James Rankin

The Rankins of Rutherford County, North Carolina

The Descendents of Robert Rankin of Rutherford County, NC

and Pendleton District, SC

James Rankin was born about 1772 in Tryon County, North Carolina, a son of Robert and Mary Witherow Rankin. He married about 1794 and though his wife?s name is unknown to us, she is thought to be a member of the Goforth family of Rutherford County, NC.

James first appears in land records of Pendleton District, SC as a witness to a land transaction involving his father. On 2 Oct 1799, James sold land in Rutherford County, NC on Little Camp Creek to John Welsh. This land was most likely given to him by his father. The transaction took place from Cumberland County, Kentucky (part of Cumberland County became Barren County, KY in 1800). James stayed in Barren County only five years living on Coles Creek near John Rankin, James Harlan, William York, David Job, Enoch Job, and Preston Goforth. About 1806, he left Kentucky to settle in Maury County, Tennessee near other settlers from the Rutherford County, NC area. He lived in Maury County on Bear Creek, a branch of the Duck River, near Thomas Stone, Peter Holland, Benjamin Herndon, William and Andrew H. Goforth.;, and James Job. James Rankin is found in many land and court records in Maury County serving on road crews, juries, as witness to deeds, probate sales and so forth. His last appearance in a census is in the 1840 census of Maury County?he died between 1840 and 1850.

The following are James Rankin?s children:

1. Moses Rankin ? born about 1795 in South Carolina. As indicated above, Moses lived in Hickman County, TN as of 1820

2. Polly Rankin ? born about 1797 in South Carolina. Polly married in Maury County, TN on 31 March 1816 to Bennett W. .;Moore, a veteran of the War of 1812

3. Robert Rankin ? b. about 1799 d. after 17 Aug 1862 (further)

4. Jane R. . (Rankin); . 'West';Rankin ? b. about 1801 (further)

5. Rachel Rankin ? b. about 1803 in Barren County, KY. Rachel married in Maury County, TN on 30 May 1822 to John Renfro

6. Rhoda Jane Rankin ? b. about 1805 in Barren County, KY. She married in Barren County, KY on 29 July 1824 to James York

7. _____ Rankin ? a son, born about 1807 in Maury County, TN. This son is thought to be Pleasant R. .;Rankin (further)