Born: ? 1795 Married: Rachel ? ShepherdEstate of Stephen Ruffin -1818
Died: ?(by 1818) Parents:Possibly Nathaniel 4 and Hannah ? RUFFIN
Will of Rachel Ruffin -1818
"Give my thirds of one hundred and fifty acres of land the property of
the late STEPHEN RUFFIN to be equally divided between JOHN RUFFIN, NANCY
RUFFIN, ELIZABETH RUFFIN, SALLY SHEPARD RUFFIN, HESSE HANNAH RUFFIN to
them and their heirs forever."
Shepherd Ruffin (ca1790-1841AL)
Leaves estate to these same children. Not sure of relationship.
Eli Ruffin was the Administrator/Executive for Stephen Ruffin, Rachel Ruffin's will, and Shepherd Ruffin's estate in Pike Co. AL. Not sure how Eli related to them.
Children:
Item: Give my thirds of one hundred and fifty acres of land the property of the late STEPHEN RUFFIN to be equally divided between JOHN RUFFIN, NANCY RUFFIN, ELIZABETH RUFFIN, SALLY SHEPARD RUFFIN, "HOPE" HANNAH RUFFIN to them and their heirs forever.
Item: I give to Nancy Ruffin, Salley Shepard Ruffin, "Hope" Hannah Ruffin, ten head of hogs, two feather beds and furniture bed steads to be equally divided between Elizabeth Ruffin, Salley Shepard Ruffin, Hope Hannah Ruffin. Also my household furniture to be equally divided among the above named Persons to them and their heirs forever.
Item: I ordain and appoint Nephew Stephen Ruffin, James Morris Sr., Executors of this my last will and Testament made the 27th day of March one thouse eight hundred & eighteen and in the forty first year of American Independence.
(Test) Jacob Morris ) Margaret (her mark) Adkins
Eli Ruffin
(Signed Rachel Ruffin (her mark)
Personally appeared Jacob Morris, esq. one of the subscribing witnesses to the within Will and made Oath that he was personally present and did see Rachel Ruffin the Testratrix sign and acknowledge the within as and for her last Will and Testament and that she was at the same time of a sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding as this deponent doth believe and that Eli Ruffin & Margaret Atkins witnessed the due Execution thereof in the presents of each other and of the Testatrix.
Swore and Subscribed this 1st Sept 1818 Jacob Morris
Geo Bruce Ordinary, D.D.
James Morris and Stephen Ruffin executors named both refused to qualify. Eli Ruffin qualified with the Will annexed to the within Will this first of October 1818. Geo Bruce, Ordinarry D.D
Note: Rachel Ruffin named in her will "my Nephew Shepherd Ruffin" and not "Stephen Ruffin" as an Executor.
Appraisement of the Estate of Stephen Ruffin made 8th Oct 18__(not clear)
Article Price 1 bed 16 1 Wheel -spinning 1 1 Large chest 1We the appraisers and sworn do certify that the above is a true appraisement of the Estate of Stephen Ruffin Dec'd as exhibited to us by Eli Ruffin, Administrator.
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.
p. 184 1 male 5-10 2 males 10-20 1 male 40-50 (John) 2 females under 5 1 female 5-10 1 female 10-15 1 female 15-20 1 female 20-30 (Mercy)
=====1840 Simpson Co. MS=======
RUFFIN, Mercy (40-50)?1794 = 46 (widow of JOHN)
a. male 20-30
b. male 20-30 Stephen R. (1811)
c. female 20-30
d. female 15-20
e. female 10-15
=======1850 SIMPSON COUNTY MS========
p. 279 (image 41)
RUFFIN, Mercy age 57 born S.C.
Stephen age 39 born S.C. [1811]
Stephen age 10 born MS [1840] attended school
Lucinda age 8 born MS [1842]
Mississippi > Simpson > image 76
Childers, Wm 31 ILL
Sara 31 SC
=====1860 Simpson County====
pg 35
Ruffin, Massey/Marry (Mercy) 67 f Farmer $205 SC
Next door:
Childers, Wm 42 MS
Childers, Sarah 41 SC [1819](Mercy and John's daughter)
Mercy Johnson 15 F MS
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 Carolina 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.
Hesse Hannah m. James Story
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.
NOTE from M. Peterson:pet20531@comcast.net
About Hesse Hannah: Hesse is a german name. The name on the will of Rachel was written with the old English way of writing double "s". She seems to have later used Hester.
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?
==========1850 Pike Co AL========= pg. 252 STORY, James age 60 born SC Hester age 44 (1806) born SC Nancy 17 GA Belinda 15 James 12 Anthony 6 =======1860 Coweta Co. Newnam P.O. GA ====== page 817. Hester is alone, head of household: they are indexed as Stary instead of Story. Hester H. Stary 52 SC Nancy C. Stary 26 GA James A. Stary 22 GA Anthony M. Stary 15. GA Note: Belinda is missing, but she was old enough to be married. ======1870 Carrollton Carroll GA===== In 1870 page 25 at Carrollten Dist. in Carroll County, Georgia. John Wyatt, 55 born SC head of household Hester Story 64 Nancy Story 37 Note from: MM Peterson "I don't know who John Wyatt is or the connection to them. " On the 1850 census living next door to James and Hester are J. K. and Elizabeth Davenport, both age 25 , and children: Mary age 4, Franklin age 1. Living with them are John age 70, Elisabeth age 55 Davenport. Living with James and Hester are E. B. Davenport age 38 and Emaline Davenport age 26. I have seen the name Emaline in our family file.
Thomas Meltier's will Mar 1, 1817 and probated Nov 17, 1824, Meltier said he wanted his beloved wife, Nancy to live with Shepherd Ruffin, presumably at his death.
Shepard Ruffin is Admr. Bond included Shepard (his mark), James Beckwith, Daniel (his mark) Doyal.(See Doyl deed below) Thomas Meltier, wit to will of John Doyle Mar 4, 1817 (all Darlington Dist. SC)
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 ?
Thomas Meltaire (Meltier) in 1821 Nov 27, also testified to the skills of Dr. John McKenzie.
Know all men by these presents that I, John Doyl, senior of said State and District in consideration of the sum of one hundred dollards to me paid by Shepherd Ruffin of the same place, have granted, bargained, sold and released any by these presents, do grant bargain, sell and release unto the said Shepherd Ruffin a tract of land containing one hundred and seventeen acres situated in said District on the
South side of Sparrow Swamp
beginning at a stake 3x the lower out courner of land laid out for Daniel Doyl and running on said Doly NW31 forty chains to a Stake in pond
Thence seven chains 50 links to a (blank space) 3x
Thence SE 52 forty four chains 50 links to pine 3x
Thence NE 55 to the beinning stake 3x 23 chs
The said One Hundred and Seventeen acres is part of a tract of five hundred acres of land granted to Enos James the fifth day of November in year of Our Lord 1792 tranferred from said James to said Doyl together with all and singular the right members hereditaments, and appurtenances to the said premises beloning or in anywise incident or appertaining to have and to hold all and singular, the premises before mentioned unto the said Shepherd Ruffin his heirs and assigns forever, and I do hereby bind myself my heirs Executors or Administrators to warrant and forever defend all and Singular the said premises unto the said Shepherd Ruffin his heirs and assigns, against myself and my heirs and against every person whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof.
Witness my hand and seal this 13th day of August Dominie 1814 and in the Thirty eighth year of the independence of the United States of America.
John Doyl (x his mark)
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of
Wm Hale, Jr., Edwin James
Edwin James appears to testify he saw John Doyl and William Hale, Jr. sign.
pg 94
Shepherd Ruffin sells this same land "117 S.side Sparrow Swamp" on Jan 13, 1832 to Benjamin B. Keaylor. Perhaps leaving for Pike Co AL where he died ca 1841.
Shepherd Ruffin was also a witness (along with James Watson) to deed Thos Hill to Jonathn Palp Nov 20, 1819 Bk G. p. 376
Shepherd Ruffin was also a witness (along with Elisha Smith)to deed D. Doyle to Cordell Hunt Mar 18, 1823 BK H p. 21
Eli Ruffin was witness to deed along with James Watson, John Doyl to Dan'l Doyl Nov 26, 1816 Bk G p. 124
Sheppard Ruffin witnnes to will of John Doyle, Mar 4, 1817 Wills Bk 4 p. 41
Allowed
The dates on the Shepherd Ruffin estate settlement papars are in the arly 1840's. There are many papers, some two-page documents & some only little bits of paper--notes of money owed by or to the estate. Evidently Eli Ruffin has been named Administrator, but I did not find the administrator's bond, which would have given the approximate date of death of the deceased. Dorothy Folmar 1977
The State of Alabama. Pike County. Before me David McInnis, Clerk of the county court of said county personally appeared Eli Ruffin, Administrator of estate of Shephard Ruffin, dec'd who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that the foregoing schedule contains a true appraisement of said estate so far as has come to his knowledge or possession sworn to and subscribed 13th day of Dec 1841. Eli Ruffin Adminst. Daniel McInnis clerk
Appraisers were James McLendon, Samuel Smyth, Duncan Z. Ramsey, Burgess D. Williams.
State of Alabama, Pike County. Personally appeared before me W.H. Manning, Judge of the County of Pike, Eli Ruffin who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that Elizabeth Atkins, formerly Elizabeth Ruffin, Eli, Ruffin, John Kidd in right of Sarah S. Ruffin, are the heirs of Shepherd Ruffin deceased which have come to his knowlege.
Eli Ruffin his mark
Sworn to & subscribed Nov 10, 1845.
Personally appeared before me W.H. Manning, Judge of the County of Pike, John Kidd who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that James Story in right of his wife, Hesse H. Ruffin is also an heir of Shepherd Ruffin deceased of equal degree with those named in the affidavit of Eli Ruffin above.
John Kidd
Sworn to & subscribed Nov 10, 1845.
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