An American Family History

John Stanfield was born about 1715 in County Armagh, Ireland. He emigrated with his parents in 1730. His parents were Samuel Stanfield and Jane Andrew.

He married Hannah Hadley on October 18, 1742 at Hockessin Meeting House in New Castle County, Delaware.

Hannah was born on January 16, 1708/1709 in County West Meath, Ireland. She was the daughter of Simon and Ruth Hadley, who brought their family from Ireland to
the Delaware Valley in 1712. The family settled on what is now the boundary line of the state of Delaware and Chester County, Pennsylvania.

She had been married before to Thomas Dixon and had three children. Thomas was born in New Castle County, Delaware about 1705. He was the son of William Dixon and Ann Gregg.

She married Thomas on October 25, 1727 at the Newark/New Garden Monthly Meeting. The Monthly Meeting was started between 1682 and 1684 in Newark and held meetings in both Newark and New Castle.

Thomas and Hannah's children included:

Simon Dixon (1728, married Elizabeth Allen),
Rebecca Dixon (1730/1731, married William Marshall), and
Ruth Dixon (1733, married John Doan).

Thomas Dixon died of smallpox in 1734.

John Stanfield was born in 1743.

Samuel Stanfield was born in 1745.

In 1746 Rebecca Dixon married William Marshall. She was described as living in "Mill Creek Hundred in ye County of New Castle on Delaware." They were married at the "Hockessin Meeting house in ye County of New Castle."

Thomas Stanfield was born in 1747.

They moved to North Carolina in 1753. Their farm was in Snow Camp, Alamance County. It was Orange County at that time.

On April 6, 1754 at Cane Creek Monthly Meeting they were received on certificate from the Newark Monthly Meeting in Delaware. The meeting house was built on their farm.

John Stanfield appeared on the 1755 tax list of Orange County.

John wrote his will on August 4, 1755 in what was then Orange County, North Carolina. It was proved at the September Court 1755

Hannah Hadley Stanfield wrote to her stepmother, Phoebe, from North Carolina when her father died:

Respected Mother
This comes to let thee know that I and my family is in good health at present, hoping that these few lines will find thee and thine in the same, and I have great cause to be thankful to the Divine Being for it. I received thy letter dated the 31st of the 5th month 1756, and was glad to hear of thy welfare and a true account of my respected fathers sudden death. Thy brother, Richard Beson, was here at my house a few days ago. He told me that his wife and family was well and all of our friends here is reasonably well as far as I know, so not having much more to add, I shall conclude with my love to thee and thine and remain they loving daughter, ye 24th of ye 7th month, 1756. Hannah Stanfield

Hannah's father left her 50 pounds and

I do leave to John Stanfield, Jr. the sum of 50 pounds current money, and I do leave Thomas Stanfield 50 pounds current money, and I do leave Samuel Stanfield 50 pounds current money, all of them children of my said daughter Hannah Stanfield, widow and relict of John Stanfield departed.

He left John, Jr. the Haw River farm of 200 acres adjoining John Jones. He left Thomas, the Meeting House tract of 200 acres. He left Samuel, the home tract of 200 acres (Hannah was to have a lifetime estate). In addition he left Samuel and Thomas the rich Hill land of 320 acres. The executors were John Jones and Joseph Maddos and the witnesses were Thomas Lindley (his brother-in-law), Hugh Laughlin, and Thomas Lowe.

During the American Revolution, Simon's home was confiscated by Cornwallis and used as his headquarters during the Battle of Guilford Court House. Hannah's son, Simon, died in 1781.

In 1786 a deed was recorded between Thomas Stanfield of Greene County, Tennessee and James Neal for the Meeting House tract in what was then Orange County, North Carolina to replace the original deed that was destroyed during the Revolution.

Hannah died on May 31, 1783 in Orange County and was buried at the Cane Creek Monthly Meeting Cemetery, Snow Camp, Alamance County, North Carolina.