The Celebration of James Lanford Sr. and the Restoration of Lanford Family Cemetery
By: Jennifer Davis, Contributing Writer
On May 25, 2024, many Lanford descendants gathered at Antioch Church to honor James Lanford. Representatives from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) also attended the celebration.
James Lanford’s journey began before the Revolutionary War when he traveled from Virginia to North Carolina. After his wife’s tragic passing in North Carolina, he moved to South Carolina. Shortly after settling there, he was called to serve in the war. Following the war’s end, he returned to North Carolina, gathered his family, and relocated to the Spartanburg County town of Woodruff, near the present-day location of Antioch Church. Here, he and his family played a pivotal role in establishing Antioch Church. He also built a cotton gin and settled in areas now known as Two Mile Creek Road and Kilgore Bridge Road, leaving a lasting mark on the landscape.
The Lanford Family Cemetery, located on Kilgore Bridge Road, became James’s final resting place in 1822. His son John and other family members are also buried there.
For many years, the cemetery was in a terrible state—walls broken, trees down, and weeds and vines everywhere. It was completely overgrown and neglected. The Lanford Cemetery was part of a property owned by an individual. After years of working with and negotiating with the property owner, in September 2020, the Lanford Family Cemetery Association was able to purchase the cemetery property and began the cleanup process. Stones were cleaned, trees cut down, and the rock wall around the cemetery was rebuilt. Jerry C. Lanford personally purchased a large marker near the road, noting the name and address of the Lanford Cemetery. Donations to the Lanford Family Cemetery Association helped make it possible to place coping around James Lanford’s grave. Two new plaques were also placed on his grave—one from the DAR and one from the SAR, honoring James for his service in the Revolutionary War.
A beautiful service was held at Antioch Church. Trena Plavin, DAR member and Secretary of the Lanford Cemetery Association, gave a biography of James Lanford and presented pictures of the restoration work at the Lanford Cemetery.
It is through the dedicated work and contributions of James Lanford’s descendants that the Lanford legacy continues to be preserved. Their ongoing efforts ensure that the story of their family’s history is not forgotten but rather cherished and passed on to future generations.
A few of the Lanford descendants in attendance were… Rose Lanford Clary, Donna Clary Williams, Melanie Lanford Watson, Daniel “Danny” Lanford, Glenda Lanford, Robert “Bob” Lanford, Christy Lanford, Tony Lanford, Troy Lanford, Julie Lanford, Terry Lanford, Scott Adams, Clara Adams, Ella Adams, Luke Adams, Trena Hardin Plavan, Tammy Williams Chumley, Kristy Lanford, Annlynne Hardin Farr, Sandra Lanford Sloan and Jennifer Lanford Davis
Author: Tracy Sanders
