MRS. MARTHA RANKIN is the widow of James Rankin, who was a grandson of John Rankin. John Rankin was born in Winchester, Va., and came with his parents to Washington county, Penn., about 1775, bringing colored help with them from Virginia. He had a family of eight sons and two daughters, nearly all of whom were born in Winchester, Va. He located in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, securing 1,800 acres of choice land, then a vast wilderness, which is now transformed into some of the finest farms of Washington county. Here he erected a log cabin, and made such improvements as were possible, being in constant danger from the treacherous savages. But bravely and patiently he struggled on, establishing the pioneer home. After his sons had grown to manhood, one of them, James, joined a party who went to establish a colony in Kentucky. They arrived safely, but during the return trip were attacked by the Indians, and James was killed, his fate being but one addition to that of the many pioneers who were practically martyrs to colonization. The parents of James passed the remainder of their lives on the frontier farm, both dying the same year. Samuel Rankin, youngest son of John, was born July 18, 1769, in Winchester, Va., and came to this county in 1774. On January 7, 1796, he was married to Jane McConahey, who was born February 18, 1775, daughter of a pioneer settler, and the following children were born to their union: William, John, David, Matthew, Samuel, Stephen, James, Matilda, Abigail and Jane. Of these children Jane (unmarried) is the only one now living; the others lived to an adult age and were citizens of Washington county. Samuel Rankin became a wealthy farmer, and lived on the old home farm, which is situated about two miles northwest of Hickory, this county. In politics he was a Democrat, and was one of the famous "minute men." In religion he and his wife were members of the Union Church. He died in October, 1820, being followed by his wife July 20, 1869, in her ninety-fourth year. The remains of both lie in the U. P. cemetery at Hickory, Mt. Pleasant township, this county. Their children were as follows: William, born November 24, 1796 (deceased January 13, 1884), John, born April 4, 1798 (deceased in April, 1866), David, born February 15, 1800 (deceased July 27, 1858), Matthew, born February 15, 1802 (deceased in June, 1880), Matilda, born March 22, 1804 (deceased in February, 1875), Samuel, born June 3, 1806 (deceased May 27, 1834), Abigail, born in October, 1808 (lived on the old homestead), James (deceased, mentioned below), Stephen, born August 20, 1813 (deceased in February, 1877), and Jane, born February 6, 1817 (living in Burgettstown). James Rankin was born March 24, 1811, in Mt. Pleasant township, and passed his youth on the old home place, receiving his education in the log schoolhouse of the day. In December, 1834, he was married to Martha V. Stevenson, who was born in 1813, daughter of James Stevenson, of Smith township, this county. James Stevenson was a native of Washington county, and was here married to Jane Vance, who bore him children as follows: Ann (Mrs. Alexander Hays), John S., Elizabeth (Mrs. S. J. Ghist), Mary (wife of Patterson Vance), Martha V. (married to James Rankin), Joseph, Edgar, and Rachel J. (wife of John B. Phillis). Mr. Stevenson followed the vocation of a miller, afterward opening a carding mill, and was also engaged in the undertaking business. He was first a Democrat in politics, then became a Whig, afterward uniting with the Republican party. He was formerly a member of the Raccoon Presbyterian Church, and when the Burgettstown Church was organized, became a regular attendant thereof. James and Martha (Stevenson) Rankin first settled on a farm in Mt. Pleasant township, this county, and in 1868 moved to an adjoining place, coming to Burgettstown in 1884. They had the following children: Samuel N. (who enlisted in Company D, Twenty-eighth N. Y. Regiment, serving three months, then in 1863 entered the secret service under Gen. Banks, and was missing while en route to Richmond); James E., living in Mt. Pleasant township; Jane E., Mrs. John P. Campbell; William Ray, who was drowned in 1846; John O., living in Baker City, Oregon; Joseph Vance, living in Wichita, Kans.; and Anna M. James Rankin was a popular and enterprising citizen, having won success by his own exertions. He was a warm friend of educational progress, and in religion was a member of the Mt. Prospect Presbyterian Church, of which he was a ruling elder for twenty-eight years. He died July 27, 1887, at Burgettstown, this county, where his widow is yet living. He was a justice of the peace for many years.

Text taken from page 1415 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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