Benjamin Rainey
of Orange County, North Carolina

Benjamin RAINEY, born 8 Oct 1758 in Orange Co., NC,^[1] resided in North Carolina,^[2] died 5 May 1811 in Alamance County, NC,^[3] (see note 1) buried 1811 in Rainey Cem., Burlington, Alamance Co.,NC,^[4] (see note 2) military 1775 Revolutionary War, Chaplain,^[5] occupation Surveyor.^[6]

Benjamin was a patriot and Chaplain in the Revolutionary war who furnished supplies. During the war,

his division was captured at Savannah, Georgia. He escaped before he could be taken prisoner and

walked to his home in North Carolina. (Daughters of the American Revolution, Record Copy, 1977).

 

Benjamin named, in his will, sons-in-law William Holt, John King along

with sons, Isaac and Benjamin Abel, all of whom he gave land along

the Guilford line in Orange County, North Carolina. He names grandson, Austin, and daughters Nancy, Sally, and Milly. He willed John S.land on Turnbull Creek in Dickson County, Tennessee. John Gant and Mason Tarpley served as witnesses.

 

Benjamin is listed in land transactions for Orange County, NC for the years

1778, 1783-84, 1787, 1793, and 1796.

Benjamin was a large landowner and minister of Providence Church, Graham, NC.

He and wife, Nancy were buried in family cemetery located near present-day Burlington Mills plant, off of Anthony Street. The tombstones still stand.

 

Benjamin was named as father-in-law to William Mebane, in William's

will.

 

 

He married^[7] Nancy S SULLINGER, 4 Mar 1777 in Orange Co., NC,^[8] born 14 Aug 1758 in Orange Co., NC,⁷  (daughter of Peter (?) SULLINGER) died 16 Jun 1826 in North Carolina,^[9] buried 1826 in Rainey Cem., Burlington, Alamance Co.,NC.^[10]

.

 

I.     Rachel RAINEY, born 6 Mar 1778 in Orange Co., NC,⁷  died 30 Oct 1839 in North Carolina,^[11] buried 1839 in Holt Cemetery, North Carolina.¹¹

      

       She married⁷  Michael HOLT, 6 Oct 1797 in Orange Co., NC,¹¹  born 11 Jul 1778 in Orange Co., NC,¹¹  (son of Michael HOLT and Jean C LOCKHART) died 20 Apr 1842 in Orange Co., NC,¹¹  buried in Orange Co., NC.¹¹

      

II.   Rebecca RAINEY, born 10 Apr 1780 in Orange Co., NC,⁷  resided in North Carolina/Missouri,¹⁰  died 5 Apr 1876 in Andrew Co., Missouri,^[12] buried 1876 in Daily Cemetery, Andrew Co., MO.¹²

       Rebecca was buried about five miles outside of Savannah, Missouri,

       where her brother, Benjamin died in 1862. Benjamin HOLT, who married

       her youngest daughter built the house, she lived in until her death.

       He built it on the same plan as the old RAINEY home in North Carolina,

       which has been maintained as an historic showplace. Rebecca's house

       in Missouri was confiscated by Union soldiers during the Civil War.

       There are still bullet and bayonette holes lining the sides of the

       sturdy building.

      

       Rebecca Rainey King's grave in Andrew County, Missouri was marked as a 'True Daughter of the

       American Revolution' by her descendents.

      

       [source: "Rainey Times", Volume 5, July, 1985 (Marynell Bryant, Texas, 1985).

      

       She married (1) William MEBANE, 12 Jan 1802 in Orange Co., NC,¹¹  born 1741 in Orange Co., NC,¹¹  (son of Alexander MEBANE and Mary TINNIN) resided in North Carolina,¹¹  died AUG 1803,¹¹  military Revolutionary War-Captain of Militia.

      

       She married (2) John KING, 29 Aug 1805,¹¹  born 17 Nov 1780 in Georgia,¹¹  died 20 Sep 1834 in Knoxville, Tennessee.¹¹

      

       A.   Polly KING, (daughter of John KING and Rebecca RAINEY) born 10 Oct 1813 in North Carolina,⁷  resided in North Carolina,⁷  died 1860 in Andrew County, Missouri.⁷

            

             She married⁷  Andrew MCCURY, ABT 1830,⁷  born ABT 1794 in North Carolina,⁷  died 1860 in Andrew County, Missouri.⁷

            

III.  William RAINEY, born 25 Feb 1782 in Orange Co., NC,⁷  died 1838 in Rutherford County, Tennessee.¹¹

       William, brother of John Sullinger, is the great-grandfather of the late Henry T. Rainey, speaker of the house, U.S. Congress, ca.1880.

      

       He married Sarah "Sally" (RAINEY),¹¹  1834.¹¹

      

IV.  Mary "Polly" RAINEY, born 1784 in Orange Co., NC,⁷  died 10 May 1829 in Huntsville, Alabama,¹¹  buried in Maple Hill Cemetery, Huntsville, AL.¹¹

      

       She married Neil Buchanan ROSE, 17 Oct 1803 in Orange Co., NC,¹¹  born 11 Nov 1780 in Person Co., NC,¹¹  (son of Alexander ROSE and Eunice LEA) died 28 Feb 1835,¹¹  buried in Maple Hill Cemetery, Huntsville, AL,¹¹  occupation Merchant.

      

V.   Isaac RAINEY, born 1786 in Orange Co., NC.¹¹  

       Michael Holt was witness to Isaac's marriage to Elizabeth.

      

       He married Elizabeth H KIRK,⁸  7 May 1813 in Orange Co., NC.⁸

      

VI.  Benjamin Abel RAINEY, born 13 Jun 1788 in Orange Co., NC,^[13] died 1862 in Savannah, Missouri.¹

       Benjamin's brother, Isaac, was witness to his marriage. Benajamin's middle name may have been spelled 'ABLE'. Benjamin lived in Andrew Co., MO, near his brother, John Sullinger, ca. 1850. This is where he married Anna PORTESS.

      

       He married (1) Nancy CANNON,^[14] 15 Jan 1813 in Orange Co., NC.¹⁴

      

       He married¹¹  (2) Anna PORTESS,¹¹  in Missouri.

      

VII. Elizabeth (Betty) RAINEY, born 10 May 1791 in Orange Co., NC,⁷  died 6 Nov 1821 in North Carolina,¹¹  buried in Rainey Cem., Burlington, Alamance Co.,NC.¹¹

      

       She married William HOLT, 14 May 1809 in Orange Co., NC,¹¹  born 7 Aug 1785 in Alamance County, NC,¹¹  (son of Jeremiah HOLT and Catherine ALBRIGHT) died 6 Aug 1856 in Clay Co., MO.¹¹

      

VIII.      Nancy Mitchen RAINEY, born 6 Jun 1795 in Orange Co., NC,⁷  died 22 Aug 1881 in Alamance County, NC.¹¹

      

       She married Thomas SELLARS, 29 Dec 1812 in Orange Co., NC,¹⁰  born 1782,¹¹  died 21 Oct 1865 in Alamance County, NC.¹¹

      

IX.  John Sullinger RAINEY, born 20 Jan 1797 in Orange Co., NC,¹  resided in North Carolina/Tennessee/Missouri,^[15],[16] died 10 Jun 1883 in Gentry County, MO,¹⁴  buried in Owl Creek Cemetery, Gentry Co., MO,¹⁰  occupation Farmer,^[17] (see note 3).

      

       He married (1) Helen WARREN, 6 Oct 1827 in North Carolina,¹⁰  (see note 4) resided in North Carolina,¹⁰  died 1827 - 1830.¹⁰

      

       He married (2) Elizabeth Jane SWEENEY, 1832 in Carroll Co., Tennessee,¹³  born 7 Apr 1815 in Virginia,¹⁰  (see note 5) (daughter of Samuel SWINNEY and Winnie HAMMOCK) died 1 May 1903 in Gentry County, MO,^[18] (see note 6) buried in Owl Creek Cemetery, Gentry Co., MO,^[19] (see note 7) occupation Homemaker.^[20]

      

       A.   Benjamin L RAINEY, (son of John Sullinger RAINEY and Elizabeth Jane SWEENEY) born 23 Sep 1832 in Carroll Co., Tennessee,¹⁹  resided in Tennessee/Missouri, died 17 Jan 1919 in Gentry County, MO,^[21] buried in Owl Creek Cemetery, Gentry Co., MO,²¹  military Civil War-39th Reg. MO Infantry, occupation Farmer.

            

             He married Malinda GAY, 23 Aug 1855 in Missouri,¹¹  born 17 May 1838 in Illinois,^[22] (daughter of Charles GAY and Nancy (GAY)) resided in Illinois/Missouri,¹¹  died 24 Jan 1911 in Gentry County, MO,¹¹  buried in Owl Creek Cemetery, Gentry Co., MO.¹¹

            

       B.   Samuel Sweeney RAINEY, (son of John Sullinger RAINEY and Elizabeth Jane SWEENEY) born 22 Nov 1833 in Carroll Co., Tennessee,^[23] (see note 8) died 24 Feb 1917 in Enid, Garfield Co., Oklahoma,^[24] buried 1917 in Enid Cemetery, Garfield Co., Oklahoma,^[25] (see note 9) military 1860 - 1862 Civil War, Pvt.-Co.H,1st MO S.M. Cavalry,²³  (see note 10) occupation Farmer,²³  (see note 11).

             

             He married^[26] Francis Melvina MATHIS, 21 Jan 1858 in Dekalb County, Missouri,¹¹  born 17 Oct 1840 in Andrew Co., Missouri,²³  (daughter of Littleton MATHIS and Jane TODD) died 14 Jul 1926 in Enid, Garfield Co., Oklahoma,²⁶  buried 16 Jul 1926 in Enid, Garfield Co., Oklahoma,¹¹  resided in Missouri/Oklahoma.

            

       C.   William C RAINEY, (son of John Sullinger RAINEY and Elizabeth Jane SWEENEY) born 18 Sep 1835 in Shellbrook, Tennessee,²³  resided in Tennessee/Missouri, died 6 Apr 1921 in Missouri,^[27] buried in Ford City Cemetery, Missouri.⁹

            

             He married Nancy Emiline BOLEY, 1 Feb 1872 in Missouri,⁹  born 8 Aug 1848,⁹  (daughter of John BOLEY and Delsenna LICENS) died JAN 1935 in Gentry County, MO,⁹  buried in Owl Creek Cemetery, Gentry Co., MO.⁹

            

       D.   Cornelia RAINEY, (daughter of John Sullinger RAINEY and Elizabeth Jane SWEENEY) born 10 Jan 1838 in Carroll Co., Tennessee,²⁰  resided in Tennessee/Missouri, died 1 Dec 1913 in Gentry County, MO,⁹  buried 1913 in Owl Creek Cemetery, Gentry Co., MO.⁹

            

             She married Enoch BOLEY, 22 Jun 1865 in Gentry County, MO,⁹  born 15 Feb 1832 in Campbell Co., TN,²⁰  (son of John BOLEY and Delsenna LICENS) resided in Tennessee/Missouri, died 10 Jan 1903 in Missouri,⁹  buried in Owl Creek Cemetery, Gentry Co., MO,⁹  military Civil War - Co. H,1st MO S.M. Cavalry.

            

       E.   Winnie RAINEY, (daughter of John Sullinger RAINEY and Elizabeth Jane SWEENEY) born ABT 1840 in Missouri,^[28] resided in Missouri,²⁸  died ABT 1841 in Missouri,²⁸  buried in Missouri.²⁸

             Winnie died when she was about six months old.

 

       F.   Austin RAINEY, (son of John Sullinger RAINEY and Elizabeth Jane SWEENEY) born 1842 in King City, Gentry Co., MO,²⁰  resided in Missouri.²⁰

             Austin was reportedly killed after the Civil War by Native Americans. (This was an explanation often used for a disappearance during this time--nothing difinitively confirms this.)

 

       G.   Joseph RAINEY, (son of John Sullinger RAINEY and Elizabeth Jane SWEENEY) born 26 Nov 1844 in Andrew Co., Missouri,^[29] resided in Missouri,²⁰  died 8 Feb 1911 in Gentry County, MO,^[30] buried in Berlin Cemetery, Gentry Co., MO,³⁰  military 1862 Civil War-Priv.,Co.H,1st MO S.M. Cavalry,^[31] occupation Farmer.³⁰

             The biographical information for Joseph held by the Gentry County Genealogy Society (Missouri), states that Joseph and Mary had only seven children. This contradicts information given in "RAINEY TIMES", Vol.11, which lists nine.....

            

             He married^[32] Mary L JOLLY, 2 Apr 1867 in Missouri,³⁰  born 28 Nov 1847 in Breckinridge County, Kentucky,³⁰  (daughter of Malinda ROBERTSON and Samuel J JOLLY) resided in Kentucky/Missouri, died 1 Apr 1917 in Missouri.³⁰

            

       H.   Nancy Isabella RAINEY, (daughter of John Sullinger RAINEY and Elizabeth Jane SWEENEY) born 1845 in Missouri,¹  died 1860 in Missouri.¹⁹

 

       I.    Sallie RAINEY, (daughter of John Sullinger RAINEY and Elizabeth Jane SWEENEY) born ABT 1846 in Missouri,²⁸  died in Missouri,²⁸  buried in Missouri.²⁸

             Sallie died at young age.

 

       J.    Philina RAINEY, (daughter of John Sullinger RAINEY and Elizabeth Jane SWEENEY) born 8 Jan 1850 in Andrew Co., Missouri,¹⁹  died 3 Mar 1922 in Missouri,¹⁹  buried in Winslow Cemetery, Dekalb Co., MO.¹⁹

            

             She married (1) Jacob Newton JOLIFF, 1872,³²  born 1849 in Illinois,³²  died 1881.³²

            

             She married (2) Jasper MEADOWS, 17 Feb 1884,³²  born 1851,³²  died 1928.³²

             

       K.   John RAINEY, (son of John Sullinger RAINEY and Elizabeth Jane SWEENEY) born 7 Jun 1856 in Gentry County, MO,²⁰  died 8 May 1939 in Enid, Garfield Co., Oklahoma,^[33] (see note 12) buried in Enid, Garfield Co., Oklahoma,¹⁵  occupation Farmer.¹³

            

             He married Rosa Bertha Ellen SHAFFER, 7 Apr 1878 in Dekalb Co., Missouri,³²  born 14 Oct 1861 in Bucyrus, Crawford Co.,  Ohio,⁹  resided in Ohio/Missouri/Oklahoma, (see note 13) died 6 Aug 1924 in Enid, Garfield Co., Oklahoma,⁹  buried 1924 in Enid Cemetery, Garfield Co., Oklahoma,²⁵  resided in Missouri/Oklahoma.

            

X.   Sarah S."Sallie" RAINEY, born 8 Feb 1800,⁷  died 6 Jul 1884 in Huntsville, Alabama.¹¹

      

       She married John Nashville MALONE, 27 Dec 1820 in Madison County, Alabama,¹¹  born 2 Jan 1800 in Virginia,¹¹  died 1 Jul 1875 in Huntsville, Alabama.¹¹

      

XI.  Emily Mildred "Milly" RAINEY, born 4 Feb 1801 in Orange Co., NC,⁷  died 11 Sep 1829.¹¹

      

       She married¹¹  George JORDAN, born 26 Jul 1796,¹¹  died 21 Aug 1855.¹¹

 

 

 

Index of People

 

 

(GAY)

Nancy, 3

(RAINEY)

Sarah "Sally", 2

ALBRIGHT

Catherine, 2

BOLEY

Enoch, 3

John, 3

Nancy Emiline, 3

CANNON

Nancy, 2

GAY

Charles, 3

Malinda, 3

HAMMOCK

Winnie, 3

HOLT

Jeremiah, 2

Michael, 1

William, 2

JOLIFF

Jacob Newton, 4

JOLLY

Mary L, 4

Samuel J, 4

JORDAN

George, 5

KING

John, 2

Polly, 2

KIRK

Elizabeth H, 2

LEA

Eunice, 2

LICENS

Delsenna, 3

LOCKHART

Jean C, 1

MALONE

John Nashville, 4

MATHIS

Francis Melvina, 3

Littleton, 3

MCCURY

Andrew, 2

MEADOWS

Jasper, 4

MEBANE

Alexander, 2

William, 2

PORTESS

Anna, 2

RAINEY

Austin, 4

Benjamin, 1

Benjamin Abel, 2

Benjamin L, 3

Cornelia, 3

Elizabeth (Betty), 2

Emily Mildred "Milly", 5

Isaac, 2

John, 4

John Sullinger, 3

Joseph, 4

Mary "Polly", 2

Nancy Isabella, 4

Nancy Mitchen, 2

Philina, 4

Rachel, 1

Rebecca, 1

Sallie, 4

Samuel Sweeney, 3

Sarah S."Sallie", 4

William, 2

William C, 3

Winnie, 4

ROBERTSON

Malinda, 4

ROSE

Alexander, 2

Neil Buchanan, 2

SELLARS

Thomas, 3

SHAFFER

Rosa Bertha Ellen, 4

SULLINGER

Nancy S, 1

Peter (?), 1

SWEENEY

Elizabeth Jane, 3

SWINNEY

Samuel, 3

TINNIN

Mary, 2

TODD

Jane, 3

WARREN

Helen, 3

 

      

 

Note 1  "RAINEY TIMES", VOLUME 5, JULY, 1985, P.69 (CLIPPING FROM RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA REGISTER, 14 JUNE 1811)

 

THE REV. BENJAMIN RAINEY

 

ON HAW RIVER, IN ORANGE COUNTY, ON THE 5TH INST. MUCH REGRETTED BY HIS FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, THE REV. BENJAMIN RAINEY, AGED 52 YEARS, AFTER AN ILLNESS OF NEARLY SIX MONTHS, LEAVING A LARGE FAMILY OF CHILDREN. HE WAS THE ONLY SON OF HIS PARENTS, NOW LIVING NEARLY 74 YEARS OF AGE

 

Nancy: TThere is an Ephriam COOKE married to an Elizabeth SULLINGER, living nearby in OrangeOrange County during this period. In 1802, they purchased land adjoining William 'RANY'. This woman could be a sister of Nancy's

 

Note 2 

 

Though his parentage has been confirmed, his obituary (Orange County), lists him as the only son of his parents. I am not sure at this point whether or not David is actually his brother.

 

 

Note 3  John was bequeathed 500 acres of land on Turnbull Creek in Tennessee, by his

father, William. (William's will probated 1811). This is located in both former and

present day Dickson County, Tennessee (middle Tennessee). 

 

February 20, 1828 John S. RAINEY sold land in Orange County, North

Carolina to Benjamin Hurdle. He moved to Tennessee about 1810 (Gentry County

MO Genealogy Society), however he is not listed in either the 1830 or 1840

census lists for the state of Tennessee. The land he sold in North Carolina

may have been the land his father left him when he died.

 

After John's father died in 1811, he likely lived with either his

older brother, William, in Rutherford County, Tennesse or his older

brother, Benjamin Abel, in Orange until ca.1830.. A Benjamin 'RONEY'

is listed in the 1836 tax list of Carroll County, Tennessee along with

John 'RONEY' and a William 'RONEY'. This group is not listed in the

1839 Carroll tax list.

 

Soon after he married, John moved his family moved to the Andrew County (northwestern) area of Missouri, from Tennessee in 1838 where John was a farmer and reportedly ran a still house and then DeKalb County, Missouri in 1846 (Gentry Co., Missouri Genealogical Society, 1996). May 1, 1846, he deeded land in Andrew County to Benjamin Holt. In 1850, the family made a final move to the Owl Creek homestead in Gentry County Missouri, which has remained in the Rainey family at least as of 1905. Wife, Elizabeth's newspaper obituary (1903) indicates the family lived in DeKalb County until the move to Gentry. Son, William's obituary (1921) states Andrew.

(John's brother Benjamin is listed in the 1850 census for Andrew County,

Missouri).

 

John S Rainey's estate was probated between the years 1885-1902 in

Gentry County, Missouri. He left no will per information from the

Gentry Courthouse in Albany.

 

In the June, 1983, 3rd Volume of "Rainey Times", (Marynell Bryant,Ed.)

, John's granddaughter, Elva Eunice (sister of grandson, Edward

Arthur Rainey) is named as a descendent of William Rainey, Orange Co., NC.

 

 

Note 4  Located the following courtesy of USGenWeb:

 

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Betty Mayes

ulalee@visionet.org

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Book Five. Orange County, NC Marriage Bonds. R - Z

 

Groom               Bride                Date of Bond        Witness

 

Raney, John         Haley Warren         6 Oct. 1827         John Cox

 

 

This is likely John's first brief marriage, though name spelling of 'Raney' is incorrect.

 

Note 5    (6/24/97) I have recently discovered that Elizabeth could not have been

b.1815 in Carroll Co., TN, as this county did not exist at the time.

Interestingly, the DAR record copy submitted by Rose FISCHER c.1955,

lists her birthplace as VA, and I believe this is far more likely. Also, the

Oklahoma census index for 1900, for which William RAINEY was an enumerator lists her place of birth (within the "birthplace of mother" category of John RAINEY's name), as Virginia. I find it unlikely William would mistake the birthplace of his own grandmother.

 

I have not yet been able to confirm her birthplace-most likely, Franklin Co.,

Virginia, as her parents were married there four years prior to her birth.

 

Note 6  From Rainey Times, Volume 5, July, 1985, pg 68

 

(CLIPPING FROM NEWSPAPER, GENTRY COUNTY, MO SUBMITTED BY MRS. ELDON D.RAINEY, SPOKANE , WA 99206)

 

ANOTHER PIONEER GONE:  GRANDMA RAINEY DIED AT HOME  OF HER SON, JOSEPH RAINEY, NEAR BERLIN, ON FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1903, AGED 88 YEARS AND 24 DAYS . ELIZABETH J SWINNEY WAS BORN IN TN, APRIL 7, 1815. SHE WAS MARRIED TO JOHN RAINEY IN 1832, AND THEY MOVED TO DEKALB CO. AND REMAINED UNTIL 1850, WHEN THEY WENT ONTO THE OWL CREEK HOMESTEAD, WHICH HAS CONTINUED TO BE THE PROPERTY OF THE RAINEY FAMILY SINCE THAT TIME.

 

ELEVEN CHILDREN WERE BORN TO THEM, SEVEN OF WHOM SURVIVE. THE LIVING CHILDREN ARE BENJAMIN, SAMUEL, WILLIAM, JOSEPH, AND JOHN RAINEY; MRS. CORNELIA BOLEY AND MRS. PHILENE MEADOWS. FORTY-EIGHT GRANDCHILDREN, THIRTY GREAT GRANDCHILDREN AND THREE GREAT GREAT GRANDCHILDREN ALSO SURVIVE. THE AGED HUSBAND DIED NINETEEN YEARS AGO.

 

GRANDMA RAINEY HAD UNITED WITH THE METHODIST CHURCH EARLY IN LIFE, AND SHE CONTINUED TRUE TO HER CHRISTIAN PROFESSION THROUGH LIFE, DYING FIRM IN THE FAITH THAT TRIUMPHS OVER DEATH AND THETOMB. SHE WAS LOVED AND HONORED BY A LARGE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS, WHO WILL JOIN WITH THE FAMILY IN MOURNING THE DEATH OF ONE WHO HAS BEEN A TRUE NEIGHBOR, FRIEND AND MOTHER TO THE GENERATIONS THAT HAVE BROUGHT THE SOUTH PART OF GENTRY COUNTY UP FROM A WILDERNESS TO THE SPLENDOR COMMUNITY IT IS TODAY.

 

THE FUNERAL SERVICES WERE CONDUCTED BY ELDER D. CAMPBELL, ASSISTED BY REV. BALL OF KING CITY, AT THE BERLIN CHURCH ON SATURDAY, AFTER WHICH A LARGE CROWD OF THE RELATIVES, NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS FOLLOWED THE REMAINS TO THE OWL CREEK CEMETERY, WHERE THEY WERE LAID TO REST BY THE GRAVES OF THE HUSBAND AND CHILDREN.

 

Note 7  Elizabeth did not live in the Rainey's Owl Creek home after John's

death in 1883. She moved to her daughter, Cornelia Jane's home in

Miller Township, where she passed away in 1903. (1900 Federal Census

for Gentry County, Missouri).

I found Elizabeth's last name as 'SWINNEY' on the death record of her son, John. This concurrs with earlier findings of only 'SWINNEY' and not 'SWEENEY' in records of Carroll County, Tennessee. Additionally, the DAR has her listed as 'SWINNEY. However, both names are listed so frequently that I haven't yet determined which is correct. Elizabeth's obituary lists her as SWEENEY. She lived in such a small community, I find it unlikely her name would be spelled wrong in the local newspaper.

 

Note 8  Samuel lived with his parents until c. 1850, then with his wife and

children in Gentry County, Missouri c.1858-1880. They moved to

Sheridan in Oklahoma Territory c. 1890. A Samuel RAINEY is enumerated

as a participant of the April, 1893, Oklahoma Land Rush- the largest

of the reknown runs. I believe this is the same Samuel -both moved

from Sheridan and staked claims in Enid, Garfield County.

 

Note 9  Samuel Sweeney RAINEY lived here until his death. His sons, George and

William lived Kingfisher County, Oklahoma (south of Garfield County)

during this period, along with their uncle, Samuel's youngest brother,

John. George purchased land in Kingfisher on Sept. 28, 1889 and later

sold this 160 acre tract to his uncle, John Rainey, February 28, 1890.

Samuel's son William also purchased land May 17, 1890 in Kingfisher,

160 acres on a five year note, from John A. Bell. George authored a

biography in 1937. William was the 1900 census enumerator for

the Skeleton area of Kingfisher County.

 

William C. Rainey:

FROM RAINEY TIMES VOLUME 5, JULY 1985, P.69

            

             WM. RAINEY DIED TUESDAY (CLIPPING FROM THE ALBANY PAPER, GENTRY COUNTY, MISSOURI; SUBMITTED BY LILLAV RAINEY, SPOKANE, WA; DATED 6 APRIL 1921)

            

             WM. RAINEY , AND OLD AND WELL KNOWN CITIZEN OF THE SOUTH PART OF GENTRY COUNTY, DIED AT 4 O'CLOCK LAST TUESDAY MORNING, AT HIS HOME A MILE SOUTHEAST OF THE MAPLE GROVE CHURCH. MR. RAINEY HAD BEEN BOTHERED BY KIDNEY AND HEART TROUBLE AND OTHER COMPLICATIONS, AND HAD BEEN IN POOREST HEALTH FOR SOME TIME.

            

             DECEASED WAS 85 YEARS, 6 MONTHS AND 18 DAYS OLD. HE WAS BORN IN TENNESSEE , HIS PARENTS COMING TO MISSOURI WHEN HE WAS A SMALL CHILD. THEY FIRST SETTLED IN ANDREW COUNTY, REMAINING THERE ONLY A SHORT TIME; THEN MOVED TO GENTRY COUNTY AND SETTLED ON THE RAINEY HOMESTEAD IN THE OWL CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD, WHERE HE LIVED FOR ALMOST EIGHTY YEARS.

            

             ON FEB. 1, 1872, HE WAS MARRIED TO NANCY EMMALINE BOLEY. ELEVEN CHILDREN WERE BORN TO THEM, ALL OF WHOM, WITH THEIR MOTHER ARE STILL LIVING. THE NINE SONS AND TWO DAUGHTERS ARE: JOHN H., BENJAMIN PORTER, DAVID M., ROY O., AND MRS. CLARENCE STARK, ALL OF ST. JOSEPH, MO.; HIRAM B. OF ESSEX, MO; IRA D. OF DIX, IL; ALBERT B., ELMER L., MRS. CLAUDE EVENS AND TIPTON RAINEY OF NEAR FORD CITY, MO. ALL OF THESE EXCEPT HIRAM AND IRA WERE PRESENT AT THE FUNERAL OF THEIR FATHER.

            

             EARLY IN LIFE MR. RAINEY HAD MADE CONFESSION IN FAITH IN CHRIST, AND UNITED WITH THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. HE HAD ALSO BEEN A MEMBER OF THE MASONIC LODGE FOR THAN 50 YEARS. HE WAS A TRUE HUSBAND, A KIND FATHER, AND A GOOD NEIGHBOR, AND WILL BE GREATLY MISSED, BOTH IN THE COMMUNITY AND IN THE HOME. BESIDES THE FAITHFUL WIFE AND ELEVEN CHILDREN, HE LEAVES 23 GRANDCHILDREN, ONE BROTHER, JOHN RAINEY, WHO IS IN OKLAHOMA, AND ONE SISTER, MRS. PHILENA MEADOWS OF NEAR WINSLOW, MO, BESIDES A HOST OF OTHER RELATIVES AND FRIENDS.

            

             FUNERAL SERVICES WERE CONDUCTED AT THE MAPLE GROVE CHURCH YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) AT 12 O'CLOCK BY REV. W.C. WHITEHOUSE, PASTOR OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AT KING CITY, AFTER WHICH THE MEMBERS OF THE MASONIC ORDER TOOK CHARGE OF THE REMAINS AND LAID THEM TO REST WITH THE LAST RITES OF FREEMASONRY, IN THE KING CITY CEMETERY.

                       

 

 

Note 10  RAINEY, Samuel 1833-1917 Pvt Co H, Ist Cav, Civil War

Earned: Military Service Metal Member: GAR

Samuel's Union troop served out of DeKalb County, Missouri.

 

Note 11  Exerpt From: "Run Made Across Cherokee Strip", by Tess Stegman Ellis (Friday, April 3, 1987, St. Joseph, Missouri Gazette)  [article sent to me by Ms. Lucinda Teaford of Missouri written about Tess Ellis' grandmother, Malinda Jane Rainey] ('Uncle Sam' refers to Samuel Rainey, brother of Melinda's father, Joseph)

 

I wonder if Malinda Jane Rainey, a mere slip of a girl from Gentry County, MO., ever really realized that she was a part of the early history in the making of a new frontier.

 

She had gone to Oklahoma to visit her 10 cousins, the children of her Uncle Sam and Aunt Frances Rainey They had lived in DeKalb County, MO., but on March 27, 1891, they started the move to King Fisher[sp?], Okla., to make their home...

 

...The Second land run was Sept. 16, 1893. It was at that time that Malinda Jane Rainey was visiting her aunt, uncle, and cousins. Sam Rainey decided to make the run across the Cherokee Strip for his 125 acres.

 

Hattie was about Malinda's age, and her dearest cousin and friend. We know the two girls made the wild ride in the wagon with Uncle Sam, but we wonder if he took his wife and the other nine children. If so, don't you know they made a picture in their wild dash for land! I can just see the calico dresses and bonnets and apron strings flying. The long brown stockings and high button black shoes!

 

They staked their claim 10 miles east of what is now Enid, Okla.. They lived there 10 years and then moved into Enid. It is not known if some of the older children stayed on the claim.

 

Malinda never talked much about this exciting bit of history, just the fact that she was there.

 

On Sept. 20, 1896, Malinda Jane Rainey was wed to tall, handsome Isaiah Ferguson and settled down to homemaking 1 1/2 miles west of Berlin, Mo.. They had five children, Gerry, Velma (my mom), Maurice, Lawrence, and Wilbur. At the age of 38, when Wilbur was just six months old, Isaiah died on June 29, 1910 leaving Malinda to raise her children alone. Her parents, Joseph and Mary Rainey along with her brothers and sisters were a great help to her.

 

And as I sit here, I can picture my grandmother still.

 

Tess Stegman Ellis

Albany, Mo.

 

 

 

Note 12  John moved to Kingfisher County, Oklahoma c.1890 with his family. He

bought property from George RAINEY, (likely Samuel S.'s son, his

nephew). He owned and carried a mortgage on his home in Skeleton,

Kingfisher County, 1900. He is listed in Kingfisher County, Skeleton Township in 1906 (19 North Range 5, Section 25). He lived in Hennessey in 1910, and Vernon

Township, Kay County, Oklahoma in 1920.

 

However, his probate papers (KayCounty, Oklahoma) indicate land ownership in nearby Beaver County and that this is where he resided upon his death.

I have now located a land record for his his son, Edward A. Rainey. He was deeded land October 28, 1909 Beaver County, Oklahoma.

 

----------------------

Enid Cemetery, Garfield County, Enid, Oklahoma.

Enid Cemetery Records (Garfield County Genealogy Society 1998)

 

 

RAINEY, Audie Bell

RAINEY, Austin

RAINEY, Daisy

RAINEY, Edward Arthur

RAINEY, Elizabeth

RAINEY, Esther

RAINEY, Florence D.

RAINEY, Francis M.

RAINEY, Freda Daphaine

RAINEY, George

RAINEY, John

RAINEY, John Littleton

RAINEY, Joseph Warren

RAINEY, Leita

RAINEY, Leroy

RAINEY, Luretta

RAINEY, Malisse O.

RAINEY, Mava

RAINEY, Max H.  

RAINEY, Pearl Marietta

RAINEY, Robert Rodrick

RAINEY, Roderick A.

RAINEY, Rosa B.

Note 13  Rosa is listed as Bertha in the 1880, Gentry County, Missouri Census.

She is named Rosa B. for the 1900 census of Skeleton, Kingfisher

Oklahoma census. Rosa D. is the way she is listed on the 1910-1920

censuses of Kingfisher and Kay Counties in Oklahoma. I assume the 'D' is an error.