Edwin Binford was born around 1812, possibly in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. He married Martha H. Drumright there on March 2, 1835, and they had at least nine children: William, born around 1835; Mary, born around 1837; Roland, born around 1841; Mildred, born around 1843; Martha, born around 1844; Gregory, born around 1846; Thomas, born around 1849; James, born around 1851; and Hortentius, born around 1853. Binford was a farmer in Mecklenburg County, and by 1860, he owned $1,000 of real estate and $500 of personal property, including at least two slaves. A decade later, he owned $500 of real estate and $100 of personal property. He died in Mecklenburg County on December 4, 1884.