We know very little about Edward RAYNOR.  He was a herdsman and in 1665 was rated as worth 80 pounds.  In his will of 1684 he leaves his eldest son, Samuel all his estate.  He mentions a wife and her children.  One researcher believes that wife was Rebecca PARTRIGH.  Because of the phrasing "her children" she may have been a second wife, or at least married before Edward.  Step-children were often not mentioned by name in wills.

      Since Samuel is called "eldest" son, it would seem that there must have been at least, one or two more.  No others are mentioned on the 1698 census, so they might have emigrated elsewhere or were mariners.  I did come across an Edward RAYNOR, a freeholder in the Albany territory in 1701 but have not established a connection to our Edward.

      First mention of Samuel in the Town Records is in 1682.  He is assigned to contribute to the support of the minister.  In 1684 he is granted a home lot.  On a 1685 freeholders list he owns 43 acres.  Also in 1692 he was granted 25 acres in South Woods.

      On the 1698 census is listed a Deborah and Elizabeth RAYNER.  Elsewhere on the list we find Samuel(2), Mary(2), Samuel(3), Mary(3), John(3), Martha(3) and Ezikial(3).

      From other sources we can add a possible six other children: Joseph(3), Josiah(3), Benjamin(3), Jonathan(3), Elizabeth(3), and Hannah(3).

      Samuel(3) married Elizabeth and had three boys and four girls, all of whom were baptized after 1728 at a new St. Georges Episcopal Church in Hempstead Village.  We know that three of the girls married into the RHODES, DOXEE and COVERT families, but any information on the other children is missing.

      John(3) married Elizabeth COMBS and had four sons and four daughters, also all baptized at St. Georges.  Only John of the sons remained in Hempstead. William, Willet and Daniel moved to up-state New York.  The girls married into the Rock SMITH, RUSHMORE, LATHAM and CHARLICK families.

      Ezekial(3) married Amy (Emma) PEARSALL and had five sons and one daughter, Amy, also all baptized at St. Georges.  The first born son, Daniel(4), died but the other four, Joseph(4), James(4), Elijah(4), and Benjamin(4) are the forebears of most all of the RAYNOR families that remained in Hempstead. Amy married a cousin Sylvanus(4) of Joseph(3).

      Joseph(3) married Deborah TOTTEN and there were four sons that we know of but not much else is available.  Joseph was around until after the Revolution.

      Josiah(3) married Elizabeth ATEN and had two sons and four daughters.  The older son, Samuel(4) left early for New York, then up-state and ended up in Orange County NY. Henry(4) stayed and inherited all of Josiah's property.  The girls married into the RHODES, TUTHILL, NATORN and COVERT families.

      In his will Josiah(3) names his "brother" Joseph(3) and his "cousin" Benjamin(3).  Also, neither Josiah or Joseph used St. George's Church.  Also, Joseph's son married Ezikial's(3) daughter who would have been a first cousin which it seems would have been unlikely.  Therefore, it is quite possible that Joseph(3) and Josiah(3) are actually sons of a brother of Samuel(2).  One author does mention a Henry(2).

      Benjamin(3) married Anna BEDELL, had four sons and five daughters, also all baptized at St. Georges.  The sons Benjamin(4), Amos(4), Joel(4) and Isaac(4) remained in the Hempstead area until the 1800's.  The girls married into the SMITH, BEDELL and HALL families.

      As to Jonathan, we know of his existence through a couple of legal documents and a marriage notation at St. Georges.  He married Mary CHAPPEL.

      The four daughters of Samuel(2) married into the LANGDON, SEARING and WRIGHT families. Martha died young.