Raysor and Similar Names
??Raser, Rasor, Rasure, Raysor, Razor??
??Racer, Raisor, Reasor, Roesser??
Early Sightings in the United States
census
A work in progress!  Last updated April 18, 2005
 
     It's difficult to trace a family when the name changes, evolves and mutates from one branch and one generation to another.  It's becoming pretty obvious that all of the families with similar names did not arrive in the United States at the same time. Were the earliest Rasor/Razor families to appear in the United States related?  Raysors fought on both sides of the Civil War.  Were they distant cousins, or is it just a coincidence that two similar names evolved into the same spelling?

      This is a new page to attempt to organize the early groups of Raysor and related names in the United States. 
I've concentrated on Rasor/Razor/Razer born prior to 1800 (in most cases much earlier than that). It may be that some may be of French descent, while most are German or Swiss Palatine.

  
Thornhill's Genealogy says that Michael Angelo Raysor came from Wales and settled in St. Bartholomew's Parish, South Carolina (source: Frank W. Raysor).  Some say that the name Racer is related to Rasor/Razor/Razer and Raysor, but there are differences of opinion as to whether Racer is Irish or German.

     I've found evidence of Rasor and Raysors who are Lutheran, Church of the Bretheren "Dunkards", Episcopal, and Methodist.  I'm sure I'll find other churches attended by Rasors and related families.


SOUTH CAROLINA

CHARLESTON AND COLLETON DISTRICTS

MICHAEL RASOR (RAZOR / RAYSOR)
Senior and Junior
Michael Raysor, Sr. and his son appeared as Rasor, Razor, and Raysor in South Carolina documents.,  Early documents mention a Michal Razor as early as 1772, but it is not known if this is "our" Michael Raysor, Sr.  The later documents for Charleston and Colleton Districts, 1780s and beyond, are almost surely Michael Raysor Sr. and Junior.

In southwest Pennsylvania, a Michael Razor
a appears in muster rolls in Washington County,  in a return 3rd and 4th classes, Capt. Samuel Cunningham's Company, 2nd Battalion, ordered to rendezvous the 18th of April, 1782 (USGenWeb Archives).   A Michal Razor appears in the Census index of 1810 for  Lee County (southwest) Virginia.  It's seems likely that these two are not related to our eastern group.  Rasors appeared in Kentucky and East Tennessee in the late 18th and early 19th Centuries.

Michael Raysor, Jr. and Eleanor Risher had the following  children:  James M. Raysor, b. about 1795;  Thomas M. Raysor, b. 1797;  Alfred Raysor, b. 1801;   Ann Raysor, b. 1805;
Rebecca Raysor, b. 1806; George Raysor, b. 1808;  and John Michael Raysor, b. 1812.  It appears that Michael may have been  the middle name for each of the sons.

In primary documents, such as Bible records and letters, the children of Michael and Eleanor Risher always spelled the name "Raysor".  Only in a few secondary documents was it occasionally spelled "Rasor" or "Razor".  There is no indication that any descendants used any other spelling.

These Raysor descendants  ended up in Colleton, Bamberg, Barnwell, Orangeburg, Allendale and nearby counties of South Carolina; Montgomery County, Texas; Jefferson and Madison Counties in Florida.

Frank W. Raysor, Sr.  believed that the South Carolina Raysors came to St. Bartholomew's Parish, South Carolina from New Bern, North Carolina.  In his research, he found a Michael Rasher with wife, Phoeby in Craven County in 1741.  I'm not convinced that Rasher and Rasor/Razor are related names.   The New Bern Swill and Palatine web site lists a Frederick Martin Rasor as a possible early settler of the Palatine community in New Bern.  However, there is no supporting documentation listed. 

Anyone who has an opinion or has found additional records to document the origins of the Raysor familys of South Carolina, please share it!


BEAUFORT DISTRICT

LEMUEL RAYSOR
March 10, 1817
John Heape, Sr.
Plat for 61 acres on Tenants Branch, Prince Williams Parish, Beaufort District

Note:  Lemuel was a common name at this time, but it also was the name of Frances Parrott Rasor's son-in-law, Lemuel "Lamb" Hardy.  This Lemuel could be a descendant of Martin Frederick Rasor through his son, Edward Rasor of Bertie County, NC., through his son, Josiah Rasor. 


ABBEVILLE COUNTY

LUKE RAZOR
1790 Census,  head of household with one male 16 or over; two white females; one slave; Ninty-Sixth District, Abbeville County.

CHRISTIAN RASOR
Rejected for Revolutionary War pension, requiring further information from Culpepper County clerk.
SCGenWeb


NORTH CAROLINA

BERTIE COUNTY

FRED. RASOR
1728, Deed Cattle Markings (USGenWeb Archives)
 
FRANCES RASOR
(Son EDWARD RASOR, Daughter, ELIZABETH RASOR HARDY)

Deed, March 6, 1742 from Cullen Pollock to Frances Rasor, witnessed by Lamb Hardy and Lovick Young;
Deed of 200 acres from Frances Rasor to daughter, Elizabeth Hardy, witnessed by William Hardy and William Keeler;
Deed June 17, 1748 from Frances Rasor to EDWARD RASOR, witnessed by Wm. Fleetwood, Lamb (Lemuel) Hardy and William Hardy;
. There are other deeds in this time period for Edward Rasor. (USGenWeb Archives)

Note:  According to this Hardy genealogy, Frances Rasor's daughter was Elizabeth Parrott, who married Lemuel (Lamb) Hardy.  Other children were Edward Frederick Rasor and Christina Rasor.  According to this web site,  Frances Johnson married Francis Parrott of Chowan County, North Carolina.  After his death, she married MARTIN FREDERICK RASOR.

EDWARD RASOR1757,  compiled list of 123 taxables for Bertie County. (USGenWeb Archives). The following probably are the daughters of Edward Raysor:
Jan. 29, 1767, Marriage Bond, MARY RASOR and John McGASKEY,  Ed Rasor. (USGenWeb Archives)
May 11, 1774, Marriage Bond, FRANCES RASOR and William ASHBURN,.  Ed Rasor  (USGenWeb Archives)
Abstract of Edward Rasor's will of 1776 at Access Genealogy

More about this Rasor-Hardy Family

ELIZABETH RAZER
Marriage to Edward Bird, Mary 15, 1762
(USGenWeb Archives)

JOSIAH RASOR
March 27, 1788, Marriage JOSIAH RASOR and Elizabeth SUTTON (USGenWeb Archives)
JOSIAH RAZOR appears in the 1790 Census of Edenton District, Bertie County, NC, as head of household with one white male 16 or over; three white females; and seven slaves.
JOSIAH RASOR appears in the 1810 Census of Bertie County
(USGenWeb Archives), with one male 0-10; one male 45 or older; one female 0-10;  one female 10-16;  one female 16-26;  one female 26-45. Also appears in

ELIZA RAZOR appears in the 1790 Census as head of household, four houses away from JOSIAH RAZOR, with one male over 16;  two males under 16;  six white females; twelve slaves. 

Note:  Bertie County is in eastern North Carolina.  It was formed from Chowan County in 1722.  Edgecombe was formed from Bertie County in 1741.  Historic Bath County, North Carolina was divided into several counties, including Beaufort Pamlico, and Craven Counties. See Chowan County below.


CRAVEN COUNTY
It has long been speculated that Michael Raysor, Sr. originated in this county in New Bern, North Carolina.  I have not found any proof of that, but a Martin Frederick Rasor is listed as a possible Palatine  (with no additional information) on this New Bern Palatine web site:  http://newbern.cpclib.org/research/settlers.htm
Note: New Bern in Craven County is up the coast from Wilmington, North Carolina.


CHOWAN COUNTY

MARTIN RASOR
Appears on a 1717 tax list  with 380 acres, "twice & arrears" 
(USGenWeb Archives).  Note: Chowan is located in eastern North Carolina.  It was formed in 1670 from Albemarle County.  Bertie County was formed from Chowan County in 1722, and Edgecombe was formed from Bertie County in 1741.
.

PENNSYLVANIA (LISTED BY COUNTY)

ARMSTRONG COUNTY

FREDERICK RAZOR
Appears in the 1800 Census of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania as head of household with two males 0-10, two males 10-16,  one male 26-45,  one female 10-16,  one female over 45.



BEDFORD COUNTY

SOLOMON RASOR appears as head of household in the 1820 Census of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, with three males 0-10; two males 10-16; one male 26-45; three females 0-10;  two females 10-16;  one female 26-45. (source: USGenWeb Archives)


CHESTER COUNTY

MALACHI RAZER
Appears in November 20, 1809 Will Abstract, Chester County, Pennsylvania (USGenWeb Archives)

CATHERINE RAZOR
Appears in May 21, 1816 Will Abstract,  Chester County, Pennsylvania (USGenWeb Archives)


DAUPHIN COUNTY

JOHN RASOR
Appears in the 1790 Census of Dauphin County, PA as head of household with two males over 16;  three males under 16,; and four females.  A JOHN RAZOR is listed in the index with the same page number (23), but I think this is an error.
(USGenWeb Archives)

JOHN RASOR  is listed on the
Annville Twp Tax List - 1800: then Dauphin County, now Lebanon Co (USGenWeb Archives).

Also appearing in the 1790 Census of Dauphin Co, PA are:  CHRISTIAN REASOR, DANIEL REASOR, AND PETER REESOR

FAYETTE COUNTY

JOHN RAZOR
Appears in the 1800 Federal Census of Fayette County, Pennsylvania as a 26-45 year old man, with no other persons in the household (USGenWeb Archives)


LANCASTER COUNTY


MATHIAS RAZOR
Appears in a 1771 Tax List for Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (USGenWeb Archives)

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

JACOB RASOR

Appears in the 1790 Census of Montgomery County, PA as  head of household with  one male over 16,  two males under 16,  and two females. Source: USGenWeb Archives

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY

CASP. (CASPER?) RASOR
Appears in a list of manufacturers of Pennsylvania, Northampton Co, 1810
as the owner of a distillery. (USGenWeb Archives)


PHILADELPHIA COUNTY


JOHN RAZOR married Rebecca Charlesworth, April 10, 1782, Second Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA.
(USGenWeb Archives)

MATTHIAS RASOR
Appears in the 1790 Census of Germantown Township, Philadelphia Co, PA as head of household with three males over 16; four males under 16; and six females. (USGenWeb Archives)

CATHERINE RAZOR married Frederick Anthony, July 2, 1793, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USGenWeb Archives)

SAMUEL RAZOR
Appears on a muster list for
7th Co.4 Batt, 1787, Philadelphia City Muster Rolls, Philadelphia Militia, under Lt. Col. William Will and  Capt. William Wirtz (USGenWeb Archives)

SARAH RAZOR died in Philadelphia, Philadelphia  County, Pennsylvania,  1793 of the "Malignant Fever" (USGenWeb Archives)

JOHN RAZOR - Wills: Abstracts, Will Book W, 1790-1795, indexed: Philadelphia Co, PA  (USGenWeb Archives): W.442 No. 254 - 1793 RAZOR, John. Southwark, Co. Philad'a. Signed Aug. 3. 1793. Child- Elizabeth (Wife of Sampson Crosby) Grand Children- George the younger, Hannah George, and Elizabeth Wirebrook (Children of George Snyder the elder) Exec. Elizabeth Crosby, and Son in Law George Snyder. Witnesses- Jaco. Bankson, William Ogden. Prov'd. Sept. 2. 1793.

SUSSEX COUNTY

PETER RAZER
Appears in the 1760's as an officer of Sussex County, Pennsylvania, as
Collector of Customs at Lewes, formerly Whorekills. (USGenWeb Archives)



WASHINGTON COUNTY

MICHAEL RAZOR
Appears in muster rolls for Washington County, Pennsylvania, in a return 3rd and 4th classes, Capt. Samuel Cunningham's Company, 2nd Battalion, ordered to rendezvous the 18th of April, 1782 (USGenWeb Archives)


JACOB RAZOR
Appears in the 1810 Census of Washington County, PA,  with one male 0-10,  one male 45 and over, and one female 45 and older.

KENTUCKY

BRACKEN COUNTY

JACOB RASOR
Appears on an 1835 Pension  Roll.  Pension started Jan. 9, 1823; Private; St. Clair's Army
(USGenWeb Archives)


HARDIN COUNTY

PETER RAZOR
Appears in 1820 Census of Hardin County; head of household with two males 0-9;  one male 10-15;  one male 16-25;
one male 45 or older;  two females 0-9;  one female 10-15; one female 16-25; one female 26-44.
(USGenWeb Archives)

PAUL RAZOR
Appears in 1820 Census of Hardin County; head of household with three males 0-9;  one male 26-44;  one female 0-9;  one female 26-44. (USGenWeb Archives)

(RAZOR is listed on three pages of the 1810 Census index for Hardin County)


HENRY COUNTY

LYDIA RAZOR married Abraham Miller, Sept. 6, 1836
(USGenWeb Archives)


SHELBY COUNTY

PAUL RAZOR
1810 Census of Shelby County, KY, head of household with the following: one male 0-10;  two males 10-16; three males 16-25;  one male 45 or older; one female 0-10; one female 16-25; one female 45 or older.

PAUL RAZOR
Will dated August 8, 1833; probated May 1835;  Wife, Mary C.;  Sons and daughters:
John Razor, Harman Razor, Catherine Wiseheart, Jacob Razor, Adam Razor, Mary Razor, George Razor, Paul Razor and Rebecca Lee (USGenWeb Archives)

Rasor, Razor, or Raisor appears in later years:  Bath County, Breckenridge County, Bullit/Jefferson County, Fleming County, Hardin County, Henry County, Owen County, Shelby County.


VIRGINIA

WASHINGTON COUNTY

PETER RAZOR
Pierce vs. Razor, December, 1807;  This is difficult to understand, but it appears to be estates suing estates, regarding an iron works in Wythe County
on South Fork Holstein River.   Mentions that Peter Razor has died, leaving widow, Anna.  It looks like children of Peter and Anna Razor are Edward (?), John, Ann, Christy and Daniel.
(USGenWeb Archives)

Razor is listed in the 1810 census index for Wythe County.

LEE COUNTY

MICHAL RAZOR
Tax List, May 24, 1810
(USGenWeb Archives)

LOUDOUN COUNTY

GEORGE RAZOR
March 9, 1777 deed from James and Mary Jones to George Razor. Source: RootsWeb Message Board for Loudoun Co, VA
which notes an additional variation on the name is "Rasure".


PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY

ABRAHAM RAZOR married Elizabeth WITCHER, April, 1782 (USGenWeb Archives)


TENNESSEE

CARTER COUNTY

MARY RASOR
Married Hugh McHenry, May 11, 1817 (USGenWeb Carter County Marriages)

PETER RASOR
Court Order, 1820 (ALHN Tennessee)

PETER & JOHN RASOR are mentioned on the list of documents at the Watauga Historical Association Collection at East Tennessee State University

I have read that there was a Daniel Rasor family  in early Carter and Blount Counties in East Tennessee.  If anyone has primary research on this family prior to 1830, please let me know.



Sources:
General Information Swiss-German Palatine
Message Boards for Raysor and Similar Surnames:


 

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