HURFORD, John, late of Triverton, in Devonshire, brought a certificate to Philadelphia, from Friends of Cullumpton Meeting, dated 2,29,1700 for himself and family, including his son John and his wife's daughter, July Ann Holcomb.  In 1702 the son came to Chester County, married Elizabeth Browne early in 1703, and became a shopkeeper in Aston.  In 1708 he was a sufferer by fire, "whereby he and his family is in great distress," and collections were made for his benefit.  his wife became a recommended minister among Friends in 1717.  In 1733 he married Esther, widow of Peter Hunter, of Middletown.

John Hurford, son of John and Elizabeth, born in Aston, 5,14,1712, married, 3,11,1732, at Chester Meeting, Hannah Fairlamb, born 9th mo., 1711, daughter of Nicholas and Katharine.  In 1733 they removed to New Garden township and became members of Londongrove Meeting.  Their children were Samuel, John, Joseph, Isaac, Elizabeth, Hannah, Caleb, Katharine, Eli, Sarah, and Nicholas.  The last was the father of Michael Hurford, of New Garden.

Caleb, son of John and Hannah Hurford, married Martha, daughter of John Maris.  Their children were John, Aaron, Caleb, Lewis, Eli, Maris, and Hannah.

Maris Hurford, the sixth child and son, was born about the year 1790, in the neighborhood of Londongrove Meeting-house and moved with his parents in 1816 into West Fallowfield township.  Soon after this he started a store near old Sadsbury meeting-house, which he and his brothers kept about one year.  He then moved his store to a house on the Gap and Newport turnpike, near to where his parents first located, and where he spent the remainder of his life.  This store they kept about a year, while a store-house was being built adjoining his father's house, to which he removed, and where he and his brother Eli were engaged in the mercantile business about thirty years.  He was married Jan. 8, 1868, died July 20, 1873, and was interred in the old Sadsbury burying ground.  He left one child, Annie Maris, who, with her mother, occupy the old Hurford homestead.  His wife, Martha Buffington, the daughter of John and Marie Buffington, was born in 1828. Her grandparents were Thomas and Elizabeth Buffington, who located in Northumberland County, where they owned and operated a paper mill.  On her mother's side her grandparents were Jacob and Marie Keylor, who came from Germany at the breaking out of a war between Germany and other European powers, and purchased land and settled in Chester County.

Maris Hurford was one of the leading business men in the county, and never held office, though often solicited to do so by his fellow citizens, but was often selected to perform services requiring good judgment and a clear mind.  He settled many estates, and was frequently appointed guardian by the courts.  He possessed rare social qualities, and was most hospitable and kind; accumulated a competency of this world's goods, and his pure character and upright business life gained him the respect and confidence of the community.