Hon. Richard Stanford
b. 2 Mar 1767 - d. 9 Apr 1816)

{Congressional Cemetery, DC: Range 29 Site 15)

A Representative from North Carolina;. Completed preparatory studies, moved to Hawfields, N. Carolina about 1793 and established an academy. Elected as a Democrat to the 5th to the 14th Congresses and served from 1797 to his death.


The National Intelligencer, April 10, 1816
Died. At his lodgings in Georgetown, yesterday, the Hon. Richard Stanford, a Representative in Congress from the state of North Carolina, aged about 47 years. His complaint was the Erysipelas, originating it is believed, in the common cold.

Mr. Stanford had been a Member of the House of Representatives for near twenty years, and was at the time of his death, the oldest Member of the House. In private life, he was esteemed and respected, as an upright man and useful member of society.

His funeral will take place this day with the usual and appropriate ceremonies, at 12 o'clock.


The National Intelligencer, Thursday, April 11, 1816
Mr. Stanford
This lamented gentleman was elected to Congress in the year 1796, and has continued to represent the same district ever since. The tribute thus paid to his worth by his constituents, was most eminently merited. All the virtues that made his private character amiable and exemplary, shone throughout his public life. He was honest, sincere, consistent and independent alike in every situation; allowing no motive for any part of his conduct but the single one of serving his gracious Master and Redeemer, to whom he had long devoted himself, whose name he had loved to acknowledge, and whose doctrine he adorned. The loss of a Christian public man, thus blessed with right principles, is a national affliction. His bereaved family and friends have the best of all consolations in knowing that their loss is his gain; that he was among the faithful here, and is among the blessed forever.