| 8. | Tailor John R.* Rentfrow (Rentfro), Jr. was born in 1679 in Chester Co, Pennsylvania (son of John R.* Rentfro (or Rentfrow, Renthrow, Rentfree), Sr. (son of Robert?) and Mrs. Mary Elizabeth* Thompson (?)); died on 30 May 1748 in Edgecomb Co, North Carolina. Other Events and Attributes:
- Residence: 1734, Cecil Co, Maryland (later Virginia)
- Property: 14 Mar 1742, Edgecombe Co, North Carolina
- Will: 1748, Edgecombe Co, North Carolina
Notes:
Updated: Wed Oct 29 23:45:48 2003 Contact: Delores Willey (felinesmama@msn.com)
http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GED&db=:2619333&id=I539511753
John was a Quaker in New Garden Township, Chester Co., PA. John was perhaps part of a westward movement from Chester Co., PA to Frederick Co, Virginia., a distance of at least 200 miles south and west of Chester Co. Many emigrants to Virginia moved across the river into Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania then returned to Virginia. Several Renfros are found on the records of these early counties on the edges of the mountains on both the western slopes and the eastern. One of the first emigrants was a John Rontfro of record in Delaware. He appears on pages 18 and 19 of records of the Welsh Tract Baptist Meeting, Pecander Hundred, New Castle Co., Delaware, 1701 to 1728.
Citing: (1) Signers of the Confession of Faith, 1725
(2)John Rontfro Margaret Rontfro and The names of Such as has been removed from us by death
..John Rontfro
Although John was a member of this Welsh community church, it is believed he just roamed into the area and settled with these people, not that he had Welsh ties. All research points to his French/Scot background.
John Rentfro's house is mentioned in a coroner record at Court, 26 June 1707, Chester Co., PA , History of Chester Co., PA., G. Cope and J.S. Futhey. John Rentfro was a witness to the will of Thomas Rowland on Mar. 3, 1708 in Chester Co., Pa.
(Gilb ert Cope, Gen. & Pesn. Memoires of Chester & Deleward Cos., PA. II:435. Newberry Library E4854085)
In 1712 and 1718 John Rentfro witnessed to Quaker marriages in Chester Co., Pa. And appears on tax list in 1718-1719 in New Garden Township, Chester Co., Pa; 1724 Birmingham Township, Chester Co., Pa and 17 26 in Nottingham Township, Chester Co., Pa.
(NOTE: Although John was a witness to a Quaker marriage, there is no record he was a Quaker. He is on the Welsh Tract Baptist Church records. It was not necessary to be a Quaker to witness for them.)
At a Monthly meeting in East Nottingham, Cecil Co., Maryland (later Virginia) in 1734, John Renfro was witness to the wedding of Geo. Hollingsworth. Also present was Elizabeth Renfro (Maryland Arch. Annapolis, Film M564)
The will of Samuel Robinet, April 30, 1745, Chester Co., PA mentions Son-in-law, John Rentfro and grandson, George Rentfro (first mention of the given name, George), at Nottingham. (Book F (A 1) p 555, dated May 23, 1745. This will not only proves the Margaret Robinet, John Rentfro marriage but also proves that he was alive as late as 1745. Margaret was John's first wife.
Orange Co, Virginia. was formed from Spottsylvania in 1734.
North Carolina
Sometime after the death of Margaret, John moved to Edgecombe Co., N.C. and married Tomasin Simmons. Sometime in-between, John was in Frederick Co, Virginia where he witnessed a Quaker marriage. It should be pointed out that others than Quers did witness these marriages on occasion. John was on the Welsh Tract Baptist roll earlier. So many of his descendants were Baptist ministers in later generations. One Franklin County resident points out that some may have been Anglican, as Anglican services were held in some of the Rentfro homes prior to the Revolution.
John Rentfro's will was filed in Edgecombe Co., NC in 1748. WILL lists, Sons, George, Enoch & Jacob Ranfrow; wife, Tomasin and ?her two sons, William Ranfrow and James Ranfrow. (N.C. Wills, 1663-1 789, Vol XXVI:27, State Archives, Raliegh, NC. Wife, Tomsen Ranfrow and Matthew McKinney Executors.
Edgecombe Co., NC was formed from Bertie Co. in 1741. Later became Granville Co., laying on the South West side of the Roanoke River adjoining Virginia. Evidence that John was married to Tomasin Simmons is found in the property settled on her by her mother, presumably soon after her marriage.
Mary Simmons to John Rentfroe of Edgecombe Co., tailor, 14 Mar 1742/43 for the love and affection I bear my son, (son-in-law); 100 acres of land on the north side of Buck Swamp
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It has been reported that John Rentfrow married probably three times.
He was first married in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
He then married in Frederick County, Virginia (Winchester in NW part of state.)
Thereafter, he moved to Edgecombe County, North Carolina where he married Tomesin (Simmons) Ridgens before 1742/3.
He left a will in Edgecombe County, North Carolina in 1748.
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Residence:
1734 witness marriage between George Hollingsworth and Hannah McKay. Wife Elizabeth also present. Cecil Co., MD. (later VA)
Property:
Edgecombe County, NC
Deed Book 5, p161
Mary Simmon of Edgecombe County
to John Renfroe of Edgecombe County, taylor
14 Mar 1742/3 for love, good will, and affection I bear my son 100 A on the north side of Bush Swamp joining Joseph Lane, and Bakers Branch all houses, orchards, gardens, etc. part of a grant to Edward Simmons, 17 Oct 1735
Wit: Walter MacFarlan, William Holley
Reg. Edgecombe County
May Ct 1743
(Abstract of Deeds, Edgecombe Precinct, 1732-1758, Hofmann, p. 182 #161
Will:
Will of John Rentfrow
W: 30 May 1748
P: Aug Ct 1748
Edgecombe County, NC
being very sick and weak of body
Sons: Enuch (Enoch) Renfrow, George Renfrow five shillings each and they are to have no further demands on my estate.
Wife: Tomasin Renfrow all my land for her lifetime and reversion to my son Jacob Renfrow. Rest of estate to be divided between my wife and her two sons William and James Renfrow.
Exec: Matthew MacKinne
Witnesses: John Haywood, Nathaniel Holly, John Evans
(Edgecombe County, NC Will Abstracts, 1732-1792, Golden West Marketing, page 68)
(NC Wills by Grimes, page 310.)
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John Rentfro's will was filed in Edgecombe Co., NC in 1748. WILL lists, Sons, George, Enoch & Jacob Ranfrow; wife, Tomasin and her two sons, William Ranfrow and James Ranfrow. (N.C. Wills, 1663-1 789, Vol XXVI:27, State Archives, Raliegh, NC. Wife, Tomsen Ranfrow and Matthew McKinney Executors.
John married Margaret* Robinette about 1695. Margaret* (daughter of Samuel* Robinette, (immigrant) and Mary* Taylor, (immigrant)) was born in 1697 in Chester Co, Pennsylvania; died before 1733 in Chester Co, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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1774 - 1808 (34 years)