John Lafon

1775 - 1840

• Born	8 Jan 1775	Montgomery, VA or North Carolina?
  Gender	Male
  Died	29 Apr 1840	Giles, VA
  _CRE	15 Feb 2015
  	15:48:05
  Notes	DEATH: John Lafon was killed April 29, 1840 when a tree fell on him whileclearing land on what is now known as the Ed Sibold place in the head of Clover Hollow. He wasburied in the family cemetery. BIRTH: The children of John and Polly Lafon were: 1. Naomi, born 1798 in Giles County, married Elias Harless (1794, Giles County) in August 1818 and moved to Miami County, Ohio. They later moved to Washington Township in Drake County, Ohio. Naomi died there in 1886. 2. Elizabeth (Betsy), born 1799 in Giles County, married Joel Sartain ,Jr. (1795, Giles County) in September 1820. They lived in Giles County and she died August 24, 1858. She is buried in the John Lafon Cemetery. 3. (Fifth great-grandfather) Zacheus Lafon, born 1801 in Giles County, married Peggy Lucas (1803, Giles County). He later married a Susan Saunders in February1852. 4. Nancy, born 1803 in Giles County was never married. She died January 1, 1875 and is buried in the John Lafon Cemetery. 5. John Lafon, Jr., born in 1805 in Giles County, married Delilah (1809, Giles County). 6. Bertha, born 1807 in Giles County, married Henry Hunter (1803, GilesCounty). 7. Mary (Polly), born 1808 in Giles County, married Jacob Epling (1804, Giles County) in July 1826. She died December 1876. 8. Magdalena, born 1809 in Giles County, married David Dolman (1805, Giles County) on March 14, 1834. They lived in Botetourt County in 1880. 9. Enoch, born 1810 in Giles County, married Frances (Frankie) Harless (1814). Enoch and Frankie lived on Johns Creek in Craig County. They died there and are buried near the forks of Johns Creek in the Taylor Cemetery. 10. James, born 1812 in Giles County, married Catherine Duncan (1816, Giles County). She was the daughter of James R. Duncan and Rachel Rebecca Anderson. 11. Eliza, born 1816 in Giles County, married Isaac Lucas (1810, Newport, Giles County) on February 26, 1840. She died May 6, 1876. BIOGRAPHY: Birth: 8 JAN 1775 in MONTGOMERY CO., VA or NC? 1 Birth: 8 JAN 1775 in North Carolina 2 Death: 29 APR 1840 in Giles Co.,VA, Clover Hollow 1 Death: 29 APR 1840 in Clover Hollow, Virginia LDS AFN:4QV4-VC. John is listed in 1810 Giles Co., census. BIOGRAPHY: LaFon/Bowen of Montgomery/Giles Co., VA by Jeff Swann Postedof Genforum BIOGRAPHY: John Lafon m. Mary Bowen July 1797 and settled on land in the head of Clover Hollow, Newport, Giles County, Va. Raised a family of 11children most of whom married and raised large families in the area. I have limited information on this familybut can put you in touch with a desendant of John thourgh the Zacheus line who has done extensive research. BIOGRAPHY: Followups: ˝ Re: LaFon/Bowen of Montgomery/Giles Co., VA Carol S Wolfe 10/20/99 ˝ Re: LaFon/Bowen of Montgomery/Giles Co., VA Lena Sexton 10/18/99 John LaFon married Mary Bowen b. 1776, d. 1849, had kids; Bethia,Enoch,Zacheus and Nancy LaFon. Mary Bowen was d/o John Bowen and ElizabethLaFon of Montgomery/Giles Co., VA. John appeared to have sister, MaryLaFon who married Rev. Hezekiah Adkins and moved to Cabell Co., (W)VAaround 1790's. Looking for clues to these LaFons. Name has been spelledLaFon/Laven/Lavon over the years. BIOGRAPHY: ************************************************************************** Submitted by BarbaraEakley [eakley@webtv.net] Giles Co VA Deed Book A:244 This Indenture madethe 13th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundredand eleven between JOHN BROWN and BETSEY his wife of the County ofBotetourt and State of Virginia of the one part and JOHN LAFON of theCounty of Giles and State of Virginia of the other part. Witnesseth thatthe said John Brown and Betsey his wife for and inconsideration of thesum of One Hundred and Sixty Pounds doth give, grant, bargain and sellunto the said John Lafon and his heirs one certain tract or parcel ofland lying and being in the County of Giles in the Clover Blossom watersof Sinken Creek, a branch of New River, containing three hundred andthirty-four acres more or less, adjoining the land of John Lucass andbound as followeth: beginning at a chestnut and running thence S55 W86poles to a chestnut and a chestnut oak, S80 W78 poles to a chestnut andmaple, N73 W80 poles to a dogwood and white oak, N55 W26 poles to a gumand red oak by a path, N6 W74 poles to a white oak on a rocky ridge,North East 140 poles and from thence S29 E368 poles to the beginningcorner, and from thence New survey running N82 E90 poles to a black oak,N13 E80 poles to a white oak on a hill side, N50 W140 poles to twohicories in a hollow and down the same, S58 W40 poles to a maple andsugar tree, thence S14 E160 poles to the beginning corner, and fromthence New survey running S52E186 poles crossing a branch to a chestnut,N10 W156 poles crossing a branch to a maple and dogwood, thence leavingsaid line N65 W29 po to a chestnut corner to John Lafon's land and withone line of the same N55 W20 po to a white oak, thence leaving said lineS55 W34 poles to the beginning, together with all its apertenances. Tohave and to hold the said parcel of land with its apertenances, the saidJohn Lafon and his heirs for ever the sole use a behoof of the said JohnLafon and his heirs and the said John Brown and Betsey his wife forthemselves and their heirs doth covenant with the said John Lafon and hisheirs that the said John Brown and Betsey his wife and their heirs thissaid parcel of land with its apertances to the said John Lafon and hisheirs againstall and every person or persons whatsoever will foreverwarrant and defend. In witness whereof the said John Brown and Betsey hiswife hath hereunto subscribed their names and affixed their seals the dayand year above mentioned. Delivered in the presents of John Brown sealBetsey Brown seal At Botetourt August Court 1811 This Indenture ofBargain and Sale was exhibited in court and acknowledged by John Brown aparty thereto and ordered to be certified to the county court of Giles. ACopy Teste H F Bowyer CBC At Giles September Court 1811 This deed ofbargain and sale from John Brown and Betsey his wife to John Lafon waspersented in court together with a certificate of the county court ofBotetourt, the under written certifying that the same was acknowledged bythe said John Brown in the county court of Botetourt which ordered to berecorded. A Copy Teste David French CGC************************************************************************** BIOGRAPHY: Lafon, John Nov. 9, 1827 Giles County 4 Clover Hollow Lafon,W. P. July 22, 1898 Giles County 1.5 Clover Hollow Laforce, James Oct. 1,1858 Russell County 390 Sand Lick Ridge/Dumps Creek VIRGINIA LAND GRANTS: As early as 1630, the governor's Council offeredgrants of land to persons who settled on the frontier. In 1646, theCouncil issued patents to the fort captains and men for the lands onwhich outlying forts were built along with the lands surrounding theforts. And, in 1701, in an unsuccessful attempt to garrison the frontier,patents equal to four times the headright were offered to groups of menwho would undertake the defense of the frontier. None of these offers metwith a great deal ofsuccess. Later in the colonial period, bounty landswere offered as an incentive or reward to men who performed militaryservice during the French and Indian War; however, the area in which theland was available was closed by the Proclamation of 1763, so it was notuntil 1779, and after, that the bounty was actually awarded. Thosepersons who performed requisite service had first to obtain a certificateshowing proof of that service; some of these certificates were signed in1774 by Lord Dunmore but most camefrom county courts in 1779 and 1780.These certificates show the name of the solder; his rank, unit, andlength of service; the county in which his service was proved (which wasnot necessarily his county of residence); the number of the certificate;and anyassignment made on the certificate up to the time the warrant wasissued. The land granted on the basis of colonial wars service was inVirginia counties and the resulting grants are searchable through theelectronic card index project of the Library of Virginia's DigitalLibrary Initiative project. The direct URL for the Land Grants is , oryou may go into the Electronic Card Indexes through the Library ofVirginia's home page at . Beware, however, that many colonial soldiersassigned their warrant to speculators or others interested in movingwest. All records pertaining to colonial bounty land service areavailable in manuscript form only. H. J. Eckenrode's List of the ColonialSoldiers of Virginia, which was published as a Special Report of theDepartment of Archives and History for 1913 by the Virginia StateLibrary, and William Armstrong Crozier's Virginia Colonial Militia,published initially in 1905 and reprinted several times since, mostrecently in 1982, contain the most detailed lists of Virginians whoperformed military service during the colonial era. *Has more than oneland grant listed NAME DATE COUNTY ACRES/LOCATION BIOGRAPHY: Subj: John Lafon... Date: 2/2/2000 5:37:48 PM Eastern Standard Time From: nlafon@vt.edu (Nelson and Lisa Lafon) Reply-to: nlafon@vt.edu (Nelson and Lisa Lafon) To: Mommybare@aol.com BIOGRAPHY: Word of mouth works! I got your message about assembling allwe know about John Lafon and think it is a great idea...when I'm notquite so rushed! James Harvey Lafon (#91 on page 12 of your document) wasmy great grandfather. The house he built around 1870 was the one mygrandfather and father were born in and is still standing on propertythat my brother and I own in Clover Hollow, which is within a couple ofmiles of where John Lafon settled in the valley circa 1800. John Lafon'stombstone is in great shape, and the chimneys on his old house are stillstanding - one dated 1813! BIOGRAPHY: I don't know how much of this you will get from other folks,but I wanted to suggest some corrections to the John Lafon informationthat I saw. Please don't take these as criticisms to what I consider agreat endeavor on your part! I hope to go through it in more detaillater. BIOGRAPHY: (1) I have seen NO evidence to suggest that John Lafon wasBORN in Virginia. The 1880 Virginia Census records for 2 of his childrensuggest a Carolina birth, although where exactly I have never learned.Son Enoch's 1880 record (Craig County, VA) states that his father (John)was born in North Carolina, while daughter Magdalene Lafon Dolman's 1880(Botetourt County, VA) census states that her father (John) was born inSouth Carolina, as best I can make out! So, even though these areconflicting, they both suggest a Carolina birth for John. I have hoped tofind 1880 records for other children but haven't seen any yet. Before1880, there was not indication of parents' birthplaces, as you may beaware. I think this is one task we all need to take. I have practicallyall 1880 Virginia census records at my disposal here at Virginia Tech onmicrofilm, but the 1880 Soundex index only lists households that had achild under 10 present. Combine that with the fact that some of thechildren moved out of Virginia, and Ihave been unable to find more thanthese 2 1880 census records. BIOGRAPHY: (2) Do you have documentation that Elizabeth Bowen, wife ofJohn Bowen, was a Lafon before her marriage? I have seen no realevidence. I have seen so many people state that (often with a questionmark, as I do myself). I can come up with a theorybased oncircumstantial evidence for her as a Lafon, but until I see or hear ofdocuments to support that, I will remain skeptical. I wish we would allreport such lacking information honestly. BIOGRAPHY: (3) Perhaps some one has pointed this out, too. The 1811 deed(Giles County Deed Book A, 244) has a major error in it! The transcriberdid a fine job, but I believe the original deed (which I have examinedmyself) to have been recorded wrong. Here's one time I'm going againstone primary document because of other ones that are to the contrary. John"Brown" should have been John "Bowen". Reasons:John Bowen (1) was fromBotetourt County, (2) had a wife Betsy, and (3) was listed in JohnLafon's 1841 settlement of estate as having conveyed 334 acres (299 hebought from Sharpe plus a 35 acre grant). In the list of land that JohnLafon died with, there is no mention of a John Brown. To me, all of thesepoint to our John and Betsy BOWEN as the true grantees ofthis tract ofland. BIOGRAPHY: (4) Zacharus/Zachaeus/Zahcariah Lafon (various spellings) wasmarried to Peggy Lucas first and to Susan Sanders second. I can find nomarriage record for Zacharus and Peggy, but her father's (Thomas Lucas)1855 will mentions children by her, dec'd, including Agnes Duncan, HannahHarless, Betsy P. Lafon, Nancy Bradley, Zacheus K. Lafon, and WilliamLafon. He married Susan Sanders in 1851 (marriage bond) although he hadchildren to her for some time (maybe 10 years) before that. I know thisby marriagerecords of those children. Peggy Lucas may have been dead by1840, as there was no woman of her presumed age present in Zacharus's1840 Giles County census record. Zacharus's 1850 Giles County censuslists a Lucinda Sanders with him. I'm assuming this is theSusan Sandersthat he married in 1851. This is just a blot on my Lafon line! BIOGRAPHY: (5) This is a minor issue, but some Lafon's use a capital "F"in their name. The earliest primary document which I think any of us haveon the John Lafon line - his marriage bond - has his signature clearlywritten as "John Lafon." There are researchers who have earlier Lafon'sin eastern Virginia to which we have no know connection who spell it"LaFon" as well. Perhaps it was originally that way. However, I have seensecondary documentation in books that have the name spelled "Lafon" in1600's in France! BIOGRAPHY: I hope these comments help some. Again, I don't wish to becritical, but just like to see genealogy grounded in primary documents. BIOGRAPHY: Thanks and best wishes, BIOGRAPHY: Nelson Lafon Blacksburg, VA BIOGRAPHY: Henry Scott and Elizabeth his wife sold 42 acres to John Lafonfor $84, lying in the head of the Clover Hollow waters, and head springof Sinking Creek, branch of New River, and bounded by land of John Lafon BIOGRAPHY: Married: 18 JUL 1797 in ,Montgomery,Virginia
  Person ID	I22872	Moon Anderson Family History & Genealogy
  Last Modified	15 Feb 2015

  
  

  Family	Mary (Polly) Bowen,   b. 1776, VA, ,   d. Jun 1849, Giles, VA
  Children	1. William Zachrus Lafon,   b. 1801, Giles, VA ,   d. 1880, Newport, Giles, VA   2. Enoch Lafon,   b. Abt 1810, Giles, VA ,   d. 1880, John’s Creek, Craig, Virginia
  Last Modified	12 Aug 2018
  Family ID	F88	Group Sheet