Person:David Rankin (11)

This David Rankin MAY be related to James Rankin and Jean Campbell of Lancaster, Pennsylvania- much more research necessary....

Will of David Rankin - Rowan County, North Carolina

In the name of God Amen, David Rankin of the County of Rowan in the State of North Carolina being of sound mind and memory, yet at the same time calling to mind the mortality of man knowing that this applies (?) for all men ... (?) ...make this ordain this my Last Will and Testament (?) in thr first place I recommend my Soul into the God who gave it to me And my Body recommend to the (?) to be buried in the Christian and De....t manner at the D....tion of my Executors and as touching(?) of my Worldly affairs I Leave and Bequeath in the following manner and form (viz) I Leave and Bequeath unto my well beloved wife Margaret the one third of the Plantation I now live in during her Natural Life. Also her Cui\oice of my horses, the one she pleases ........, ........... (rest of line unreadable)... and furniture. Also the one third of my ho .... to ..... Likewise to Cows her own Chafing(?) to be at her disposal (?) at her Decease.

Item I Leave and Bequeath to my beloved son Robert the Plantation I now live on together with the ........ which is to be in possession of my wife during her life. Also the ....... of my flock of Horses, Cattle. .... Also my Plantation .......ials, Wagon ...e together with the .......... of my Household Goods.

Item I Leave and Bequeath to my beloved Grandson David McCreary five pounds to be paid him before he comes of Age by my Son Robert. Also to my beloved Grandson David Rankin I leave five pounds to be paid him by my Son Robert before he arrives at the Age of Twenty one. Also to my beloved Grandson James Rankin I Leave and Bequeath Twenty pounds to be paid him by his father my son Robert. And the above mentioned sums to be made as good as money ..... in the Year 1763(?). And lastly I do Con.....tute and Appoint Robert my Son to be Executor of this my Last will and Testament.

Signed and Sealed in the presence of us this 15th March 1792 (?)

James Kerr } Jurat Wm. Kerr Isabella (?) Falls

Note: the William Kerr that witnessed this will is probably William Kerr (James2) who was the father of Isabella Kerr that married William Gilbreath Falls. The Isabella Falls that witnessed this will is probably Isabella (Kerr) Falls, wife of William Gilbreath Falls.

http://www.rankinfamily.org/Rankins%20of%20NC/Rowan%20County/The%20Rankins%20of%20Rowan%20County%20(676-708).htm

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