Our Standifer Lineage from 1679, Skelton from 1534
Today I’m posting our Standifer lineage; it was compiled using data from a number of sources (see citations
below). As you can see below, the first name on the list is a Skelton, not a Standifer. The reason for this is
simple: while I know our Standifer lineage from John Standifer of 1679-on, I know his wife’s lineage (Margaret
Skelton) from 1534-on. So, Skelton is first-in-line on this page, though I switched over to delineating the
Standifer line starting in 1679.
1. Rodger Skelton
Birth:1534, England
Father:William Skelton
Spouse:Rose Unknown
Birth:1539, England
Children:William (1560-)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. William Skelton
Birth:1560, Lincolnshire England
Spouse:Sarah Unknown
Children:Samuel (1591-1634)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. Samuel Skelton
Birth:26 Feb 1591, Coningsby Lincolshire England
Death:2 Aug 1634, Salem Essex Massachusetts
Spouse:Susanna Travis
Birth:14 Sep 1597, Horvling Lincolnshire England
Children:Samuel (1622-1663)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4. Samuel Skelton
Birth:8 Jan 1622, Tattershall Lincolnshire England
Death:15 Feb 1663, Tattershall Lincolnshire England
Spouse:Margaret Unknown
Children:Israel (1645-1706)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. Israel Skelton
Birth:1645/1650, Tattershall Lincolnshire England
Death:31 Aug 1706, Baltimore Maryland
Maryland Calendar of Wills refers to Margaret Standeford as daughter of Israel Skelton who died 8-31-1706 in
Baltimore, MD.
Will: Last Will and Testament of Israel Skelton - 1706 Baltimore, County, Maryland: Will: In the Name of God,
Amen. I, Israel Skelton of Baltimore County , planter, being sick and weak in body but of perfect memory and
understanding (praised be the Lord for it) do make and ordain this as my last will and testament as followeth:
Imprimis: I bequeath my soul unto God that gave it, humbly beseeching Him to accept it through the merit and
satisfaction of His Well Beloved Son and my Gracious Redeemer, and my body to the ground there to rest until
general resurrection at the end of the world. Will: Item: I give and bequeath unto my early beloved wife, Mary
Skelton, a tract of land and plantation which h I now do live upon called by the name of Spring Neck together
with all routes and appurtenances thereunto belonging to be fully and wholly profited and enjoyed by her, my
aforesaid wife, Mary, without interruption or molestation during the term of her natural life. Will: Item: I give
and bequeath to my grandson n, Skelton Standefer, by my daughter Margaret Standefer, and his heirs, theafo
resaid land and plantation called Spring Neck after the decease of my said wife, Mary, leaving it at the discretion
of his father or mother or both which living, to sell or dispose of the same any other way as they shall judge it
convenient for him, my said grandson's advantage during his minority. Will: Item: I will and bequeath it, if my
aforesaid grandson Skelton Standefer should chance to die without issue, then my daughter, Margaret Standefer
and her heirs after her decease (whether they be lineally or collaterally descended from her) shall succeed in the
inheritance of all my land and estate given and bequeathed to her and her heirs forever. Will: Item: I give and
bequeath unto my beloved wife, Mary Skelton, all my goods, chattels, or movables, during her natural life; and to
my daughters, Margaret Standefer and Hannah York, after my said wife's decease then to be divided into three
equal portions, whereof I give two to my daughter Margaret and the remaining part to my other daughter
Hannah. Will: Item: I will and ordain it, if my aforesaid wife, Mary, should hereafter viz (namely) after my
decease enter again into wedlock or matrimony, then she shall claim and inherit only her third part of all my
estate and no more. Will: Item: I make and ordain my aforesaid wife, Mary, sole executrix of this my last will
and testament qualifying her to ask, sue for, and receive all debts, accounts, and demands due to me from any
person and also to satisfy and discharge all debts and accounts due from me to others. Thus, I do hereby revoke
and disannul all other wills and testaments formerly made by me. Will: (Signed) Israel Skelton Will: Given under
my hand and seal on the 24th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and six and in the
fifth year of the reign of our sovereign Lady Queen Anne. Signed and Sealed and delivered in the presence of us:
Queen Anne. Signatures: John Evans, William Hicks, James Hitt
Spouse:Mary Unknown
Children:Margaret (1679-1744)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6. Margaret Skelton*
Birth:1679, Saint Mary Co. Maryland
Death:1744, Baltimore Maryland
Maryland Calendar of Wills refers to Margaret Standeford as daughter of Israel Skelton who died 8-31-1706 in
Baltimore, MD.
James Hicks’ (Margaret’s second husband) will of 4-04-1732 names Margaret as executrix; his estate was
administrated by William Standiford, son of Margaret, on 8-16-1734 as “The widow Margaret rendered the right to
administer in favor of her son, William Standifer.” William was born 04/24/1722 in York Co., VA, roughly 2 years
after the death of Margaret’s husband John Standiford.
Spouse:John Standiford
Birth:abt 1679, St. Mary’s Co., MD
Death:bef 11 Mar 1720, Balto Co., MD
Father:Unknown Standiford (~1640-)
March 11, 1720: John Standiford’s estate was inventoried, signed by Edmund Standifer and John Crockett, and
filed by his administrator Mrs. Margaret Standiford.
Death Record from St. John’s Parish Register pg. 96,
Marriage:1699, Baltimore Co., MD
Children:James J. Standefer (1715-1807)
John (-1752)
Skelton (1700-1798)
Israel (1720-<1794)
Other spouses:James Hicks
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7. James J. Standifer (Standefer)
Birth:17 Oct 1715, Baltimore Co. MD, Or York Co., VA
Death:Sep 1807, Franklin Co., VA
BIRTH-DEATH: Mid-South Bible Records; Vol. 1; p. 237
MARRIAGE: St. John's Parish Register; 1696-1851; Baltimore Co, MD; p. 102;
Lunenburg Co., VA, Patent Book 35:444; Vol. 2; 1763, Aug. 30; George the Third... 35 shillings good and lawful
money... James Standefer 333 acres in County of Lunenburg Southside Black Water River. Signed: Francis
Fauquier
Henry Co., Va., Patent Book E; Vol. 2; p. 633, 634; 1780 Sept. 1; Thomas Jefferson Esq. ... 20 Shillings sterling ...
James Standeford, County of Henry formerly Pittsylvania on branch Stony Creek. Signed Thomas Jefferson
Carrington, Wirt Johnson; A History of Halifax County (Virginia); Regional Pub. Co., 1969; p. 39 William Bean,
Henry Talley, George Simmons, Lewis LeFay, and William Lefay, Nathaniel Gist, Joseph Hunt, William
Marchbanks, William Perren, Major Atkinson, William Morgan, Richard Vaughan, James Standifer, John Marley,
James Cocke, Andrew Nelson, Abel Richardson, etc. were among the purchasers of land in the new county of
Halifax, in 1752.
Virginia Magazine of History and Biography; Vol II; p 52 gives his Revolutionary Service.
Henry Co, VA from Its Formation in 1776 to the End of the Eighteenth Century; 27 Feb 1783; "James Standifer's
Revolutionary Service: One, James Standefer, 5 sheaves oats, 300 wt. of hay, 6 bushels of corn to Brigade of
wagons on return from Charlotte to the Northward. Two, James Standifer for rations for 4 men & 10 bundles
Fodder for the guard under Capt. James Tarrant on their return with British prisoners to Winchester.
James and Martha were neighbors of Patrick Henry.
The following are taken from "He Stands Ever", by Ruby Ledbetter:
"The Bible records of two of James Standiford's grandsons give proof of who he is. His marriage to Martha Watkins
is recorded in the St. Joppa Parish Register, as well as the births of three of their sons: Israel, Luke and James Jr.
Evidently James and Martha migrated down into Virginia sometime in the late 1740s or early1750s because their
first seven children, namely James Jr., Clorinda, Israel, James, Hannah, Luke and Alizanthianeh, were born in
Baltimore County, MD. The last three, Sarah, Naomi, and William, were born in Virginia (Henry County).
James Standifer (note the spelling change) took the Oath of Allegiance "renouncing allegiance to Great Britain
and swearing allegiance to the Commonwealth of Virginia on Sep 13, 1777 at 62 years of age, in Henry County,
VA. Israel, oldest son of James, took the Oath of Allegiance at age 36, along with his father. James Standifer
offered aid to the Revolutionary War Service."
Note: James, wife Martha and daughter Chloe are listed as renting land on 10 Dec 1736 in Maryland. (Libery HWS
# 1-A pg 166)
Notes: Birth: Israel Standefer, Jr.; Bible at Univ. of Texas, Austin , Tx. Surname spelled Standefer. 1. Bible
records of Israel Standefer, Jr. names the parents of James as John and Margaret. 2. The Will of Israel Skelton,
1707, Baltimore Co., MD, who names his daughter Margaret Standiford.
Spouse:Martha “Patsy” Watkins
Birth:15 Jan 1722, Baltimore Maryland
Death:1817, Virginia
Father:Samuel Watkins (-1743)
Mother:Mary Wright (1695-)
BIRTH: St. John's Parish Register; Baltimore Co, MD; 1696-1851; p. 59
MARRIAGE: St. John's Parish Register; Baltimore Co, MD; 1696-1851; p. 102
Martha was the daughter of Samuel Watkins (d. 2 Apr 1743) and Mary Wright. Martha was born January 15, 1715.
Her grandfather, Francis Watkings was transported from England in 1671, according to Early Setters of Maryland
by Skordas.
Marriage:6 Oct 1737, Baltimore, MD
Children:Israel (1740-1822)
Naomi (1763-)
Clorinda (1737-)
James (1739-)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8. Israel Standefer*
Birth:13 Nov 1740, Baltimore Co. MD
Death:19 Oct 1822, Madison Co., Ala.
Bible of Israel Standefer, Jr. owned by the University of Texas at Austin, Texas.
p. 309: James and Israel Standefer took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States in Jan 1777. Virginia
Magazine of History and Biography; Vol. 10, p. 140. He served in the American Revolution. "Henry County from Its
Formation in 1776 to the End of the Eighteenth Century; from records in the in the clerk's office "Israel Standefer
was paid 20 pounds for 100 lbs. Beef to serve against Tories. Israel Standefer was paid "20 pounds for 100 lbs.
Beef to serve against Tories.”He was paid 12 pounds, 10 shillings for spying, 9 May 1777.
Last Will and Testament of Israel Standifer of Madison County, AL
In the name of God, Amen, I, Israel Standifer, of Madison County, and state of Alabama, being now in the
eightieth year of age and in good health, also in perfect mind and memory thanks be to God; therefore 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---that is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul unto the
hands of God that gave it and for my body, I recommend to the earth to be buried in a Christian like manner at
the discretion of my executors as touching such worldly estate which it hath pleased God to bless me with in this
life, I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form. Item I: I lend to my beloved Phoebe
Standifer the amount of land of which I now live in Madison County, Alabama, containing 53 1/3 acres during my
wife's natural life. Also I lend to my wife one Negro woman slave named Minn and one Negro man named Terry
during my wife's life. Also, I lend to my wife 4 beds and the furniture thereunto belonging---also I lend to my wife
all the rest of the house and kitchen furniture, except two beds and furniture---also I lend to my wife all my
plantation working tolls and my will and desire is at my wife's decease that the four beds and furniture that is
lent to my wife in my will shall be equally divided between my four youngest sons: vis: Thomas Frost Standifer,
John Standifer, Micajah Standifer, and Elijah Standifer. Item II; I give to my son William Standifer one bed and
furniture, and my will and desire is that at my decease, my negro man, Ambros, shall be sold and my son Samuel
Standifer shall have one-fourth part of the price of Ambros---also the balance of my cattle shall be sold and the
money so arising with the balance of Ambros shall be applied to pay off all my debts and if any money left, it
shall be equally divided between my four youngest sons above mentioned. Also, my will and desire is that my
wife's decease that the land and negroes that is lent to my wife in my will shall be sold and all the rest of the
property except four beds and furniture and the money so arising shall be equally divided between all my
children only that these five children, the heirs and coheirs of my daughter, Martha Johnson, deceased, shall
have on child's part to be equally divided between them---also, my will and desire is that the copper mine on
Blackwater River in Franklin County in old Virginia shall be equally divided between all my children whose names
are hereunder written: Mary Standifer Woodcock, Jesse Standifer, Abraham Standifer, William Standifer, Stephen
Standifer, Elijah Standifer, Skelton Standifer, Thomas Frost Standifer, John Standifer, Micajah Standifer, Samuel
Standifer, James Standifer, and Israel Standifer. (13 in all)
Therefore, my wife, Phebe Standifer is hereby nominated Executrix and Abraham and Thomas Frost Standifer,
Executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal
this 26th day of October 1820.
Israel Standifer (Seal)
Recorded this 31 May 1826 with John Tatson the other subscribing witness produced in court, etc. Thomas
Branden, Clerk
*Will written 10-26-1820 in Madison Co, ALA, mentions a copper mine on the Blackwater River in Franklin Co, , , ,
,,
Spouse:Susannah Heard
Birth:22 Mar 1749, Pittsylvania Co., VA
Death:31 Aug 1795, Bledsoe Co., TN
Father:Stephen Heard (~1694-1774)
Mother:Mary Faulkner (~1721-)
Birth/Death p. 278,
Marriage:1763, Pittsylvania Co., VA
Children:Congressman James Israel (1779-1837)
Mary (1767->1821)
Captain Jesse (1770-1827)
John (~1771-)
Skelton (1772-1825)
Martha “Polly” (1775-1817)
Abraham Heard (1777-~1841)
Israel M. Jr. (1781-1852)
William H. (1786-1861)
Stephen (1788-1821)
Susannah (1791-<1822)
Samuel (1777-1840)
Other spouses:Phoebe Frost
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9. Congressman James Israel Standifer
Birth:10 Sep 1779, Henry Co., VA
Death:20 Aug 1837, Kingston, Roane Co., TN
State Senator 1815-21 at Murfreesboro for districts of Anderson, Bledsoe, Roane & Rhea Co.
Elected to House of Representatives, 18th Congress (3/4/1823-3/3/1825); elected 21st-23rd Congress
(Jacksonian), elected 24th Congress (White supporter), elected 25th Congress (Whig). Served with David
Crockett, Sam Houston, James K. Polk, Andrew Jackson, and Felix Grundy.
Sat on committee of 8 in TN to establish private academy at Pikeville (Lafayette Academy).
Charter member of Masons, Vale Temple Lodge from its inception 10/8/1823.
Died suddenly on way to Washington DC; reports conflict as to cause (pneumonia was cited, gunshot was
suspected. From “Standefer, A Family History” Robert Standifer states that the family always believed James
Standifer had been shot while riding his horse back to Washington.
Spouse:Martha “Patsy” Standifer
Birth:19 Jan 1783, Henry Co., VA
Death:15 Jun 1848, TN
Father:William Standefer Standifer
Mother:Jemima Jones
Marriage:2 Feb 1801, Knox Co., TN
Children:James Madison (1817-)
Skelton Carroll (1815-1903)
William Israel S. (1801-1863)
Luke C. (1810-)
Elizabeth Ann (1820-)
Jesse Heard (1812-1865)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10. James Madison Standifer
Birth:6 Oct 1817, Mt. Airey, Bledsoe Co., TN
Occupation: School Teacher And Farmer,
1850 Census Bledsoe Co., TN, p. 94:
Household 94:
James M. Standifer, m, age 32, Laborer, b. TN;
Catharine M., f, age 32, b. GA;
Luke L., m, age 8, b. TN;
William L., m, age 7, b. TN;
Mary A. , f, age 5, b. TN.
1860 Census Bledsoe Co., TN, p. 72:
J.M. Standefer, age 41
Sarah Jane, age 28
Luke L., age 19
W.L., age 17
Mary A., age 15
R.M., age 12
J.E. age 19
Carrol, age 18
Josephine, age 6
Jeromime P., age 3
George L., age 11/12
Papers completed for the Tennessee Historical Society ~05/16/1922 by son Luke state that he is the son of James
Madison Standefer, farmer and school teacher, and Katherin Melvina Boyd.
Spouse:Catharine Malvina Boyd
Birth:1818, GA
Death:1860, TN
Children:James Epinetus (1850-1920)
Luke Leonidas (1842-1931)
Wiliam Lacurgie (1843-1890)
Mary A. (1845-)
Carroll Lafayette (1847-1923)
Rufus Madison (1848-)
Josephine (~1854-)
Jerome P. (~1856-1915)
George L. (~1859-)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11. James Epinetus Standifer
Birth:25 Jul 1850
Death:1 Sep 1920
Spouse:Martha L. Griffith
Birth:23 May 1856
Death:20 Mar 1926
Father:Marion Griffith
Mother:Julia Ann
Marriage:25 Apr 1876 or 1877, Sequatchie County, TN
Children:Julia Ann (1886-1955)
Florence (1878-)
Lillian Grace (>1880-)
Ora (>1880-)
James Alexander (1880-)
Rufus Edward (1884-1956)
Fred (1889-1905)
Otis (1897-1972)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12. Julia Ann Standifer
Birth:1 Apr 1886, TN
Death:24 Mar 1955, TN
Occupation: Owned A Bar Named The Wiggle Inn.
Education: We believe she was educated to be a School Teacher but are uncertain as to whether she ever worked
as one.
Spouse:George Henry McClarney
Birth:26 Feb 1883, Dayton, TN
Father:James Henry McClarney (1850-1924)
Mother:Harriet Virginia Gentry (1848-)
Children:Henry “Harry” Winton (1918-1983)
Richard (1915-)
Julia
Marion (1925-)
Jeanette (1912-)
Virginia (1922-)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13. Henry “Harry” Winton McClarney
Birth:20 Aug 1918, Mt. Airey, Bledsoe Co., TN
Death:21 Dec 1983, Austin, Travis Co., TX
Burial:23 Dec 1983, Austin, Travis Co., TX
Religion:Methodist
Occupation: Brick mason, Inventor, Construction Supervisor
Holds patent for invention (patent info elsewhere on website).
Member, Arch Masonic Lodge of Detroit
Spouse:Mildred Virginia “Jenny” Hargrove
Birth:10 Jul 1921, Veto or Decatur, Alabama
Death:25 May 2000, San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas
Father:Henry Herndon Hargrove (1883-1972)
Mother:Ova “Mymomma” Wales (1892-1963)
Occupation: Flower shop owner
Had been a “Rosie the Riveter” in WWII.
Went by “GG” starting in 8/1996; she chose this as her nickname when she became a great-grandmother.
Birthplace listed variously as either Veto, Alabama or Decatur, Alabama (this from info she furnished on
Children’s birth certificates). Her birth certificate is handwritten and script too flowery to be legible.
Per Donald Lawrence, Hargrove descendant, the birthplace on Jenny’s birth certificate is vague because the
TN/AL state line runs through the middle of Ardmore and Veto. These towns are about 5 miles apart east and
west. Pittsville AL is about 2 miles south of the state line. Prospect TN is about 2 miles north of the state
line. Picture a diamond with Ardmore on the right, Veto on the left. One hundred years ago our family did not
live in a town, but in the country in the middle of this diamond, calling where they lived whatever they wanted.
Jenny was born at Veto, but we don't know where My mama (Ova Wales Hargrove) and Granddaddy (Henry
Herndon Hargrove) were living. Aunt Babe just knows all the kids were born up in the country except her, she
was born in Decatur.
Marriage:1 Oct 1939, Morgan Co., AL
Children:M.R.
W.P.
V.S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sources & Citations:
Handwritten note from George Henry McClarney (1883-), husband to Julia Ann Standifer (1886-1955), also son to
James Henry McClarney (1850-1924).
Steven D. Byas, writer, editor of The Oklahoma Constitution website, family historian, descendant of
Congressman James Israel Stadier
Jim Standifer, family historian and descendant of Congressman James Israel Standifer
James L. Douthat ‘Sequatchie Families’ page 97
Carol Yarborough, Standifer family historian & researcher, maintains a Standifer research website at
www.carolyar.com Other Standifer researchers include Ruby L. Ledbetter, George Sprouse, Jr., Chuck
Standerfer, Wayne McGinnis and many others.
Maryland Calendar of Wills 1703-1713 Vol. III p. 74
Mid-South Bible Records, Vol. 1 DAR Washington DC
This information comes from this website. http://elders.hobbeshollow.com/standiferline.html