There
appears to be an interesting but untold story hidden in the records of the
Rankin/Godbey marriage. Only speculations can be made.
James
Rankin and Amanda Godbey were married by her brother, Reazon V. Godbey on Feb
12, 1850 and are found on the 1850 Pulaski Co. Census. Ten years later Amanda
is gone and James is found married to Hannah. Most interesting, the daughter of
James and Amanda is living with Francis and Rhoda Godbey. James and Hannah have
been married at least four years, probably five, because the 1860 Pulaski
Co., Census shows them with four
children, ages 4, 3, 2, and 4 months. Hannah must be their mother because James
would have had little time to remarry and have another child between any of
these four.
So
here is a totally unproven story. James and Amanda married. They had one
daughter, Mary Jane Rankin. Amanda dies, perhaps during childbirth at the end
of 1850, leaving James with his daughter. James is a farm laborer and cannot
care for his daughter so Amanda's parents take in Mary Jane. James, in time,
meets Hannah and remarries in about 1855 but as we see by the 1870 Pulaski Co.
Census, Mary Jane remains with her mother's family.
There
is only one Rankin family in the Montgomery/Pulaski County area from 1810 until
1850. This is the James Rankin/Mary
Muirhead family. In 1850, James Rankin
(abt. 1773-abt. 1847) has apparently died leaving Mary (Muirhead) Rankin
(1780-abt. 1855) the head of the household.
At this same time the James Rankin/Amanda Godbey family appears. From
proximity it appears that this second James Rankin must be the son of James and
Mary Rankin. The second James Rankin's
birthdate is 1824. The first James
Rankin has no son in 1820. In 1830, the
second James Rankin should appear and indeed a young male is listed but with
the age of 15-20. Then in 1840, no son
is listed for the Rankin family.
In
1820, the first James Rankin is listed with a daughter under 10 years of age
but in 1830 no daughter is listed.
Further research is needed to confirm whether the 2nd James Rankin is
the son of the 1st James Rankin. The
first James Rankin's will does not mention a son. It is found in the Pulaski County, VA-Will Book #1 on pages
160-161 with the date December 28, 1846.
At this time, if the second James is his son he would have been
unmarried and living with his mother, Mary.
The fact that the second James is not mentioned however could indicate
that he is not the son of the first James Rankin. The will was probated on June 7, 1849. It names his wife, Mary, and provides for the emancipation of his
slaves. His estate was to be sold
"and proceeds to be used to remove said slaves to some free state, and to
fix them comfortably."
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The
Rankins in the VA Census
VA
in 1740-A Reconstructed Census
All Rankin,
Rankins, Rankines
Rankine
Adam. Westmoreland, 111, 112
Rankins
Robert. King George, 053
William. King George, 053
1787
Montgomery County Personal Property Tax
No Rankins
listed.
1810
VA Census-Montgomery County
All Rankin(s)
listings
p. 11
Rankins, James
Male 1, age 26-45 (James-age abt. 37)
Female 1, age 26-45 (Mary-age 30)
1820
VA Census-Montgomery County
All Rankin(s)
listings
p. 182
Rankin, James
Male 1, age 45+ (James-age abt. 47)
Female 1, under 10; 1,
age 26-45 (Mary-age 40)
1830
VA Census-Montgomery County
All Rankin(s)
listings
p. 89
Rankins, James
Male 1, age 15-20 1,
age 50-60 (James-age c. 57)
Female 1, age 60-70 (Mary-age 50) 1, age 90-100
1840
VA Census-Montgomery County
No Rankin(s)
listings
1840
VA Census-Pulaski County
All Rankin(s)
listings
Rankin, James Slaves
Male 1, 60-70 (James-age abt. 67) 1
Female 1, 50-60 (Mary-age 60) 2
1850
VA Census-Pulaski County
p. 256 479/494
Godby,
Archiabald 38 Farmer
Matilda 36
Martha 14
Mary 12
Eliza 10
Cephas 7
Virginia 5
Charles B. 3
p. 495
Rankin, James 26 Laborer
Amanda (Godbey) 21
p. 247 353/366
Rankin, Mary 70
Muirhead, James 23 Farmer $1000
1860
VA Census-Pulaski County
p. 767 James Rankin 37 Laborer
Hannah 37 James
and Hannah cannot read or write
Alexander 4
Rhoda 3
Martha 2
Malinda 4/12
p. 767 Francis Godbey 74 Miner?
Rhoda E. (Whitt) 72
W(illia)m
L.? 24 Laborer
Mary J. Rankin 12
1870
VA Census-Newbern, Pulaski Co.
Rankin, James 46 Farm
Labor VA
Hannah 48 James
and Hannah cannot read or write
Rhoda Sue? 14 Rhoda can read but cannot
write
Malinda L. 11 Malinda and James cannot
read or write
James B. 8 but have attended school
within last year
Jefferson D. 8
Sarah Ann 4
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