Sanford family papers

Collection

Identifier: MS S23

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The Sanford family papers consists mostly of deeds and other legal documentation of land and property in Hudson, Ohio. The deeds and documentation follow Ransom's life as he continues to grow and expand upon his carpentry trade, including homes he built and repaired on Aurora and Streetsboro Streets. After Ransom's death, his youngest son, Bert S. Sanford, owned and resided in the family property. The collection also includes Burt's records of legal agreements with his family and restoration and repair receipts for the house.

Researchers may note the inclusion of legal deeds for the Billiter Family in the Sanford papers. The Billiter family leased property from Sylvester Baldwin (1792-1879), who eventually passed away and the property was sold to Ransom Sanford. Ransom allowed Sylvester's widow continue leasing the home, even though a Sanford now owned it. These legal deeds are also in the collection to view. In addition to legal deeds, the collection also includes two professional surveys of the property on Aurora Street along with receipts, correspondence related to the property, fire insurance policies, Ransom's living will, funeral documentation, and heirloom ephemera that include a Union Presidential Ticket for Ohio, John Brown currency, and Confederate Paper Money.

Dates

Creation: 1873-1950

Creator

Sanford family. (Family)

Restrictions on Access

The collection is open for research use.

Restrictions on Use

The collection is open for research use.

Biography of the Sanford family

Ransom Sanford (1830-1912) was born in Hudson Township, Ohio. Ransom's parents, Gary Sanford (1797-1845) and Emily Richardson (1802-1873) were born and raised in Connecticut and moved to Hudson in the early 1820s. Ransom married Mary L. Harmon (1832-1919) in 1856 and had four children: Harmon (1860-1906), Edward G Sanford (1862-1921), Charles R Sanford (1867-1922), and Burt Sheldon Sanford (1870-1946).

Ransom worked as a carpenter and house joiner. He purchased property owned by George E. Pierce (1794-1871) to build his first home. Ransom continued to build and repair homes on Aurora Street and Streetsboro Street in Hudson, Ohio. Some of the buildings Ransom constructed were later leased to tenants under his ownership. Eventually Ransom sold many of his properties on Streetsboro Street, but he kept the homes on Aurora Street for his descendants.

Ransom and Mary Sanford's youngest child Burt Sheldon Sanford (1870-1946) was born on February 21, 1870. Burt spent his entire life in Hudson, Ohio, and worked as an accountant for the Pennsylvania Railroad. He married Ruth Hannah Eby Sanford (1885-1971) on May 23, 1904. The couple had one child, Laurence Eby Sanford (1905-1950), who worked as an engineer. Burt inherited his father's properties and managed control after his father's death. Burt maintained meticulous detail of the legal transactions, upkeep, and restoration of these properties. Burt passed away on March 11, 1946 and is buried in Twinsburg, Ohio.

Extent

0.2 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

A collection of family deeds, property surveys, and papers pertaining to the Sanford family, who resided in homes on Aurora Street and Streetsboro Street in Hudson, Ohio.