This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: SANFORD Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/hkB.2ACE/9298.1.1.1.1.1.2 Message Board Post: Julia -- Thanks so very much for sharing the information you have. I should say that the evidence concerning "Mary Elizabeth Sanford" is that in which I have the least confidence. I knew that there was a daughter named Elizabeth and I found in an online source called "Tennessee Marriages 1787-1866," [available at genealogy.com] the marriage between George W. Thompson and Elizabeth Sanford. She is identified in subsequent censuses as M. E. or Margaret E. What caused me some pause about that evidence is that the marriage took place in Rutherford County, not Williamson County. On the other hand the census records clearly show this couple and their children subsequently living in Williamson County. I think I am more inclined to believe that the Elizabeth T. that you cite is in fact the proper daughter Elizabeth. I am told, but cannot verify, that the parents of Reuben Sanford were James Sanford, born 1769 in Virginia, died November 2, 1849 in Williamson County Tennessee; and Sarah Sallie Nance, born July 14, 1767 in Virginia, died in Williamson County Tennessee date unknown. I believe you are correct that my ancestor William moved from Virginia to Tennessee with the Sanford family rather than the Wood family. By the way,the 1870 census for Milam County Texas, enumerates six persons described as "colored" with the surname Sanford and born in Tennessee. Four of these are males all born not later than 1850. This suggests to me that these individuals accompanied Mary would Sanford and her children to Texas in about 1854. The 1870 census was the first one to list blacks by name. Again thanks for your assistance; it is truly appreciated.