James Huston Rankin (1794 - 1872)

Born 19 Dec 1794 in Antrim Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania, United States

Died 10 Dec 1872 at age 77 in Clarion, Pennsylvania, United States

Biography

James Houston Rankin died on 10 December 1872, nine days before his 78th birthday. He is buried in New Rehoboth-Greenville Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Strattanville, Clarion, Pennsylvania. ^[1]

In 1850, the Rankin family lived on their farm in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. All members of the family were born in Pennsylvania. The household included James H. Rankin, 54, a farmer, with $2000 in real estate; his wife, Margaret, 46; their eight children, James, 25; Sarah, 21; son J.M., 17; son J.B., 15; and four young daughters, M.E., 11; Mary, 9., M.E., 4; and M.E., 1. All members of the household could read and write, except for the youngest three. ^[2]

In 1860, the Rankin family lived on their farm in Clarion Township, Clarion, Pennsylvania. The family included Huston Rankin, 66, a farmer; his wife, Margaret, 58; and their five children, aged 14-25. ^[3]

James Huston Rankin, 1794-1872, was the son of John Rankin (1765-1816) and Rebecca Wilson (1763-1841). He was the fourth of eight siblings. James married Margaret McCurdy on 8 April 1824 in Fannett Township, Franklin, PA. They had ten children, born between 1825 and 1846: James McCurdy, Calvin Alexander, Sarah Ann, Mary Jane, Dr. John McGinley, Albert Brown, Margaret Elizabeth, Margaretta V., Narcissa Jane, and Mary Louise. Note: This family tree contains marriage records for two of his sons, J.M. Rankin and A.B. Rankin. Some of the records in this collection cannot be verified. Use with caution. ^[4]

This family tree shows James Huston Rankin, 1794-1872, born in Metal, Franklin, PA, the son of John Rankin, 1765-1816, and Rebecca Wilson, 1762-1841, who married in PA in 1789. James married Margaret McCurdy (1803-1875) on 8 April 1824 in Fannett Township, PA. They had ten children, born between 1825 and 1850: James, Calvin Alex., Sarah A., John McGinley (1833-1909), Albert Brown, Margaretta Elizabeth, Arcessa Mary, Mary E., James, 1847, and Adaline. This collection contains death records for sons John M., and Calvin Alexander; and marriage record for son, A.B. Rankin. ^[5]

research notes

Removed Joseph A. Rankin-25 as his son (born too close together). Dec. 2022. Were Joseph and James brothers? The are buried in the same cemetery.

PARENTS AS CITED ABOVE ARE UNCERTAIN. This family tree FamilySearch Person: LX6B-SS6 shows that Thomas Rankin-448 and Isabel Clendenin-17 had TWO sons named JOHN, living concurrently. This seems unlikely. I believe that the other JOHN RANKIN was their son.

Note: the lists of childrens’ names vary in the two cited family trees.

More work needs to be done to identify who this person’s parents were.

Sources

1. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #163603748
2. ↑ 1850 US Census, Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/432333:8054?ssrc=pt&tid=6706957&pid=250190650020)
3. ↑ 1860, US Census, Clarion Township, Clarion, Pennsylvania ("United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXPV-D6S : 18 February 2021), Huston Rankin, 1860.)
4. ↑ Familysearch Sourced Family Tree (https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/K6ML-8KS)
5. ↑ ancestry.com Sourced Family Tree (https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/6706957/person/250190650020/facts?_phsrc=Sda2&_phstart=successSource)

See also:

• Will of James Huston Rankin. United States, Pennsylvania, Clarion - Probate records; Will dockets, 1841-1917; general index to registers' and Orphans' Court records, 1840-1981; Will dockets v. B-D 1863-1892. FamilySearch Catalog. Written: 16 May 1859. Proved: 20 Dec 1872.