If you've found this blog by searching Google for the Thetford family, you may have noticed that I begin my Thetford line with William Thetford and Permelia Sturdivant. This is because, through all the research I've done up to this point, I've yet to find proof as to whom the true father of my particular William is.
William was a common name in the Thetford family, especially around the time of my William's birth, which was is the 1820s. But, from the early 1800s to the 1820s, there seem to be a few William Thetfords, whose parentage is a bit confused.
Now, based on the 1850 Census for Clark County, Arkansas (above), we can clearly see William and Permelia Thetford living with their children. William says he is 27, which would make his birth year around 1823. Also, their oldest child is seven-years-old, which tells us William and Permelia probably married at least seven years previous to this census. According to Mississippi Marriage archives from 1800-1911, the two actually wed on 1 December 1841, when William was around 17 years old. Previous to this event, it becomes difficult to tell where exactly William lived, and with whom.
In the 1840 Census for Warren County, Mississippi, there IS a William G Thetford living there. But this William Thetford was born 12 December 1812 and married Matilda Flowers on 8 December 1830 in Copiah County, Mississippi. In addition, this William Thetford died on 26 December 1841 in Warren County, MS.
In addition, there is a William M Thetford, who was born 17 March 1809, and died 25 November 1880 in Panola County, MS. This William Thetford married a Sarah Harriet Minnie Littlefield in Gibson County, Tennessee on 19 October 1828.
Now, according to Thetford researcher, Elaine Randall English:
"...a John Thetford DID give permission for his son William to marry Matilda Flowers and the only John Thetford on the area records appears to be this one...so circumstantial evidence would stand good towards some belief that this is the correct line."
This would seem to prove that John Thetford is the father of William G Thetford.
However, Thetford researcher, James (Jim) M Templeton had this to say say on a Thetford forum in 2008:
"Wiley, Henry and Joe were sons of William Thetford and Permelia Sturdivant.
William Thetford was born c1823 in Kentucky, son of John Thetford and Lydia (unknown).....
Regards, James Templeton, Saint Amant, Louisiana"
As I have not seen Templeton's proof, I am unaware which of these researchers may be correct as to the true parents of the William Thetford who married Permelia Sturdivant.
Names for the possible father(s) of these various William Thetfords include:
1. Gabriel Thetford - Son of Simon Thetford, grandson of Walter Thetford.
2. John Thetford - Son of Simon Thetford, grandson of Walter Thetford.
3. Josias Thetford - Son of Walter Thetford.
4. Josias/Josiah Thetford - Son of Simon Thetford, grandson of Walter Thetford.
5. Walter Thetford - Son of Josias Thetford, nephew of Simon Thetford, grandson of Walter Thetford.
All of these Williams seem to belong to the same Thetford family, which makes all of them descendents of Walter and Rebecca Thetford., however, I would love to know the true parents of the William Thetford who married Permelia Sturdivant. If you have any further information, or would like to add to the discussion, please do so in the comments section.
William was a common name in the Thetford family, especially around the time of my William's birth, which was is the 1820s. But, from the early 1800s to the 1820s, there seem to be a few William Thetfords, whose parentage is a bit confused.
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| 1850 Census for William Thetford - Clark County, Arkansas |
Now, based on the 1850 Census for Clark County, Arkansas (above), we can clearly see William and Permelia Thetford living with their children. William says he is 27, which would make his birth year around 1823. Also, their oldest child is seven-years-old, which tells us William and Permelia probably married at least seven years previous to this census. According to Mississippi Marriage archives from 1800-1911, the two actually wed on 1 December 1841, when William was around 17 years old. Previous to this event, it becomes difficult to tell where exactly William lived, and with whom.
In the 1840 Census for Warren County, Mississippi, there IS a William G Thetford living there. But this William Thetford was born 12 December 1812 and married Matilda Flowers on 8 December 1830 in Copiah County, Mississippi. In addition, this William Thetford died on 26 December 1841 in Warren County, MS.
In addition, there is a William M Thetford, who was born 17 March 1809, and died 25 November 1880 in Panola County, MS. This William Thetford married a Sarah Harriet Minnie Littlefield in Gibson County, Tennessee on 19 October 1828.
Now, according to Thetford researcher, Elaine Randall English:
"...a John Thetford DID give permission for his son William to marry Matilda Flowers and the only John Thetford on the area records appears to be this one...so circumstantial evidence would stand good towards some belief that this is the correct line."
This would seem to prove that John Thetford is the father of William G Thetford.
However, Thetford researcher, James (Jim) M Templeton had this to say say on a Thetford forum in 2008:
"Wiley, Henry and Joe were sons of William Thetford and Permelia Sturdivant.
William Thetford was born c1823 in Kentucky, son of John Thetford and Lydia (unknown).....
Regards, James Templeton, Saint Amant, Louisiana"
As I have not seen Templeton's proof, I am unaware which of these researchers may be correct as to the true parents of the William Thetford who married Permelia Sturdivant.
Names for the possible father(s) of these various William Thetfords include:
1. Gabriel Thetford - Son of Simon Thetford, grandson of Walter Thetford.
2. John Thetford - Son of Simon Thetford, grandson of Walter Thetford.
3. Josias Thetford - Son of Walter Thetford.
4. Josias/Josiah Thetford - Son of Simon Thetford, grandson of Walter Thetford.
5. Walter Thetford - Son of Josias Thetford, nephew of Simon Thetford, grandson of Walter Thetford.
All of these Williams seem to belong to the same Thetford family, which makes all of them descendents of Walter and Rebecca Thetford., however, I would love to know the true parents of the William Thetford who married Permelia Sturdivant. If you have any further information, or would like to add to the discussion, please do so in the comments section.
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