The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-11-06

Traditional accounts of the origin OF
this most ancient family is that a man
i OF distinction on The borders, conducted
Ruther, King of Scots, safely across the
river Swced, in an expedition against the
Il Britons, at a place called "Ruthers
s Ford" The name still remains at that
place, not far from Melrose. The King,
some lands contiguous thereto. upon his
4 faithful conductor. from which his pos
j terity- assumed the name of Rutherford.
q AS soon as surnames became hereditary
Z in Scotland, other mythical stories arose,
giving other reasons. One was fierce
fight for possession Of this ford oc-
Cured centuries ago, supposed about the
time of the Picts and Scots, when ono
\, OF the parties was nearly nnnihilated,
and the river was red with blood at
this ford. The expression was heard,
I, Rue this ford" Rutherford meaals
red" and the ford on the Tweed, call
cd Rutherford, with which people Of
that namo have been associated for many
centuries. The ancient Rutherfords have
always been recorded as amongst the
most powerful families on the border, be-
ing a race Of brave and gallant men, N,
Who on many occasions, slgnalized them
selves, and fought valiantly against their
enemies, In defence Of the liberties of
their country. There has been during the
past $50 years many ways of spelling
the name. At present there are three
4 ways most commonly used--Rutherford,
Rutherfu1d and Rutherford. The diff
ference In these spcllngs, is due to diff
4 ference il. pronunciation Of the word ford
Il by English and Scotch, in which the lat
ter give the o the sound of ~ or 100"
1 The antiquity of the name is beyond
& question. e.
a The srave-stonc Of Robert Rutherford
In the cemetery Of Nlelrose Abbey, who
was born 1861 long before the settle
1nent OF Jamestown or the landing at
Z Plymouth Rock. AS far back as LAO,
q in reign OF David l.. Robertus Dominus
+ de Rutherford appears on the scene of
Scotch history, and the fact that he was
: n witness to Royal Charter may be
held as indicating that the family had
already attained a good posi- ton neal.
the banks of the Tweed. III 1915. the. first
s year OF King Alexander H., Hugh dc
Rodisforde was witness to q charter;
ford mad charter for the lands OF
Capehope.
III 1896, Sir Nichol was one of the first
Scotch Barons who joined Sir William
i Wallace for the Independence of his coun-
try. His wife, Marjorl, was near rela-
tive OF the wife Of Wallace, and he was
also relative Of Wallace himself. An
her Robert Rutherford was a notable
patriot and great supporter OF kins
100
The later history .of.*the Rutherfords
and their elaborate pedigree gives the
names Of many OF that blood who were
distinguished in war at home and abroad
4 In literature. In civil, social. and oticia
life Among these was preeminent Sill
IA Walter SCOTS mother. who was ANNE
Rutherford.
Nesbit, the first to give an Impulse
to the genuine study OF tho science Of
loraldry in Great Britain about IL {
1 in Vol. J.. plate S, figure II, gives ms
Rutherford shield. which Is still fdear
al the home Of Sir Walter Scott, per
botsford on the Tweed. Ncsbitt bla]t
the rutherford shield as follows: e n
Observation-Disclosures (silver or whit
an orle Inside borderl. gues (redpass
chief three maTtlets. sable (black)hat
An ancient and potent family inpn |
4 viotdale on the borders OF Englandfant
orle Is the principal armorial tigultl
the family. which may be thoughpu
have been assumed by them on acc
Of their having defended the bordeill b
the Kingdom against the English, allbut
(. three martlets to show that some DIN
heads Of the family had been in the byal
like expedition to the Holy Land. }eltil
reldicalE. the maltlet supposed and
the swallow or sWtfe), was foo 81
hence It is always represented wiz DE
legs as stumps or rs wanting. !
times Ii Is headless Ncsbitt rene to
II hi