Author: Frank Grady Hall, III
The Shuford history in American begins in Alsace-Lorraine, a small area that borders Switzerland, France and Germany. When John Shuford was born in 1718 in Germany, his father, George, was 29 and his mother, Gertrud, was 17. The Shuferdts possibly emigrated to America for religious freedom; they was a Lutheran. The family probably emigrated to Philadelphia about September 1733. They settled in Pennsylvania for about ten years where he worked an indenture for his passage on the ship “Richard and Elizabeth” to America. About 1750, they moved to Catawba County, North Carolina, purchased land and built a log cabin over a spring.

He married Mary Clare Conrad (1724-1786) and they had 18 children together between 1744 and 1786. They included John Martin, Magdalene, George, David, Anna Maria, Catreena, Catherine, Gertrude, Gartrout, George, David, Philip, Jacob, Magdalene and Sara. He also had one child, Daniel, with Mary Clarke.
The elder child, John Martin Shuford, was born in 1744. John Martin Shuford was the father of Daniel Shuford of Rowan County, North Carolina. Family tradition indicates that John Martin Shuford was killed at the Battle of Ramsour’s Mill on 20 June 1780. He was buried on the battlefield on 22 June 1780. John Martin Shuford had purchased 300 acres on Potts Creek in Rowan County and his son Daniel did receive this land. Daniel married Elizabeth Savage who was the daughter of patriot George Savitz and Catherine Barringer.

John Shuford was too old to render military service; however, he did furnish food stuffs for the Army of Independence and rendered patriotic service in the cause for independence.

He died in 1790 in Lincoln County, North Carolina, at the age of 72.

The original will made by John Shuford in 1788 is an old German Bible, which is now the property of Jacob Patton, of Morganton, who is also a direct descendant of John Shuferdt. A copy of the will, just as it was taken from the old Bible follows. No corrections whatsoever have been made in the spelling. Gold is spelled gole and manner is maner.

"IN THE NAME OF GOD, Amen the Third Day of June in the year of Our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Eight, Ijohn Shufert of the county of Lincoln and State of North Carolina, being of Good health and of perfect Mind and Memory, yet Calling to Mind the Mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Die, Do Make and Publish this my Last will and testament in Maner and form following, that is to Say the first place. I recommend my body to the Earth to be buried in a Christian Like, and Decent Maner, at the Discretion of my Ececutors herein after mentioned. Nothing Doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the Same Again, by the Mighty Power of God that Gave it. I also Recommend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God, in hopes of Mercy, and forgivness in and through the Merits and Meditation of Jesus Christ. And as touching such wordly Estate wherewith it has pleased Almighty God to bless me in this Life, I give, Devise and Dispose of the same in Maner and form following, that is to Say, in the first Place, I give and Devise unto my Dearly beloved wife, Mary Clare Shufert, One Hundred Pounds Good and Lawful money of the before mentioned State to be Raised and Levied Out of my Personal Estate, also her Bed and furniture, her Spining-wheel, One cow, A Chest, and her Saddle and Bridle. I likewise Give unto my Son George Shufert, One Hundred and Twenty pounds, to be paid in trade, Out of my Personal Estate, all the residue and Remainder of my personal Estate I Give and beqeath unto my two Sons Daniel and David Shufert, to be equally divided between them, they paying the Several sumes herein after Mentioned, as herein after Directed, viz: One Hundred Pounds in trade to the children of my Son John Shufert Deceased, as they arrive at the Age of Twenty-One Years, to be equally Divided Amongst them. Likewise they the said Daniel & David Shufert to pay to my daughter Mary I Chards Children, Sixty Pounds, in trade to be equally divided Amongst them, and to be paid them as they Arive of Age. Also they the said Daniel & David, to Pay their Sister Catreena wife of John Bost Sixty Pounds in trade in three Years, in twenty Pound Goles. Yearly, likewise they the said Daniel and David to Pay their Sister Mautlena, Sixty Pounds in Yearly Goles of twenty Pounds per year, the time of payment of Commence at the expiration of the Payment of Catreenas share, also they the said Daniel & David to pay their Sister Catrout Conruds Children the sum of Forty Pounds in trade, and to be equally Divided, and paid them when the boy becomes of Age. Likewise they the Said Daniel & David to pay their Brother Jacob the Additional Sum of Seventy Punds. One half in trade, and the other in Cash, in Goles Yearly Viz: Thirty Pounds the first year, thorty pounds the second year, and ten pounds the Last year, and Lastly I make and Appoint my two Sons Daniel an David, whole and Sole Executors, of this my last will & Testament, Ratifying and Confirming, This, and no other, to be my Last Will & Testament. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal, the Day & Year above Written. John Shufert ( Seal) Signed & Sealed in presence of Kingfort Lovinnuns, Reinhart Brunner, Jacob Summey Robt. Blackburn. North Carolina Lincoln County I J. L. Hunter, Clerk Superior Court ofLincoln County, N. C., do hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the John Shuferdts Will dated June 3, 1788 probated July Session 1790, Office Clerk Superior Court, Lincoln County, North Carolina. Witness my hand and official seal, this the 20th day of May 1935. /s/ J. L. Hunter Clerk Superior,Court Lincoln County, N. C.