 when her husband's will was probated in Richmond County; Mourning, born about 1733 in Bertie District, who married first William Robards and then, after his death in 1760, married William Pickett about 1761, and whose will is on file in Robeson County following her death in 1803; Rebecca, who married Sylvester Sears, but divorced him before 1752, at which time she married John Liles, she being alive in 1778 at the time of Liles' death and being named executor of his will; William; Grace, who married John Stevens but was dead before 1768, because in that year, Stevens and his wife, Sarah, made land transfers; Philip, "youngest son;" and Drusilla, "youngest daughter," who was a minor when her father died, for John Stevens, husband of sister Grace, was appointed her guardian. Drusilla later married John Mask (see full will below).
"In 1779, the will of John Stevens was recorded in Cumberland County, naming as executors his wife Sarah and "my trusty friend Philip Raiford." This Philip was the brother of Stevens' first wife, Grace." (RAIFORD FAMILY by W. R. Raiford, 1989, pages 46-47, 69-74, 137)
"Bladen County, North Carolina. 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. (signed) Matthew Raiford
"Signed Sealed published pronounced & Declared by Matthew Rayford as his last will & Testament In the presence of us. (signed) 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)." (Transcribed from a copy of the actual will by Diane Mason Kelly.)
Events
| Birth | Abt, 1687 | Isle of Wight County, Virginia | |||
| Marriage | July, 1709 | Mourning Martin or Pierce | |||
| Death | Abt, 1758 | Edgefield County, North Carolina |
Families
| Spouse | Mourning Martin or Pierce (1690 - ) |
| Child | Matthew Raiford (1710 - 1789) |
| Child | Robert Raiford (1720 - 1801) |
| Child | Grace Raiford (1724 - 1765) |
| Child | Mary Raiford (1725 - 1783) |
| Child | Mourning Raiford (1733 - 1803) |
| Child | William Raiford (1735 - 1798) |
| Child | Philip Peter Raiford (1737 - 1818) |
| Child | Rebecca Raiford ( - 1778) |
| Child | Drusilla Raiford ( - 1781) |
| Child | Anne "Nancy" Raiford (1742 - 1805) |
| Father | Philip Raiford (1649 - 1724) |
| Mother | Sarah Kinchen ( - ) |
| Sibling | Robert Raiford (1683 - 1731) |
| Sibling | William Raiford Sr. (1685 - 1766) |
| Sibling | Philip Raiford (1689 - 1748) |
| Sibling | Mary Raiford (1691 - ) |
| Sibling | Anne Raiford (1693 - ) |
| Sibling | Patience Raiford (1695 - ) |
| Sibling | Sarah Raiford (1697 - ) |