James Alford c1687 VA – c 1730 VA

James Alford, oldest son of John Alford is our direct ancestor. He was born circa 1687 in New Kent, Virginia.[i]There are no records to tell us the names of James’ mother or wife but we do know of five sons of James: Lodwick Alford (b circa 1707[ii]), Goodrich Alford (b circa 1710[iii]), James Alford (b 7 February 1713[iv]), Warren Alford (b August 1715[v]) and Julius Alford (b September 1717[vi]).

When John Alford Sr. died, “it appears that James Alford became the Alford leader of the community.”[vii]He is mentioned several times in the records of Saint Peter’s Parish. In 1710 James was compensated by the vestry of Saint Peter’s Parish for “ Keeping a “p’sh Child”.  The notes of the November 1713 vestry meeting mention “James Alford’s bill”. In September 1721 James is shown to be owed compensation for “an Overlist”.[viii]These notations show us that James Alford was residing in and active in Saint Peter’s Parish during those years. James died about 1730 in New Kent, Virginia.[ix]

Three sons of James Alford, Lodwick Alford, Goodrich Alford and Julius Alford, moved from their birthplace in New Kent, Virginia to North Carolina. In October 1735 all three brothers were in Saint Peter’s Parish.[x]They journeyed south with their families. Initially the Alford brothers can be found in Edgecombe County. Later, Edgecombe was split to form Granville County. Later still Granville County was split to form Bute County which was short lived and abolished in 1779 when it was divided into Warren County and Franklin County. When searching records for our family several counties must be researched.

[i]Saunders, C. A., My Alford Heritage[Limited Edition] (Texas: Morgan Printing, 2005).

[ii]Alford, Gil, Virginia Alfords: The New Kent County Years(AAFA Action, Summer 1994) 48 – 51.

[iii]Alford, Gil, Virginia Alfords: The New Kent County Years(AAFA Action, Summer 1994) 48 – 51.

[iv]“Virginia Births and Christenings, 1584 – 1917,” Family Search(familysearch.org. accessed 2016), James Alford, 7 Feb 1713.

[v]National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Virginia, The Parish Register of Saint Peter’s New Kent, County, Virginia 1680-1787 [Parish Record Series, No. 2] (Greenville, SC: Southern Historical Press, Inc.)10.

[vi]National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Virginia, The Parish Register of Saint Peter’s New Kent, County, Virginia 1680-1787 [Parish Record Series, No. 2] (Greenville, SC: Southern Historical Press, Inc.)73.

[vii]Alford, Gil, Virginia Alfords: The New Kent County Years(AAFA Action, Summer 1994) 48 – 51.

[viii]The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Virginia ,The Vestry book of Saint Peter’s Parish, 1682-1758; New Kent County, Va., [Parish Record Series, No. 3] (Greenville, SC: Southern Historical Press, 2006)131.

[ix]Saunders, C. A., My Alford Heritage[Limited Edition] (Texas: Morgan Printing, 2005).

[x]The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Virginia, The Vestry Book of Saint Peter’s Parish, 1682-1758; New Kent County, Va., [Parish Record Series, No. 3] (Greenville, SC: Southern Historical Press, 2006)Page 172.

John Alford (1645 – 1710). James was born in New Kent, Virginia c 1687.

….. 1 James Alford b: Abt. 1687 in New Kent, Virginia, d: Abt. 1730 in New Kent, Virginia
……….. 2 Julius Alford b: 04 Sept 1717 in New Kent, Virginia, d: Nov  1771 in Butte County, NC
……….. + Lucy Newton b: 1720, d: 1790
……….. 2 Goodrich Alford
……….. 2 Lodwick Alford
……….. 2 Warren Alford

Selected Sources:

• “My Alford Heritage” by Carolyn Alford Saunders, 2005.  Printed by Morgan Printing, Texas.  Limited Edition.
• AAFA ACTION, Volume X, #3, Winter 1998 (Publication of the Alford American Family Assoc.)