yesterday's tennessee
Please contact Angela Place at angela_place@post.harvard.edu for additional updated information about the Illinois Rushings.
March 7, 2005
1. Mathew[1] Rushing. Died, before 1730, in NC. The following information was supplied by Charles C. Rushing and appears in the "Rushing Past" newsletter, II(1), March 1980. "Let's start with the Isle of Wight County, Virginia. 'Early Eighteenth Century Palatine Emigration' by Knittle (on Page 252) states that on the 2nd sailing from Holland to England then to Virginia, there was listed 23 May 1709 Mathys Riesin (German for Rushing) and Vrow (wife) and three children. Then on page 262 Mattys Russin -- they were of Protestant faith and could not worship as Protestants in Germany. In 'Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight Co. Virginia' by John Bennet Boddie, it states that Mattys Russian sold 150 acres to Wm Bridger in 1714. The Russians (Rushings) were living in an area overrun by Louis XIV of France and had escaped to Holland. There they were helped by Queen Anne of England who promised to take them to Virginia to settle there. In 'Lost Virginia Records' by Louis Des Cognets on Page 88, Mathew Rushin applied for 475 acres with a partner Edward Goodson. Russin sold his (or a part) to Wm. Bridger as stated above. This deed was dated 10 April 1707 (a little variation in the dates from the 'Palatine Migration' book). Mathys Rushin had to live on it for a period to get title; on 16 June 1714 he got title (page 190 of 'Lost Virginia Records'). Here is synopsis: 1707 Mathew Rushin applied for 475 acres; 1714 he received Patent." But this is only one theory about Rushing family origins. I am presenting it because it is a theory which at least presents documentary evidence. However, there are several other legends and theories on the origin of the family, the most widespread being that the family is Welsh. There is evidence for a James Rushing in New Kent County, Virginia, in 1667, and for a Mathew Rushing in Charles City County, Virginia, before 1670. The Rushings who settled in southern illinois, western Kentucky, and Tennessee came from Anson County, North Carolina. The Rushings in Anson County, North Carolina, seem to be very closely related, but working out the relationships between them is extremely difficult, particularly because there are so many William Rushings. I propose the following hypothesis. The Anson County Rushings seem to be descended from two near contemporary William Rushings. (A contemporary John Rushing lived near Thompson's Creek in the Chesterfield District of South Carolina.) To attempt to clarify the relationships I plotted probable locations of Rushing land grants and deeds. When this is done the Rushings fall into two subgoups. One group lived on Browns Creek near the present community of White Store, near Black Jack Creek. This group is associated with the elder and younger Joseph Whites in land grant and deed records. This group includes two Williams, Richard, Phillip, Soloman, and a John. The other group is found 5-10 miles farther south on Thompson's Creek, on the headwaters of Browns Creek, and on Little Browns Creek. This group includes two or more Williams, two or more Johns, a Mathew, Robert, Noah, and Abraham. They are associated in land grant and deed records with Benjamin Jackson and John Jackson. The breakdown is not exactly this simple, however, and some adjustments have to be made. Except for living near the southern Rushing group, Abraham is most closely tied to Richard, Solomon, and others in the northern group.
He married Elizabeth. Died, circa 1745. According to Virgil W. Huntley of Mystic Connecticut, who has studied deed records for the Rushing family in North Carolina, "Mathew Rushing, father of William, had a wife, Elizabeth, as she acknowledges the sale of land to William Bridges or Bridgers on 15 July, 1718. "Widow Elizabeth Rushing is said to have maried either Edwin or Edward Goodson as her 2nd husband. Elizabeth is said to have died about 1743 to 1747 leaving property to Goodson. A most dramatic will said to be filed by Goodson. Where is it?" [Letter to David Donahue, July 19, 1992]
Virgil W. Huntly also estimates that Mathew's son William had to have been born circa 1710 or earlier because he purchased his father's property in 1730. Neither of the William Rushings on Brown's Creek seem to be old enough to be the William, son of Mathew. Either or both might be grandsons. Children:
2. William[2] Rushing (Mathew, 1). Born, circa 1720. This William Rushing seems to have lived on Brown's Creek near Black Jack Branch, near the present community of White Store in Anson County. This William Rushing may have been the one who received land grant No. 6531 dated 19 April 1763 for 150 acres on both sides of Deep Creek--including his own improvement. He is mentioned in land grant No. 3092 dated 18 April 1771 to Josiah Herndon, Jr., for 200 Acres in Anson County on Black Jack Branch of Brown's Creek, joining William Rushing. Given the frequency of the name William and the absence of the name Mathew among descendants, the most likely name for a father of this William Rushing would be William.
He married an unknown woman. Children:
3. William[2] Rushing (Mathew, 1). One William Rushing, the father of "Flint River Jack" Rushing, is said to have immigrated from the Isle of Wight County, Virginia, to Welsh Neck, Cheraw, South Carolina. This William is the most likely to have been father of Flint River Jack, but it seems unlikely that he lived in the Welsh Neck or even the Welsh Tract. However, this William owned land on Thompson's Creek and may have lived in what is now Chesterfield County, South Carolina. Most of his descendants seem to have lived in Anson County and are associated with the other Rushing group living there. This William Rushing seems to have been the one who received land grant No. 495 dated 13 October 1756, on Thompson's Creek. He is listed as William Ruskin. This William Rushing also received land grant No. 947 dated 26 May 1757 for 400 acres in Anson County of the S.W. side of Pee Dee river, joining the E. side of the N. fork of Thompson's Creek and crossing the creek twice. Most likely name for the father of this William Rushing would be John Rushing.
He married Mary?. Children:
4. Abraham[3] Rushing (William, 2). Born, circa 1742. Died, 1805, in Anson Co., NC. The birth date for Abraham Rushing is somewhat controversial. Several sources use 1730. I have been unable to determine if there is a factual basis for this or if this date is based on identifying the wrong Phillip (Revolutionary War veteran Phillip) for the son Phillip (probably the Phillip I. in the 1800 census) named in Abraham's will. Based on ages of Abraham's children other than Phillip, Abraham need not have been born before 1750. Land grant records indicate a probably birth date of 1740-1745. Abraham Rushing received land grant No. 6314 dated 15 November 1762 for 300 acres in Anson County on the North Fork of Thompson's Creek joining above John Jackson. Abraham Rushing received Land Grant No. 8814 dated July 25, 1774, and issued by Josiah Martin, Royal Governor of the Colony of North Carolina. The grant was for 150 acres in Anson County on the branches of Thompson's Creek, joining Thomas Creel and Rushing's own survey, between the two prongs of Thompson's Creek.
He married, first, Mariah Meador, daughter of Jason Meador. Children:
He married, second, Sarah Watts.
5. Phillip[3] Rushing (William, 2). Born, circa 1745. Died, after 1840, in Perry Co., TN. Birth(2): 1756. Census: 1790, in Anson Co., NC. Census: 1820, in Perry Co., TN.
Two major myths about this Phillip Rushing create difficulties for a Rushing family researchers. Myth 1: Burrell (1798-1867) was the son of Phillip. This is based by looking at one datum point -- that there was a veteran or pensioneer named Phillip Rushing in the household of Burrell in 1840 in Perry County, Tennessee -- and ignoring a great deal of other information, including Phillip's age in the same census. (This is discussed in more detail below.) In general, because of the close associations between the families of Burrell and Isaac, Burrell and Isaac must have been brothers, but census data will not support both to be sons of Phillip.
Myth 2: The Revolutionary War veteran Phillip was the son of the Abraham Rushing who died in 1805 in Anson County, North Carolina. Phillip could have been slightly older than the Abraham who died in 1805 as Phillip needed to have been born circa 1745 to be father of the Phillip Rushing Jr. in the 1790 census. Without having to be father of the Revolutionary War veteran Phillip, Abraham needs only to have been born about 1750. The myth of Phillip has pushed the estimated ages of Abraham Rushing and some of Abraham's children back in time unnecessarily. For example, I have seen 1750 given as a possible birth date for Abraham's daughter Elizabeth Morgan. No one seems to know her husband's name. Census data in Anson County, North Carolina and Henderson, Perry, and Decatur Counties, Tennessee otherwise indicate that she was the wife of William Morgan, that she was born circa 1773 or 1774, and that her own children were born from circa 1795 to circa 1813. Elizabeth probably was two or three years older than her husband.
Some descendants of Abraham are needlessly looking for an earlier marriage for Abraham as Abraham's wife Mariah Meador would have too young to be the mother of children born as early as 1750 as the wrong dates suggest. The acceptance of this myth seems odd to me because Phillip's pension claim names Richard as his brother and Richard is not a name of one of Abraham's children. The Philip who appears as Philip I. in 1800, the yonger Phillip in 1810, and as Philep J. in 1820 seems a more likely choice as son of Abraham.
Unfortunately, these myths are contained in an accepted application to join the Daughters of the American Revolution, and theDAR itselp seems to be distributing the misinformation.
In his pension claim in 1834, Phillip Rushing states he had been in Tennessee for 18 years.
A military marker has been erected for Phillip Rushing at Rushing Grove Cemetery in Decatur County. The dates on the marker are 1756-1838. This location probably is incorrect. Phillip seems to have still been alive at the time of the census in 1840. He is listed in the household of Burrell Rushing. Burrell at this time is living south of Rushing Creek, near the Bath Springs area surrounded by various Brashers. So it is probable that this was Phillip's property and not Burrell's. (Burrell did not buy land on Turkey Creek near Rushing Grove until the 1840s, though descendants claim this was the land Burrell settled in about 1820. Burrell's property adjoined Richard's property to the east). A more likely place for Phillip to be buried then would be in an old cemetery in the Rushing Creek area (Brigance, Ivey, Minie perhaps) or in the Brasher Cemetery. For the sake of argument, a case could be made that Phillip and Richard are buried at Campground Cemetery. There is no evidence to suggest that Rushing Grove Cemetery is older than the mid 1850s when Henry Harrington may have been buried there.
The birth date used on the military marker at Rushing Grove Cemetery is 1756. This is the based on an age of 78 sworn to by witnesses in Phillip Rushing's pension claim in 1834. However, in the pension claim Phillip himself admits that his memory is failing. And while Phillip mentions that there is proof of his age in a family bible in the posession of his brother Richard, court records never indicate that the bible was produced in court. In the census in Anson County in 1800 Phillip already is listed as 45 and over. He probably was born nearer 1745 as in 1790 Philip Rushing, Jr., is already listed as the head of a family and seems to have two children. The Phillip in the 1840 census with Burrell is age 78 (born circa 1762). Either this is a different Phillip or Burrell has no idea of Phillip's correct age. The death year 1838 on the military marker seems to have been taken from Phillip's the pension papers and may come from a note from the Treasury indicating that Phillip's pension had been paid through that date. There is such a note in the pension papers for Richard Rushing with the same closing date. Richard Rushing is known to have lived until 1841.
Phillip Rushing may have outlived all his children. Perry County Circuit Court Records in 1838 include a petition by grandson Calvin Lacy to be replaced as Phillip's guardian. Calvin Lacy was relatively wealthy and did not have any children, so he would have been a neutral choice among Phillip's competing grandchildren to be Phillip's guardian. If the Phillip with Burrell in 1840 is the Revolutionary War veteran, then Burrell most likely is his guardian.
Census data for Phillip in 1790 in Anson County show 3 males under 16 and 2 free white females, plus Phillip Jr. in a separate household. Data for Phillip in 1800 in Anson County: 22101-00301. I think that the 1790 census is closest to being correct for Phillip's family. I think he had at most four sons and perhaps four or five daughters, with two or more daughters having married before 1790. Decatur county Rushing claimants for descent from Phillip often use 1820 Perry County census data to show children born circa 1799. Yet a comparison 1790 and 1800 data seems to show that a married daughter (or, perhaps, a daughter-in-law) and family moved into Phillip's household in the interval, and the same thing may have happened between 1800 and 1810. The young children in Phillip's household in 1820 are more likely to be grandchildren than children. (Census data -- 1790 Anson County: 1-3-3; 1800 Anson County: 22101-00301; 1810 Anson County: 11001-11101; 1820 Perry County: 010101-01001). Phillip's sons seems more likely to some of the Rushings in Stewart County, Tennessee. It is possible that Phillip was the grandfather of Richard Rushing in McNairy County in 1850, and it is possible that he was father or father-in-law of one of the Mark Rushings in Perry County in 1830.
Phillip Rushing received Land Grant No. 8510 dated July 23, 1774, and issued by Josiah Martin, Royal Governor of the Colony of North Carolina. The grant was for 400 acres in Anson County on the southwest side of the Great Pee Dee, on Great Brown's Creek, joining a bottom by the creek near the muddy spring branch.
The following is text of the pension application of Philip Rushing. His pension application number was S21458.
"Perry County, July Term 1834 -- On this 21st day of July 1834 personally appeared before the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Perry PHILIP RUSHING a resident of Rushing's Creek in Perry County, State of Tennessee, aged 78 years, who being first sworn acording to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832 that he entered service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein after stated.
"This declarent entered the service of the United States under Captain John Jackson he declarent being the Ensign of said company in Anson County in the State of North Carolina, from thence marched to Gilbert Town N. Carolina, from thence to Pleasant Garden at the head of the Catawber, from thence into the Indian Nation on the Hiwassee River, from thence to the Valley Towns where some of our men were out fowling and Indians came upon them and killed three of them, one of whose names was Turner he believes; from thence was marched home by way of Pleasant garden, declared served his tour the term of three months as Ensign, he declarent thinks his tour was performed in the latter end of the year 1776, but owing to old age he cannot recollect precisily his Major's name was Davidson, Col. David Love (or Lane) his Col., and general Rutherford was his General.
"This declarent again volunteered under Captain Stephen Jackson in the year 1777, and was imployed on the frontiers guarding the property of whigs and their lives from Ruthless hands of the Torys and British. He served this year seven months as a volunteer guarding the frontiers--again in the year 1778 he volunteered under the same Captain and was imployed on the same service that is ranging along the frontiers; in these several last tours he dose not recollect particularly owing to old age and the consequent loss of memory the events of this period of his services as he did not charge his memory with minor events but in fact he nearly always was out in the service of his country from the year 1776 up to this time which was 1780.
"The declarent in the year 1781 entered the service under Capt. Bogan, Col. Wade his Colonel; declarent was marched from Anson County N. Carolina to Cape Fear where he was attached to Colo. Smith's Regiment and to capt. Smith's Company; his declarents own Capt. and Col. having left the army. This tour we had an engagement with the Tories on Capefear not far from Wilmington and defeated them after which we marched up and attached the British in a large Brick house some time not long after this we heard that Cornwallis was defeated at Little York & went home. This declarent states that on this Tour he served two months. He has no documentary evidence by which he can prove his service nor does he know of any person except Richard Rushing by whom he can prove the same, he hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written. (Signed) PHILLIP (X) RUSHING.
"Sworn statements of William Woolverton, a clergyman residing in Perry County, and W. F. Doherty, residing in Perry County, stating that Rushing is 78 years of age and he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a revolutionary soldier. Signed 21 July 1834.
"Statement of Richard Rushing: '...Richard Rushing who is a creditable person and made oath in due form of law that he served most of the Tours with Philip Rushing, that he has stated that he served in the Revolution, and that he served as he states, and further that he the said Philip Rushing was an Ensign as he states, sworn to and subscribed in open court this 21st day of July 1834.' Signed RICHARD (X) RUSHING.
". . . Questions by the court:
"1. Where and in what year were you born. Ans.: I was born in Anson County N. Carolina 1756.
"2. Have you any record of your age and if so where is it. Ans.: My brother Richard Rushing has it at his house.
"3. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you live now? Ans.: In Anson County when called up top service where I continued to live till about fifteen years ago I moved from there to the County of Perry in the State of Tennessee where I now live.
"4. How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom? Ans.: I was called out in Capt. Jackson as an Ensign, whether we were drafted or whether we the company (cannot be read) and went out without a draft. I do not now recollect all the rest of the Tours I was a volunteer.
"5. State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops where you served, such continental and militia regiments as you recollect, and the general circumstances of your service. Ans.: Gen. Rutherford, Col. Wade, and Col. Smith, whether they were regular officers or state officers I do not know as I am old and forgetful, but I think at least Col. Smith was a regular, for the general circumstances of my service &c see my declaration.
"6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service & if so, by whom was it given & what has become of it. Ans.: I never received a discharge for in the past when it was we were just dismissed by our officers. I was commissioned Ensign but I cannot tell certainly by whom it was signed but think Gov. Caswell, it has long ago been lost.
"7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for varasity and their belief of your service as a soldier of the Revolution. Ans.: Parson Woolverton I have who is the nearest preacher and W. F. Doherty could--living in all my neighbours. I would also refer to aul W. C. Dunlap. (Note: living in last sentence could be bring.)
The Amended Declaration of Phillip Rushing - I was at the skirmishes with the Tories at Thompson Creek, at Lynches Creek, Hills Creek, Richardson Creek, and at Drowning Creek at Bettys Bridge where we had a battle with the Tories and we parted without any decision and afterwards the Tories defeated the whigs but I was not in that engagement. I was on Cape Fear River near Wilmington when we defeated the Tories who had defeated Col. Wade at Drowning Creek. I was also in an attack on the Brick House in the possession of the British and after several fire we retired being unable to take the House. I was in the company of Stephen Jackson a part of the time, and a part of the time I was in the company of Capt. John Johnson and at sometime transfered to some other company in Col. Smith's Regiment, but I am now unable to recollect the name of the officers except as stated in my original declaration. I am now old and infirm and my memory has failed me so much. I cannot recollect the dates of my service. I can only recollect the places we had a battle or expected to have one and the names of the officers, but what rout we pursued in each campaign I cannot now recollect or the particular time I served in each campaign. I have only a recollection of serving my country
and being generally in service. Signed: PHILLIP (X) RUSHING. 7 Oct. 1834.
"Statement of John L. Houston, J.P.: '...I am personally acquainted with the said Phillip Rushing and know him to be old and infirm and that he is respectable and his statement entitled to credit.' 7 Oct. 1834.
"'I will take a pension for six months on this claim, knowing the old man and from his extreme age he cannot recollect any more than stated in this declaration.' Signed: W. C. Dunlap, 13 Dec. 1834.
"Paid at a rate of twenty dollars from 4 Sept. 1835 to 4 March 1838. (Note from treasury Department, dated 14 Jan. 1839.)"
[The transcription above appeared in Vol. 1 of "The River Counties."]
He married Hannah. Born, before 1755. Died, after 1815. Children:
6. Richard[3] Rushing (William, 2). Born, 1749, in VA. Died, 1841, in Perry Co., TN. Burial in Campground Cem., Decatur Co., TN (unmarked). Richard Rushing received two land grants issued by Josiah Martin, Royal Governor of the Colony of North Carolina. The first, No. 3853 dated May 22, 1772, was for 100 acres in Anson County on a branch on the lower side of Brown's Creek, joining the said branch above Wm. Rushing. The second, No. 7487 dated March 4, 1775, was for 150 acres in Anson County on the lower side of Brown's Creek, joining a small branch and Solomon Rushing. Richard Rushing moved to the Beech River area of Perry County (later Decatur County) in Tennessee before 1820 and settled on the south side of the Beech River. He had extensive land holdings in the 7th and 8th sections of the 8th range along Turkey Creek. He probably is the ancestor of most of the Rushings living in Henderson County.
The following is a summary of the pension claim of Richard Rushing. It was written in a letter dated July 31, 1930, by B. W. Morgan, Acting Commissioner of Pensions, to Miss Edna Rushing, Sacramento, California.
"You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, [S. or 8.] 21457, that Richard Rushing was born in 1849 in Virginia 'on [the] Roanoke'. "While residing in Anson County, North Carolina he served with the North Carolina troops, as follows:
"In 1776, three months in Captain John Jackson's Company, was in a skirmish at Drowning Creek where his brother William was wounded and soon after died; in 1777, nine months in Captain Stephen Jackson's Company; in 1778, ten months in the same company; in 1779, eight months in the same company; in 1780, six months in the same company. A part of the time he served in Colonel Wade's Regiment.
"He was in skirmishes on Black river, Bates Bridge, Lynch's Creek, Richardson's Creek and Thompson's Creek. "He was allowed pension on his application executed July 21, 1834, at which time he was living in Rushing Creek, Perry County, Tennessee, having lived there fifteen years.
"He stated that his brother Philip served with him most of the time.
"There is no reference to wife or children."
There is little proof of Richard's family, and the family presented in this database is somewhat of a composit. Richard seems to have had at least nine sons (including probably David in a separate household) and two daughters in the 1800 census of Anson County. There is proof that David, Willis, and Amy Boatwright were children of Richard. Dennis and Willis are always said to have been brothers, and the elder and younger Richard are in the same household in the 1840 census (based on ages children in the 1850 census). This is "Richard's family."
Then there is "Sarah's family." Sarah Rushing appears as age 80 in the household of Burrell Rushing, born ca. 1821, from the 1850 census. Her family includes Elijah, Isaac, and Burrell (born 1789). Phillip's wife is known from a deed to have been named Hannah, so Sarah could not have been his wife. Sarah seems to have been living in William Rushing's household in the 1830 census. Between 1830 and 1840 Elijah Rushing and his wife appear to have died. Sarah (listed as Sally) appears as head of a household in the 1840 census; this probably is Elijah's household, including Burrell (born 1821). This young Burrell has money by the mid 1840s when he buys a large amount of land, buys slaves, and builds a mansion which is still a local landmark. Where did the money come from? The best explaination would that Sarah inherited a larger widow's portion of Richard's estate and financed the acquistions of her grandson Burrell with whom she had been living for several years.
He married, first, Unknown Daughter Rushing (12), circa 1778. Children:
He married, second, Sarah (Sally), before 1791. Born, circa 1770, in Anson Co., NC. Died, circa 1852, in Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1840, in Perry Co., TN. Census: 1850, in Decatur Co., TN. There is a Sarah Rushing living in the household of Burrell Rushing (b. c1821) in 1850. In 1840 as Sally she is listed as head of what appears to be the same household. She probably is the wife of Richard Rushing even though she is in a separate household in 1840. She would be a second wife of Richard as she is not old enough to have been the mother of David Rushing. The placement of the second marriage in the age gap between Dennis and Richard is arbitrary, although given her association with Burrell, son of Elijah, this age gap seems more appropriate than the later age gap between Willis and D. M. All birth dates for these children are estimated. Should Willis prove older than Elijah, this second marriage probably would fall between. Available information would tend to support Willis to be of the first marriage.
What may have happened is that Elijah (and perhaps his wife) died before 1840, as Elijah is not in the 1840 census but his children are. Sarah might have moved into the household to care for the minor children, while the by now very elderly Richard remained in his own household with the family of his son Richard. Children:
7. William[3] Rushing (William, 2). Born, circa 1755. Died, 1776, in Drowning Creek, Anson Co., NC. The following sketch of William Rushing appears in the "Rushing Past" newsletter dated September 1981. "William Rushing was a young man growing up in Anson County in the 1760's when most of his father's relatives and friends were openly advocating disolving all the ties with mother England due to the harsh, unreasonable and unjust treatment of the people of the Carolina colony. Most of William's friends and neighbors openly supported this open break. Being honorable men, the Rushings and their neighbors put their grievance in writing in a petition they signed and addressed to then Gov. Tryon. No sooner had these brave men delivered their petition than they were labeled rebels and outlaws by the English. Several of these men were hung for pursuing American Independence! English troops and militia were sent into Anson County to "keep the peace" and arrest "rebels" and their sympathisers. Armed Tory militia began military operations in the county. Many civilians were killed in these para-military operations. William and his neighbors took up arms to protect themselves, their families and their neighbors from these armed vigilantes. From 1768 to 1776, William fought in 19 major engagements with Tory and English troops in North and South Carolina. He was wounded on at least one other occasion. Finally, in the company of his brothers Richard and Phillip he fought in the battle of Drowning Creek in Anson County. He was mortally wounded. His brothers carried him to his parents home where he died. Owing to the circumstances of his death, his family could not give William a public funeral since to do so would be to invite the arrest of his family as "rebels" and harsh reprisals from the Tories. As with other patriots who were killed before the United States declared its Independence, William was buried in a secluded spot now lost in time."
This sketch seems to confuse the William who was killed at Drowning Creek other Williams in the same area. The William Rushing who died at Drowning Creek may have been the youngest son of his father and far too young to have been caught up in the Regulator movement. Nor is there any evidence that this William's family was in any way at outs with the colonial government as they received numerous land grants issued by the Royal Governor during the 1770s. This seems to have been the William Rushing who received Land Grant No. 8509 dated July 23, 1774, issued by Josiah Martin, Royal Governor of the Colony of North Carolina. The grant was for 150 acres in Anson County, on the southwest side of the Pee Dee River, joining a hill near Rushing Creek and near Talton's Creek, which is a branch of Thompson's Creek.
He married Unknown. Children:
8. Jacob[3] Rushing (William, 2). Born, circa 1760. Census: 1790, in Anson Co., NC. Census: 1840, in Madison Co., TN. Jacob Rushing appears in the 1783 petition to move the courthouse for Anson County. He appears in a sequence of signatures which goes Abraham Rushing, Phillip Rushing, Thomas Wright, John Willis, Isaac Jackson, Thomas Meador, Jason Meador, Richard Rushing, Robert Rushing, Jacob Rushing. According to Barbara Crumpton of Duncan Oklahoma, who has researched Jacob to the extent available records allow, in Anson County legal transactions Jacob Rushing is associated with either Abraham Rushing or one of the families allied to Abraham Rushing (e.g., Mobberly, Meador). Records for Madison County do not show if Jacob Rushing died there or moved on and do not indicate what happened to the property Jacob owned there. Census data -- Anson Co., NC, 1790: 11-3; Anson Co., NC, 1800: 0101-4211. Stewart Co., TN, 1820: 10011-201; Madison Co., TN, 1840: 0010000001-00013.
He married Unknown. Children:
9. Solomon[3] Rushing (William, 2). Died, 1811, in Anson Co., NC.
Solomon Rushing received Land Grant No. 4116 issued January 22, 1773 by Josiah Martin, Royal Governor of the Colony of North Carolina. The grant was for 200 acres on the southwest side of the Pee Dee River, joining the bank of a small drain on the north side of Richard Rushing branch on Brown's Creek. Solomon's will specifically names daughters Mary Ann and Susanny. It also clearly indicates that he has other children. Paul Rushing and Stephen Rushing, executors of his estate, and John Rushing and Mathew Rushing, the witnesses to the will, probably are Solomon's sons.
He married Elizabeth. Children:
10. Robert[3] Rushing (William, 3). Born, before 1755. Died, circa 1836, in Anson Co., NC. Census: 1790, in Anson Co., NC. Census: 1820, in Anson Co., NC.
Robert Rushing received Land Grant No. 4197 issued January 22, 1773, by Josiah Martin, Royal Governor of the Colony of North Carolina. The grant was for 150 acres in Anson County on the lower side of Little Brown Breek, joining William's line, north of Haw Branch and a point near Johnston's line. In 1778 Robert Rushing received land on Brown's Creek from William Rushing (Anson County Deed Book K, p. 470) "...the said William Rushing for diverse good causes and considerations him thereunto moving but more especially for and in consideration of the natural love and affection he bearith towards the said Rubert Rushing...." Witnesses were William Rushing, Jr., Noah Rushing, and Benjamin Jackson.
The heirs of Robert Rushing are shown in two deeds. The first is recorded in Union County Deed Book 4. "This indenture made this 16th day of Nov in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty six between Joseph Rushing, William Deason & Milly Rushing of Bedford County and Nancy Rushing of Perry County Sarah Rushing William Rushing and Robert Rushing of Benton County and all of the State of Tennessee Heirs and legatees of Robert Rushing Dec'd of the one part and William M. Rushing of Anson County of the State of North Carolina of the other part Witnesseth that for and in consideration of the sum of Two hundred dollars then the said party of the first part in hand paid by him the party of the second part the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged have bargained sold and conveyed and by these presents do bargain sell and convey unto the said William M. Rushing his heirs and assigns forever a certain tract or piece of land Granted by the State of North Carolina to the said Robert Rushing Dec'd on the 24th of October 1786 and the 12th of Decr. 1816 and containing by estimation two hundred acres and lying and being in Anson County State of North Carolina and bounded as follows...." Signed: Joseph Rushing, Wm. (x) Deason, Milly (x) Rushing, Nancy (x) Rushing, Sarah (x) Rushing, William Rushing, Robert Rushing. Witnesses: William G. Rushing, E. D. Rushing, Jackson Rushing, S. I. Rushing, A. Little Jurit as to W. Deason.
The second appears in Anson County Deed Book 4, p. 533. "This indenture made this 25th day of February A.D. 1839 between Stephen Huntley and his wife Drucilla Huntley of the County of Anson and state of North Carolina on the one part and William M. Rushing of the same County and State of the other part witnesseth that the said Stephen and Drucilla Huntley have for and in Consideration of the sum of Twenty five Dollars Cash in hand the receipt and full payment whereof is hereby fully acknowledged bargained sold and conveyed to the aforesaid William M. Rushing all their right claim title or interest to a certain tract or parcel of land granted to Robert Rushing Dec'd on the 24th of October 1786 and the 12th Decr 1816 and from his heirs descended to the said Stephen and Drucilla Huntley as legatees and heirs at law of said Robert Rushing Dec'd...." Signed: Stephen Huntley, Drucilla (x) Huntley. Witnesses: R. Rogers, B. E. Ashcraft.
The above are based on the research of Virgil W. Huntley of Mystic, Connecticut.
He married Unknown (Jemima Jackson?). Children:
11. Mark[3] Rushing (William, 3). Born, circa 1770, in NC. Died, before 1850, in Hardin Co., TN?. Census: 1840, in Hardin Co., TN.
In general, there seems to be an affinity between the various Marks and the family of the Rev. War veteran Phillip. Mark Rushing's first wife may have been a daughter of Phillip Rushing. There were two Mark Rushings in Perry Co., TN, in 1830. This may have been one of them. Census data for Hardin Co., TN, 1840: 012020001-00012001.
He married Mary. Born, circa 1782, in NC. Census: 1850, in Hardin Co., TN. Children:
12. Unknown Daughter[3] Rushing (William, 3). Died, before 1791.
She married Richard Rushing (6).
13. William[3] Rushing (William, 3). Born, circa 1755. Census: 1790, in Anson Co., NC. Census: 1800, in Anson Co., NC.
This is the William Rushing, Jr., of the 1790 census in Anson County, North Carolina, and the elder of the two William Rushing Juniors in the 1800 census in Anson County.
The following is a deed recorded on page 272 of Anson County Deed Book H:
"To all people to whom these presents shall come I William Rushing of the State of North Carolina in the County of Anson, PLANTER, for and in consideration of the love and and good will and affection which I have and do bear towards my son William Rushing of the same state and county have given and grant & by these presents do freely give and grant unto the said William Rushing his heirs executors or administrators all and singular about fifty acres of land taken from my survey of four hundred acres beginning at a black walnut by the fork of the little creek & running near a north course to another line of which (before the signing of these presents) I have delivered him the said William Rushing an inventory signed with my own hand bearing date 1781 to have and to hold all the said land to him the said William Rushing his heirs executors or administrators from henceforth to be his property asolutely without any manner of condition in witness whereof I hereunto set my hand & seal the seventeenth day of August one thousand seven hundred and eighty one signed sealed and delivered in presence of Joseph Friffeth [Griffeth?] Noah Rushing. Wm. Rushing (seal).
"January Cot. 1782 then the within deed was acknowledged by William Rushing Sen." [Transcription made by Virgil W. Huntley, Mystic, CT.]
He married an unknown woman. Children:
14. William[4] Rushing (Abraham, 4). Born, 1771. Died, 1856. Birth(2): 1786. This is a composit family which probably should be considered speculative. Two lines of Rushings claim descendant from the William Rushing who married Elizabeth Tilghman and both claim that this William was a son of Abraham Rushing. Identifying that particular William as the son of Abraham is speculative. Descendants of Laben Rushing in Kaufman Co., TX, list William's birth date as 1786. The William who was son of Abraham would be older because he received a deed of gift from his father in 1789.
Susan Knight Gore of Memphis who researches the family of Clement Rushing considers Clement Rushing and Laben Rushing to have been brothers and echos the claim of descent from William Rushing, son of Abraham and husband of Elizabeth Tilghman.
Another brother is Mark, who was guardian of Clement Rushing's minor children. As the Mark in the 1850 census in the part of Stewart County which later became Houston County was born before the 1801 marriage of William Rushing and Elizabeth Tilghman, the Mark used as brother here is the Mark who died in Humphreys Co. circa 1847.
He married Elizabeth Tilghman, daughter of John Tilghman and Sarah Eggarton, 12 Mar 1801. Born, 1781. Children:
15. Abraham[4] Rushing (Abraham, 4). Born, 1772. Died, 1848, in Humphreys Co., TN. Census: 1820, in Rutherford Co., TN.
The following information is from a sketch of Abraham Rushing 1772-1848 by Bill Medling which appears in "Rushing Past," III(2), June 1981.
"We know that Abraham lived in Anson Co., N.C., and that he was born in 1772, came to Tenn. in or before 1810. On 4 Dec., 1810, he and his wife, Celia (Cealy) joined Garrison Fork Baptist Church by letter. . . . Garrison Fork Church is near Beech Grove.
"In 1813, Sister Ceiley Rushing was found 'faulty' and excluded from the church. She and Abraham were later divorced. In 1815, Abraham Rushing was also excluded from the church for marrying a 2nd wife & his first wife was still living. New we learn from Cuz Betty Riley whom I obtained many of these facts, that Abraham bought land in Stewart Co. in 1832, moved to that county in 1834, being accompanied by an Abel Rushing."
Abraham lived in White Oak Creek section of Stewart County which was later transferred back to Humphreys County. His will was probated and his estate was settled in Humphreys County. Abraham is the ancestor of many Rushings in the White Oak Creek section of Hemphreys County, Tennessee. Through his son John, he also is ancestor of the Rushings living around Rutherford and Cannon Counties, Tennessee.
This Abraham seems to have had one son and four daughters born before 1800 and two additional sons and two additional daughters born before 1810. The list of the children Abraham is partially based on the work of Bill Medlin mentioned above.
He married, first, Celia. Divorce, circa 1814. Children:
He married, second, Elizabeth Powell, circa 1815. Children:
16. Jason[4] Rushing (Abraham, 4). Born, circa 1775. Census: 1800, in Anson Co., NC.
He married Alice Gulledge, daughter of William Gulledge and Bathsheba. Children:
17. Peter[4] Rushing (Abraham, 4). Born, circa 1785, in Anson Co., NC. Census: 1820, in Bedford Co., TN. Census: 1840, in Calloway Co., KY.
The family of Peter is based on tentative conclusions and speculations of descendant Lee Rushing of Port Charles, Florida, outlined in letters dated January 26 and May 27, 1993, to David Donahue, and on the research of the late Georgia Maxwell Cox, Ozark, Illinois. Peter seems to have six sons, two daughters, and a wife in the 1820 census. Census data in 1830 in Bedford Co., Tennessee: 21113001-1101201.
He married Hester Frizzell, daughter of Nathan Frizzell and Ruahama Weaver, circa 1803, in Anson Co., NC. Born, 23 Dec 1785, in Anson Co., TN. Died, before 1840. This is going out on a limb. This wife of Peter Rushing is unknown. The Hester Frizzell born in 1785, daughter of Nathan Frizzell and Ruahama, is said to have been the first wife of Nathan Rushing. However, Hester Frizzell would be over 20 years older than Nathan Rushing based on his age in the 1860 census and would seem far too old to be mother of the children of Nathan Rushing's first marriage who were born 1826-1834. Dates, names, and locations would fit better if Hester Frizzell is used as mother rather than wife of Nathan Rushing. Children:
18. Phillip J.[4] Rushing (Abraham, 4). Born, circa 1777, in Anson Co., NC. Census: 1820, in Anson Co., NC. Resided: 1830, in Humphreys Co., TN. Census: 1850, in Stewart Co., TN.
This is the Philip I. Rushing in 1800 in Anson County, the younger Philip Rushing in 1820, and Philep J. Rushing in 1820. In 1817, Peniah and Phillip J. Rushing sign as heirs in the selling of the estate of Thomas Gaddy, Sr., to Wm. Dismukes (Anson County Deed Book S, p. 297). The family proposed for Phillip in this database is hypothetical. It consists of the William Rushing with whom Phillip is living in 1850 in Stewart Co., TN, plus the Darling Rushing in the adajacent household. Then there is the J. J. Rushing in Benton Co. whose descendants think was descended from Phillip J. Rushing. Added to this is the John D. Rushing in Benton Co., TN, in 1850 whose ancestry has not been proven, who fits census data for the family of Phillip J. Rushing, and whose son Francis Marrion Rushing is buried in the same Williamson Co., IL, cemetery as J. J. Rushing's son James Darling Rushing. John D. and Jonathan J. appear on the same page of the Benton Co., TN, census in 1840. Added to this is the Roland Rushing in Benton Co., TN, in 1850, who may have a son named Darling Rushing. In the Dennis Rushing family Roland Rushing is stated to be a son of Phillip J. Rushing, but it is also claimed that Phillip J. Rushing was the Rev. War Veteran Phillip Rushing (Roland is too young). The Abraham Rushing is is here because of name and age fit only, and to place a loose family line somewhere that makes sense. This connection is far shakier than others. Personally, I prefer to think of the Darling Rushing, age 22, in 1850, as a grandson and the Darling Rushing, age 48, sheriff of Union Co., NC, as son of this Phillip Rushing. In the 1840 census Phillip appears on page 334. Census data. Anson Co., NC, 1810: 3101-1001. Anson Co., NC, 1820: 22131-2101. Stewart Co., TN, 1840: 100110001-0002.
He married Peniah Gaddy. Died, before 1840. Children:
19. Thomas M.[4] Rushing (Abraham, 4). Born, circa 1783, in NC. Died, before 1870, in Bedford Co., TN. Census: 1820, in Bedford Co., TN. Census: 1850, in Benton Co., TN.
The family given here for Thomas M. Rushing is based on the research of Gertrude Rushing of Denison, TX. The vertical file at the Crittenden County Public Library in Marion, KY, contains family group sheets for Thomas Rushing, Wilson E. Rushing, and several of Wilson E. Rushing's children. To Gertrude Rushing's list of the children of Thomas I added Margaret and Andrew E. based on the 1850 census.
He married Elizabeth. Born, circa 1787. Died, before 1870, in Bedford Co., TN. Census: 1850, in Benton Co., TN. Children:
20. Phillip R.[4] Rushing (Phillip, 5). Born, circa 1765. Died, 1814, in Stewart Co., TN. Census: 1790, in Anson Co., NC. Census: 1800, in Anson Co., NC.
By comparing the three Philip/Phillip Rushings in Anson County from 1790 to 1820, especially be comparing their ages and the ages of their children, it seems most likely that the Philip Rushing Jr. in the census in 1790 must have been the Phillip to purchase land in Stewart County, Tennessee, in 1812. Census data, Anson County, 1800: 5201-101. This shows two sons born before 1790 and five more (including Reuben and Larkin) born before 1800. This Phillip was in Stewart County in 1808 when he lived on Guices Creek and served in Captain Wardens co. of the militia.
In 1814 Isaac Lanier and later John Bailey were administrators of the estate. An inventory for the estate was returned May 2, 1814.
In 1816 the court appointed Elijah Lowry as guardian of the ophan children of Phillip Rushing deceased, naming Reuben, Larkin, Betsy, Anna, and Jemima. Elijah Rushing and Lewis Brewer were securities to the guardianship.
In February 1818 40 acres of Phillip's estate were conveyed to Mark Cooper.
He married Jemima. Children:
21. Hardy[4] Rushing (Phillip, 5). Born, circa 1770. Died, before 1840, in Stewart Co., TN. Census: 1820, in Stewart Co., TN. The parents of Hardy Rushing are unknown. In this database Hardy Rushing is assigned as a son of the Revolutionary War veteran Phillip Rushing. This is based largely on the estimated date of his birth. Also, the majority of Hardy Rushing's first family left Stewart Co. area, as did most or all of the family of Phillip Rushing Jr. Names for children of Hardy Rushing's second marriage are similar to those found in the among Rushings from the Little Brown's Creek/Thompson Creek area of Anson Co. Could Hardy Rushing's second wife Elizabeth also be a Rushing?
Hardy Rushing appears in the 1820 census in Stewart Co., TN. He was married twice. The 1800 census in Anson County, NC, showshim married with a son and a daughter under 10. In the 1810 census, he appears to have three sons under 10, one son 10-16, and two daughters under 10. 1820 census data are 101401-10100. Assignment of Phillip, Whitmill, and R. D. as children of the first marriage is abritrary. They are Rushings which do not fit other proven and hypothetical groupings in this database. At least one source lists Hardy as a possible alternative name for R. D. Rushing
Hardy Rushing's second family is proven in Stewart County land grants and deeds.
He married, first, Unknown, before 1800. Children:
He married, second, Elizabeth, after 1820. Born, circa 1794, in SC. Census: 1850, in Benton Co., TN. Children:
22. Hannah[4] Rushing (Phillip, 5). Born, after 1770. Census: 1830, in Perry Co., TN.
It is known that Hannah, the wife of Henry White, was a Rushing. She is assigned here as a daughter of Phillip primarily because Calvin Lacy, Phillip's guardian in 1838, is associated in 1830 Perry County, Tennessee, census records with the White family. Also, among Anson County records, it is Phillip Rushing whose name is most often associated with the Whites. Phillip Rushing and Joseph White owned adjacent property on Black Jack Creek in Anson County.
She married Henry White, son of Joseph White and Sarah. Born, circa 1765. Census: 1830, in Perry Co., TN. Note: At the time I created the Illinois Rushing database, I only had Reuben and Rebecca connected as children of Henry White and Hannah Rushing. In my original database of Rushings in Decatur and Henderson counties, TN, I now include eight children and over 2,000 descendants. Children:
23. Millie[4] Rushing (Phillip, 5). Born, circa 1785.
She married Jesse Lacy, son of Thomas Lacy and Kesiah Griffith in Anson Co., NC. Born, 20 Mar 1770. Children:
24. David[4] Rushing (Richard, 6). Born, circa 1782, in Anson Co., NC. Died, circa 1845, in Pope Co., AR. Burial in Old Cem., near Rushing Cem, Pope Co., AR.
"David Rushing was born in c. 1785 in North Carolina. He immigrated to Dickson Co., Tennessee where he engaged in farming. During the War of 1812, David Rushing . . . joined Capt. Michael Molton's Troop of West Tennessee Cavalry under the command of Col. John Coffee. In c. 1835, David Rushing . . . [and family] left Tennessee and settled on Big Piney Creek, Martin Township, Pope County, Arkansas. Through the years the settlement became known as the 'Rushing Community.' Located northwest of Dover, the 'Rushing Church' still stands having been built in 1899. . . . David Rushing died c. 1845 and is buried in the 'old abandoned cemetery' located northwest of the present day 'Rushing Cemetery.' The cemetery is much grown up with large trees and undergrowth. Graves can be located by native stone markers. However, no grave stones exist that contain names or dates. This was the community cemetery until the time of the Civil War." [History of Pope County (Arkansas)]
He married Mary Goodrich in Dickson Co., TN. Born in Hanover Co., NC. Died, 1843, in Pope Co., AR. Children:
25. Asa[4] Rushing (Richard, 6). Born, circa 1785. Died, before 1850. Census: 1830, in Perry Co., TN. Census: 1840, in Perry Co., TN.
I have this assigned the family of Sarah Rushing in the 1850 census of Decatur Co., TN, to the family of Richard Rushing based on the name Richard. Asa Rushing on p. 171 of the 1840 census of in Perry Co., TN, would seem to be the best fit based on the females in the household. (The Asa Rushing on p. 180 is the Asa Rushing 1801-1851 buried at New Hope Cemetery in Decatur Co.) The fit on ages for the household on the p. 171 Asa Rushing is not good, but it is better than the fit for other Rushings in the 1840 census. The problem is that the Asa on p. 171 in 1840 might be the Asa on p. 234 in the 1830 census. All Rushings in the 1830 census of Perry Co., TN, on p. 234 may comprise the family of Mark Rushing; none except possibly Asa are in Perry Co. in 1840. The alternatives among Rushings in Perry Co. in 1840 are D. M./Daniel Rushing and Jacob Rushing. After returning to Tennessee, the family of David Thomas Rushing settled in the eastern Henderson Co. area near other descendants of Richard. Census data for Perry County, 1840:
Asa Rushing 02010001-0120001
D. M. Rushing 1120001-00101
Jacob Rushing 112001-110001
He married Sarah. Born, circa 1798, in NC. Census: 1850, in Decatur Co., TN. Children:
26. Dennis[4] Rushing (Richard, 6). Born, circa 1786, in Anson Co., NC. Died, 1860, in Benton Co., TN. Burial in D. Rushing Cem., Benton Co., TN (unmarked). Census: 1820, in Stewart Co., TN. Census: 1850, in Benton Co., TN.
Dennis Rushing was a Corporal in captain Gray's Company of the Second Regiment of the Tennessee Militia infantry in the War of 1812. He and his brother Willis were the first settlers in Benton County and settled in what is now the Rushing Creek community. They filed a joint claim for 200 acres deeded to the United States by the Chickasaw Indians.
He married Kesiah Bell, daughter of George Bell. Born, 1786, in NC. Burial in D. Rushing Cem., Benton Co., TN (unmarked). Children:
27. Richard[4] Rushing (Richard, 6). Born, circa 1790, in NC. Census: 1850, in Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1860, in Corsicana P.O., Navarro Co., TX. Occupation: Farmer.
Census data for Richard Rushing, 1840, Perry County: 112000100001-1101001.
He married Prudence. Born, circa 1800. Died, 26 Jul 1886. Burial in White Cemetery, Navarro Co., TX. Census: 1850, in Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1880, in Corsicana P.O., Navarro Co., TX. Children:
28. Elijah[4] Rushing (Richard, 6). Born, circa 1791. Died, before 1840. Census: 1830, in Perry Co., TN.
The family of Elijah Rushing is outlined in a letter dated December 27, 1986, from Sonja Jenkins to Virginia Whitaker, Monroe, Louisiana. Ms. Jenkins writes:
"I know that Elijah was the father to:
1. John P.
2. Milly (married a Stinson)
3. Caroline (married John Hambleton)
4. Burrell
5. E. R. Chambers
6. William R.
This is from a deed I have from Decatur County, Tennessee."
He married Unknown. Children:
"Townsend House, an Ante-Bellum house in Parsons has an interesting history despite the fact it is still a home.
"It is a picturesque colonial house, perched on a hill, overlooking a crest of fertile farm land and green pastures with cattle grazing lands, about one mile east of Parsons on the old Perryville road.
"It was formerly a two-story log house, chinked with mud, which was built during the 1830's.... It was built with an open hall through the center of the house, which was called a 'dog trot' back then....
"The house was sold to Burl [sic.] Rushing in 1844.... Some years later he married Sarah Houston and they lived here. During the civil war days "Aunt Sarah" as she was called, sat on the front porch all day during the battle of Shilo and could hear the roar of the cannons from the battles, a distance of 50 miles. Many years later she entertained her grandchildren with accounts of this incident.
"During the war the guerillas entered the couple's home in search of gold an d strung up her husband in an effort to get him to tell where the gold was hidden. Each time they tightened the rope, he refused. During the episode the Confederate soldiers came by and the guerillas fled. Mrs. Rushing released her husband who was strung up over the spot where the gold was buried.
"Under the living room floor of the house was a hideout, which could be reached by a secret trap door to the floor."
While the story above places the blame on Union raiders, in actuality it probably was a crime of a local band of outlaws. The tactic is the same as used by a local outlaw, Lem Bussell (later a preacher), against the Myracle family. The house later passed to Sarah's second husband, Rennie Raines, and to his son Lennie Rains. It passed out of the family by sale in 1918. The auction at which it was sold was a major event remembered for years by many people in the community.
29. Willis[4] Rushing (Richard, 6). Born, circa 1792, in Anson Co., NC. Died, May 1853, in Benton Co., TN. Burial in Hudson Cem., Benton Co., TN. Census: 1850, in Benton Co., TN.
Willis Rushing was the first permanent settler of Benton Co., Tennessee, selecting land on Rushing Creek several miles north of Camden in 1818-1819. Willis Rushing served from November 13, 1814, to May 13, 1815, in Capt. James Gray's company of the militia from Stewart Co., Col. John Cock's 2nd Regt. Tenn. Infantry. Willis Rushing bought a great acreage of land, owned slaves, and operated a tavern in his brick dwelling on the Paris-Reynoldsburg Road. (The house was torn down in 1871.) He is buried in the family cemetery, now known as the Hudson Cemetery. [Rushing Family Notes, by J. K. T. Smith.]
He married Mary (Polly) Rasberry. Born, circa 1798, in NC. Died, 1862, in Benton Co., TN. Burial in Hudson Cem., Benton Co., TN. Children:
30. D. M. (Daniel??)[4] Rushing (Richard, 6). Born, circa 1795. Died, before 1850. Census: 1840, in Perry Co., TN.
It was difficult to decide whether to place Daniel as a son of Richard or Phillip. Daniel has one of the strongest cases for a tie to Phillip. Perry County deeds show that Phillip made Daniel a gift of a slave. The deed mentions Phillip's "affection" for Daniel, a term often used in property transfers to children. My ultimate decision to include Daniel with Richard is that Daniel was sued by Phillip's estate to return the slave. Census data for D. M. Rushing, 1840, Perry County: 1120001-00101.
He married an unknown woman. Children:
31. Burrell[4] Rushing (Richard, 6). Born, circa 1798, in Anson Co., NC. Died, 5 May 1867, in Decatur Co., TN. Burial in Rushing Grove C., Decatur Co., TN (fieldstone). Census: 1850, in Decatur Co., TN.
Burrell gave about 10 acres of land to be used as part of the site for the town of Decaturville, Tennessee. This Burrell Rushing is often mistaken for the son of Revolutionary War veteran Phillip Rushing because a pensioner named Phillip Rushing is listed in Burrell's household in the 1840 census of Perry County. However, Burrell cannot be a son of Phillip and probably cannot be a grandson either. In 1790 Phillip Rushing had a son Phillip Rushing Jr. who had his own household and children, so the the most likely range of ages for Phillip's children would be 1765-1790. Burrell may be too young. In 1800 Phillip's wife is identified as 45 and over so is not likely to be mother of Burrell. (This is especially so when one also must consider the younger Isaac Rushing as a brother of Burrell.) Burrell is associated with Richard in most census records. In 1820 Richard, Phillip, and Burrell live adjacent to one another in Perry County. In 1830 Richard and Burrell are only three households apart, but Phillip has moved elsewhere. Phillip had a guardian in his old age, as shown in the 1838 Perry County Circuit Court record where Calvin Lacy is petitioning to be replaced as Phillip's guardian. It seems unlikely that Burrell was more than guardian of his Phillip, who probably was his uncle. Burrell certainly did not know the correct age for Phillip to tell the census taker in 1840. Burrell in 1840 is living in the southern part of Decatur County, which is probably where Phillip lived, but it is away from Richard and from where Burrell lived in 1830. In 1842, probably after Phillip's death, Burrell buys (or registers) land on Turkey Creek adjacent to Richard in the area where the other Rushings lived.
He married Mary Elizabeth Rhodes. Born, circa 1806. Burial in Rushing Grove C., Decatur Co., TN (fieldstone). Census: 1870, in Decatur Co., TN. Children:
"I, R. B. Rushing do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all others by me made by me at any time.
"First I direct that my funeral expenses be paid as soon as possible out of any money that I may die posessed of or may first come into the hands of my Executor.
"Secondly I direct that my wife Mary J. Rushing have all my land consisting of fifty acres during her life time; after her death I will that J. F. Rushing L. J. Rushing have the said land.
"Thirdly I direct that L. J. and J. F. Rushing have full control and all the benefits of the Rube Elliott
lease.
"Fourth I give and bequerath to my son J. F. Rushing my sorrel mule.
"Fifth I direct that L. J. and Mary J. Rushing have my mare.
"Sixth I give and bequeath to Martha L. Rushing one bed and stead and clothes.
"Seventh I give J. F. Rushing one feather bed and stead and clothes. I also direct L. J. Rushing have one feather bed and stead and clothes. I also give and bequeath to my wife Mary J and J. F. and L. J. Rushing all my hogs sheep and cattle. I give to my son J. F. Rushing my wagon and harness.
"Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint W. F. Rushing my Executor in witness whereof I do to this my will set my hand this the third day of November 1898. R. B. Rushing.
"Signed and published in our presence and we have submitted our names hereto in the presence of the testator. This the third day of Nov. 1898. J. R. Hobbs. J. M. Rushing. W. F. Rushing."
32. Isaac[4] Rushing (Richard, 6). Born, circa 1799, in NC. Died, Apr 1853, in Natchitoches Par, LA. Census: 1840, in Claiborne Par., LA. Census: 1850, in Bienville Par., LA. Occupation: Farmer.
Isaac is one of the more interesting of the early Rushings. He appears frequently in the early Perry County court records, often in scrapes (assault and battery, assault to commit murder). Did he leave Perry County because things were getting too hot? An oral tradition among descendants of Morning Rushing Tolley is that Isaac abandoned his family. This probably is not correct. Other records show that Isaac's Louisiana family and his Decatur County relatives remained in contact with one another until the time of the Civil War.
The family of Issac Rushing is outlined in the probate records of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. A document recording the division of the proceeds of the sale of Isaac's estate names all of Isaac's children and all the children of Isaac's two wives.
He married, first, Rebecca Saint, daughter of Isham Saint and Mary. Born, circa 1800. Died, circa 1839. Children:
He married, second, Elizabeth, circa 1836. Born, circa 1801, in NC. Died, Apr 1853, in Natchitoches Par, LA. Census: 1850, in Bienville Par., LA. Elizabeth was married three times. Her first husband was James Allen. Her second was Guilford Griffin. Children:
33. Amy[4] Rushing (Richard, 6). Born in NC. Died, before 1839, in Pope Co., AR??.
"Know all men by these presents. That whereas under and by virtue of a power of attorney duly made and executed on the twenty-second day of April 1839 (and duly recorded) by one Thomas Boatwright of Texas, the authorized and legally appointed Agent of Certain Heirs of the Estate of Richard Rushing late of the State of Tennessee, deceased, I, David Rushing of the County of Pope and State of Arkansas, was appointed the proper attorney and agent of sd. Boatwright in the premises to ask for, collect, demand, sue for, receive, and give receipts and full discharges for the same of the amounts of monies respectively coming or due to the late Amy Boatwright, mother of said Thomas Boatwright and also to the others, the children of said Amy, being a portion of the heirs of Richard Rushing, dec'd. upon and under the terms and conditions therein expressed, and whereas sd. David Rushing, being old and unable to travel to carry out the intentions of said power, is desirous and willing and able to appoint some other person to act therein; thereupon be it known to all whom it may concern that I, David Rushing of the County of Pope and the State aforesaid do hereby nominate, constitute, and appoint Willis Rushing of the County of Benton in the State of Tennessee, my true and lawful Attorney, for me in my name or in the name of Thomas Boatwright the Legally authorized agent of the said heirs of the Estate, of said Richard Rushing late of Tennessee aforesaid. To ask for, receive, collect, sue for and receive, all sums or sums of money or effects of any kind or description of right belonging and appertaining to the said heirs of the said Estate, of said Richard Rushing dec'd. of and from all persons and parties owing or amenable for the dec'd. and I further authorize under and by virtue of the like power herein I am empowered to do and execute all acts to carry into effects the intentions therein expressed, the said Willis Rushing to give all necessary acquittances and receipts in the law for the same, either in my name as attorney and agent for the said Thomas Boatwright or in the name of said Boatwright as the legally authorized Agent of said heirs of the Estate as he the said Willis may be advised or required, and generally to act in the premise as agent or attorney of said Boatwright or myself under the above recited power, so that the monies due the heirs of the Estate of sd. Richard Rushing dec'd. may be collected and applied to the purposes expressed in the original power from sd. Thomas Boatwright. In witness thereof I have set my hand and seal this 27th day of December 1842. Signed, sealed, and delivered.
David Rushing (seal)
In presence of:
Jno. R. A. Scott
A. M. Metcalf
This day personally appeared before me an Acting Justice of the Peace within and for the co. and State af. sd. the within named David Rushing who duly acknowledged the name David Rushing at the end of the annexed power of Attorney to be his signature and that he executed the same for the reasons therein set forth. Dated this 27th day of december 1842.
A. R. Cheyne, J.P."
[Taproots, A Virginia & Carolina Legacy]
Note: There was a Thomas Boatwright in Henderson County in 1850. If this Thomas is the same Thomas as the son of Amy, then the Boatwrights who lived in Henderson and Decatur Counties probably are descendants of Richard Rushing. There are White and Hill descendants of a W. H. Boatwright in the Concord Community of Decatur County.
She married Unknown Boatwright. Children:
34. Phillip[4] Rushing (Jacob, 8). Born, circa 1795, in NC. Census: 1840, in Madison Co., TN. Census: 1860, in Hickman Co., KY. Occupation: Farmer.
Census data for Philip Rushing, Madison Co., TN, 1840: 1001001-121201. This may be the Phillip Rushing who is in the 1860 census in Hickman Co., KY.
He married Nancy. Born, circa 1804, in NC. Census: 1860, in Hickman Co., KY. Children:
35. Joseph[4] Rushing (Robert, 10). Born, circa 1774, in Anson Co., NC. Died, after 1845, in Bedford Co., TN. Burial in Enon Cem., Bedford Co., TN. Resided: after 1811, in TN.
Analysis of the birth date of Joseph Rushing based on research of Frances Thomas, Nederland, TX. "Joseph Rushing's birth year is estimated to be 1774. A comparison of census records shows that he was at least 16 in 1790; in 1800 he was 16-26; in 1810 he 26-45; in 1820 he was 45+; and in 1830 he was 50-59."
On 27 Oct 1797 Robert Rushing deeded to Joseph Rushing a tract of land in Anson Co., NC (Deed Book L&M, p. 84). Wording is:
"...I Robert Rushing of the county & state aforesaid for diverse and good causes me hereundo moving do by these presents give grant alien convey & confirm unto my son Joseph Rushing of the county & state aforesaid...."
Joseph Rushing was a member of Enon Primitive Baptist Church and is buried in the cemetery there. Joseph and his wife Martha Deason are said to have had 12 children, 4 of then sons; 5 of the children are said to have been living in 1883.
He married Martha Deason, daughter of Enoch Deason and Rebecca (Rushing?). Born, circa 1778, in Anson Co., NC. Died in Bedford Co., TN. Burial in Enon Cem., Bedford Co., TN. Children:
36. David[4] Rushing (Robert, 10). Born, circa 1778, in Anson Co., NC. Died, circa 1828, in Anson Co., NC. Census: 1820, in Anson Co., NC.
Census data for David Rushing, Anson County, North Carolina: 1810, 20110-11010; 1820, 21131-11022.
The family of this David Rushing has been researched by Virgil W. Huntley of Mystic, Connecticut, who analyzed it using Anson County deed records. The following are extracted from a letter by Mr. Huntley to a Mrs. Thomas, dated 2 Mar 91. "Proof that William Gilbert Rushing was a son of David lies in Anson Co. Deed Bk Z, page 591 under date 17 OCT 1832. 'Nancy Rushing, Calvin Rushing,
Gilbert Rushing, Rebecca Jackson, Widow & heirs at law of David Rushing, deceased to Robert S. Huntley for $900.00--on waters of Brown Creek being lands of David granted him, a part to William Johnson & Robert Rushing.' Witnessed by: J. White/Stephen Huntley. Signed: Nancy Rushing/Calvin Rushing/William G. Rushing/Rebecca Jackson. David Rushing died prior to 2 JUN 1828. Proved by Deed in Bk W, page 262 that date when Holden Rushing sold to Calvin Rushing 'all right & claim to land bought of David Rushing's estate on Brown Creek adjacent Jonathan Duren, Andrew Paul & Michael Baker.' "Bk Y, page 164--Robert Lowry & wife of Dist. of Chesterfield, S. C. to Calvin Rushing--relinquish right in David Rushing's estate (deceased)--29 MAR 1829 Signed: Robert Lowry/Jemimah M. Lowry.
"David Rushing was a son of Robert Rushing (?Sr.) and there does seem to be a connection to Jackson as you see in the Anson Co. Deeds 13, page 139 dated 3 Dec., 1849. William H. Bennett & wife to Griffin Avitt, Power of Atty--W. H. & wife, Temperance, formerly Temperance Jackson of Co. of Decatur, State of TN to receive for us a sum of money in the hands of Darling Rushing, guardian of said Temperance Jackson $200 more or less her portion in the estate of John Jackson deceased late of Union County, NC. Attest: William G. Rushing/John Garrett"
He married Nancy Deason, daughter of Enoch Deason and Rebecca (Rushing?). Born, 1782, in NC. Died, 3 Oct 1857, in Decatur Co., TN. Burial in Campground Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Census: 1830, in Anson Co., NC.
Virgil W. Huntley of Mystic, Connecticut, who has done much of the research on this branch of the Rushing family, believes that David Rushing was married twice, first to a Rebecca who is named on a deed in Anson County Deed Book N&O, p. 152, dated 13 October 1807. Nancy would be David's second wife. My personal belief is that Nancy must have been the mother of Calvin Rushing (b. 1804). It is doubtful that anyone looking the matching markers for Calvin Rushing and Nancy Rushing at Campground Cemetery, with Calvin at Nancy's foot, would doubt that Nancy was Calvin's mother. Calvin named one of his sons Enoch Deason Rushing. Children:
"February 17, 1851: Cornelius White, Arnold A. Powell & John P. Rushing bound. Cornelius White appointed administrator. Appointed as appraisers William Gambrl, Joshua Lewis, Thomas Wimberly, John A. Nuffer and Mordica Meador.
"1855: Cornelius White admn a final statement. Amounts collected included A. H. Barber R. W. Brown Wm Gamll B. D. Meador Thos Meador A. H. Duren Alex Lawson Leonidas Duren S. J. Wimberly R. F. Duren W. R. Sinclair James Logan A. Gatewood Benj Parker A. Jacanell John Jackson Wm Pounds W. Grantham A. Heard D. Meador
Disbursements included A. H. Duren Lewis Hadden Robt Arrington L. J. Duren D. Hamberger E. W. Russell B. G. Cook B. J. H. Gaines Thos W. Sims S. Jackson Robert Taylor M. Holsten A. A. Powell A. A. Coleman Jam Wimberly Wm Deason Addison Heard Wm Fleming Geo W. Harrell
List of heirs of Enoch D. Rushing
1. (enjoined) Holden Rushing a brother of deceased
2. Calvin Rushing
3. William G. Rushing
4. Rebecca Jackson a sister of deceased
5. Richard White
Egbert White
Emeline White
Nancy E. White
James T. White
Haywood White
Sally Ann White
Martha White
Frances White
Matilda White
Minor children of Martha White formerly Martha Rushing a sister of ded. Residents in Decatur County Tennessee
6. Alexander Lowry
Robert H. Lowry
Wm Lowry
Amanda Lowry
Jemima B. Lowry
Maria B. Lowry
Children of Jemima Lowry decd sister of decd who live in Itawamba County Miss. All over the age of twenty one years except Jemima B. & Maria B. who are minors under the age of 21 years.
May 21, 1855: final settlement Assets $1584.05 Payments $927.14 Balance for heirs $657.01
The administrator is ordered to be discharged except for the purpose of defending a chancy suit against Holden Rushing.
$109.50 share of Holden Rushing has been enjoined at the suit of a creditor of said Holden now pending in Chancy Court of said county. Amount retained subject to decree of court.
$109.50 share of Calvin Rushing
$10.95 share to each of 10 Whites. Their guardian George W. Harrell appointed as by records of court in Decatur Co., Tenn
$109.50 share of Wm G. Rushing
$109.50 share of Rebecca Jackson
$18.25 share to each of 6 Lowrys.
37. Sarah[4] Rushing (Robert, 10). Born, 13 Nov 1781, in Anson Co., NC. Died, 1 Feb 1836, in Benton Co., TN. Burial in Rushing Creek C., Benton Co., TN.
She married James Elisha Herrin, son of William Elisha Herrin and Mary Agniss Abimlick, 15 Jun 1801, in TN. Born, 13 May 1780. Died, 3 Sep 1855. Burial in Rushing Creek C., Benton Co., TN. Children:
38. Abel[4] Rushing (Robert, 10). Born, 8 Nov 1788, in Anson Co., NC. Died, 26 Aug 1835, in Benton Co., TN. Burial in Rushing Creek C., Benton Co., TN. Occupation: Farmer.
From Goodspeeds History of Tennessee, in a sketch of Joel Rushing of Madison County, it is stated that Abel Rushing and his wife ". . . came to Tennessee in 1804. They lived in Middle Tennessee until 1819, when they came to the western portion of the State. [Abel] was one of the hardy pioneer woodmen, and for forty years was a farmer. He was in the War of 1812, and Rushing Creek, in Benton County, derived its name from him and Willis, Dennis, and Philip Rushing, they having built the first cabins in West Tennessee, on that stream." He served in the Second Regiment (Cocke's) West Tennessee militia. Though he may have lived in Stewart Co., Tennessee before settling on Rushing Creek in 1819, he was not the Able Rushing who settled on White Oak Creek in the northwest corner of Humphreys County as is stated by some descendants.
He married Sarah Jane Herrin, daughter of William Elisha Herrin and Mary Agniss Abimlick, 22 Jul 1807, in Humphreys Co., TN. Born, 20 Mar 1788, in NC. Died, 29 Nov 1858, in Benton Co., TN. Burial in Rushing Creek C., Benton Co., TN. Census: 1850, in Henry Co., TN. Some sources give her name as Sarah Griffin. Children:
39. William R.[4] Rushing (Robert, 10). Born, before 1794, in Anson Co., NC. Died, 1848. Census: 1820, in Anson Co., NC. Resided: 1836 (??) in Benton Co., TN.
This William is specifically listed as "Son of Robt." in the 1820 census. His age is listed as 26-45, but he probably is in the lower end of this age range the census indicated 1 female under 10 and one female 16-26 in his household.
He married Elizabeth Ward. Died, 1854. Children:
40. Robert (Robin)[4] Rushing (Robert, 10). Born, 8 Jan 1799, in Anson Co., NC. Died, 27 Jun 1855, in Benton Co., TN. Burial in Rushing Creek C., Benton Co., TN.
The following sketch is taken from "Rushing Family Heritage Places Pleasant Valley," prepared by Jonathan Kennon Thompson Smith, Benton County Historian, for the Rushing Family reunion, June 1982.
"Robert Rushing ... settled adjacent to his brother, Abel Rushing, close to the environs of Dry Creek, a tributary of Rushing Creek. He had an excellent farm; raised tobacco and prospered generally. However, he became mentally depressed and hanged himself in his carriage-house, where he was found June 27, 1855. (Mr. J. D. Melton, local history authority, related this tragedy to the writer, as it was told to him by his own grandmother, Malissa Florence Cuff, who was a neighbor and recalled the incident well.)"
He married Lively Webb, 1817. Born, circa 1797. Died, 18 May 1869. Burial in Rushing Creek C., Benton Co., TN. Children:
41. Richard[4] Rushing (William, 13). Born, 3 Dec 1797, in NC. Died, 3 Dec 1886. Burial in Gravel Hill Cem., Ncnairy Co., TN. Census: 1830, in Lauderdale Co., AL. Census: 1850, in McNairy Co., TN. Occupation: Farmer. This Richard Rushing was in Lauderdale County, Mississippi in 1830 and in McNairy County, Tennessee in 1850.
He married Anna Huggins, daughter of Phillip Huggins and Jane, 23 Dec 1824, in Lauderdale Co., AL. Born, 26 May 1807, in TN. Died, 11 Jul 1896. Burial in Gravel Hill Cem., McNairy Co., TN. Census: 1850, in McNairy Co., TN. Children:
42. Clement[5] Rushing (William, 14). Born, circa 1805. Died, circa 1840.
Clement Rushing died before March 2, 1840, when Mark Rushing was appointed guardian of the minor children of Clement Rushing.
He married Unknown Martin. Children:
43. John[5] Rushing (Abraham, 15). Born, 3 Feb 1792, in Anson Co., NC. Died, 17 Aug 1857, in Cannon Co., TN. Census: 1850, in Bedford Co., TN. Occupation: Minister.
John Rushing traveled with his father to Tennessee, where John and his wife joined the Garrison Fork Baptist Church. He became a minister in 1824. He is generally referred to as the Rev. John in the "Rushing Past" newsletters.
He married Sarah Keele, daughter of Richard Keele and Lydia Richmond, 1809, in Giles Co., TN. Born, circa 1790, in TN. Census: 1850, in Bedford Co., TN. Children:
44. William Wilson[5] Rushing (Abraham, 15). Born, circa 1816, in TN. Died, before 1870. Burial in Arlington Cem., Houston Co., TN. Census: 1850, in Humphreys Co., TN. This seems to be the Wilson Rushing who was security for Elizabeth Rushing as Administratrix of the will of Abraham Rushing.
He married Elizabeth Tomlinson, daughter of William Tomlinson and Catherine (Stratton?). Born, circa 1810, in NC. Census: 1850, in Humphreys Co., TN. Census: 1880, in Humphreys Co., TN. Children:
45. R. (Rowland?) B.[5] Rushing (Abraham, 15). Born, circa 1819. Census: 1850, in Humphreys Co., TN. Rowland B. Rushing was security for Elizabeth Rushing as Executrix of the will of Abraham Rushing.
He married Mahala. Born, circa 1819, in TN. Census: 1850, in Humphreys Co., TN. Children:
46. David[5] Rushing (Abraham, 15). Born, circa 1826. Died, before 1870. Census: 1850, in Humphreys Co., TN. David is assigned here as son of Abraham Rushing based primarily on proximity (two households) to R. B. Rushing, a known son of Abraham, in the 1850 census.
He married Selena, before 1850. Born, circa 1826. Census: 1870, in Humphreys Co., TN. Children:
47. George W.[5] Rushing (Abraham, 15). Born, circa 1833. Census: 1860, in Humphreys Co., TN.
He married Elizabeth. Born, circa 1833. Census: 1860, in Humphreys Co., TN. Children:
48. Philander G.[5] Rushing (Abraham, 15). Born, circa 1836, in Humphreys Co., TN. Died, circa 1898. Census: 1860, in Humphreys Co., TN. Census: 1870, in Humphreys Co., TN. Occupation: Farmer.
Houston County records contain an inventory of the sale of the estate of P. Rushing dated 9 Mar 1898. J. F. Rushing was administrator. Mark Rushing purchased a mule and Frank Rushing purchased a watch.
He married Cynthia Jane Brown, daughter of Ben Brown and Rachel Lain, 16 Jan 1857. Born, 20 Mar 1839. Died, 18 Jun 1888. Children:
49. Joel[5] Rushing (Jason, 16). Born, 6 Sep 1806, in Anson Co., NC. Died, 3 Dec 1889, in Garrett Com., Decatur Co., TN. Burial in New Hope Cem., Decatur Co., TN. Occupation: Farmer/Preacher.
Joel Rushing was among the last of the Rushings to move from Anson County, North Carolina, to Decatur County, Tennessee. He seems to have arrived in the Decatur County, Tennessee, area between 1845 and 1848. The census of 1850 shows him owning 500 acres in Decatur County, and he was granted an additional 160 acres in 1852. He was a charter member of the Agricultural Wheel (farmer's union) Liberty Wheel.
The following stories about Joel Rushing were passed down among Moore family descendants of Leonadus Rushing, who called Joel "uncle." Joel Rushing was a lay preacher and a farmer in the Garrett community of Decatur County. If Joel Rushing had to preach a sermon on a Sunday he practiced while he plowed his field. He would be preaching hell and damnation to his mule while he practiced. Leonadus would hear him in the field and would yell out "Uncle Joel, what are you preaching on this Sunday?" That mule must have really known the Bible.
Joel Rushing not only was called upon to preach sermons at various churches, but also was called upon to conduct funeral services. One time he was called upon to conduct a funeral in Linden. He started early in the morning for Perryville to take the ferry across the Tennessee River. Leonadus Rushing met Joel along the road and asked Joel where he was going. Leonadus asked Joel if he had the price to pay for the ferry ride. Joel told Leonadus that he had enough money to go one way. Leonadus thought this over a minute and then asked "Uncle Joel, how are you going to get back?" Joel answered that the Lord would take care of the fare home.
The followin is the will of Joel Rushing:
"I Joel Rushing considering the uncertainty of mortal life and being in my perfect mind do make and publish my last will in manner and form as follows, to wit.
"I give unto my beloved wife Lucy Rushing one cow and calf and one sow and pigs and a child's part with the rest of my children: except my land I give that to my children according according to a marriage contract between me and her before we were married as may be seen by reference to that said contract. And I further give and bequeath to my son William T. Rushing the tract of land on which he now lives.... [description of bounds follows] "My will further is that all my property not herein named shall be sold on one year credit and equally divided among all my children except my land and that on one and two years and one third of the land to be paid down the balance in two payments and enough to pay all my just debts if any, and my burying expenses and enough to buy tomb stones to put up at my grave.
"And my will is that my daughter's part to wit Elizer Veal part be paid over to her in her own hands as I consider she is more competent to use it for the good of the family than he is. [reference to Henry Veal]
"My will is that my son Green B. Rushing and L. P. Moore attend to and wind up my estate according to this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this January the twenty second day one thousand eight hundred and eighty. Joel Rushing (seal). Test: Hosea Presler/J. E. W. Jenkins/J. L. Lomax."
He married, first, Zelphy, 18 Dec 1830, in Anson Co., NC. Born, 17 Sep 1808, in Anson Co., NC. Died, 6 Jun 1879, in Garrett Com., Decatur Co., TN. Burial in New Hope Cem., Decatur Co., TN.
Family tradition says that she was Dutch (probably German). Children: