Person:Robert Rankin (7)

Research Notes

Some information on this family from:

http://freepages.family.rootsweb.com/~pineywoodsroots/trees/rankin.htm

Some of first 4 generations listed on this website: http://www.rankinfamily.org/Rankins%20of%20NC/Rowan%20County/The%20Rankins%20of%20Rowan%20County%20(676-708).htm

The Rankins of Rowan County, North Carolina

The Rankins of Iredell and Rowan County

Rowan County was formed from Anson County in 1753 and was something of a crossroads in the middle 1700s. Pioneering families moving south to North Carolina from Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and other points typically either settled directly in Rowan County or lived there for awhile before moving on. Such was the case with Samuel Rankin who moved from Rowan to Mecklenburg (which became Tryon and later still Lincoln) in 1765. Such was the case with John and William Rankin, brothers, who moved from Delaware to that part of Rowan which became Guilford County in 1770. Such was the case for many families in the western third of this state including Robert Rankin and his wife, Rebecca.

The Descendents of Robert and Rebecca Rankin of Rowan County

The Rev. Samuel M. Rankin in his book The Rankin and Wharton Families and Their Genealogy states that "There was a Robert Rankin of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, who settled in Guilford County, North Carolina in 1753. He had a large family and his children were well grown when he came to Guilford. He was perhaps married in Ireland and only tarried a short time in Pennsylvania. No record of where he owned land in Pennsylvania could be found. Some of his male descendants were in Guilford as late as 1845, but all of the name have now disappeared. Some are living in Indianapolis, Indiana."

Rev. Rankin was mostly correct. In fact, land records indicate that Robert Rankin was from Chester County, Pennsylvania—the Sadsbury District which was near Lancaster County. Robert was a member of the Nottingham Colony which migrated from the Nottingham Presbyterian Church community to Guilford County about 1753. This church was organized by Rev. Hugh McAden, a missionary sent to that community in North Carolina. The church was organized on 1 Aug 1755 at the home of Adam Mitchell near where the church now stands. It appears mostly likely that Robert Rankin was one of the Scots to whom the agents of the Pennsylvania Proprietors would not sell land for fear that the Scots would gain complete political control of the community. Nottingham Colony was probably promoted by Robert and other Scots in order to secure permanent settlement where they might obtain land to call their own.

On 3 Dec 1753, Robert was granted 640 acres of land in Rowan County by the Earl of Granville on Ready Fork. This is the earliest reference found for Robert Rankin. He may very well have been the first Rankin in the Tar Heel State. Robert later sold this tract to purchase another about one mile west of Buffalo Presbyterian Church in which he was a Ruling Elder.

Robert "and wife Rebekah" sold 480 acres to George Rankin on 13 Apr 1755, purchased 640 acres on 14 Apr 1755 and sold it that same day to William Denny. The Earl of Granville again granted Robert Rankin another 640 acres on 24 June 1758 in Rowan County "in the Parish of St. Luke...being one of the Thirty Irish Tracts #8 on both sides of North Bufello." He was quite active in the court proceedings of Rowan County serving on juries in 1755, 1758, 1762 and on a Grand Jury in 1765. On 25 Oct 1755, he served on a Grand Jury alongside Squire Boone, husband of Sarah and father of Daniel Boone. He served again on a jury in 1784. Though there is no record of his service during the American Revolution, it is highly likely that he did indeed serve his new country in the pursuit of liberty as did so many of his Scottish-born brethren.

The Rev. Hugh McAden, one of the pioneering ministers of North Carolina, mentions in his journal that on 3 Sept 1755, "he set out from the Buffalo Settlement toward the Yadkin (River) with Robert Rankin as his guide."

In 1788, that part of Rowan County in which Robert lived became Iredell County. Robert Rankin filed his will in Iredell County on 13 May 1795 and the will was proven in November of that year. He did not mention his wife and so we can infer that she had predeceased him. In his will, he refers to himself as "Robert Rankin, Senior" and so we know that he had a son, Robert. He also mentions his son George quite prominently as well as a daughter Isabel. He also mentions prominently his daughter Mary Wilson and his three grandchildren by his "former son-in-law," Andrew Wilson. Since he also refers to Andrew as the Guardian of his three grandchildren, we may infer that Mary was deceased. It is interesting to note that Robert, Sr. did not mention his son, Robert. That also indicates that he may have had other children which for one reason or another were not provided for in his will. It has been speculated that his older children were born in Ireland and, coming to maturity not long after becoming Americans, struck out on their own.

Robert and Rebecca Rankin are known to have the following children as they are named in his will:

1. George Rankin — b. circa 1729 d. 1760 (further)

2. Robert Rankin — perhaps the Robert Rankin of Rutherford County, NC who married Mary Witherow, later living in Pendleton District, SC before moving to Kentucky. The genealogy of this family is given elsewhere

3. Isabel Rankin

4. Mary Rankin — born about 1766 and died prior to 13 May 1795 (further)

In addition, Robert and Rebecca are hypothesized to have the following children due to a number of factors: First, they lived in the general area; Second, they appear to be of an appropriate age; Third, they are mentioned at least once in the county records of Rowan and/or Iredell; Fourth, they have not been concretely tied to the other Rankin families in North Carolina. These hypothetical children:

1. David Rankin — b. before 1732 (further)

2. Donald Rankin — listed as a property owner on a 1778 Tax List of Rowan County. This is the only known reference to a Donald Rankin in North Carolina.

3. Michael Rankin — was Constable of Rowan County in 1765. This is the only known reference to a Michael Rankin in North Carolina.

4. Rebecca Rankin

5. John Rankin

6. Samuel Rankin — of Lincoln County, NC who married Ellen Alexander

7. James Rankin — of Burke County, NC who died about 1781

Until recently, it has been assumed that Samuel Rankin of Lincoln County, NC was a son of Joseph Rankin of Delaware and sibling of John and William Rankin, brothers, who settled in Guilford County. John and William are known sons of Joseph as they are named specifically as such in a New Castle County, Delaware deed. However, no such connection has been made between Joseph and Samuel. Further, it is interesting that Samuel’s first appearance in North Carolina records is as a landowner in Rowan County, near Robert and Rebecca Rankin. Samuel later owned land on Crowder’s Creek in Mecklenburg County before moving to Lincoln County, NC.

It is believed, though it is far from proven, that the Robert Rankin listed in the will of Robert Rankin, Senior is the same Robert Rankin who settled in Rutherford County, NC and later in Pendleton District, SC i.e. the Robert Rankin who married Mary Witherow . The age is roughly appropriate as Robert seems to have been born about 1749. Also, David Rankin and Robert of Rutherford County both owned land on Crowder’s Creek along with Samuel Rankin and David Alexander in the mid-to-late 1760s.

James Rankin of Burke County, NC died about 1781. His lands were held in probate in Lincoln County where Robert Rankin and neighbors of Samuel Rankin were involved in the courts proceedings.

The Second Generation: The Family of George Rankin and Lydia Steele

What we known of George Rankin comes to us from two sources. First is the county-level records in Rowan and Guilford counties in North Carolina. The second source is the handwritten autobiography of their son, Rev. John Rankin, which he penned in his 88th year.

George Rankin we know was a son of Robert Rankin, Sr. for his father lists him as such in his will of 1795. This is confirmed by the autobiography of Rev. John Rankin which further states that George was born in Ireland thus emigrating with his parents to the New World. He states:

"My parents emigrated from Ireland to the State of Pennsylvania and County of Lancaster in their youth, my mother, Lydia Steele, Junior, in the thirteenth year of her age; under the superintendence of my grandmother, Lydia Steele, Senior, about 1746, from the County of Derry and Parish of Newton. The elder branches of the family removed before and after this period, my eldest uncle, John Steele, who was educated in Scotland, settled, a Presbyterian preacher in the town of Carlisle, with pay for life. My father, from the County of Connegal and Parish Letterkenny, came about the year 1750, having then arrived to the year of maturity. My parents, after their union, emigrated to North Carolina in the month of July, 1755, to lands purchased of the Earl of Granville by a company in Lancaster County, Pa., of which my father was a partner, about the center of Guilford County, in the vicinity of Greensboro."

The first record found concerning George Rankin is a land deal between he and his father in which Robert sells him 480 acres in Rowan County on 14 Apr 1755. This and the autobiographical statement above tell us that George was likely born just prior to Apr 1729. He was a "Road Commissioner" in 1758.

George married Lydia Steele in Pennsylvania and settled near the Buffalo Presbyterian Church. Lydia was granted 620 acres in Rowan County by Granville on 30 Jan 1761. George filed his will in Rowan County on 23 May 1760 and the will was proven on 21 Oct 1760. In it he specifies that his wife, Lydia, is to get "one third of the benefit of my plantation." He also mentions two children, both sons and both under the age of 21. Indeed, Rev. John Rankin states that "two and one-half years afterward (John’s birth), my father was removed by death and my mother left with two helpless infants." This land seems to have been primarily in that part of Rowan County which became Guilford County in 1770. Those sons:

1. Rev. John Rankin — b. 27 Nov 1757 d. 12 July 1850 (further)

2. Robert Rankin — b. 29 May 1759 d. 21 Dec 1840 (further)

The records of Buffalo Church indicate that Lydia later married Arthur Forbis, a Ruling Elder in Buffalo Church. Arthur did not live very long but did indicate four daughters in his will. Robert and John were appointed executors of the will.

The Second Generation: The Family of Mary Rankin and Andrew Wilson

Mary Rankin was named in the will of Robert Rankin, Sr. as her daughter. As indicated above, she was deceased by the writing of her father’s will on 13 May 1795. The Index of North Carolina Ancestors indicates that Mary was born circa 1766 in Guilford County (probably Rowan since Guilford was not formed until 1770), that she married there circa 1784 to Andrew Wilson, and died in Guilford County circa 1794. This same source indicates that Andrew was born in 1752 in Pennsylvania and died in Guilford County in 1834—Mary was his second of three wives.

History of Buffalo Presbyterian Church and Her People indicates that Andrew located on South Buffalo and built the first grist mill there, later known as the John C. Dick Mill. He married first Agnes , daughter of John Chambers, and their children were Daniel, Robert and James Wilson.

The three children of Andew and Mary Rankin Wilson:

1. William Rankin Wilson — The Index of North Carolina Ancestors indicates that William was born in Guilford County circa 1787, married there circa 1809 to Isabella Lydia Rankin , and died in Tennessee circa 1866. At this time, Isabella’s parentage is uncertain

2. Andrew Wilson

3. Maxwell Wilson

The Second Generation: The Family of David and Margaret Rankin

David Rankin is believed to be a son of Robert and Rebecca Rankin, born prior to 1732. South Carolina Memorials indicates that on 6 March 1775, David Rankin was reissued 320 acres of land in Craven County, South Carolina which had been originally issued in Anson County, North Carolina by Governor Matthew Rowan on 4 September 1753. This land was on the south side of the Catawba River on the south fork of Crowder’s Creek near Little Mountain. Originally issued in North Carolina, a resurvey indicated it to actually be in South Carolina. Interestingly, this is the first land record concerning a Rankin in North Carolina.

On 14 Apr 1763, David was involved in a Rowan County court proceeding. David was issued land in Mecklenburg County, NC on 16 Oct 1765, again on the south side of Crowder’s Creek.

On 31 October 1778, David Rankin of Rowan County, North Carolina sold to Henry Williams of Craven District, SC the 320 acres on the south side of Crowder’s Creek he had been granted in 1753. Witnesses were James Rankin, Susannah Rankin and Moses Henry. It is believed that James and Susannah are grandchildren of David Rankin, but this has not been proven.

The 1778 record above indicates that although David was involved in land transactions in Anson and Mecklenburg counties, he seems to have lived primarily in that part of Rowan County which became Iredell County in 1788.

David was quite active in land transactions in Rowan County. On 1 June 1774, he bought 200 acres on the Catawba River from John McConnell. He bought another 262 acres on 17 Jan 1786 and another 44 1/2 acres on the Catawba on 14 Apr 1778, all from John McConnell (witnessed by Robert Rankin).

David filed his will in Rowan County in 1781 and the will was proved in Iredell County on 28 Dec 1789. In his will, he mentions his "well beloved wife Margaret...my son Robert," and his grandsons, James Rankin, David Rankin and David McCreary. In particular, he mentions his "grandson James Rankin by his father, and my son Robert."

The following are the known children of David and Margaret Rankin:

1. Robert Rankin — born before Apr 1757 (further)

2. Jane Rankin — born 1765. According to The McConnell Families of Davidson’s Creek Settlement, Iredell County, North Carolina, 1748–1982 by Joel P. McConnell.;, Jane Rankin married on 13 Sept 1808 to Benjamin McConnell, son of John McConnell and Mary Winslow (1724–1812). John (1721–30 Dec 1801) was a neighbor of David Rankin. Benjamin had married previously to Sarah Wilson who had died. Ben and Jane moved to Bedford County, Tennessee where he died in 1820 and she died about 1859. Ben had children by his first wife but none by Jane.

3. A daughter who married a McCreary and had a son, David. This daughter wa deceased at the time of David Rankin’s will

The Third Generation: The Family of Rev. John Rankin and Rebecca Rankin

"Shaker" John Rankin is a very significant figure in the annals of the Shaker faith. In his 88th year, he handwrote his autobiography which not only tells much about the Shaker faith, but John’s personal life and beliefs, and his genealogy.

John was born 27 Nov 1757 in that part of Rowan County which became Guilford County, NC in 1770. He was the oldest of the two sons of George Rankin and his wife, Lydia Steele . He married in Guilford County on 28 Nov 1786 to Rebecca Rankin who was born in 1767. Rebecca was the oldest child of John Rankin and his wife, Hannah Carson of Guilford County. Thus, Rebecca is a descendent of Joseph Rankin of Delaware. As far as we have been able to determine, there is no close relationship between John and his wife, Rebecca Rankin.

His father, George Rankin, specified that upon John’s reaching the age of 21, he was to receive George’s "land on Brushy Creek" and it would appear that he did. John indicates in his autiobiography that he was licensed as a Presbyterian preacher in 1795. In 1796, he received a letter from Gallatin, Sumner County, TN. After preaching in Russellville, Nashville and Gallatin, he returned to North Carolina, sold his land and crops and on 6 Oct 1796, moved to the Gallatin area, then to Sumner County. In 1798, he moved to South Union, Logan County, KY where he was pastor of one of the three Presbyterian churches in what was then Logan County.

This territory had been rapidly settled by people from the eastern states and territories. As is typical in the settling of a new country, morale was low. There was much antagonism among the denominations. John Rankin, as did ministers of other denominations, preached in the early years of the 1800s from his own viewpoint but was part of the "Great Revival" at Cain Ridge, KY. The emotion of the revival spread and churches all over the country admitted that while some of its aspects were not understandable, great good did result—even London magazines were featuring stories of the revival. This publicity caught the attention of other sects many of which sent representatives to Kentucky. One of these was "The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing" from Lebanon, Ohio—members of the Shaker faith. Charles Crossfield Ware, in his book Barton Warren Stone, says:

"The religion of the Shakers, in its idiosyncracies, may be said to have been a compound of asceticism, communism, spiritualism and paternalism. A tenet which they enforced within their communion and which made them notorious, was the forbidding of racial reproduction...Between Shakers and Mormans there is fascinating contrast and coincidence. One believed and practiced celebacy, which was self-destructive; while the other believes in polygamy and practiced it openly until the Federal Government interposed...That these beliefs, at opposite poles, could exist in Ameria is a score for our tolerance. However, both were subject to sporadic mob violence. They were both indigenous to the State of New York. New Lebanon, the home of the Shakers’ "Mother Church," was about 200 miles east of Palmyra, where the "Golden Plates" of Morman were discovered."

In late 1807, John Rankin retired from the Presbyterian ministry having become jaded with the politics of the Church. He became a Shaker on 8 Nov 1807. Rebecca was converted to Shakerism on 9 Nov 1807 as was John’s eldest son, George, on 18 Nov 1807. In 1813, Samuel G. .;White, George Rankin and John McCombs became Trustees for the Shakers of 943 acres of land on the Black Lick Fork of Gasper River part of which became "Shakertown."

As was mentioned previously, John handwrote his autobiography in his 88th year, 1845, and signed it "John Rankin, Sr." This was copied by Harvey L. Eads.; in 1870. The copy, it appears, was incorporated in the History of the South Union Shaker Colony and is now in the library of Western Kentucky State College in Bowling Green, KY.

Rebecca died on 25 May 1845 as did John, at the age of 93, on 12 July 1850. Their children, all but one of whom (Robert) accepted the Shaker faith:

1. George Rankin — b. 7 Jan 1787 d. 26 Nov 1880 (further)

2. Hannah Rankin — b. May 1789 in North Carolina. Hannah never married and died on 5 Nov 1826 at the age of 37 years

3. Robert W. Rankin .;— b. 25 Aug 1790 d. 16 Nov 1881 (further)

4. Solomon Rankin — b. 3 June 1796 in Virginia. Solomon never married and died at the age of 85 years in Nov 1882

5. John Rankin — b. 1798 in North Carolina. He died on 29 Nov 1870 at the age of 72 years

6. Jesse Rankin — b. 9 Sept 1799 in Kentucky. He died at the age of 83 years on 2 Dec 1882

7. William Rankin — b. 25 Jan 1803 in Kentucky. He died on 16 Feb 1880 at the age of 77 years

8. Eliza Rankin — b. 23 May 1805 in Kentucky. She died 18 Jan 1865

9. Polly Rankin — b. 27 Feb 1807 in Kentucky. She died on 27 Apr 1881

The Third Generation: The Family of Robert Rankin, Mary Cusick and Mary Moody

Robert Rankin’s family is a well-documented one. He was born 29 May 1759 in that part of Rowan which became Guilford County, the second son of George Rankin and his wife, Lydia Steele . In his father’s will of 1760, he specified that Robert was "to get two-thirds of my plantation where I live" upon reaching the age of 21 which he did.

Robert was very active in the Revolutionary War. According to his pension application, he was born 29 May 1759 in Guilford County. There is no doubt as to the veracity of the date but Guilford County was formed from Rowan and Orange Counties in 1770. Robert enlisted on 16 June 1776 and served as a Private in Captain Bell’s Company of Colonel Caval’s Regiment of NC Troops. He was discharged on 1 Oct 1776. He volunteered in Mar 1780 and served in Capt. Reden Moore’s Company of Colonel Paisley’s Regiment of NC Troops. He was involved in a skirmish with the British and some of their men were taken prisoner. On 1 July 1780, he volunteered and served under Capt. Ross, Capt. Forbes and Major Devold and was discharged on 16 Mar 1781. He fought at the Battle of Guilford Court House and served three months in Capt. McAdoo’s Company of Col. Paisley’s Regiment as a minute horseman. Robert declared that he lived in Guilford County, NC until 1830 when he moved to McNairy County, Tennessee.

Robert’s first wife was Mary "Polly" Cusick . The will of William Cusick was filed in Guilford County, NC on 4 May 1816 and was proven in May 1817. In it, he mentions "Robert Rankin, Sr." and Robert’s three daughters Lydia, Isabelle, and Thankful who "are to be treated as my daughters instead of their deceased mother, Polly." It is not, at this time, known when Robert married Polly, who all of their children are, or exactly when she died.

Robert married again on 22 Nov 1803 in Guilford County, NC to Mary Moody who applied for a pension on 12 July 1853 at the age of 75. Robert died in McNairy County, TN on 21 Dec 1840 as did Mary on 11 July 1854.

The known children of Robert and his first wife, Polly Cusick:

1. Lydia Rankin — this may be the wife of William Rankin Wilson, listed above

2. Jedediah Rankin — b. 1783 d. 1862 (further)

3. Thankful Rankin — married in Guilford County on 4 Feb 1818 to Hance McCain

4. Isabelle Rankin — b. 1791 d. 1861 (further)

5. Robert Rankin

6. George Rankin — (further)

The records of Buffalo Presbyterian Church also indicate two more children:

1. William Rankin

2. John Rankin

Robert and second wife, Mary Moody, had only one child:

1. Jane Rankin — b. 1817 in Guilford County, NC. She married James Eades. One of her descendents is Lucille Eades Moore DAR # 72921.

The Third Generation: The Family of Robert Rankin

The will of David Rankin mentions his wife, Margaret and only one child: Robert Rankin. We further know that Robert Rankin of Iredell County, NC was the son of this David for on 3 Feb 1815, Robert Rankin, "planter of Iredell County" deeded land to Thomas Byars. In that deed, Robert makes reference to land grants from John McConnell to David Rankin dated 4 Apr 1778 and 14 Jan 1786. He further states that this land was "willed by the said David Rankin to his son, Robert Rankin."

We know that Robert was born sometime prior to 14 Apr 1757 for on 14 Apr 1778, he witnessed a deed between his father and John McConnell. He lived in Iredell County, NC where he figures prominently in many land dealings through the early 1800s. Robert is listed on a Poll Tax List of Iredell County in 1815 though his acreage is not stated.

It is believed that this is the Robert Rankin who married in Guilford County, NC on 28 Feb 1775 to Jean Denny . Jean was the daughter of William and Anne Denny. This is believed for two reasons: First, it is known that Robert has a son, Denny Rankin. On 17 May 1802, Robert Rankin of Iredell County deeded 126 acres in Iredell to "Denny Rankin, his son of the county of Iredell." Second, Denny is buried at the Centre Presbyterian Church in Mooresville, NC as is Jean Rankin. According to her tombstone, Jean Rankin died on 10 Dec 1779 at the age of 24, hence she was born in 1755.

Denny was born before 24 Nov 1779 as he witnessed a deed between his father and Henry Wesson on 24 Nov 1800 in Iredell County.

It is also known that Robert has a son, James. On 5 Feb 1805, Robert Rankin of Iredell County deeded 110 acres in Iredell to "James Rankin his son of the county and State aforesaid" with Denny Rankin as witness. On 31 Mar 1800, Thomas Davidson of Iredell County sold to "Robert Rankin of the county and State aforesaid" 200 acres in Lincoln County, NC; this deed was also witnessed by Denny Rankin.

The two known children of Robert Rankin:

1. James Rankin — b. 1772 d. 22 Feb 1850 (further)

2. Denny A. Rankin .;— b. 1773 d. 1823 (further)

David and Margaret are also thought to have a son David, mentioned as a grandson of Robert’s father, David Rankin in his will of 1781.

The Fourth Generation: The Family of George Rankin and Nancy Blair

George Rankin was born 7 Jan 1787 in Virginia according to Shaker records, probably where his father served his first church, the eldest son of Rev. John and Rebecca Rankin. He married in Logan County, KY on 23 May 1805 to Nancy Blair , born 3 Jan 1782. Little is known of this family other than that they were of the Shaker faith living their lives in Shakertown, KY. George died on 26 Nov 1880. Interestingly, Rutherford County, TN cemetery records indicate that Nancy Blair Rankin died in Rutherford County on 23 Apr 1873 at the age of 91 years. Their known children were both born prior to George’s conversion to Shakerism:

1. Clarissa Rankin — b. 6 Feb 1806 in Kentucky and died there on 6 Feb 1890

2. Jency Rankin — b. 1 Oct 1807 in Kentucky and died 12 Jan 1886

The Fourth Generation: The Family of Robert W. Rankin and Margaret T. Whitsett

Robert W. Rankin.; was born 25 Aug 1790 in Guilford County, NC a son of Rev. John and Rebecca Rankin. He married in Logan County, KY to Margaret T. . (Whitsett); . 'Rankin';Whitsett who was born in the year 1800.

Robert never converted to the Shaker faith for reasons which are unclear over 200 years later. In the Shaker records is found the following of him:

"Robert (the last of him) goes off to the world today. Gets a horse, saddle and bridle; and $130 May 16, 1818."

He and his wife eventually established their home in LaFayette County, Missouri. In Portrait and Biographic Record of John and Pettis Counties, Missouri (1819), we learn that Robert W. Rankin, a native of Logan County, Kentucky, studied medicine in Ohio and after graduating went to Franklin County, MO. He spent a year there and settled in LaFayette County, MO where he practiced medicine in Lexington until ten years prior to his death. In The History of LaFayette County, Missouri (1881), it is stated that,

"The first regular physician who appeard in Houx Settlement, LaFayette County, Missouri, was Dr. Robert Rankin, from Kentucky, whose father founded Shakertown of that State. He now (1881) resides with his son-in-law, Judge Findley .;Barnett, near Odessa, Mo. He is over 90 years of age."

Robert died at the age of 91 years on 16 Nov 1881 and is at rest in the Columbus Cemetery in Johnson County, MO as is his wife. Their children:

1. Escalania Rankin — b. 8 Dec 1822 d. 12 Mar 1911 (further)

2. John A. Rankin .;— b. 1824 d. 1833

3. James Eads Rankin — b. 28 Jan 1827 d. 24 June 1893 (further)

4. Jett (or Gett) Rankin — lived and died in Johnson County, MO. No further data

5. Ashley H. Rankin .;— b. 23 Mar 1832. He married Ellen Conchman, had no children and died on 11 July 1859

They are said to have three other children.

The Fourth Generation: The Family of Jedediah Rankin and Rebecca Rankin

Jedediah Rankin was born 1783, a son of Robert Rankin and his first wife, Mary "Polly" Cusick . He married in Guilford County, NC on 4 Dec 1811 to Rebecca Rankin whose origin is unknown to us. Jed served as a wagoner during the War of 1812. Jed and Rebecca had five children before she died in 1827. Jed is found in the 1820 census of Guilford County, NC and moved to Arkansas about 1830.

Jed remarried on 6 Mar 1831 in Pulaski County, Arkansas to Miss Elizabeth Cook who was born about 1801. They moved to Perry County, Arkansas where Jed entered 160 acres on Rankin’s Creek in 1832, about eight miles below Perryville. He died in 1862 and Elizabeth died at the age of 81 in 1882. Much of this information comes from the memoirs of Jed’s son, George Milton Rankin.

Jed’s five children by his first wife, Rebecca Rankin:

1. Catherine Rankin — b. 1812 (further)

2. Polly Ann Rankin — married Capt. Wilson of Arkansas and died in 1863 in Ark.

3. A child who died young

4. A child who died young

5. George Milton Rankin — b. 1 Aug 1821 (further)