Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 8-B, 1887
Floyd County
JAMES H. HEREFORD, JR., was born in Pike County, Ky., May 22, 1841, and is a son of James H. and Meriba (Ratliff) Hereford, natives of Virginia and Pike County, Ky., respectively. His paternal grandfather, John Hereford, was Adjutant of the Loudoun County (Va.) Militia, and served through the whole of the Revolutionary war. The maternal grandfather of our subject was William Ratliff, a native of Virginia, but on coming to Kentucky became
"high sheriff" of Pike County, and died worth considerable property. He married Betty Ford, of German descent. His paternal grandmother was Betty Patterson, a native of Ireland, and a cousin of Mrs. Patterson Bonaparte, of Baltimore. The name Hereford is of English origin, while the Ratliffs are of Scotch-Irish descent. James H. Hereford, the father of our subject, was born in 1796, in Loudoun County, Va., was a physician, served as Surgeon in the Thirty-ninth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, Union forces. He settled in Prestonsburg in 1825, was an ardent Whig and admirer of Clay and Prentice, and for many years was a correspondent of the Louisville Journal. His death took place in February, 1885. Our subject, James H. Hereford, received his early education at Covington, and at the age of fifteen graduated from the high school. In 1861, at the first call for troops, he joined the Fifth Kentucky Volunteers, commanded by Col. J.S. Williams, was captured November 8, the same year, by Gen. Nelson's men, at Joy Mountain, Floyd County, Ky., was paroled, but never exchanged. He read law with O'Hara & Moore at Covington, was admitted to the bar in 1862, but did not begin practice until 1870, when he located at Prestonsburg, where he has since resided, engaged in his profession and at farming. In June, 1869, he married Miss Mary F. May, daughter of Samuel May, a minister and one of the leading farmers of Floyd County. To this union have been born five children, viz: James H., Meriba F., Samuel May, Thomas Marshall and George P. Mr. Hereford is a Freemason, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and in politics is a Democrat.

Dr James H Hereford, 1796-1885, FloydCo, KY, son of John Hereford and Betty Patterson 
From a book, title unknown.
In Memorium

Dr J H Hereford departed this life on the 9th inst., at his home, at Walnut Grove, Floyd county, Ky. The subject of this sketch was born in Fairfax county, Virginia, on Long Branch, a tributary of Accotine Creek, on Sunday, December 11, 1796, consequently his age at the time of his death was 88 years, 1 month and 28 days. He was descended from one of the oldest families in Virginia, his ancestors having in intercolonial times on the paternal side come from Herefordshire, England. His mother, Betty Hereford, nee Patterson, was a cousin to Madam Jerome Bonoparte, who died in Baltimore in 1879, at the advanced age of 95. Ancestors of his mother came from Tipperay county, Ireland. His father, John Hereford, was born in Fairfax county, Virginia, on the 3rd day of February, 1758, and who was of Revolutionary fame, and held the rank of Adjutant Major under General Lafayette at the siege of Yorktown. Few men ever enjoyed higher reputation for sterling honesty and veracity. In his nature, brave, generous, and magnanimous he commanded respect and won esteem wherever he went. Without an enemy in the world he lived; admired and regretted by all he died in the 89th year of his age.

Dr J H Hereford came to Kentucky in 1830; located at Louisa, Ky., and commenced the practice of medicine, in which he was quite successful. In August, 1821 he went to Tennessee to treat the cholera, of which disease he claimed to be proficient, and returned to his home, in Louisa, Ky., on December 24, 1831. Moved to Floyd county, Ky., in 1832, when he lived until November, 1840, at which time he moved to Pike county, Ky., and remained there one year, and returned to Floyd county, where he lived until the year 1851, at which time he moved to Covington, Ky., and remained there until 1857; while in Covington he had a lucrative practice, and after leaving that place he returned to Walnut Grove, in Floyd county, Ky., where he spent the remainder of his days. He was twice married, and God committed to his care a number of children, five of whom survive him, as also his second wife. His last illness which was of long duration and attended with great suffering, he bore with true Christian patience and submissiveness.

Six months previous to his death he spoke quite freely of his religious feelings expressing his hopes of the future life through the meritorious death of the Savior and an entire acquiescence in the Divine will. A firm believer in Christian religion, was an earnest member of the Baptist Church, faltering not in the declaration of child-like faith. Years of suffering that had no sting on pallid lips are rolled together as a scroll inscribed in letters of starry brightness. Having his generation faithfully and well he came to his grave in a full age, like as a stock of corn cometh in its season. It will also be gratifying to his friends for the writer to add that he retained his senses to the last, and died in the triumph of faith.

At rest beloved father
Peaceful in thy grave so low.
Thy sheaves are safely garnered
In yon Celestial City.
Thy harvest is gathered
In heaven, that beautiful land--
The day is far sped
And thy labor ended!
The battle of life closed at last.
Rest, beloved father, rest,
In dust thy final home,
Thou hast found rest
Sweet rest; everlasting Rest.
---M L H

(Note: M L H is Mary Lee Hereford Hatcher, daughter of James Hereford)

I know very little about this family, but here is what I have been able to piece together.

Descendants of James Henry Hereford

    1    James Henry Hereford, Dr.b: December 11, 1796 in Fairfax Co., VA  d: February 09, 1885 in
              Abbott Creek, Floyd Co., KY
        +Meriba Ratliff    b: 1816 in Floyd Co. KY    d: 1908 in Abbott Creek, Floyd Co., KY
         2    Lucy Ann 'Harriford' Hereford b: October 12, 1827 in Virginia d: November 24, 1892 in
                Harold, Floyd Co., KY
                3  James C. Johns b: August 12, 1850 in Lawrence Co., KY d: 1918 in Lawrence Co., KY
                    +Belvadora Williamson b: Abt. 1850 in Lawrence Co., KY d: Aft. March 1904 in
                       Lawrence Co., KY   m: Abt. 1878 in Lawrence Co., KY
                     4  John Benjamin Johns    b: 1878 in Lawrence Co., KY 
                          +Virginia ?  b: Abt. 1878
                     4  Henry Harrison Johns b: May 1880 in Lawrence Co., KY
                          +Lessie Hall  b: Abt. 1880                          *2nd Wife of Henry Harrison Johns
                          +Delphia ?  b: Abt. 1880
                     4    Wallace W. Johns  b: Abt. 1882 in Lawrence Co., KY
                          +Flora M. ?  b: Abt. 1882 in New York, NY
                     4    Ella Virginia Johns b: 1883 in Lawrence Co., KY
                          +Raymond 'Bert' Shannon   b: Abt. 1883 
                           5  Raymond Shannon   b: Bef. 1904
                     4    Taylor V. Johns       b: June 24, 1888 in Lawrence Co., KY
                     4    Hiram Williamson Johns, Sr.    b: 1890
                    *2nd Wife of James C. Johns:
                    +Mary Belle Yates  b: July 03, 1871 in Mouth of Poug, Pike Co., KY  d: April 13, 1905
                       in Lawrence Co., KY m: Abt. 1898 in Lawrence Co., KY    Father: Howard Yates
                       Mother: Louisa Adkins
                     4    Milton Burns Johns b: October 29, 1900 in Lawrence Co., KY d: Dec 02, 1975 in
                            Ashland, Boyd Co., KY
                           +Stella Marie Meade    b: January 01, 1910 in Ashland, Boyd Co., KY  d: April 23,
                             1955 in Cleveland, OH   m: December 23, 1926 in Louisa, Lawrence Co., KY
                             Father: George Meade      Mother: Alice Stacey
                            5    George Milton Johns, Sr.    b: January 19, 1929 in Ashland, Boyd Co., KY
                                 +Dorothy Mildred Stewart     b: Abt. 1929 in Ashland, Boyd Co., KY m: August
                                    08, 1950 in Ashland, Boyd Co., KY Father: Greenville Stewart Mother: Nora
                                    Lee McKinney
                                    6  Jetta Marie Johns  b: July 05, 1952 in Fort Clayton, CZ, Panama         
                                        +Samuel Reecer  b: Abt. 1952 m: July 22, 1971 in Colorado Springs, CO
                                    6  Joanna Lee Johns b: July 05, 1952 in Fort Clayton, CZ, Panama
                                        +David Earl Johnton b: Abt.1952 m: July 02, 1971 in Colorado Springs,CO
                                    6  George Milton Johns, Jr. b: April 23, 1954 in Fort Clayton, CZ, Panama
                                        +Laura Susan Kinney     b: Abt. 1954  m: July 06, 1974
                     *3rd Wife of James C. Johns:
                     +Georgia ?  b: Abt. 1850      d: Aft. 1944 in Pike Co., KY   m: Aft. 1906
              3     Nancy Johns       b: Aft. 1851 in Floyd Co., KY                    +Harry Hatcher    b: Abt. 1851 in Floyd Co., KY 
              3     Harry S. Johns       b: 1852
              3     Willie 'W.S.' Johns      b: Abt. 1853
        2    James Henry Hereford, Jr.b: May 22, 1841 in Floyd Co. KY d: Feb 1898 in Floyd Co. KY
             +Mary Florence May b: Abt. 1841 in Floyd Co. KY m: June 17, 1869 in Prestonsburg, KY
              3    James H. Hereford  b: Abt. 1870
              3    Meriba F. Hereford  b: Abt. 1872
              3    Samuel May Hereford  b: Abt. 1874 in Floyd Co. KY
                    +Octavia Leslie       b: Abt. 1874 in Floyd Co. KY
                    4    Challen Ellis Hereford   b: April 15, 1912 in Floyd Co. KY  d: July 16, 1990 in
                           Prestonsburg, KY
              3    Thomas Marshall Hereford    b: Abt. 1876 in Floyd Co. KY
                    +Mollie Nunnely   b: Abt. 1876 in Floyd Co. KY
                    4    Morren Hereford  b: Abt. 1910
                    4    Dorothy Hereford  b: Abt. 1912
                    4    Thomas Hereford  b: Abt. 1914 
              3    George P. Hereford  b: Abt. 1878
       2     Mary Lee Hereford b: Nov  09, 1843 in Floyd Co. KY d: January 17, 1929 in Floyd Co. KY
                 +James Henry Hatcher, Sr. b: Mar  03, 1838 in Floyd Co. KY d: Apr 23, 1917 in FloydCo.KY

John Graham Johns vs. James H. Hereford

Petition in Equity, 13 March 1879, Floyd County Circuit Court, KY

The Plaintiff John G. Johns says that he is the owner and holder of a promissory note executed and delivered to him by James H. Hereford Jr. whereas the said James H. Hereford Jr., agreed and promised to pay him the sum of ($25.94) twenty five dollars and ninety four cents.  Said note is in words and figures as follows to wit:  For value accrued for note and fee bills _____ I promise to pay John G. Johns twenty five dollars and ninety four cents this March 22^nd 1878.

                                                                                                (Signed) J.H. Hereford Jr.

On the back of said note is the following endorsement, viz:  �1875-Nov. 12^th Cr? By bal @ claim $2.00.  Said note is filed herewith marked (A).  Plaintiff further says that Deft. Is indebted to him in the further sum of ($100.00) one hundred dollars.  Said indebtedness is evidenced by a promissory note executed by the said J.H. Hereford Jr. and delivered by him to the Plff John G. Johns whereby he agreed and promised to pay the Johns the sum of ($100.00) one hundred dollars.  Said note is in words and figures as follows, viz:

                �$100.00 Twelve months after dated promise to pay John G. Johns one hundred dollars with ten percent interest after maturity until paid value rec�d.  This 23^rd September 1875�

                                                                                                (Signed) J.H. Hereford

Said note is filed herewith and made part hereof marked (B).  The above mentioned note was given in part consideration of a half interest of John G. Johns and Elizabeth A. Johns, his wife, in a certain house and lot situated in the own of Prestonsburg KY on the west side of Main Street, between the lot now owned y Jane & S.P. Steel, and this lot now occupied by H.H. Layne &c.  Said interest was transferred by deed of date September 23^rd 1875 which is filed herewith marked (C).  Plaintiff says that to secure the payment of said note of $100.00 a lien was retained on the half interest of the above mentioned house & lot.  Plaintiff says that the twenty five dollar & ninety four cents note subject to the two dollar credit remains unpaid and that the one hundred dollar note remains wholly unpaid.

                Wherefore Plff a personal prays judgment for the amount of his twenty five dollar and ninety four cents debt-subject-to-the $2.00 credit thereon with interest from day of (can�t read rest of line) judgment for his one hundred dollar debt with interest thereon from the 23^rd day of September 1876 until paid at the rate of 10 per cent per anum; for sale of the half interest of the House and lot in satisfaction of the one hundred dollar debt, and that the proceeds be applied in discharge of the same, for costs and for all proper relief.
                                                                                                Signed, Walter S. Harkins
                                                                                                Atty for Plff.

Affidavit of Walter S. Harkins, Floyd Co. Circuit Court, 22 April 1879

John G. Johns, Plff against James H. Hereford, Jr. Deft.

The affiant Walter S. Harkins says that he is the Atty for John G. Johns in an action pending in this court, wherein said Johns is plaintiff ad James H. Hereford, Jr. is Deft.  Affiant says that he is informed and believes that the Deft James H. Hereford, Jr. is a person of unsound mind.  Says that is not informed nor has he sufficient information upon which to form a belief as to whether the said defendant has any Guardian Curator or Committee residing in this State but believes that he has none.

                Wherefore plff prays the appointment of a �Guardian ad Litam� as the law directs.
                                                                                                Signed, Walter S. Harkins
                                                                                                Atty &c
Sworn to before me by Walter S. Harkins, 22^nd day of April 1879
                                                                                                H.H. Fitzpatrick, C.F.C.E.

Answer of Guardian ad Litum for James H. Hereford, 24 April 1879

F.A. Hopkins says he is the guardian ad litum appointed to Deft. For the Deff. J.H. Hereford herein.  And that the said J.H. Hereford is a man of unsound mind and not capable of attending to his own business:  and protecting his own interest.

                He therefore admits all of the allegations of the Petition which are advantageous to his said ward, and desires all that are against his interest.

                Wherefore having answered his prays &c.
               F.A. Hopkins, Guardian ad Litum for Deft.

Answer of Guardian ad Litum for James H. Hereford, 24 April 1879

F.A. Hopkins Guardian Ad Litum for and answer herein says that since he filed his original answer he has examined the pleading herein and believes that the amt. claimed in Plff�s Petition is presently due him against Deft. (several lines crossed out) but does it think it will be prepidical (sic) to the interest of his ward to let judg�t go on same as claimed in his petition.

                And does not think that a judg�t at this time will be prepidical to the interest of his war.

                Wherefore, &c.
                                                      F.A. Hopkins, G.A.L.