Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8543, for William Rankin, Virginia
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(8-1776)
Service Number
Va. Rankin, William W.8543
Mary
Contents
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[illegible mark] 8744
Mary Rankin
Ky
act 7 July 38
[smudge]

Admit 2 years
private Act
1838. $80 -

S. J. F Trabue
[illegible]
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State of Kentucky
Woodford Count [illegible]

On this first day of March Eighteen hundred and forty three Personally appeared before me James H. Elliott an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county and state aforesaid Mrs Mary Rankin resident of the said county of Woodford and state of Kentucky, aged near eighty years, and who by [illegible] of poorly infinnity prevented from appearing in open court and who bring first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision  made by the act of Congrefs [illegible] July 7th 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" that she is the widow of William Rankin who was a soldier of the Virginia Continental Line and belonged to the Infantry and served three years as a volunteer in one tour the time he volunteered to serve and was in the twelfth Virginia Regiment under Major General Green- and she also declares that she cannot state all his captains nor the on under whom his service terminated as Some of his officers were killed- she further declares that he would speak frequently speak of his officers in high praise particularly  of Colonel Campbell General Morgan and General Green. She also declares that she cannot state the month in which her husband entered the service and the month in which his service ended but knows his service expired the year before she was name to her said husband, and her marriage took place on the 31st of January 1783. and therefore he must have left the service sometime in 1782 and to have served three years must have commenced some time in 1779 which is accordance with the best of her recollection-She further Declares that her said husband was in several Battles and particularly was in the Battle fought at Guilford Courthouse in the south and fought in the spring of 1787. she has often heard her afsd husband speak of the said Battle. [illegible] many others in which he was engaged- she further declares that he resided in Augusta County Virginia when he entered the service and entered as a volunteer and she knows he set out from Augusta County Virginia and
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This is to certify, That it appears from a List this Office of such Officers and Soldiers in Virginia Continental Line, during the Revolutionary War, as settled their Account, and received Certificates for the balance of their Full Pay, according to an Act of Assembly, passed the November Session 1781, that a Certificate issued on the 13th, day of June 1783 in the name of William Rankin as a Soldier of Infantry for [illegible]. 13 of, which Certificate appears to have been delivered to Colo Gibson and was given for services prior to the 1st January 1782.

P 257. {No Seal of Office} Given under my hand at the Auditor's Office, Richmond, this 22nd day of February 1843. 
Jas E Heath AUDITOR.
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Looking Unto [side bar]

war afternoon in the South and he went from Augusta County Virginia and formed the army- she further declared that she has no documentary witness or support of her claim further than a leaf from her bible which she with files and which shows that he said husband was born the 3rd day of May 1757 and that she declarant was born the 15th day of August 1764- and that her oldest child "Rhoda Rankin was born the 14th day of December 1780 not quite eleven months after she and her said husband was married and which also shows that her oldest son John Alexander Rankin was born the 22 July 1787 and also show that Elizabeth Rankin another [illegible] of husbands daughter was born the 20th day of August 1789, and also shows that Hannah Rankin was born December 
17th  1791 and also shows that another one he being the youngest of her sons was born the 8th February 1794- she also [illegible] declares that the hand write on said leaf herewith filed hand of her said husband and that he wrote the same in her [illegible] and by her side- she further declares that she was named to the said William Rankin on the 31st day of January 1783 seventeen hundred and eighty three and that her husband died on the 11 eleventh day of June 1798 that she was not named to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place [illegible] to the first day of January 1794  [illegible] at the time above stated- sworn to and subscribed before me 
on the day and year aforesaid -
her mark Mary Rankin
J. H. Elliot [illegible]
And I James H. Elliott J Peace an acting Justice in and for County of Woodford hereby certify that I have known the above declarant  Mrs Mary Rankin upward of forty five year and know her to be a lady of much respectability and one whose statements are entitled ought to mein the most [illegible] and fullest confidence- I also remember the day of the death of William Rankin died and believe to took flowers at the she stated  above (illegible/ 11 June 1798)- I also certify that she the above declarant has never again married since the death of her said husband-  
J.H. Elliot J Peace
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Carrying on the Work of Man's Salvation until his Suffering and Dying. 289

lying, eating and drinking, fpeaking and holding thy peace, by thyfelf or in company, caft an eye upon Jefuf; for by this means thou cannot choofe but love him more, and joy in him more, and truft in him more, and be more and more familiar with him, and draw more and more grace and virtue and fweetnefs from him. O let this be thy wifdom , to think much of Chrift, fo as to provoke thee to the imitation of Chrift! Then fhalt thou learn to contemn the world, to do good to all, to injure no man, to fuffer wrong patiently; yea, to pray for thofe that defitefully ufe thee and perfecute thee, then fhalt though learn to condefcend to the weak, to condole finners cafes, to embrace the penitent, to obey fuperiors, to minifter to all; then fhalt thou learn to avoid all gloating, bragging, fcandal, immoderate eating and driking; in a word, [illegible]. Then fhalt thou learn to 'bear about in the body the dying of our Lord Jefus Chrift, that the life alfo of Jefus may be made manifeft in thy body. 'So the apoftle, 'for we which live, are always delivered unto death for Jefus fake, that the life alfo of Jefus might be made mandifeft in our mortal flefh,' 2 Cor, iv.10,11. Why this is to follow Chrift's steps, he defcended from heaven to earth for thy fake; though the world be fweet yet Chrift is fwetter do thou trample on earthly things, 'Seek after the kingdom of 'God and his righteousfnefs, for thy own fake; though the world be fweet, yet Chrift is fweeter; tho' the world prove bittter, yet Christ fuftained the bitternefs of it for thee;  and now he fpeaks to thee, as he did for Peter, Andrew, James and John, 'Come, follow me; O do not faint in the way, left thou lofe thy place in thy country, that kingdom of glory. 
Thus far we have looked on Jefus as our Jefus in his life, during the whole time of his miniftry; Our next work is to look on Jefus carrying on the great work of man's falvation, during the time of his fuffering and dying on the crofs, until his refurrection from the dead. 

William Rankin was born May the 3rd 1757
Mary Rankin was born August the 15th 1764
Rhoda Rankin was born December the 14th 1780
Mary Rankin was born September the 23 1785
John A. Rankin was born July the 22nd 1787
Elizabeth Rankin was born August the 20th 1789
Hannah Ranking was born December the 17th 1791
[illegible] was born February the 8th 1799
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LOOKING UNTO JESUS
In His Death
THE FOURTH BOOK, PART THIRD
CHAP. 1. SECT1.
LAM.IK.12. Is it nothing to you, all ye that pafs by? Behold, and fee. HEB, xii 3. Confider him who hath endured fuch contradiction of finners against him.
Of the Day of Christ's Sufferings, divided into Parts and Hours.

The Sun of Righteoufnefs that 'arofe with healing,' we fhall now fee go down in a ruddy cloud: And in this pieced, (as in the former) we muft firft lay down the object, and then direct you to 'look upon it'.
The object is Jefus, carrying on the work of man's falvation during the time of his fuffering. Now, in the transactions of this time, we fhall obferve them was they were carried on fucceflively in thofe few hours of his paffion and death.
As this work of man's falvation was great, fo we cannot but obferve how every piece of it was carried on in its due time, even from eternity to eternity. The very time of Chrift's paffion depended not on the will of man, for his enemies fought many a time before flay him; as Herod in his infancy, Matth. ii, 16. The Jews in his riper age, when fometimes they took up ftones to ftone him, John viii. 59. and fometimes they would have broke his neck from an hill, Luke iv. 29. but his time was not then come. We read of the pafehal lamb that it was to be flain, Exod. xii. 2,6. 'On the fourteenth day of the firft month called Abib or Nifan, at the full of the moon, in the evening, or between the evenings:' Some think this month anfwers to our March, others to our April, I fhall not be too curious in the requisition, for I think it not worth the while; only this I cannot but observe, that the fame day that the lamb muft be flain muft our pafchal lamb begin his fufferings: And as then it was full moon, of it notes unto us the funefs of time which now was come: An as it was a fuch a month, as when the light prevails against darknefs, and every thing revives and fprings, fo Chrift (by not  his fufferings) was to chafe away darknefs and death; and to bring light, and life, and a bleffed fpring of grace and glory: And as it was to be flain in the evening, or between the evenings; of muft Chrift, the true pafehal lamb, be facrificed about the very fame hour that the myfitical lamb was flain. To underftand which he muft know, that the Jews distinguished their artificial day into four parts, for fix to nine, from nine to twelve, from twelve to three, from three to fix. This laft part was counted the evening of the day; and the next three hours the evening of the night: Now, in this laft part of the day ufed the pafchal lamb to be flain; and after it was flain, fome time was taken up to drefs it whole for fupper: So Chrift, at the fourth part of the day, at their ninth hour, that is, at our three of the clock in the afternoon, ‘between evenings, with a loud voice yielded up the Ghoft,' Matth. xxvii. 50. For the whole time of thefe laft and extremem fufferings of Chrift, I fhall reduce them to fomewhat lefs that one natural day: or, if we may take the whoel day before us, [illegible]
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State of Kentucky Woodford County Ser
I Herman Bowar Jr clerk of the court of Woodford County State of Kentucky hereby certify that James H Elliott before who the foregoing declaration of Mrs Mary Rankin was made is an action Justice of the Peace in for the County and state aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified and the foregoing declaration purporting to be his are his own genuine signatures

In testimony where of I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this the 4th day of March 1843
Herman Bowmar Jr Clerk
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5396
Kentucky
Mary Ranking
widow of William Rankin 
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private 
Inscribed on the Rolle at the rate of eighty Dollars 
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of March 1851
and sent 
F.S.J. Trabue
present
Recorded on Roll of Pension under act February 2, 1848, Page 255 Vol. 3 

Date of death not [illegible]
[illegible]
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xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BA-J
William Rankin-W.8543
James Rankin-W.C.20719

Mrs. Clarence Strader
5 Rosemont Avenue
Alexandria, Virginia

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to several soldiers with surname, Ranking, of Augusta County, Virginia, who served in the Revolutionary War; also, in regard to James Rankin born 1770, who, you state, was a soldier.

You are furnished herein the histories of William Rankin, W.8543, who served in the War of the Revolution and of James Rankin, W. C.20719, of the War of 1812, the only soldiers of those names in the above numbered applications for pension it is shown that they are residents of Augusta County, Virginia. No record of a Robert Rankin, of Augusta County, Virginia, has been found.
William Rankin
W.8543

The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, W.8543, based upon the military service of William Rankin in that war.

William Rankin was born May 3, 1757, place not shown.

While residing in Augusta, Virginia, he volunteered, date not shown, served in Captain Andrew Wallace's Company, Colonel James Wood's Virginia Regiment, and was discharged sometime in 1782, length of service about three years: he was in several battles among which was the bate of Guilford Court House.

After the Revolution, he moved to Woodford County, Kentucky, where he died June 11, 1798.
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The soldier married January 31,1783, Mary; her maiden name and the place where their marriage took place are not shown in the papers in the pension claim. Mary was born August 15, 1764, place note stated.

Soldier's widow, Mary, was allowed pension on her application executed March 1, 1843, while residing in Woodford County, Kentucky.

[Date of her death not on AB]

The names of the following children appear:

Rhoda born December 14, 1783.
Mary " September 23, 1785.
John Alexander " July 22, 1787.
Elisabeth " August 20, 1789.
Hannah " December 17,1791.
William " February 8, 1794.

There are no further family data.

James Rankin
W.C.20719

The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in War of 1812 claim for pension, W.C. 20719, based upon the military service of James Rankin in the war.

The date and place of birth and the names of parents of James Rankin are not shown in the papers in the pension claim.

While residing in Augusta County, Virginia, he enlisted and served September 1, 1814, as a private in Captain Alexander R. Givens' Company of Virginia Militia. 

In 1851, the soldier was aged seventy years and resided in Pocahontas County, Virginia.

He died March 13, 1855, at his residence in Pocahontas County, Virginia.

The soldier married July 26, 1831, in Bath County, Virginia, Nancy McNeel. Neither had been previously married.

-2-
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James Rankin's widow, Nancy, was allowed pension on her application executed June 11, 1878, at which time she was aged seventy-four years and resided in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, postoffice Academy, West Virginia.
There is no reference to children
In 1855, one Paul McNeel resided in Pocahontas County, Virginia, and in 1878, one Richard McNeel was aged sixty-three years and resided in Pocahontas County, West Virginia; no relationship of either of the above persons with the surname McNeel to the widow, Nancy McNeel Rankin shown.

There are no further family data.

It is hoped that the histories given above will aid you in your research

Very truly yours

A. D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator.
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Left Fold

1933- July 26- Hist. to Mrs Clarence Strader
Clerk

Right Fold 

[illegible] Widow, & c.

File No. 8543

Mark Rankin
Widow of William Rankin
Pvt Rev. War
Act: Feby, 2748
Index: -Vol. M, Page 149

[Arrangement of 1870]
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11050
Kentucky
Mary Rankin 
Widow of William Rankin
who was a pensioner under the Act of 
and who died on the 11 June 1798
of [illegible mark] in the state of 
who was private in the Revolution commended by Captain [illegible mark] of the [illegible mark] commanded by [illegible mark] in the [illegible mark] line for [illegible mark]

Inscribed on the Roll of Louisville at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of 
March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension ifsued the     day of March 1851 and sent to FSJ Trabue

Total amount,  $
[Act July 7, 1838.
Recorded by R McRae Clerk
Book D vol. 1 page 377
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8744
KY

let to C H Trabue April 13' 43
Act 7. July 38
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S.F.J. Trabue Esqu
Washington [ink blot]
DC
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NEW LINE.
Bain's Electro-Chemical Telegraph
[PATENTED BY THE UNITED STATES.]

The [illegible] are respectfully informed that the NEWLINE TELEGRAPH connecting Washington, Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia and New York, Has be completed and the Wires Lade Across THE North River, UNDER WATER, to office, No. 29 WALL STREET NEW YORK, making the only direct and certain line between the NORTHERN, EASTERN, SOUTHERN AND WESTER CITIES.

Dispatchers for Boston, Providence and Intermediate Stations, are forwarded by the NEW LINE form their office in New York; and those for Pittsburg, Wheeling, Cincinnati, Louisville, St. Louis, New Orleans, And intermediate stations, are forwarded in connection with the O'REILLY WESTERN LINES.
HENRY J. ROGERS, Gen'L Sup'T. 

Dated Frankfort Feby 26th 1850.
For S. F. J. Trabue

Number fourteen hundred and eighty-three surveyed and patented in Smith Slaughter's. Eleven hundred acres on Monday

C.A McCurdy 
$1.66 due
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89.
Kentucky
Mary Rankin
widow of William
who was a private 
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate 
of Eighty Dollars -
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of March 1831
and sent to F. S. J. Trabue
present
[Acts of March 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 in Page 186
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Frankfort Kentucky
March 6, 1843

Sir,

I herewith enclose you the declaration of Mrs Mary Rankins widow of William Rankin and the evidence in support of her right to a Pension by virtue of the act of 7th July 1838: upon the allowance of the claim requests transmit the Certificate thereof to Frankfort Kentucky to me-

I am sir your 
Obt servt
CH Trabue

[illegible] JL Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City 
DC
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Land Office State of Kentucky
March 3rd1857

I, E A McCurdy Registrar of said office do hereby certify that Land office Military [illegible] N1683 granted to William Rankin for one hundred acres, has been stated in the Entry made in the name of John Slaughter for Eleven hundred and dated the 18th day of December 1787, and that the same was surveyed in the name of said John Slaughter on the 5th day of January 1788 & was patented to  Smith Slaughter on the 21st day of November one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.

Given under my hand and the seal of the said office the date above written

E A McCurdy R.S.O
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Washinton 9th March 1851.
S. F. J Trabue-Esq
Dear Sir
In reply to your note, makeing inquiry "Whether there is a family of Slaughters residing in the State of KY- and if so in what part or parts, of the state they reside- and how long they have so resided- I take pleasure in stateing to the best of my knowledge and belief-
1st There is a family of Slaughters residing in KY- the [illegible] is one of notoriety in the state from several causes- and [illegible] identified with its [illegible] history- a fact known to every intelligent resident of KY
2nd They reside in the now Counties of Mercer, Nelson, and Woodford- and perhaps in some other portions of the state, but these, stories of their residence I know from my own personal knowledge
3rd I cannot precisely date of the times the Slaughters have resided in Ky- There resident extends back fare beyond my recollection - Tradition informs me that they remembered among the early pioneers who
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migrated from Virginia to Ky, at a very early day- I know that in my boy-hood one of the Slaughters- I think from Miner County, filed the Gubernational Chair- I think the family has somewhat [illegible] out of late days- there being a scarcity of mule issue- I know of the Slaughter who was a late Senator in the State Legislation; he was of Nelson County- There is some fragments of the family in Woodford County, I think an old Lady-the wisdom of one of the elder Slaughters who first settled in the state, I reside as you are aware, in the adjoining County([illegible]) and have met with some of the Woodford family, and have often heard them spoken of; the old Lady among the rest- I now also remember there is a and old [illegible] of the family residing near Louisville- KY. and one ( a merchant) in that city- 
I presume I have said sufficient, but will partially by reputable by stating that the name of Slaughter is familiarly known to, and fully identified with the history of Ky- Some of them participated according to my best information in this
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early wars of this country- both the Revolution, and the war of 1812-every man reared in thy possessing any knowledge of the settlement of the state must know of or have met with the name of Slaughter- I know that I have not infrequently met with the name in my profession- when handling [illegible] records -

I knew this statement not be sufficient. I will freely communicate anything further, that I may know, and, will refer to [illegible] others who know more of them I do- I have known and heard of the Slaughters all my life- and yet my memory does not near date back to their first settlement in the state- I expect papers clay, and [illegible]  could give you some information- beyond what I have- In fact, I know they could call on me if you want anything further 
Your Respectfully
Jas B Stewart
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No. 8744
Mary Rankin
widow of William
Ky
Act 7 July 1838
Married 1783
[illegible] died June 1798

[illegible] two years for 
$80 per annum,
Acts
38
43844
48

S.J.F. Trabue
Present
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National Hotel
DC City

F S. Evans Esq
Pension Office

Dr Sir,
Kenneth I enclose you a letter from JB. Stewart Esq a number of the law of Kentucky now in attendance on the Supreme Court, which 
shows that the family of Slaughters settled in the County of Woodford, Mercer [illegible mark] at an early period in the history of Kentucky
I will add that the family was one of the first which immigrated to Kentucky and settled in the Counties of Fayette, Woodford and Mercer. The two latter counties adjoin Fayette of which Lexington is the county seat. 
Govenor Slaughter once Govenor of Kentucky was of Mercer County. 
Colonel George Slaughter a Major of the Continental Line of Virginia 12th Regiment settled in Woodford County
Lieutenant John Slaughter also 12th Virginia Regiment likewise settled in Woodford County and his heirs now live in Mercer County, and adjoining counties. As will appear from papers on file in the 1/2 pay case of Lieutenant William Slaughter (a brother of said John) allowed April last at Pension Office. Smith Slaughter was also a brother of John.
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William Rankin settled about the same time that did the Slaughters in the said County of Woodford, and shortly then after died. His widow alleged in 1843, that from her recollections of her husbands statements, that he served in said Virginia Continental Line 12th Regiment.
The certificate from Registers Office Frankfort of February 1851 shows that William Rankin's land warrant was sold to Smith and John Slaughter, and accordingly patented/ She, (the widow) represented to me that the Slaughters had purchased her husbands Bounty Land Warrant, which fact stated to you verbally about 3 weeks ago, and when I did not know to be the case until I sent a telegraphic dispatch to Register of Land Office at Frankfort KY and received his reply during last week which is now on file in the case. Since which time a full certificate of all the facts from sd Register under his Office seal has been received and is likewise on file in the case.
Now I ask you to so consider- 1st That Colonel George Slaughter was a Major of the 12th Virginia Regiment 2nd That John Slaughter was a Lieutenant of the 12th Virginia Regiment 3rd That William Rankin was a Private in the 12th Virginia Regiment
4th That all 3 removed from Virginia at an early day and settled at Land County of Woodford.
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[illegible] That John Slaughter purchased @ William Land Warrant-. 
Then to [illegible] of all these circumstances taken together does not clearly satisfy you, that the present Mrs Mary Rankin is the widow of said William Rankin the solider: If you are thus satisfied the allowance I expect.

I am Sir
very respectfully 
yours S FJ. Trabue
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Va L. Office, Richmond, Feb. 18th. 1857

S.F.J. Trabue

D Sir,

Yours of the 15th [illegible] re? today + I hasten to comply with yr request. 

You enclosed me the fees in the other letter.
Your very respfly.
S. H Parker
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Council Chamber August 2.nd 1783

N.1483 I do certify that Wm Rankins is entitled to the proportion of land allowed a Private of the Continental line for three years service.
Benjamin Harrison
A warrant for 100 Acres issued to Wm Rankins
August 2.nd 1783.
A copy from the Records of the Virginia Land Office, 

Teste,
S.H. Parker Reg. L. Office
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State of Kentucky
Woodford County [illegible mark]

On this day the 4th day of March [illegible]
Personally came before me James White an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County and state aforesaid Samuel Stevenson Esq a member of [illegible] Bar. and a Gentleman of high stand and who after being duly sworn to state the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth to be read as evidence on the application of Mrs Mary Rankin for a Pension by write of the act of 7 July 1838  deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with also Mrs Mary Rankin and that he was born and raised a near neighbor of hers and knows that she is a Landy [illegible] as [illegible] a good character as any Lany and one of a good mind-[illegible] whose statements in all matters are intitled to the fullest confidence and from general [illegible] is the widow of a solider of the Revolution and has named the services of her husband in said war- He states that she is a Lady advanced in years and who of good mind for [illegible] of her a [illegible]- sworn to and subscribed before me-  
day and year afsd -There is an [illegible] Samuel Steveson
J White JPeace
State of Kentucky Woodford County [illegible]
I Herman Bowmar Jr Clerk of the Court of Woodford County certify that James White before who the above deposition of Samuel Stevenson was taken is an acting Justice of the Peace in & for said County and the signature [illegible] to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto [illegible] with my name and affix my seal of office this the 4th day of March 1840
Herman Bowmar J Peace
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Veterans Administration
Washington July 12, 1933

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

IN REPLY REFER TO: BA-J/EEL

Mrs. C.H. Strader
6 Rosemont Avenue 
Alexandria, Virginia

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Thomas and James Rankin, of Augusta County, Virginia, soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
A careful search of the Revolutionary War records has been made in your behalf and no record found of claims for pension or bounty land having been made to the United States based upon the military service of a Thomas Rankin, as described by you.
In order to identify the record of James Rankin, in which you may be interested, should it be on file, it is essential that you furnish as much as possible of the following date pertaining to him: approximate date of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment after service and given name of widow. It will expedite the matter if you return this letter should you reply.
Very truly yours
A. D Hiller
A. D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator.
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July 19, 1933

Mr. A. D. Hiller
Veteran Administration
Washington, D.C. 

Dear Mr Hiller: 
There are several James Rankins of Augusta Co. in who I am interested, I shall give you the information that have at hand. James Rankin born sometime before 1760 on Middle River, Augusta Co. The plantation lay about two miles above the little village of Mt. Meridian, or about three miles below New Hope.  He married Jane Russell in Sept. 1807. This James Rankin died in Apr. 1831. His wife died June 19, 1855.
There is another James Rankin, A son of the first James Rankin's oldest brother Thomas. He was born on the same plantation I think about 1770. He seems to have had an army career, but I do not know whom he married.
There was a more distant cinnection by the same who lived on Naked Creek not many miles away. 
The first James Rankin that I mentioned had two brothers also in the War (Revolutionary), Robert, born on the same plantation, He was several years younger, and Married Elizabeth Russell in 1805, and died in 1815. William the other brother and older than those mentioned married Lettice Robertson before 1779 and moved to Kentucky in 1790. I do not know to what part thing it might have been
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Lincoln County: ; because he, Robert and John Givens all married sisters Robert Givens lived in the said county in 1824.

I am very anxious to have any dates that might be available in connection with these men.

Yours truly,
(Mrs. Clarence Strater.)
Mrs. Clarence Strader