Stephen Lankford (b. abt. 1725, son of Thomas Sr. and __?. d. 1785-86), m. Sarah Watkins (dau. of Wm. & Priscilla), of Newport Parish, Isle of Wight, Virginia

ABT. 1725–BIRTH/MOTHER-IN-LAW NAMED AS “PRISCILLA”: Thirteen children are listed for unknown Langford parents, as posted on RootsWeb’s WorldConnect Project at http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=AHN&db=grantpinix&i . . ., site referred to shb by Ann Langford, accessed 9 Sep 2006. The listing reads: “iv. XY Lankford was born abt. 1725. He married Sarah Watkins, daughter of William Watkins and Priscilla __.” –shb 9 Sep 2006

MARRIES SARAH WATKINS, WHO PRESENTS STEPHEN’S WILL. See will of Stephen Lankford, made 2 Nov 1785 (below). Description names his “wife” as an executor, along with Robert Watkins and son-in-law Mills Eley. The record then says it was “presented by Sarah Lankford,” which I take as an indication that Stephen’s widow’s name was “Sarah,” though I seek additional verification (which I found–see below). –shb 11 July 2007

1786, JUNE 28–HER FATHER IS WILLIAM WATKINS? WRITES WILL WHEN “VERY OLD”–NAMES “SARAH LANKFORD” AS A DAUGHTER, AND “MARY LANKFORD,” AS A GRANDDAUGHTER, AMONG OTHERS. Wills and Administrations of Isle of Wight County, Virginia 1647-1800, by Blanche Adams Chapman, p. 277 [bolding mine--shb]: WATKINS, William (being very old). Leg[attees] grandson Robert Watkins; granddaughter Isabell Bridger; daughter Mary Whitehead; daughter Ann Jenkins; daughter Sarah Lankford; granddaughter Mary Lankford; grandson Robert Saunders; to the children of my son Jesse Watkins, viz: Sarah Martha, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Penelope, Jesse and William Watkins. Ex., grandson Robert Watkins. D. June 28, 1786. R[ecorded] December 3, 1789. Wit: William Powell, Jethro Powell. Security, Jethro Powell. Page 163.” –shb 11 July 2007 [Note: Executor and Security for the will of Stephen Lankford was Robert Watkins. I believe he is the same grandchild named as executor in this will of William Watkins. This fortifies my confidence that the "Sarah Lankford" named as a daughter in William Watkins' will was Stephen Lankford's wife--shb.]

1794, SEPTEMBER 3–DAUGHTER ISABELLA WRITES WILL/NAMES “MOTHER SARAH LANKFORD” AS ONLY LEGATEE AND EXECUTOR OF HER ESTATE. (See daughter Isabella’s notes for will detail.) –shb 11 July 2007

1778, MAY 24–FATHER, “THOMAS LANKFORD,” OF NEWPORT PARISH [ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY, VIRGINIA--SHB] MAKES HIS WILL/HE NAMES “SON STEPHEN,” AS AN HEIR. HE ALSO NAMES OTHER CHILDREN AND THREE GRANDCHILDREN, BUT DOES NOT MENTION HIS WIFE. (See notes of father, Thomas Lankford, for detail.) –shb 11 July 2007

1785, NOVEMBER 2–MAKES WILL. Wills and Administrations of Isle of Wight County, Virginia 1647-1800, by Blanche Adams Chapman, p. 270 (searched at the FHL, 23 June 2007, by shb–bolding mine): “LANKFORD, Stephen. [I see that one researcher thought his name looked like "Bankford or Lankford"--shb.] Of Newport Parish. Leg[atee] wife; son Wiley; son-in-law Mills Eley and his wife Catey; grandson Stephen Eley; daughter Mary; daughter Isabel; daughter Patty Lankford. Exs., wife, Robert Watkins [probably grandson of William Watkins, his father-in-law, who was executor of William's will, made in 1786--shb] and son-in-law Mills Eley. D. November 2, 1785. R[ecorded] April 7, 1786. Presented by Sarah Lankford. Wit: Jesse Lankford, Thomas Inglish. Security, Robert Watkins. Page 57.” –shb 11 July 2007

1789, OCTOBER 2–ESTATE APPRAISED BY BROTHER JESSE LANKFORD, ALSO JOHN ENGLISH AND JETHRO POWELL. Wills and Administrations of Isle of Wight County, Virginia 1647-1800, by Blanche Adams Chapman, p. 274 (searched at the FHL, 23 June 2007, by shb–bolding mine): “LANKFORD, Stephen: Appraised by John English, Jesse Lankford, Jethro Powell. R[ecorded] October 2, 1788. Page 115.” –shb 11 July 2007