HISTORY OF THE RIPPETOE FAMILY
By
KATHRYN ROBBINS BARNETT
Of special interest to the many members of the ANTLE-RIPPETOE and auxiliary families in this section of Kentucky and elsewhere is the account of the reunion of descendants of four of the ten children of William RIPPETOE, SR. (1748-1839) and his wife, Ruth ANTLE RIPPETOE (1751-1842),who once lived on a 125 acre tract of land which they bought from John ALLEN in Adair County, Kentucky for the sum of $500.00. The property was purchased prior to 1810, and it was located on the headwaters of Crocus, a branch of the Cumberland River, and bounded the 1,333 and one-third acre tract which belonged to Alexander DICK. (This Adair County property was later known as Russell County).
The descendants who met in Russell County, called on a number of their cousins and visited four area cemeteries in which relatives were buried. The reunion represented the following direct ancestors who were children of William RIPPETOE, SR.; Mary RIPPETOE BUSH (1779-1857) of Caldwell County, North Carolina; Phillip BROOKS BUSH II, 16 Third Street, NE., Capitol Hill, Washington,DC 20002.
William RIPPETOE, JR. (1781-1863) of Adair County; Mrs Nell MILLER PETTEY MELSON of 701 Russell Road, Columbia; Samuel Earl RIPPETOE of P.O. Box 126, Russell Springs; and Mrs Mabel ROSENBAUM EPPERSON of 200 Burkesville, Columbia.
John RIPPETOE (1784-1880) Mrs Kathryn ROBBINS BARNETT of Route 6, Box 85, Bentonville, Arkansas; and James Ireland RIPPETOE (1789-1872) of Adair Counties; Mrs Lottie REDMON GOODIN of Route 3, Box 61, Columbia, KY.
The four cemeteries visited were: (1) Rippetoe Springs Cemetery - where Revolutionary War Veteran, William RIPPETOE, SR. (1748-1839) and wife Ruth (1751-1842) were buried: (2) William RIPPETOE II (1781-1805?) and wife Elizabeth VINSON (1787-1844) were buried; (3) Wheat Cemetery - on former Sam and Anna RIPPETOE WHEAT property which adjoined William RIPPETOE, JR.'S property latter was about 1/2 mile southwest of the Sam WHEAT'S farm, where Sam, Anna, and family were buried. (4) Rippetoe Cemetery No. 3 is located on the Shearer lands where William III and family were buried He was a son of William RIPPETOE II.
William RIPPETOE, SR. I was of French origin. His grandfather was banished from France during the time of the persecution of Huguenots for their Protestant religion. It is believed that William's grandfather and family, with several brothers and sisters, were the original one to sail for America about 1690. They paid their passage to this county by pulling the oars of the ship. The RIPPETOE family settled in the Shenandoah Valley of Old Virginia, and it was in this area that William RIPPETOE I was born on March 15, 1748.
William RIPPETOE I was married to Ruth ANTLE about 1770 in Virginia, and he entered into active work against British rule at this time. This interest stemmed from being suppressed for the many years before in the history of his family Ruth ANTLE was born in Virginia on January 5, 1751. It is believed early in 1778, William moved his wife and their three daughters, Elizabeth, Nancy and Anon, from Albermarle County, Virginia, to Burke County, North Carolina for safety from the British during the Revolutionary War. William RIPPETOE I, enlisted in the beginning of the revolutionary struggle for liberty under George WASHINGTON, who chosen by him as one of his body guards, and remained with him during the struggle for independence.
William I set up land claims in Burke County which were first recorded in 1778, and he acquired large land holdings in the following years. On February 26, 1778, William and Ruth RIPPETOE sold 200 acres of land to William HALL of the same County for the sum of 140 pounds current money of Virginia. The land was located on the Northeast side of the Piney Mountain. Of their ten children, the seven younger ones were all born in Morgan District,Burke County, North Carolina.
William and Ruth RIPPETOE lived with their children in Burke County, until 1804 when they disposed of their North Carolina property and decided to move to Kentucky. It is believed that they were attracted to the area known today as Russell County through favorable reports of Ruth's three ANTLE relatives (perhaps nephews) who took up large tracts of land in that area. By 1804, many settlers had moved into Kentucky; and the word of a beautiful and bountiful land had spread over the county. The Rippetoes settled on some farm land about five miles from the Cumberland River in the area known as Crocus, Kentucky, Russell County.
Robert ANTLE of Antle's Hardware, Russell Sprints; and the Rev. Norman ANTLE of Jamestown, have shared the following information about their Antle families with the writer:
"There were no Antle's in our area until 1800 when three brothers, Henry, John, and Jacob through the mountains to Kentucky. They made their way in the wilderness four years prior to the opening of the Cumberland Gap in 1804. The Antle's were of French descent and moved from their original home in France to England and then to America. The brothers were Henry, John and Jacob ANTLE. The eldest, Henry was born December 23, 1779 and died July 2, 1859. He was the Great Grandfather of Robert ANTLE (born 1907.) Henry ANTLE and wife, Molly M., had 14 children: Esco Hart (born December 6, 1806), Sally (born December 15, 1807) Myra (born October 7, 1809) Willis (born May 6, 1811); Jacob (born March 5, 1813); Betsy (born October 26, 1814); Polly (born December 4, 1816 - married Jack Morrison); Nancy (born January 5, 1821); Henry, Jr., (born June 21, 1823); John R. (born January 3, 1825); Lisey (born May 16, 1816 married Mr. FRANKLIN); Emeline (born April 30, 1830 -married Mr. FLOYD); Louis (born January 3, 1832); and George Washington (born December 29,1837).
"Henry ANTLE, Sr.,the eldest ANTLE brothers was the ------ of Robert ANTLE'S grandfather, Henry ANTLE,Jr. was the ninth child born to Henry,Sr. and Molly M. ANTLE.
"John ANTLE (born ca 1781), the Great Grandfather of Norman ANTLE (born 1918) of Jamestown, was the middle brother of the original three Antle brothers, and John married and settled in the vicinity of the Union chapel, lower part of Russell County. In later years, there was a large settlement of Antle's. Norman ANTLE'S grandfather was Jacob ANTLE, son of John ANTLE; and Norman's parents were Frank L. and Gertie HARVEY ANTLE."
"The third brother, Jacob ANTLE (born ca 1783), settled in the lower part of Russell County near Creelsbor. He later moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and the Russell county relatives lost contact with him and his family."
William RIPPETOE I prepared his will on June 23, 1837 (Russell County Clerk's Office, Jamestown,Kentucky.Will Book I, Page 187)- in part "I will and bequeath to my son, James RIPPETOE, my tract of land I now live on containing 125 acres which I hold by a deed which the said James RIPPETOE is to be in full possession of after my death as his own with the reservation of my wife, Ruth holding possession of my dwelling house and furniture her life time. I will and bequeath to my wife all of my personal property so long as she lives and after all my just debts is paid and burial expenses and funeral expenses is paid and her burial and funeral expenses is paid, I wish all my personal estate to be sold on a Twelve months credit and the money arising from such sale to be equally divided between my son, William RIPPETOE, James RIPPETOE, Sarah OLDACE and my son Peter RIPPETOE; each one holding an equal part of the proceeds of said sale; and lastly, I constitute and appoint my son, James RIPPETOE, my Executor. Witnessed by John COE and D.M. RAINWATER at the Russell County Court, May Term, 1839."
The Inventory of sale of William RIPPETOE'S property is listed in Will Book I, Page 189. Most of the property was purchased by son, James RIPPETOE on Twelve Month Credit. Some excerpts from this are interesting in comparison of prices then in 1839, following William RIPPETOE'S death, and present times In part, One Axe - 50 cents; six chairs - 50 cents; One Pot and Hooks - $1.00; One Oven Lid and Hooks -$1.00; One pewter basin 50 cents; One pewter basin - 37 1/2 cents; One pewter basin - 25 cents; Eight pewter plates - 75 cents; One pewter dish - 25 cents; One grind stone - 25 cents; Three glass bottles - 37 1/2 cents; one truck - 6 1/4 cents; five Delt plates - 12 1/2 cents; One chest - 25 cents; One featherbed, bed and furniture - $3.01; One pot rack - 50 cents; One cupboard - $5.00; One stone jug - 25 cents. On the appraisement inventory prior to the sale of the late William RIPPETOE I produced by James RIPPETOE, his Executor, there were some cattle listed: One brindle cow - $8.00; One white pided cow - $7.00; One pided yearling - $2.00; Two old saddles - $1.00;, plus numerous other items. Three friends of the neighborhood, John B. COFFEY, Joe COE, and Peter McKINLEY, purchased personal property of the late William RIPPETOE I. John B. COFFEY purchased one kraut tub for 12 1/2 cents and one cow for $4.75; John COE bought one reap hook and other articles for 12 1/2 cents; and Peter McKINLEY, purchased one tin trunk for 62 1/2 cents. (Writer's note; Doubtless, some of the RIPPETOE-ANTLE descendants would today pay very high prices for many of these old family treasures if they had the opportunity to purchase them.)
William RIPPETOE I, died at his home near Rippetoe Springs, Russell County, on April 16, 1839. His wife, Ruth A. RIPPETOE, died on her 91st birthday on January 5, 1842. They were buried in the Rippetoe Springs Cemetery, Russell County, Kentucky. It is a beautiful and well-kept Cemetery and can be reached easily. William RIPPETOE, Sr.'s headstone was hand-engraved with his name, birth and death dates, as well as the words, "He was in the war of 1776". Ruth A. RIPPETOE'S gravestone is separate and gives her name, birth and death date, as well as the information that she was the wife of William RIPPETOE. It is probable they were engraved by some of their sons who were very proud of their father's Revolutionary War Service Pre-American Sons of American Revolution. Men who so valiantly have fought for liberty of our Country - such as William RIPPETOE.I have made our lives very meaningful in America today.
The only known published account of William RIPPETOE, Sr. and his War service appeared in the Adair County News, Columbia, Kentucky, on February 17, 1909. This was an account which was placed on the front page of the newspaper, and it was written by Amasa RIPPETOE (1834-1914). a grandson of William RIPPETOE Sr. The following was included in the article, which was entitled, "I Have Seen Seven Generations of My Relatives":
"William RIPPETOE, SR. was of French origin. His grandfather was banished from France during the time of the persecution of the Huguenots for their religion banished to the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia after having served many months on the gallies - pulling the oars. He and several brothers and two sisters were banished. William RIPPETOE enlisted in the beginning of the revolutionary struggle for liberty under George Washington, was chosen by him as one of his body guards, and remained with him during the struggle for independence.
"When I was between four and five years old, I visited Grandfather at Rippetoe Springs, in Russell County, Kentucky. He took me on his knee and told me of him having been a revolutionary soldier under Washington, and that he saw Lord CORNWALLACE surrender his sword to WASHINGTON, point foremost, and that WASHINGTON had him present it hilt foremost. Soldiers stacked their arms and that he saw the end of the awful struggle for liberty.
"My father, William RIPPETOE Jr. was born in Burke County, North Carolina. He came to Russell County, Kentucky, in 1804 came horseback. He married Elizabeth VINSON, near where Crocus post office is now and settled near Montpelier and lived there until his death. His oldest daughter, Anna RIPPETOE, married Samuel WHEAT. She was the mother of Cyrus WHEAT, later of Montpelier. Cyrus WHEAT's daughter, Clemmy WHET, married Elder Z.T. WILLIAMS. His oldest son, Luther WILLIAMS, now a respectable merchant at Montpelier, has a grown daughter. I have just been visiting them and have seen the seventh generation of my relatives."
William I and Ruth ANTLE RIPPETOE had ten known children, they were: Elizabeth (1771-1859); Nancy (1774-1860 ca); Anon (1775-ca 1810); Mary (1779-1857); David (1780-1838); William II (1781-1863); John (1784-1880); Sarah (1786-ca-1856): James Ireland (1789-1872); and Pete (1790-?).
William and Ruth's eldest child was Elizabeth who was born in Virginia in 1771. Much good personal information about Elizabeth and her husband, Jacob GRIDER, comes from his Revolutionary War papers. They were married in her father William RIPPETOE'S North Carolina home on April 13, 1789, and there was no license since it had been published in the church records. Elizabeth and Jacob had two sons and three daughters born after 1800; three daughters born 1794-1800;and two known daughters born 1790-1794. It is believed they had another daughter born between 1790 and 1794 who had married and lived in her own home by 1810. Elizabeth and Jacob GRIDER's daughter Martha Patsey (born 1793), had three known children - two sons, Marcus (born 1835), Tuillman (born 1837), and a daughter, Lucindy (born 1834), and they were residing in Elizabeth's home during her last years as a widow, particularly after 1850, in Caldwell County, North Carolina where she died ca 1859. Elizabeth's husband, Jacob GRIDER, was born in 1760 and died in Burke County, North Carolina on March 6, 1840.
Nancy RIPPETOE, (1774-1860 ca),second child of William and Ruth A. RIPPETOE was born in Virginia (Albemarle County) in 1774 and was four years old when she moved with her family to Burke County, North Carolina. Nancy married Peter FINCANNON (CANNON) in Burke County, North Carolina, and they reared a number of children there. They were listed in Caldwell County (formerly Burke)in the 1850 Census with their children living at home.
Anon RIPPETOE, third child of William and Ruth RIPPETOE was they were married in Burke County, North Carolina, late in 1800 after the census was taken. They had two children named Uriah (born ca 1801) and Sarah "Sally" (born ca 1803). Anon and husband accompanied her parents and family to Kentucky as they left Burke County, North Carolina in 1804. The only documented information we have on Anon and family's life in Kentucky was written by Litha RIPPETOE (born 1855), a great niece, in an old letter, of which the writer has a copy. In part,it states.
"About 1810, Aunt Anon and husband were found scalped near their home in the community later known as the Crocus, Kentucky, community . The children Uriah and Sally, related that this tragic act had been committed by Indians who had come up on one of their frequent raids from the Cumberland River. The Indians stole the two children and traveled back into the dense forest. Young Uriah was on the alert watching for an opportunity to escape; but an advisable opportunity did not come until the third evening. He and little sister Sally stole out from their camp when everyone seemed to be sound asleep. With much fear they hid and slept in hollow logs during daylight hours and made every attempt to walk at night. There were many swift, wide, slate bottom creeks in that section of Kentucky. Uriah was compelled to weight his little sister's skirt with rocks to enable her to wade across without being washed off her feet. With young pioneer spirit and patience, they made their way back to a settlement and freedom again. Young Sally had a daughter by the same name, Sarah A. ("Sally) (born 1828 in Kentucky) who married Parrish ("Pall") G. REASE (born 1825 in Kentucky). They lived in Russell County, Kentucky, in June of 1860 and had three children, all born in Kentucky. They were: Sarah Fanny (born 1851); Killa A. (born 1853), and a son, Laurston L. (born 1855). I well remember the time when Parrish, Sally, and family came up from their home to spend the night with Father and Mother. I remember Mother's telling Sally I was the VERY image of her."
It is believed that Anon and her husband were buried in two of the six unmarked graves beside those of William I and Ruth A. RIPPETOE in the Rippetoe Springs Cemetery.
Mary RIPPETOE, fourth child of William I and Ruth RIPPETOE was born in Burke County, North Carolina on March 19, 1779. She was married to John BUSH in Burke County in 1801. He was born April 17, 1772 in Bute County, North Carolina. They lived their entire married years in Burke County, which was included in an area known as Caldwell County, North Carolina, after 1841, where their children grew up, married and had their families. Mary died February 25, 1857, and John BUSH died March 22,1854 both in Caldwell County, where they were buried at the old Collier's Church Cemetery near Lenoir, North Carolina. Mary and John BUSH had four sons and seven daughters: Phillip (born 1802); Lucy (born 1804); Richard (born 1806); Prudence (born 1808); William (Born 1810); Nancy (born 1812); Sarah (born 1813); John Jr. (born 1815) Mary (Born 1817);p Frances (born 1819); and Elizabeth (born 1821).
David RIPPETOE, fifth child of William I and Ruth A. RIPPETOE, was born in Burke County, North Carolina, in 1780. He entered into the large landholding with his father as a youth and acquired some fine property on his on. David's first marriage in 1801 was to Elizabeth HARSHAW (1781-1821) also of Burke County, North Carolina. From a small private publication in North Carolina, Annals of Caldwell county, North Carolina, History, by W.W. SCOTT, compiler, "Greenway-Hartley Diary," there was an entry which stated: "David Rippetoe Esquire stated to move from this county on November 9, 1819." The first man to keep the diary was by Mr. GREENWAY who lived in the same community as the William RIPPETOE I family and knew them well. Later the diary was kept by Mr. Alfred HARTLEY, who was Mr. GREENWAY'S son-in-law.
David, Elizabeth, and children moved to Montgomery County, Alabama where they resided many years. He retained some Burke County, North Carolina property even after leaving, and there is an interesting collection of land records from both North Carolina and Alabama as well as detailed probate settlements of David's properties. His first wife Elizabeth died in 1821 in Montgomery(1804) married Joel DICKERSON; Melissa Ann (born 1806) married John BOWDEN; Alfred G. (born 1808); Albert H. (born 1814); and Lucinda (born 1820) married James A.H. GERRENS and reared their family in Montgomery County. It is believed a son and daughter by Priscilla HALL's first marriage were living with David and Priscilla RIPPETOE in the 1830 Montgomery County, Alabama census- Souther District of Alabama.In 1830, David had 12 male slaves and ten female slaves living on his property.
William RIPPETOE II (1781-1863), sixth child of William I and Ruth A. RIPPETOE, was born October 22, 1781 (Tombstone and census dates) in Burke County, North Carolina. He rode horseback from Burke County to the area in Kentucky now known as Russell County in the spring of 1804 in search of new lands. He met Elizabeth VINSON there, and they were married on October 10, 1804 (Adair County Marriage Records). She was a daughter of William VINSON who conveyed property later to William RIPPETOE II. They lived their lifetimes in Adair and Russell Counties and reared their children there. Elizabeth was born in 1787 and died August 28, 1844 (Tombstone dates). William II married a second time to Lucinda WOLFORD (born 1827) ca 1848. William RIPPETOE II died November 19, 1863 (Tombstone and Probate papers) and was buried beside his first wife on their farm owned by the late Harrison BRADSHAW, 1 1/2 miles southwest of Montpelier.
William II and Elizabeth V. RIPPETOE had fourteen known children: Ann (born 1805) married Samuel WHEAT; Sarah ("Sally") (born 1808) married Buford KNIGHT; Delilah (born 1810) married Jesse KNIGHT; Washington (born 1811); Lucinda (born 1812) married Mr. McDOWELL; Stillborn Triplets - two sons and one daughter (born ca 1814); William III (born 1816) married Polly Ann KNIGHT; Elizabeth (born 1818) married Burton BLAIR; James Ireland (born 1819); Nancy (born 1822) married Thomas HUDSON; John (born 1829) married Teckla COFFEY and lived in Kansas; Amasa (born 1834) married Susan WILMORE.
John RIPPETOE (born 1822), seventh child of William and Ruth RIPPETOE, and ancestor of the writer, was born in Burke County, North Carolina in 1784 was married to Polly ALLEN (1795-1859), daughter of John ALLEN of North Carolina and Adair County, Kentucky, July 26, 1812, in Adair County John Polly, and their three young daughters moved to Jackson County, Tennessee late in 1819. the area was later known as Putnam County. John and Polly were buried in the Rippetoe Cemetery which is about 4 1/2 miles west of Cookeville, Tennessee. John and Polly RIPPETOE had six known children: Emily (born 1813 in Adair County, Kentucky) married Tyre BYLLINGTON; Sarah (born 1819 in Adair County, Kentucky) married Thomas LAYCOCK; Celia (born 1820 in Jackson County, Tennessee) married Rev. Joseph Porter ROBERTS (1820-1887)m also of Jackson County and moved to MO in 1841, to Benton County, ARK. in 1872,where they died and were buried at Pea Ridge. William Alexander (born 1825 and died 1901 in Jackson County, Tennessee) married Sophia BUCK; Wilson Law (born 1827 in Jackson County, Tennessee) married Elizabeth (?) (born 1824 in NC);p and Martha (born 1830 and died 1899 in Jackson County, Tennessee) married (1) John (Jack) BERRY; (2) Edmund DYER.
Sarah RIPPETOE (1786 - ca 1856), eighth child of William I and Ruth A. RIPPETOE, was born in 1786 in Burke County, North Carolina. She accompanied her parents, married sister, and four unmarried brothers to their new home in Adair County, Kentucky in 1804 and remained in her parents household until she married Jacob OLDACRE in Adair County in 1819. They lived their entire married years in that area. Sarah and Jacob had four known children of their own: Jacob Jr. (born 1820); William (born 182?) Jacob OLDARCE, had been married twice prior to his marriage to Sarah RIPPETOE. Jacob's second marriage was to Locky ADAMS in 1815 (Adair County, Kentucky Marriage Records). No known children were born to the second marriage; however, Jacob had six children by his first wife: P Henry (born ca 1782); Sarah ("Sally") (born ca 1790 - d. prior to 1827); Fanny (born ca 1800); Nancy (Born ca 1805); Daniel (born ca 1810); and Elizabeth OLDACRE. Sarah RIPPETOE OLDACRE died in 1st District, Russell County, Kentucky ca 1856, and her husband Jacob OLDACRE died in Russell County ca 1842.
James Ireland RIPPETOE (1789-1872) ninth child of William I and Ruth A. RIPPETOE, was born in 1789 in Morgan District, Burke County, North Carolina. He moved with is parents to Adair county in 1804 and was married to Patricia KNIGHT in 1825 in Adair County. she was James' nephew's wife's sister. James was a "mainstay" for his elderly parents, and they leaned heavily on him and he was about 36 years of age when he first married. William and Ruth A. RIPPETOE named their eighth child (and fourth son) for a dear friend of theirs, James IRELAND, of Virginia. James was one of the first Baptist ministers of the Shenandoah Valley and he was jailed in 1766 for preaching in the Valley without a license. the Rippetoe family in Virginia was in complete sympathy with Rev. James IRELAND'S convictions and his cause, which later gave religious freedom to all future generations in America.
Patricia KNIGHT was born in Virginia in 1801 and was a member of the well-known Knight family of Adair County, Kentucky. James and Patricia K. ("Patsy") RIPPETOE had three known children: Juliana ("Julia") (born 1827) married William HADLEY; Albert (born 1830) married Sarah BUSTER and Emeline (born 1832) married Jackson ANTLE. James, Patsy and Emaline lived in the First District in Russell County in 1850.
James Ireland RIPPETOE later married a widow, Mary ("Polly") STEVENSON ca 1857,who was born in Kentucky in 1803. Both of her parents were born in Virginia. Mary S. RIPPETOE had a son, Samuel STEVENSON (born 1839) by a previous marriage. He resided with his mother and step-father, James RIPPETOE, in 1860 and farmed with the latter near Creelsboro, Kentucky. Samuel STEVENSON died in 1878; and his widowed mother, Mary M. STEVENSON RIPPETOE,was residing with Samuel's widow, Sarah E. STEVENSON (born 1844 in KY.) at their residence in Precinct No. 1, Russell County, Kentucky in 1880. Samuel and Sarah E. STEVENSON'S children were: Louisiana daughter (born 1867); George M. (born 1870); Monty O. (son - born 1873); Mary L.(born 1864); and Robie E. (son-born 1879). All children were born in Kentucky.
Peter RIPPETOE (1790-?), tenth and youngest child of William I and Ruth A. RIPPETOE, was born late in 1790 in Morgan District Burke County, North Carolina. He accompanied his parents and family to Kentucky as a 13-year old lad. Peter RIPPETOE married Nancy ROBERTSON in Adair County, Kentucky on March 22, 1812 (Adair County Marriage Book 1, Page 22). Peter and Nancy ROBERTSON RIPPETOE (born ca 1791) established their home in Adair County, Kentucky in the community in which Peter's parents and other members of the family lived later known as 1st District. They had three sons and five daughters in 1830. The only three known children were James, Clarisy, and Ruth J. RIPPETOE.
James RIPPETOE (born 1815) married Jane COE on November 17, 1836 by Rev. Silas KARNES, a Baptist minister (Russell County, Kentucky Marriage Book 1826-1854 Index.) They moved to Illinois soon after their marriage and lived in Rushville Township, Schuyler County, ILL. in 1850 with six children, all born in ILL.; Clarissa (born 1838); Martha (born 1840); Octavia (born 1842); Robert (born 1845); Harrison (born 1847); and Alice E. RIPPETOE (born 1849). James RIPPETOE'S wife, Jane COE, was born in Russell County, Kentucky in 1815. Clarisy RIPPETOE, daughter of Peter RIPPETOE, was married to Elisha DUNGANS on August 21, 1834. The ceremony was performed by Rev. John S. LANE, a Baptist Minister(Russell County,Kentucky Marriage Book I).
Ruth J. RIPPETOE, born ca 1825 in Russell County, Kentucky, was married to John WOLFORD on December 30, 1844. The ceremony was performed by NJ. COFFEY, a minister of the Gospel (Russell County,KY Marriage Book I).
Peter and Nancy ROBERTSON RIPPETOE moved from Russell County, Kentucky between 1830 and 1840,and they were residing in or near the town of Industry in McDonough County, Illinois on April 29, 1853.
The writer of this article will appreciate hearing from RIPPETOE-ANTLE cousins as well as any other descendants elsewhere of the original families of Adair and Russell Counties of Kentucky.
P.S. I surely enjoy your good weekly newspaper, "Russell County News" also other cousins away from Kentucky subscribe to your newspaper.
Thank you very much!
Kathryn Robbins Barnett Route 6 Bentonville,ARK 72712
(This was taken from The Jamestown, KY Russell County News, Tuesday November 12, 1974.) My line comes in from Elizabeth Rippetoe who married Burton Blair
1853 RIPPETOE LETTER
Russell County, Kentucky
April 29th 1853
Dear Brother and Sister,
I now take my pen in hand to inform you a few lines to let you know that we are all well at present, hopeing that these few lines will find you in joying the same blessings. I am left alone, only one little black boy. Patsy M. Rippetoe departed this life December the 26th day 1852. The complaint which she dide with the doctores call it the new money or winter fever. That complaint has bin very fatal through this neighborhood. It has kiled between thiry and forty people of my knoughing and it is still a-rageing yet. In my hearing several new cases of it. Talitha E. Rippetoe, my daughter marrade a few weeks before her mother dide and moved about a mile from me. Albert Rippetoe my son and family have moved in the house with me. I got a letter from brother Peter a few days ago and they are all well accept one daughter and she has bin crippled for many years...(3 unreadable words)... He wrote to me to tell you when I write to you that I would tell you to write to him and direct (two words marked through) your letter to Illinois to MC daughter (McDonough) County, industry post office. I saw brother William and sister Sally on last sabbat and they and their familys are well and they desired to be remembered to you all. We have not heard a thing from one of you since June the 13th 1852 and I have rote to you all but gets no answere. I request you to rite to me for I want to hear from you and I would be glad to hear from you all at any time. My children have all left me and I have got 5 gran children and one ded. All girls. Now I will tell you of the times of this country. Religion at this time is at a low ebe here in this part of the world. I will tell you something about the prise of stock horses. Good horses sell for 75 to one hundred dollars. Mewls are very high and cattle air very high. Stock hogs has bin a sellling at fore cents per pound. Corn is worth thirty cents per bushel, wheat is worth 75 cents per bushel, and what crops looks very promising at present. Again I request you to rite me for I want to hear from you all. Farewell to these lines. Nothing more at present to rite to you. We will remain yours until death. From James Rippetoe to John and Mary Bush and Peter Fincanon and to Nancy and to Elizabth Grider.
(This letter has been "revised" on two or more occasions. This is the only copy we have at hand and cannot say what type of revising was done--Editor.)
This was in the Adair County Review, Columbia, KY., Fall & Winter 1996, Page #62 Volume 10 Whole No.39
MANUSCRIPT OF RIPPETOE-ROBERTS-CHAFFIN AND RELATED FAMILIES
Russell County, Kentucky
Dated 25 Nov 1970
In the form of a personal letter to Jesse-Kaye Barnett Craig from Josephine Roberts Mobbely
Letter from Jo Roberts Mobberly to Mrs. C. E. Craig H. Peyton Mobberly 34 Richard Road Port Washington, New York 11050
Mrs. C.E. Craig, Sr. 4929 S, 90th East Avenue Tulsa,Oklahoma 74145
Dear Cousin Jessa-Kaye,
Your mother called me recently and made a special request that I record my memories of our RIPPETOE family so that you might have a history for your young sons, Charles Edward, Jr. and Kenneth Winston Craig, as well as for their descendants. She said her reason for asking me is that I am the eldest of our line of the RIPPETOES and most familiar with the genealogy of our family. I was born in Pea Ridge, Arkansas (Bonton County) on July 8, 1877, and I am now past 93 years young.During my life span, eight different RIPPETOE generations have lived. I am the only one left who remembers my paternal Grandparents, Rev. Joseph Porter Roberts (1820-1887) and Celia RIPPETOE Roberts (1820-1897) They where,of course, your Great,Great Grandparents. My father told me definitely when I was small that RIPPETOE was spelled just that way-NOT RIPPETEAU, RIPETO, REPETTO,etc.The name was recorded in early days with various spellings by people who prepared documents deeds wills, census reports, probate papers,etc.
Grandmother Celia's father, John RIPPETOE (1784-1880) was still living when I was a little girl. He lived to be 96 years old and was still working on the farm at past 87 years of age. My ancestors have been fortunate in living to ripe old ages, and I am grateful to have had the privilege of reaching my 93rd birthday plus. Great Grandfather John RIPPETOE was the son of our Revolutionary War Veteran,William RIPPETOE (1748-1839) and Ruth Antle RIPPETOE (1751-1842),and both of them lived to be 91 years old. John RIPPETOE'S wife,Polly Allen RIPPETOE, my Great Grandmother (1795-1859) was born in North Carolina also—the daughter of John Allen who moved his family to Adair County, Kentucky between 1800 end 1805. John and Polly RIPPETOE had a daughter Celia Ann RIPPETOE (1820- 1897), wife of J. P. Roberts, who was my paternal Grandmother. She was well at 77 years of age when she walked some distance on a chilly October day to help some sick neighbors and contracted pneumonia and died much ahead of her natural lifespan. Joseph Porter and Celia RIPPETOE Roberts' son, John Raines Roberts (1849-1944),and wife, Alice Dean Roberts (1859-1951), were my parents. Father lived to, be 95 years old and did not decide to retire until he was 91 years of age. His plans for retirement included time to read Latin-particularly the fourth volume of Caesar's Gallic Wars. When he was 93 years of age, he read the entire Bible in French. Mother enjoyed his reading aloud to her as he translated in English as he read the French version. As a veteran educator, he also road in Greek though not as much as he would have liked to because he said the letters of the Greek alphabet were hard on his eyes. Mother lived to be nearly 92 years of age.
I am well, and my children make life so easy for me--I can have no complaints. My main interests are the doings and accomplishments of my two granddaughters.I the large old bible belonging to my Roberts' Grandparents with the date of 1866 in it. It used to be on the "center table in my Grandparents' home. Most homes had such a table, and it had sort of a rust-brown leather cover which was well used by our family. I think it was on the church pulpit stand part of the time also when Grandfather used it in different churches he served. There, was a matching smaller thick New Testament with large print with the date of 1867 in it. The bolder letters made reading much easier for him. Aunt Nannie had saved the old Bibles which had come apart and had stored them in an old trunk in her smokehouse. Your in recent years has restored them and cherishes the privilege of having them. I am sure they Fe11 be meaningful to future generations also. Aunt Nancy E. Roberts (1853-1942), younger sister of Father, who made her home with my Grandparents had added a few notes, and a short poem to the Bibles. The aforementioned Bible and New Testament were both used in Grandfather's preaching and organizational work with Christian Churches in Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas.
There appeared in "History, of Greene County, Missouri", Vol. 2, published in 1915-Pages 1348,1349,1350 (in addition to a full photo page)an article on my father, Prof. John R. Roberts. One paragraph has much information on my Grandparents. The writer had three errors in the dates in it, however, which I must point out to you. My Grandparents came from Jackson County, Tennessee in 1841(in-stead of 1844). Their oldest child, Mary Jane, was born in Missouri Jan 21,1842-aestablishes this fact. Grandfather J. P. Roberts died in 1887 (instead of 1888), and Grandmother died in 1897(instead of 1898). I do not know how these errors came about.I will attach a copy of this information.
My Roberts Grandparents were very dear and sweet to me, and I have many precious memories of them. Grandmother Celia Ann RIPPETOE Roberts was about 5"4 tall and on the plump side but NOT heavy. She was fair with blur eyes, and her hair was light brown with goldlights. (Their daughter Nancy was the only slender one of the children) "Grama" (as I lovingly called her) had a large bosom which she confined with a "tight body", and she made certain the undergarments were good and tight.
Grandmother always had a little can when she left the house--not that she needed it.It was a slender little can painted ivory and brown.It was such a part of her that I can NEVER forget it. Grandmother's personality would fill a book, but I will mention what I best remember about her. I was 20 years old when she died, and she was extremely special to me as our homes were in the same small community 17 of the 20 years. Grandmother Celia was very kind, always first to enter a home and help there was need particularly in sickness or death. With a quiet wit, she would listen to a conver-sation; but when she had said her bit, there was no more for her to add. I never saw her untidy--ALWAYS very neat-quite "old fashioned" bet yet very charming. She wore sunbonnets, which was common, except for dressy occasions. It was considered a shame to allow oneself to tan or sunburn. Grandmother's "Sunday bonnet" was a work of art. I have sketched a drawing for you in case my description is incomplete, It was black silk always made by a milliner and did not cover the face but sat back some on her head. Grandmother's hair was parted in the middle and pulled back in sort of a bun. The back of her bonnet had long black satin ribbons (streamer-like) extending from a satin center bow. She wore a very large handsome black fringed shawl which was always folded for more protection in cold winter weather. Folded once cornerwise, it covered her completely, reach in to the bottom of her floor-length dress. I do not believe she ever owned a hat or coat-or at least, she do things around the house to assist my daughter Alice Dean, enjoy television in general family genealogy, reading, and my piano. Baseball is my favorite sport. Since living in New York, I have been an avid fan of the "Amazing Mets" (National League Baseball Team) of New York. I'm sending you some colored pictures of my 93rd birthday get-together. On my 91st and 92nd birthday, my children had dinner parties for me and invited friends in to surprise me. On my 90th birthday,we obtained ticket to go to the new Metropolitan Opera House in New York City to hear "Lohengrin" what a fabulous place!
Your mother, Kathryn Mae Robbins Barnett, and I both look much like Grandmother Celia. Years ago your mother told me that you opened a letter from me when I included a picture of myself. You said to her, "Mother, I am unsure who this lady is but you will look exactly like her when you reach her age." You have the same shade of auburn hair, Jessa-Kaye, that I had before mine turned white. Your Great Grandmother, Martha Elizabeth Roberts Robbins (1856-1921),daughter of Joseph P. and Celia Roberts, had bright read hair. My mother, Alice Dean Roberts, always said your Great Grandmother was the prettiest red-headed woman she ever knew and had beautiful fair skin and twinkling sapphire blue eyes.
I have crampy fingers for lengthy writing and I have asked a typist to prepare this letter as I have so much I want to say. I am deeply grateful for the many RIPPETOES through the past 200 years who have at different places and times recorded much we wish to know now (as well as for future years). I was interested in our family history at a very young age. I was an only child and was included in all the adult talk. There was no television no radio, no phonograph,or anything to fill the long evenings, and I learned history prior to the Civil war as well as during that period of time. I digested the family history sitting on a little footstool beside my Grandparents' and my parents' chairs. As I grew up, I still listened and learned more than in dry textbooks later. These men and women were there and their stories were "first hand" which deeply impressed me as a child of eight and ten years of age. Grandfather showed me a bullet mold in which the women made bullets during the conflict. (I am SO happy that you appreciate family history)Since I knew my grandparents so well, I would like to relate my memories of them. Each generation has been told that our Joseph Porter Roberts and his wife-to-be, Celia Ann RIPPETOE, were rocked as babies in the same cradle. Grandfather was barn on July 5, 1820; and he was just a little over four months older than Grandmother who was born on November 14, 1820. The parents of Joseph Porter Roberts, Raines Roberts (1792 1869) and Martha Chaffin Roberts (ca 1795-1839),lived in the same Blackburn's Fork Community as the family so their children, Joseph and Celia, grew up together. John and Polly Allen RIPPETOE and daughters arrived in Jackson County, Tennessee in late 1819 or very early 1820 while Raines Roberts and family had been there a while. Joseph P. Roberts and Celia RIPPETOE were a part of the group of small children who accompanied their parents to church meetings, community social events, sewing bees, house raisings, at all. The location of their homes was about four and one-half miles west of the present city of Cookeville, Tennessee then Jackson County but now known as Putnam County and due east of Nashville, Tennessee. The area is very beautiful with rolling hills and clear running streams. Some members of our branch of the RIPPETOE family have visited the Cookeville, cousins several times and have corresponded with them frequently. In addition, our family has visited the Lenoir, North Carolina RIPPETOE cousins and are in touch with them. RIPPETOE Mountain and the area in which our Revolutionary War Veteran William RIPPETOE and wife Ruth ANTLE RIPPETOE, lived is near Lenoir, NC, about five miles southeast. Our Celia's father , John RIPPETOE (1784-1880) born there in Morgan District, Burke County, North Carolina and grew to be a young man of 20 years of age before his parents moved the family to Adair County, Kentucky (now Russell County) in 1804. Some of our folk have visited the Russell County, Kentucky cousins as well as the cemeteries where our mutual ancestors are buried. A descendant of our John RIPPETOE'S older sister, Mary RIPPETOE Bush of NC (1779-1837) and her husband, John Bush (1772-1854),visited recently the Piney Mountain property in Albemarle County, Virginia where John RIPPETOE'S parents, William and Ruth A. RIPPETOE, lived on a 200-acre farm on the northeast side of Piney Mountain, They sold their home and farm there in February of 1778 and moved to their second home in Burke County, North Carolina. Piney Mountain is north and east of Charlottesville, Virginia. John P. RIPPETOE,Sr. who owned land on "the side of" Piney Mountain was the father of our William RIPPETOE. We are in touch with RIPPETOE kin in other states also. We have had a very wonderful RIPPETOE family, and I feel so privileged to have been related to the ancestors I have known personally as well as those I have known about.
My Grandparents were united in marriage in 1840 in Jackson County, Tennessee. They left their home state by way of a wagon train caravan traveling west with quite a number of Roberts and Chaffin relatives from the same Blackburn's Fork community in the early spring of 1841. Celia RIPPETOE Roberts' brother, William Alexander RIPPETOE (1825-1901), rode horseback the first day's journey with the caravan. Some of the travelers included Joseph Porter Roberts' widowed father, Raines Roberts, and hit o u d children, daughters Mary Ann ("Polly"),Letha, Nancy, sons John R. Jordan, and Eli Hickman Roberts. The latter was lovingly known as "Uncle Kick" in my childhood years. Uncle Hick's daughter, Dorothy Tillman Roberts Lynch, of Tulsa, Oklahoma is a semi-retired attorney and now 84 years young, has told us much about her father's family. He said that his most vivid memory of the long wagon caravan trip from Tennessee to Missouri was that, as a seven-year old lad, he rode a mule much of the way and stayed near his older sisters who were helping to look after him. His late mother, Martha Chaffin Roberts, had died in Jackson County, Tennessee prior to the move to Missouri. Also in the caravan was Grandfather's older brother, Peter Chaffin Roberts who was born in 1818 in Tennessee. Great Uncle Peter Roberts' wife and family, as well as Grandfather Joseph's aunt and uncle, Balaam Chaffin and wife,Nancy Williams Roberts Chaffin, Were traveling in the wagon caravan, along with other Chaffin kin. Great, Great Aunt Nancy W. Roberts Chaffin was a sister to Great Grandfather Raines Roberts while Great Grandmother Martga Chaffin Roberts was a sister to Great, Great Uncle Balaam Chaffin. We have had many double cousins during the past 130 years, and there is still a remarkable physical likeness in the families of our double cousins.
The wagon train caravan originally intended to go farther north perhaps to Illinois however, one wagon had the misfortune of the lose of on ox as they were in the northern part of, Missouri, and this was the deciding factor that they should stop in that area. My Grandparents told of the great difficulties they encountered as they slowly traveled across the bootheel of Missouri during the time of the spring rains. In the flat delta lands, they had many problem with so much mud and poor roads. Some of the wagons used large cows instead of oxen to pull the wagons so they would be assured of milk for the preparation of food as well as so the children would be provided with sufficient milk to drink on the long journey. Your mother treasures two Dutch ovens, a long stirring tool which is very well worn, and a heavy griddle-type pan that my Grandparents brought through on the caravan. They also brought some handmade furniture which is being used by different descendants today. Grandmother had her first cook stove after they moved to Christian County,Missouri in 1856.
(This was taken from the LDS Church Microfilmed Dated 17 Apr 1992 Item # 10 and Roll #XLIB-7-10216976973308)
There were more pages to this letter but I only entered in the information on the Rippetoe Family. Esther Blair Radcliffe
