Rutherford Born 1200 and Earliest Known Chief of This Historic Clan."
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
~ENBRAL ~RIFFI':rH RUC£HERl'ORO AND ALLIE]) FAMILIES HA~SH ~- G~AHAM~. CATHEY "-9 LOCKE HOLEMAN~ JOHNSON~ CHAMBE/l.S Compiled and written by MINNIE R. H. LONG ~ J[ ''There is properly no history, ~ q only biography." Emerson. JV PRINTED AT TliE WISCONSIN CUNEO PRESS, MILWAUKEE 1942 I w .. , . •. f: \ •)Jr,'C~ ~"""'~!'\Jr,, ~.>,T,· .. .., ' ' . Seal of Aynier De R11therford 1296. "He was grand son of Hugo de Rutherford born 1200 and earliest known chief of this historic clan." Journal of Amet"ican Genealogy, Vol. I, page 135. Dedication "Knowledge of ancestry and genealogical data should be accessible to all." HIS BOOK, a record of brave men and Twomen, is dedicated to the young people of this generation. May the kno~ledge gained through these pages have a strong centripetal power drawing them closer together, stimulating their interest in one another, and making friends of the nu merous relatives. These families have been traced to their fore bears, who with much courage and hope, made America their homeland. Heaven forbid that this may cause boasting, but may rather instil self-respect in our hearts and minds. Kipling said, "Know it all yourself but leave outsiders to find out ...." We might add ... "by our behavior, by the lives we are living.'' As every sound has an echo, so every thought has its echo in a similar thought every noble deed is a stimulant to one more noble. Thomas Jefferson urged that America create an aristocracy of virtue and talent. V Preface FTER MANY YEARS of travel for the pur A pose of research and investigation, gather ing facts and weaving the various and distant strands into a definite design, here in a single volume may be seen the silver cord of inheri tance binding the lineal families together. Many old "grave yards" have been visited by the author, often bringing disappointment, but sometimes names and dates have been found showing the exact years these people lived. Also numerous old letters, newspapers and magazines have been found of interest. Colonial and state records, with their history of early times, the cherished original manu scripts, many of which are faded and yellow, have been read. In addition there are hundreds of letters and records of individual f amities. For all this valuable information and help I am most grateful. Also to those untold members who have related to me their early memories or assisted in any way. Particularly, I am indebted to my good husband, who has so patiently done all the typing. If this laborious task shall stimulate the ad miration, affection and love of those now living for our forebears, and the knowledge gained draw the numerous families together, this book will have accomplished its purpose. Minnie R. H. Long. VII Contents Chapter No. Page 1. THE RUTHERFORDS IN SCOTLAND . 1 2. GENERAL GRIFFITH RUTHERFORD. 6 3. EARLY REVOLUTIONARY DAYS . 17 4. IN THE BATTLE FOR FREEDOM . 27 5. BATTLE OF RAMSOUR's MILL . 34 6. BATILE OF CAMDEN . 40 7. THIRD AND LAST CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE CHEROKEES . 53 8. MUSCLE SHOALS . 56 9. TENNESSEE-THE VOLUNTEER STATE. (General Griffith Ruther/ ord, president of first legislative council) . 60 10. GRIFFITH RUTHERFORD, PERSONAL . 64 11. ELIZABETH GRAHAM RUTHERFORD . 71 12. THE CLAN OF GRAHAM . 73 13. DESCENDANTS OF GRIFFITH RUTHERFORD AND ELIZABETH GRAHAM . 80 14. THE CATHEY FAMILY . 82 15. THE LOCKE FAMILY . 94 16. HENRY RUTHERFORD AND DESCENDANTS . 99 17. JOHN RUTHERFORD AND DESCENDANTS . 111 18. THE CHAMBERS FA1ULY . 114 19. GRIFFITH WEAKLEY RUTHERFORD . 120 20. THE JOHNSON FAMILY OF SCOTLAND AND AMERICA .......... 125 21. THE HOLEMAN f AMIL Y . 135 22. SONS OF GRIFFITH \\!£AKLEY RUTHERFORD AND ELIZABETH JOHNSON . 138 23. DR. PHILIP HAR.sH AND DESCENDANTS . 144 GENERAL INDEX . 189 IX INTRODUCTION HE GENEALOGIES given in this book endeavor to trace T the descendants of General Ruther£ord and Elizabeth Graham. The Cathey family first became allied when James married Jane Rutherford,-the Locke family when Francis married Blanche Rutherford,-the Chambers family when John married Rebecca Graham and Elija P. married Margaret Rutherford, the Johnson family when Elizabeth married G. W. Ruther ford,-the Holeman family when Isaac· Johnson II married Elizabeth Holeman,-and the Harsh family when Nathan mar ried Mary Jane Rutherford. Thus was woven the fabric that bound these families together. Genealogical Method Employed Using the head of each family in this country, so far as is known, for first generation his children are given a Roman numeral, marked second generation and set back a space. For instance, the children of Dr. Philip Harsh were: I. Caroline 2(Dr.P.H.J. II. Nathan John 2(Dr.P.H.). III. George 2 (Dr.P.H.). This continued through all the children. The children of the second generation are marked third, and so on, and set back another space, thus: I. Caroline 2(Dr.P.H.) had children: 1. Callie 3(Dr.P.H.). 2. George 3(Dr.P.H.). 3. Harry 3(Dr.P.H.). The next generation would be marked four and set back still another space. By observing these figures, one can see at a glance just how far removed any person is from the forefather mentioned. XI f edb11rgh Abbey froni Southeast 1 THE RUTHERFORDS IN SCOTLAND A LL THROUGH Scotland Jedburgh Abbey is regarded .Il.. as one of the most beautiful and artistic architectural remains in that country. The writer saw it in 1912, and found it exquisite in every detail though it has had parts destroyed and restorations made ever since the eleventh century. "On July 13, 1464, the Abbot of Jedburgh granted a right of burial in the Abbey to Robert Rutherfurd of Chatto and Margaret hys wyff." The whole of the choir was afterward divided among the Rutherfords as their resting place and allotments assigned for those of Edgerston, Hunthill, Hundalee, Pennington and Bank head. Many of the grave-markers are still standing. The last man of note who was buried in the choir was John Rutherfurd of Edgerston, who did much for the good of his native county, and in respect for his memory a beautiful Gothic monument was erected by public subscription. The inscription upon it gives the true character of this highly-esteemed country gentle man, and is as follows:-"To the memory of John Rutherfurd, Esq. of Edgerston, Vice-Lieutenant-Colonel of the Local Mili tia, and for two successive parliaments knight of the shire for the county of Roxburgh. A gentleman distinguished alike by eminent talents and unshaken integrity, who during a long and useful life devoted his exertions to the maintenance of order in the country at large, and to the promotion of every local improvement in his native district. Zealous in the per- ( 1] f ormance of his public duties, just and correct in every private relation; a loyal subject, a considerate landlord, he left an example of public spirit and private worth, and of the true dignity of an independent Scottish gentleman. Died 6th May 1834, aged 86." (r7edburgh Abbey and Abbeys of Teviotdale," by fames Watson. Pub. Edinburgh 1894.) Sir Walter Scott, who was a close and reliable student of &ottish history and descent, often mentioned the Ruther£ords in his writings, especially in rrMinstrelsy of the Scottish Bor der," he refers to them as being bold and powerful, and sometimes a lawless clan. "The Ruther£ords became more lawless when they were deprived of the countenance of the court after slaying the nephew of Forman, Archbishop of St. Andrews, who had attempted to carry off the heiress of Rutherford. This lady was afterward married to James Stuart of Fraquair, son of James, Earl of Buchan, according to papal bull dated 9th of Nov. 1504. By this union a great estate in Teviotdale fell to the family of Fraquair, which was sold by James, Earl of Fraquair, Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, in consequence of the pecuniary difficulties to which he was reduced by his loyal exertions in favor of Charles I." ( C,austoun of that Ilk, Page 221 Vol. II) Patten in his history gives a list of the lairds of the East Border chiefs who did honor to the Duke of Somerset on Sept. 24, 1547. Among them were the Lairds of Cessforth, Grunhead, Hunthill, Hundalee and many others. Among the gentlemen enumerated is found Charles Rutherford. "Gude Edderstone (Edgerstone) was not to lack." An old ballad runs thus: · 'Wi' a' the Trumbells stronge and . stout: The Rutherfords of grit renown." This was an ancient family of Rutherford, I believe the most ancient now extant." The family is at present represented by Major Rutherford of Edger stone. (Craustoun of that Ilk. Vol. II Page 174.) The wily Earl of Morton, who after the intervening regency of Mar, succeeded to the supreme authority, contrived by [2] force or artifice to render the party of the King everywhere superior. Even on the Middle Border he had the address to engage in his cause the powerful clans of Rutherford and Thurnbull as well as citizens of Jedburgh at about 1570." ( Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, Page 35.) "The Lairds of Edgerstone, Hundalee and Hunthill with members of their clans were present at the Raid of Red Swyre 1575. Richard Rutherford of Litdehench, son of the 'Cock of Hunthill', at that time provost of Jedburgh, led on the burghers, who came upon the scene while the skirmish was going on and raised the slogan, "A Judworth-a Judworth!" which turned the tide of the battle in favor of their country men." The old tower of Hunthill was situated about a mile above Judburgh.