Millard Filmore RADFORD
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: Jun 25, 1856 - Hendersonville, NC
Christening:
Death: Dec 18, 1928 - Campbell Co, Lynchburg, VA
Burial: in Tyreanna Ch Cemetery, Lynchburg, VA
Cause of Death:
Events
1. Family Photo, Descendants
2. Picture, Family Photo
3. Picture, Sisters
Parents
Father: John G. RADFORD (1825-1870)
Mother: Mary Minerva PATTERSON (1827- )
Spouses and Children
1. Sarah Ellen PATTERSON (Feb 19, 1861 - )
Marriage: Apr 25, 1880 - Henderson County, North Carolina
Status:
Children:
1. Sherell Luther RADFORD (1882-Abt 1920)
2. *Barbara Ellen SOUTH (Mar 31, 1872 - Dec 28, 1939)
Marriage: Dec 24, 1891 - Newbern, Pulaski County, VA
Status:
Children:
1. Arthur Preston "A P" RADFORD (1893-1965)
2. Arla Eunice "Ollie" RADFORD (1895-1973)
3. Arra Jane RADFORD (1897-1975)
4. Arsa Belle RADFORD (1899-1978)
5. Arnold John Henderson RADFORD (1901-1968)
6. Aron "Charlie" Joseph RADFORD (1906-1985)
7. Armanda "Mandy" Rose RADFORD (1910-1997)
Notes
General:
Millard Filmore Radford
by: Barbara Taylor
Millard was a "Mountain Man". He traveled in a wagon much later than most others. He would move to a mountain, clear land for the land owner, build a cabin for his family, he & his wife Barbara Ellen would have a child, they would stay there about two years. They would then move to another state, another mountain and repeat all the above. Of their 7 children, 5 were born in different states. Only one was born in "flat" country. Thad had gone to visit his brother Abner in Indiana, so my Aunt Arra Jane was born there. Then back to different parts of VA. The others were born in TN, KY and WV. My mother Armanda Rose was born on "No Business Mountain" in Bedford County, VA. Millard started buying acreage, buildt a cabin, and was going along pretty good. I got a copy of the deed, then the court cases connected to Millard about this property, and what happened. His deed stated he was buying this property "fee simple" without any encumbrances. Then he found two men cutting the hardwood out and hauling them off. They told him the previous owner had told them they could. He filed charges against the seller, Millard then made a terrible dicision to stop making his payments on his loan, then the seller countersued him. Without good advice, backing, etc, the property was suddenly sold on court house steps for non-payment and sold very cheaply to someone who later sole lumber right to a large industry (still in existance today). Neighbors of his at this location, told my cousin and me that his parents told him that when Millard left the cabin with his family. (Can you even imagine how he must have felt???), anyhow, the story was that he even tore loose the floor boards & took those. He was much older by this time and too tired to start over. i went to see the location of the cabin. Only the broken chimney is left. But my Mother and my Aunt Arsa Belle were with me. Aunt Arsa showed me where she had to walk to a spring for their water. She and Mother told me of an especially good pear tree in the "Witch___'s yard". I don't remember the last name now. Also about riding to a store on an old horse to barter eggs for other food staples.
The day I took them to this place, we had taken good old Kentucky Fried Chicken for a picnic. We drove my small car (a Volkswagon Square Back) up the cobble (creek)stone narrow path Millard had built. I drove as far as I could, then we walked or maybe I should say hiked and climbed.
There was an odd shaped set of log cabins with smoke coming from the chimneys. These were joined together in some sort of way. After knocking, yep... old class-mates of long ago ! They insisted we join them for Sunday dinner. We agreed only if they allowed us to add our picnic with their fare. When sitting at the table, the inside door was open and you could see into the other cabin and the other part of the family sitting at their table. I had a great time just listening to "Do You Remember"? And "He Married WHO". etc, etc.
I was always told Millard was "Stern". He didn't allow any nicknames to be used within the family. I have yet to figure out why he named his 7 children what he did, nor where he got the girl's names. All started with 'Ar' & of course their last names wjth "Ra'. I know the children called him 'Papa'.
I have felt so cheated about both of my grandfathers dying before I was born. My husband really enjoys being a grandfather. There's not enough room here for me to list the the pleasures of being a grandmother! Especially with no sisters or brothers, it can get very lonely.