RUTHERFORDs of TIPPAH COUNTY MISSISSIPPI and OUR KIN

This web site updated 11 Sep 2018

Steven D. Rutherford

All links seem to be working now.  If you find one that does not work EMAIL ME, thanks.

Rutherford is an ancient Scottish family and family name.  There are 4 different stories that suggest how the Rutherford name originated.  Several legends regarding the origin of the Rutherford name have been handed down for centuries.

*The below outline hasn’t been proven, there is a questions as to who Mark Rutherford’s parents are.   In the above outline - Marks parents are Ezekiel Rutherford and Sarah Johnson, in the below outline John T Rutherford and Margaret Tawneyhill are his parents.   Someday I hope to be able to prove which way is right, but for now... check out the outline below, it is very interesting.  It shows 23 generations of Rutherfords - from Robertus dominus de Rodyforde to Mark Rutherford, Mark is our Grandma Opal’s Great Grandfather.
I received this file and so much information on the Rutherfords from Merrill Price.
 
 
 

From the book by William Kenneth and Anna Clay Zimmerman Rutherford
 
 
 

   John MacLeod, Searcher of Records in Edinburgh, examined Rutherford family annuals dating back to the Crusaders.  He related that during an insurrection in Scotland, Kind Ruther had to flee for safety.  Being unable to cross the River Tweed, his life was saved by a young man of Teviotsdale who aided him in crossing at the ford.  The spot was henceforth known as Ruther’s Ford, and the land contiguous to the spot was later given to the family of his benefactor by Ruther as a token of his appreciation.  The family thus became known as Rutherford when surnames were adopted.

   James Coutts, a candid historian, revolted at this venerable legend, but to his surprise he found a portrait of the semi-historic Rutherus among the portraits of the Scottish kings in Holyrood House.  "Still more surprising," wrote Mr. Coutts, "was the date of the reign of Rutherus, put as 231 B. C.   Little wonder that the Rutherfords have been described as ‘one of the oldest families in the Border’." (from the Anglo-Norman Peaceful Invasion of Scotland 1057-1200, p. 133)

   Another romantic version of the establishment of the name was related in a letter written by A. Rutherford of Stirling, Scotland, December 15, 1906, and addressed to George Ernest Rutherford, No. 1852.  "The Rutherfords are not Highlanders, they are Borderers:  they belong originally to Roxburghshire.  They are pure Scots, and they drive their name from thrashing an invading English Army.  This incident occurred before the time of Wallace.  The tradition is that an English invading force was allowed to cross the river at the ford, and after they had done so, the Scots fought and defeated them, and drove them back across the ford making the English "rue the ford."

   A fourth story, probably with more credence, was written by James Rutherford Brown of Liverpool, England, April 13, 1909 to George Ernest Rutherford, No. 1852.  He stated there was no doubt that the name Rutherford meant "red ford," an explanation given by Jeffray in his history of Roxburghshire.  Jeffray explained that "ruther," meaning red, was a Celtic word.  Henry Rutherford of Fairnington, No. 960, also thought this to be the more likely origin of the name.
 
 
 

  Heraldry is defined as the art or science of blazoning or describing in appropriate technical terms coats of arms and other heraldic and armorial insignia.  The system is of very ancient origin.  In its modern sense, however, the heraldic art dates from the time of the Crusades, and was reduced to its present perfect system by the French.  Today, coats-of-arms are testimonials and warrant of bravery, heroism, and meritorious deeds of our ancestors.

  A coat of arms has four basic parts:  the background, or escutcheon; the color of the design or field; the design of the chare; and the position of the figure in the design.

  The escutcheon of the Rutherford arms is usually in the shape of a badge.  The field contains an orle which is the principal armorial figure of the family.  By some it is taken as an inescutcheon voided; and it is said by heralds to have been used in the arms of those who have given protection and defense to their king and country; for as the bordure defends the figures that are within, so also doth the orle.  It may be thought on that account, to have been carried by some ancient families who were very active in defending the Borders of the Scottish kingdom against the English, such as the Rutherfords.

  The field also contains three martlets, to show that some of the heads of the family had been in the warlike expeditions in the Holy Land, against the Saracens, as these birds intimate.

  The color of the field is argent, or silver, and the color of the design or chare is a red orle, orle gules, and three black martlets with red beaks, martlets sable, beaked of the second.

  The crest, the uppermost part of achievements of arms, is set above the escutcheon on a wreath or bandeau composed of six twists which has the same tinctures as shield and charges, the metal in all cases being the twist on the dexter side.  The Rutherford wreath is alternately siver and black.

  The crest of Rutherford of that Ilk was a martlet sable.  Other branches of the Rutherford family were identified by the crests which they carried.

  The Motto of the Rutherfords of that Ilk, Nec sorte nec fato, is translated as "Neither by strategy nor by chance."
 
 

From the Book:

1) Robertus doninus de Rodyrforde  (pg.7 - 1969 edition)

   Robertus dominus de Rodyrforde was a witness to a royal charter in 1140 granted by King David I of Scotland to Gervasius de Rydel in 1140, an act which indicated an established position at that time.  He was among the first of the Rutherford family, a house of no small antiquity in the south of Scotland, to appear in the official court records.  His title included the Latin word dominus, which indicated he was the lord of a manor, and the French preposition de, meaning of, which was used in conjunction with proper names.  It is interesting to note, the third syllable was spelled "ford" with the French ending of "e."

2) Gregory de Rothirforde  (pg.7 - 1969 edition)

   Gregory de Rothirforde witnessed two charters of Roger Burnard to thirteen acres of the lands of Faringdon to the monastery of Melrose, during the reign of King William the Lion.  Other charters were witnessed by him in the reign of King Alexander II.

3) Hugo de Rodirforde  (pg.7 - 1969 edition)

   Hugo de Rodirforde, a Scottish baron, witnessed a grant of Philip de Valoniis of the lands of Terpenhow in Northumberland to Robert de Stutteville in 1215 during the first year of the reign of King Alexander II.  Hugo de Rodirforde and Richard de Rodirforde witnessed a charter of Richard Burnard of Faringdon to the abbey and convent of Melrose in 1252, during the reign of King Alexander III

4) Sir Nichol de Rothirforde  (pg.8 - 1969 edition)

   Sir Nichol de Rothirforde was granted a charter of the lands of Capehope in 1261 when Alexander III was King.  He also was a witness to several donations to the church of St. Mary of Melrose Abbey and to the monastery of Kelso.

   In 1270 and 1272 he was designated as "Nicholaus de Rutherfoord, miles."  This title indicated the family had attained an influential position in Roxburgh County, Scotland.  Without a doubt, Sir Nichol was one of the gallant company at Jedburgh in 1283 when the marriage of King Alexander was solemnized with royal magnificence.

  Sir Nichol Rothirforde’s daughter, Margarette de Rothirforde del Counte de Berwyk, was a personage of such consequence that she was also compelled to sign the Deed of Submission, popularly known as the "Ragman Roll".

5) Sir Nichol de Rothirforde   (pg.8 - 1969 edition)

   Sir Nichol de Rothirforde was friend of Sir William Wallace, and married a near relative of Marion Braidfute, Wallace’s wife.

   After Edward I had over-run Scotland, Sir Nichol and his brother Aymer de Rothirforde del Counte de Robesburg, signed the "Ragman Roll," swearing fealty to the King of England in 1296.  A promise thus extorted by force was not considered binding and Sir Nichol was one of the first Scottish barons who joined Sir William Wallace in fighting for the independence of Scotland.

   It is believed that Sir Nichol was connected with Wallace through the Hallidays.  Thomas Halliday was a nephew of Wallace, and a friend of Rothirforde.  Previous to the Battle of Biggar, as narrated by Harry the Minstrel, Halliday brought his uncle a welcome contingent of three hundred "wee armed" warriors from Annandale, led by "twa gud sonnis, Wallas and Rudyrfurd."  Among the chiefs who remained faithful to Wallace was "gud Rudyrfurd, chyftaynlik" with a lordly air, who with sixty followers held his ground against the English in Ettrick Forest.

   Sir Nichol de Rothirforde held considerable land located in several different counties.  His land of Doddington Mill in Northumberland were seized by the English King in 1296 as Sir Nichol was declared a rebel.

6) Sir Robert de Ruthirfurde  (pg.9- 1969 edition)

   Sir Robert de Ruthirfurde, patriot and friend of Robert Bruce, fought valiantly against the English for the independence of Scotland.

7) Sir Richard de Ruthirfurde of that ilk  (pg.9 - 1969 edition)

   Sir Richard de Ruthirfurde, designed Ricardus dominus de Rutherfoord witnessed a charter to the abbacy of Coupar in 1328, and a donation of William de Felton to the monastery of Dryburgh in 1338

8) William de Ruthirfurde  (pg.9 - 1969 edition)

   William de Ruthirfurde was designed "Willielmus de Rutherfoord dominus ejufd" in his donation to the monastery of Kelso in 1354.  William forfeited part of his lands as appears from a charter of King David II granting to John de Allintum all the lands which belonged to Sir Richard de Ruthirfurde in the barony of Craufurd Lyndesay, April 12, 1357.

9) Sir Richard Rutherfurd  (pg.10 - 1969 edition)

   Sir Richard de Ruthirfurde of that ilk, in possession of all the estates and dignities of the family, was a person of great interest and activity on the Borders around 1390, and was a mighty favorite of King Robert III of Scotland.  He was appointed one of the ambassadors extraordinary to the Court of England in 1398, and managed negotiations with dexterity and prudence. (A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland, Vol. 2, 1882, P. 1694)

   Sir Richard, as one of the principal persons on the Borders, was bound as Warden of the Marches, and with his five sons performed signal service for Scotland in repelling the insurrections on the Borders through 1400.  He and his sons were eventually taken prisoners, along with Sir John Turnbull, called "out with the sword," and were deemed men of such mark that Henry IV. King of England, issued an order October 30, 1400 to the Earl of Northumberland to keep in safe custody Richard de Ruthirfurde, knight, and his five sons, lately taken in war.  They were not to be ransomed or set free under pain of highest forfeiture. (Douglas’s Peerage of Scotland, Vol.. 2, 1813, p. 461)

  Sir Richard de Ruthirfurde was the progenitor (direct ancestor of) Rutherfurds of Chatto, Edgerston, Hunthill, Hundalee, Fairnington and Fairnilee.

10) Robert Rutherfurd of Chatto   (pg.11 - 1969 edition)

  One of our ancestors Robert Rutherfurd of Chatto has this story under his name:  Border raids were of common occurrence and one of the most memorable was at Lammas in 1388, which ended in the Battle of Otterbourne.  James, Earl of Douglas, had collected four or five thousand men in Jed Forest not far from Edgerston, and had entered England by the pass at the east end of the Carter, the place which the "fortlet" at Edgerston had been erected to guard.  After a successful raid which extended beyond Newcastle, the Scottish invaders were returning carelessly homeward when they were overtaken by the English at Otterbourne and Douglas (Douglas’s Peerage of Scotland) was killed.   Robert Ruthirfurde of Chatto contributed to the victory gained by his countrymen, and bore afterwards the designation of "Robin with the Tod’s Tail," a sobriquet honorably gained by him on the memorable morning, August 15, 1388.  In the early dawn, he led a band of trusty followers round back of a hill with, for want of a better standard, the tail of a fox fixed on the end of his lance.  Falling upon the flank of the English, he aided materially in gaining the victory at Otterbourne.

11) George Rutherfurd of Chatto  (pg.13 - 1969 edition)

   George Rutherfurd was a witness to a charter by Archibald, fourth Earl of Douglas, to David Hume of the lands of Wedderburn in 1413.  He received the lands of Nether Chatto, South Scharplaw, Eddyllcluch and Hangandschaw in 1424 from the Earl of Douglas, the lands having been forfeited by Thomas Chatto.

12) George Rutherfurd of Langnewton  (pg.16 - 1969 edition)

   George Rutherfurd of Langnewton was forfeited of his lands of Sandystanys given to Patrick, Lord Bothwell, February 16, 1499.  His wife, Catherine Lyle, had life-rent of a portion of the lands by deed under the King’s signet November 8, 1498.

   The earliest dates in the Fairnington charters appear to relate to the history of Langnewton, not to Fairnington.  They show that in 1497 George Rutherfurd, who held Langnewton and other lands of Robert Douglas of Lochleven by charters of September 20, 1497, granted the same to his nephew Walter Rutherford all to be holden blench of the said Lochleven.  In 1544 William Rutherford, heir and successor of Walter Rutherfurd, founded on these charters to show that his ancestor was infeft in Langnewton in 1497.

  The barony of Fairnington was possessed by a family named Burnard in the twelfth century.  In 1200 the monks of Melrose obtained from Richard Burnard thirteen acres and a rood of his lands of Faringdon.  Fairnington remained in the name of Rutherford for more than four centuries with the exception of a few months.  This was a long descent in one name, considering the vicissitudes so frequent in the history of Border houses.

13) Patrick Rutherford in Nesbit  (pg.20 - 1969 edition)

   Patrick of Rutherford in Nesbit received sasine of Kelso Mill in 1500 and was the founder of the Rutherford family of Nesbit.

  James Rutherford Brown of Cheshire, England, a descendant of Patrick Rutherford, corresponded during 1907 with George Ernest Rutherford, No. 1852, of Truckee, California, concerning family history and lineage.  Records indicate Patrick Rutherford was the ancestor of General Griffith Rutherford, No. 504, of North Carolina and Tennessee;  Thomas Rutherford, No. 381, of Paxtang, Pennsylvania; and Robert Rutherford, No. 280, of Essex County, Virginia. (Robert Rutherford of Essex County, Virginia is our ancestor #18)

14) John Rutherford of the Knowe  (pg.26 - 1969 edition)

   John Rutherford of the Knowe in Nesbit was proclaimed a rebel with his brother Archiblad Rutherford February 26,  1506.
 

15) John Rutherford of the Knowe  (pg.29 - 1969 edition)

   John Rutherford of the Knowe in Nesbit was among those who declared, August 18, 1573, that Sir Thomas Kerr of Ferniehirst and his followers menaced the overthrow and destruction of Jedburgh.  John Rutherford of the Walls in Nesbit also signed the complaint.

  John Rutherford of the Knowe went through the formality of pledging assurance January 22, 1553 that John Rutherford of Hunthill would keep the "gude reule" in both Scotland and England.  In 1569 he again pledged the loyalty of John Rutherford of Huntill, but shortly thereafter the latter broke the bond and was thereby ordered into "ward" along with Nicholas Rutherford of Hundalee and Richard Rutherfurd of Edgerston.

   The list of ‘landit men" of the kingdom, compiled in 1590, included John Rutherford of the Knowe in Nesbit in Roxburgh County.]

   John Rutherford of the Knowe was probably the father of the following two men: Thomas Rutherford and William Rutherford.  (also listed George Rutherford and Andrew Rutherford as children)

16) Andrew Rutherford of Hall  (pg.35 - 1969 edition)

   Andrew Rutherford of Hall and his brother George Rutherford of the Knowe were cited in the Scottish Privy Council records, June 16, 1608, as trespassers on the lands of John, Earl of Mar.

17) Adam Rutherford of Hall  (pg.43 - 1969 edition)

   Adam Rutherford of Hall, Janet Rutherford his wife, and James Rutherford their son received sasine February 17, 1631 of one part of the lands of Castlewoode in Roxburgh County, Scotland.  Sasine was granted to Adam Rutherford of Hall and Janet Rutherford his wife, March 4, 1631, of the land of Easter Gillis and Knowe in Roxburgh County.  (Roxburgh County General Register of Sasines (1), Vo. 30, folio 105, 226.)

   Adam Rutherford of Hall was a maltman and Burgess of Jedburgh.  He was prosperous and accommodated his kinsman, Robert Rutherfurd of Edgerston, with a loan of 200 merks.  A bond for the amount was granted Adam Rutherford of Hall and Janet Rutherford his wife in 1633.  A general service of William Rutherford of Hall to his father Adam Rutherford of Hall was "expede" before Archiblad Douglas, January 18, 1648.
 

18) Robert Rutherford  (pg.54 - 1969 edition)

  Robert Rutherford of Essex County, Virginia, was born in Scotland, and married Margaret Vawter.  (Brooks and Kindred Families, 1950. p. 295-296)  Louise A. Keynton, Dallas, Texas, searched Essex County, Virginia records and also confirmed this statement.

  He was probably one and the same as the Robert Rutherford who was baptized May 6, 1640, a son of Adam Rutherford of Hall and Janet Rutherford of Roxburgh County, Scotland.

  The name Robert Rutherford was recorded as early as March 10, 1676 in Old Rappahannock County, Virginia, and as late as August 21, 1728 in Essex County, Virginia.  Conveyances of land by Robert Rutherford and his wife Margaret verify their places of residence were in Sittenburn Parish in Old Rappahannock County, Virginia, and in St. Anns Parish in Essex County, Virginia.  Among the neighbors of Robert Rutherford were Daniel Smith and John Miller, both of whom moved to Augusta County where they lived neighbors to the descendants of Robert Rutherford.

   A court order bearing the date August 4, 1684 show Robert Rutherford was appointed Constable by the Court of Old Rappahannock County, Virginia.  Another court order dated March 3, 1686 ordered Robert Rutherford to pay tenancy on his plantation.  Among the wills witnessed by Robert Rutherford were those of Thomas Page of Old Rappahannock County, March 10, 1676;  David Jameson of Essex County, December 2, 1711;  and Samuel Stallard of Essex County, December 2, 1720.

   Robert Rutherford was ordered by the Court of Essex County, Virginia to pay Robert Rutherford, Jr., and John Rutherford, Jr., for their attendance in court as witnesses on his behalf in August 1724.

   Robert Rutherford of Old Rappahannock and Essex Counties, Virginia was probably the father of Patrick Rutherford of Orange County, North Carolina.

   Robert and Margaret’s children are:  Robert Jr. d. 1725, John d. 1742, James d. 1759, Adam d. 1761.

19) Robert Rutherford Jr.  (pg.63 - 1969 edition)

   Robert Rutherford, Jr., served as a witness for his father in the August term of court in 1724 in Essex County, Virginia.  The court order specified that Robert Rutherford pay Robert Rutherford, Jr., for serving two days as a witness.

   Robert Rutherford, Jr., died intestate in Essex County, Virginia, March 15, 1725, his son John Rutherford, Jr. relinquished his right to the administration of the estate and a certificate was granted to John Rutherford, his uncle, with John Vawter and Thomas Thorpe as his securities, gave bond for the just and faithful administration of the estate.  The inventory was dated April 18, 1726 and the appraisement of the estate was returned June 21, 1726 by John Rutherford, administrator.
 
20) Joseph Rutherford  (pg.87 - 1969 edition)

   Joseph Rutherford was a resident of Essex County, Virginia in the 1720’s and early 1730’s as he appeared in Essex County court proceedings December 16, 1727 in Conjunction with John Rutherford, Jr., his brother, and August 17, 1730 with Thomas Rutherford, also his brother.

  County court record in Essex, Goochland, Cumberland, Augusta and Rockingham Counties, Virginia, attest to the fact that Joseph Rutherford bought and sold land and was active in those areas of Virginia for many years.  Joseph Rutherford was a witness to a conveyance of land in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, for John Miller of Caroline County, Virginia, February 1, 1729.  August 11, 1764, Joseph witnessed for John Miller in Augusta County.  Joseph Rutherford entered 260 acres of land on Willis River in Albemarle County, Virginia, and later conveyed one-half the original patent to John Rutherford, his brother, November 25, 1751.  The suit of Joseph Rutherford’s son Elliot, to clear the title of the other one-half of the patent, is recorded in the District Court of Prince Edward County, Virginia.  Mary Rutherford, his sister, widow of Colonel James Wood, conveyed a tract of 400 acres of land on Cub Creek in Augusta County, Virginia, to Joseph Rutherford, December 31, 1760.  May 16, 1768, Joseph Rutherford divided this tract of land equally among three of his sons, Joseph, Jr., Reuben and Thomas.  Joseph Rutherford entered an importation right on Hill Meadow Spring, and obtained the land from Elinor Mountyjoy, July 16, 1753.

   Joseph Rutherford died testae.  He devised his estate to his wife Mary, and to his living sons Elliot, Joseph, Reuben, Robert and Archiblad.  He appointed Elliot Rutherford as his sole executor.  The will of Joseph Rutherford, dated June 7, 1787, was proved April 28, 1788 in Rockingham County, Virginia.
 
 

21) Joseph Rutherford, Jr.  (pg. 114 - 1969 edition)

   Joseph Rutherford was designated as a 2nd Lieutenant, November 23, 1779 in Rockingham County, Virginia in Captain Reagan’s Company, and he was administered the oath of allegiance, March 27, 1780.  Joseph Rutherford, and both his brothers Archibald and Elliot, were listed in the military vouchers of Captain Richard Reagen’s Company No. 13, in 1788.

   A tract of 150 acres of land in Rockingham County, Virginia on a branch of Cub Run, adjoining Harmentrouts, was surveyed for Joseph Rutherford, Jr., August 3, 1785.
 

22) John T. Rutherford  (pg.144 - 1969 edition)

   John T. Rutherford, a resident of St. Marys County, Maryland in 1776, enlisted, September 9, 1778, in the 7th Maryland Regiment for a term of three years.  He served as a Corporal in Captain Benjamin Spiker’s Company.

   He moved to Tennessee in the late 1700’s, and purchased a tract of land from James Wood, in 1798, on Flat Creek in Knox County.

   John Rutherford named his wife and children in his will, dated December 17, 1817, and probated in Knox County, Tennessee in April 1818.

23) Ezekial Rutherford  (pg. 186 - 1969 edition)

   Ezekial Rutherford administered the estate of his father John T. Rutherford in Knox County, Tennessee in 1827.  Shortly after 1850, he and his wife Sarah joined their daughter Elizabeth Hubbs in Orange County, Indiana, and moved with the Jubbs family to Illinois.

24) Mark Rutherford  (pg.186 - 1969 edition)

   Born about 1810 Tennessee and married Charlotte Skaggs.
 
 
 BACK