SANDIFORD, Ralph, author, born in Liverpool, England, about 1693" died in Philadeli)hia, Pennsylvania, 28 5lay, 1733. He was the son of John Sandiford, of Liverpool, and in early life was a sailor. He emigrated to Pennsylvania, where he settled on a farm and became a Quaker preacher. Sandiford was one of the earliest public advocates of the emancipation of neg'ro slaves, and in support of his views published "A Brief Examination of the Practice of the Times, by the Foregoing and Present Dispensation, etc." (Philadelphia, 1729" 2d ed., enlarge(l, 1730). These were printed by Franklin and Meredith. Franklin says, in a letter dated 4 November, 1789: "I printed a book for Ralph Sandiford against keeping neg'roes in slavery, two editions of which he distributed gratis." Sandiford's doctrines met with but little favor, except among the poor, who were brought into competition with slave labor. The chief magistrate of the province threatened Sandiford with punishment if he permitted his writings to be circulated, but, notwithstanding, he distributed the work wherever he thought it would be read. Sandiford was buried in a field, on his own farm, near the house where he died. The executors of his will had the grave enclosed with a balustrade fence, and caused a stone to be placed at the head of it, inscribed" "In Memory of Ralph Sandiford, Son of John Sandi-ford, of Liverpool. He Bore a Testimony against the Negroe Trade and Dyed ye 28th of ye 3rd Month, 1733, Aged 40 Years." See "Memoir of Benjamin Lay and Ralph Sandiford," by Robert Vaux (Philadelphia, 1815" London, 1816).