Born: ? 1795 Married: married ?RachelCensus
Died: ?(by 1816) Parents: Nathaniel 4 and Hannah ? RUFFIN
Mr. Kidd states: My father, John Kidd b 1799 d 1866 My mother, Sarah Ruffin b 1802 d 1880 My mother's father - Stephen Ruffin My father's mother - Susan Powers My father's father - Mose Kidd of Virginia My wife - Lettishia Thompson b 1835. (Her father- Parish Thompson) My wife's mother - Mary Freeland daughter of Louis Freeland. Mr. Kidd lived in Newell ALA and his son in Huntsville.
Stephen Ruffin had a daughter named Sarah Sheppard. This daughter married John Kidd in Darlington County in 1826. John Kidd was my great great great grandfather. He was born in Chatham County, North Carolina in 1799 to Moses and Cary Powers Kidd.
Before John Kidd married Sarah Sheppard Ruffin, he had a son in 1819 named Gilliam Kidd by a woman whose name is still unknown. This lady may have been John's first wife or, possibly, she was never married to John. Proof is lacking. We do know that Gilliam was born in North Carolina.
Research has revealed that John Kidd was still in Moore County, North Crolina in 1825, when he served on a jury. There is a report without any proof that John Kidd had two more children by his mystery first wife. A daughter was presumably born in 1821 and another daughter was born in 1825. Unfortunately, there is no factual evidence regarding either of these daughters.
Living next door to Stephen Ruffin in Darlington County, South Carolina was a man named James Hooten, son of Littleton Hooten. This James Hooten married Susannah Kidd, sister of John Kidd, in 1811 or 1812. James and Susannah Hooten lived in Darlington County until 1825 or 1826, when they moved to Henry County, Georgia.
I have surmised that possibly John Kidd was married a first time about 1818. He and his first wife had Gilliam (my great great grandfather) and the two daughters mentioned above. Then in 1825, John's first wife died, possibly in childbirth. Possibly, the second daughter also died at birth or soon after. Following this trauma, John Kidd desired to leave North Carolina behind. He contacted his sister in South Carolina. His sister, Susannah Hooten, told him she had a next door neighbor that John might be interested in. That neighbor was Sarah Sheppard Ruffin, age 23. Sometime in 1826, John and Sarah were married. They moved to Georgia before the birth of a son named John Kidd. Jr. in 1827. The exact whereabouts in Georgia of John and Sarah between 1827 and 1832 is unknown. However, by 1832 we know that they were in Coweta County, Georgia.
The Will of Rachel Ruffin of Darlington County, South Carolina lists numerous heirs, including Sarah Sheppard Ruffin and a H______ Hannah Ruffin. The first name of this second lady is impossible to make out. Some have said the name is "Hesse". However, I think the name HOPE is much more likely, since Faith, Hope and Charity are well linked to females in this branch of the Ruffin family.
I have been away for a long time from studying the Ruffin family genealogy. However, I recall that some of you were in doubt that Rachel Ruffin was actually Stephen Ruffin's wife, but, rather, his sister. What do you now think?
Apparently, the lady named H_____ Hannah Ruffin married a man named James Story. My Kidd family line became intermarried with the Story (Storey) family in Georgia starting about 1840. I am curious about this man named James Story who married Hannah Ruffin. Does anyone have more information about him, or them?
State of South Carolina Darlington District 1821 - 32 -09 [note: handwritten copy. Gen Assembly Petitions #1821-32-01 thru 49] Personally appeared before me Mr. Shepherd Ruffin who being duly sworn, make the oath and saith that he has been much afflicted for about twenty years with a shortness of breath, pain in the breast and remarkable weakness of body. That he has taken medicine from several physicians viz Doctors King and Bishop of North Carolina and Dr. smith of this State and could obtain but temporary relief from them. That afterwards this deponant went into the Army and on being reported as one unfit for duty, was several times examined by Doctor Draton. Serjant [sergeant] of the Regiment, who finally reported this deponant to Col Rutledge of the same, as one whose case was utterly incurable, ading [adding] that this deponant's liver was decayed and declined attending him afterward. That continuing to linger for some time, this deponant at length some time in August last employed Doctor John McKinzie, who, having administered such medicines as to the said Doctor appeared best, and which this deponant believes to have been made of roots etc, has effected a very great change in this deponant's situation. Further this deponant saith that he now feel perfectly well. He now experiences none of the symptoms with which he was formerly troubled and believes that the disease is radically removed. And further this deponant saith that. Shephard x Ruffin (his mark) Sworn to before me this 27th Nov 1821. Geo Bruce, W.A ?