Patience Renfro

Patience married Benjamin Clark in 1782. Benjamin was born about 1732; died after 1782. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1734, Orange Co, Virginia; tithe list
• Census: 1740, Lunenburg Co, Virginia
• Possessions: 1773, Pittsylvania Co, Virginia; sold land
• Possessions: 1778, Pigg River, Virginia

Notes:

James Rentfro & Joseph operated a mill on the Blackwater
Census: 1740 Moved from Augusta Co to Lunenburg Co.
Census: 1734 Orange Co Tithe List: "James Rentfro hath no estate -- Over Shenandore"

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

1747James & Esther sold land in Augusta Co.
From "DILLINGHAM MSS" ... James Rentfro sold land to Joshua, Moses, John and Isaac Rentfro in 1778, said land located on Pigg River. There was no dower release. These may have been sons although no mention is made of this in the MSS. Rev. Moses, son of William and Elizabeth Cheney Renfro, lived on Pigg River during the 1780's. James may have just been selling off his lands before leaving the area. {There is mention of Vachel Dillingham and wife Hester's moving from North Carolina to Eastern Tennessee and Kentucky with some of her relatives.

from Jean Morford (Van Bibber archives)
By Jean Morford <
Re: The query I sent you recently on Peter/James Renfro:
James and Esther (Van Bibber?) Renfro did not die in Barren Co., KY as I stated. I mixed him up with John Renfro who also had a wife Esther.
James and Esther Renfro sold land in Pittsylvania Co., VA in 1773. That is the last record of them in VA.
Jean Morford


Census:
Tithe List: "James Rentfro hath no estate -- Over Shenandore"

Possessions:
From "DILLINGHAM MSS" ... James Rentfro sold land to Joshua, Moses, John and Isaac Rentfro in 1778, said land located on Pigg River. There was no dower release. These may have been sons although no mention is made of this in the MSS. Rev. Moses, son of William and Elizabeth Cheney Renfro, lived on Pigg River during the 1780's. James may have just been selling off his lands before leaving the area. {There is mention of Vachel Dillingham and wife Hester's moving from North Caroliona to Eastern Tennessee and Kentucky with some of her relatives.

James* married Esther* Van Bibber in 1719 in Bedford Co, Virginia. Esther* (daughter of Peter* Van Bibber and Ann* Henriette Gooding) was born in 1695 in Orange Co, Virginia; died after 1740. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ancestral File NO: 1SXW-4V7
inda-L-Schlarb/GENE3-0031.html" \l "ENDNOTE94">

(inquiry on Van Bibber site)
I am still seeking confirmation of a marriage between a James Renfro and Esther Van Bibber. They were in various counties in VA in the mid to late 1700's and both died in Barren Co. KY. I have very little information on this couple.

Jean Morford

Children: James Renfro, Jr was born in 1730 in Orange Co, Virginia; died after 1731. 1. Patience Renfro was born about 1732; died after 1782. Mary* Rentfroe was born in 1736 in Crooked Run, on the Shenandoah, Orange Co, Virginia; died in 1810 in Coles Creek Settlement, Natchez District, Jefferson Co, Mississippi. Hester Renfro was born in 1739 in Halifax Co, or Pittsylvania Co, Virginia; died about 1803 in of, Christian Co, Kentucky.

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

---

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.

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=clucas&id=I2583


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.)

----
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]

Notes:

He had land on the Pigg River near Stephen Cole, James Cole, John Cole, and Mark Cole.

mentioned by sister-in-law Mary FitzRandolph in execution of Jacob Van Bibber's estate.1733 as bro of her husband Jacob

Peter's sons, Peter, John, and Isaac, fought in the Battle of Point Pleasant at Point Pleasant, Mason County, Virginia against Indians under the command of Cornstalk. This battle has often been recognized as the first battle of the American Revolution. Isaac died in the battle. John was a Captain and served in Indian wars, Dunmore's War, Colonial wars, and the Revolutionary War. Peter Jr. died in Mason County and John died in Kanawha County, Virginia.

The husband of Peters daughter Brigetta was killed by Indians. Brigetta was taken prisoner.

Peter* married Ann* Henriette Gooding about 1715 in Cecil Co, Maryland. Ann* was born on 3 Feb 1696 in Pennsylvania; died after 1738 in Cecil Co, Maryland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

one source says her last name Goodin, but most have unk for her last name.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Property: 14 Feb 1707, Marlborough, Chester Co, Pennsylvania
• Property: 28 Jul 1727, Marlborough, Chester Co, Pennsylvania

Notes:

Property:
One of the first public services to which he (Henry Hayes) was called to lay out a road from John Renthrow's, in Londongrove, probably near the present Chatham, by way of
Avondale and Kennett Square to the Anvil Tavern. This
was located on the 14th of February, 1707. On Nov. 28,
1710, he was appointed supervisor of roads in Marlborough, but at that time roads were very few.
book: Descendants of Henry Hayes


Property:
referenced in will of Hugh Morgan (2nd husband of his wife)
Hugh Morgan of Nottingham. 7/28/1727. April 6, 1728. A. 273. "To wife Mary all personal estate to bring up the children. To son John all my right to a tract of land that I look up in Co. with Thomas Jackson of Marlborough, lying next to the north of John Rentfroes."

John married Mrs. Mary Elizabeth* Thompson (?). Mary was born in Chester Co, Pennsylvania; died after 1728 in Chester Co, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

speculation that Mary Elizabeth, wife of John Rentfroe is same as Mary Thompson, widow of Hugh Morgan.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Will: 1745, Chester Co, Pennsylvania

Notes:

Will:
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.

Samuel* married Mary* Taylor, (immigrant) about 1695 in Pennsylvania. Mary* (daughter of William* Taylor and Margaret* Finsham) was born about 1675 in Kakewick, Prestbury, Cheshire, England; died after 1677 in E. Nottingham Twp, Chester Co, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Samuel Robinette married MARY TAYLOR in Upper Providence Twp, Chester Co, PA, daughter of WILLIAM TAYLOR and MARGARET FINSHAM

Other Events and Attributes:

• Emigration: Crefeldt on the Rhine, Netherlands
• Immigration: 1684, Germantown, Pennsylvania

Notes:

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~blogan/newsl.html

Van Bibber Pioneers Electronic Newsletter
Volume 1, Number 1 · November 1996

AN EARLY VAN BIBBER FAMILY
By Bruce E. Logan Jr. blogan@zoomnet.net
The Van Bibber family that was the first to settle in the New World was the family of Isaacs Jacob Van Bibber who came to Philadelphia in 1687. He came to America to prepare the way for his parents and the rest of the family that would soon follow. The Van Bibbers were residents of Krefeld (now Germany) and had been persecuted in Europe because they were followers of Menno Simons. Other Mennonites from Krefeld had come to Philadelphia in 1684 at the invitation of William Penn including Herman op den Graff, who was the husband of two of the sisters of Isaacs Jacob. Isaacs Jacob Van Bibber moved to Germantown (now a suburb of Philadelphia) and was engaged in commerce.
It was not long before the rest of the family immigrated to Germantown and resided there and in Philadelphia until moving to Cecil County Maryland. While in Germantown the family got involved in a religious dispute and perhaps that is what caused the migration to Maryland.

Jacob Isaac Van Bibber, b. ca. 1640, d. Sept. 1705, Cecil Co., MD
m. Christina Unknown, b. ca. 1640, d. 4 Sept. 1711, Cecil Co., MD
_________
Van Bibber Pioneers Electronic Newsletter
Volume 1, Number 2 · December 1996

The VAN BEBBERs were originally Mennonites, and came to this Province as such at an early date. The first to arrive was Isaac Jacob VAN BEBBER in 1684. He was a native of Crefeldt on the Rhine. In 1687 he was joined by his father, Jacob Isaac VAN BEBBER, and his brother Matthias, and later by other members of the family.

They first settled in Germantown, but did not all remain there. The elder removed to Philadelphia in 1698 and engaged in mercantile pursuits. Matthias settled on the Schippach in 1702, and in 1704, together with his elder brother Isaac Jacob, and a number of others from Germantown, removed to the Bohemia Manor.

From the fact that these men are frequently referred to as Isaac Jacobs, Jacob Isaacs and Matthias Jacobs, some writers have assumed that they were German Jews. Such, however, is not the case. They were Mennonites, but, like many others of the early settlers, after their sojourn in the Province, they became somewhat unsettled as to their faith. This is shown by the report sent
by Johnan Gottfried SEELIG, one of the original Pietists, who arrived in 1694, to SPENER, wherein, writing of Jacob Isaac VAN BEBBER, he states: "He was formerly a Mennonite, but he desirtes to depart with his whole house, to acknowledge and abandon the follies, scandals, shortcomings and stains of his former religion."

It was this spiritual unrest which evidently induced the VAN BEBBERs to remove to the Bohemia Manor, where at that time the Labidist Community was at the height of its development.

Upon the arrival of the party at the Bohemia Manor they at once stated to erect several buildings, the chief one being known as the "Great House." Several families soon arrived from Wiewerd followed by SLUYTER's wife, who, as abbess, presided over the women. Some converts also came from New York. Thus was founded in North America a branch of the Labadist Community of Waltahouse, of which SLUYTER proclaimed himself bishop, under YVON, Archbishop of Wiewerd.

The settlement at Bohemia never numbered over one hundred, men , women and children all told, mostly novices of probationers, whose faith was to be tried by a very sever system of discipline and mortification. Fire, for example, was not permitted in their cells in the coldest weather, though there was so much wood about them that they were forced to burn it in order to be rid of it.

They were to live hidden in Christ. All desires of the flesh were to be subdued. A former minister herded cattle; a young man of good family carted stone or bent over a wash­tub. Food to which they had repugnance must be eaten, and sins confessed in open assembly. There were different grades to be attained in conformity to the principles and discipline of the society.

Punishments were the deprivation of clothes, taking a lower seat at the table and expulsion. The highest rank, that of brother, was gained by total separation from the world. They took their meals in silence, so that men ate together for months at the same table without knowing each other's names. The men and women ate at different tables. They slept in different rooms which the head or his substitute might visit at all times for examination or instruction.

They labored on the land, and at different trades or employments assigned by the head. Their dress was plain, all worldly fashions being prohibited as well as luxuries of all kinds. They worked for the Lord and not for themselves­­not to gratify their desires, but merely to sustain life. All property was held as common stock, into which all joining the community put what they owned and left it when they withdrew.

The geographical position f the Labidist settlement was originally in Baltimore county, now Cecil county, on the north bank of the Bohemia river, embracing several thousands of fertile acres. The Bohemia river empties into the Elk, which flows into Chesapeake bay. The house or mansion of Herrman was destroyed by fire, but the foundations are visible within a few hundred feet of the river. The remains of his deer park can also be seen. His body was removed to the Bayard vault, a short distance from the old mansion, and when this was abandoned for another vault in Wilmington. No mark was left of his burial place. An oolite slab in the yard of another house, built after the burning of the first, records the memorial of "Augustine HERRMAN, Founder and Seater of Bohemia Manor."

It has been stated, upon different occasions, that here was some similarity in doctrine between the Labadists and the Quakers; also that LABADIE and William PENN were at Oley and Frederick as a recluse. Becoming acquainted with the Moravians, he removed to Bethlehem in 1746. Two years later, Oct 15, 1748, he died, and was buried among the single men on the hill.

In the meantime VAN BEBBER's health became impaired by the rigorous life pursued by BEISSEL and his companions, so he, too, felt constrained to leave the cabin on the Muhlbach. BEISSEL was loth to lose him, and the parting was a painful one, as noted in the "Chronicon":

"He took leave of the Superintendent (BEISSEL) with much love, and protested that it was not possible for him live in that way. The former gave him the following counsel to take with him: 'Know that when you are successful in the world, God has forsaken you; but when all misfortune comes upon you here, then know that God still loves you.' After many years he froze both hands and feet in s shipwreck and was put under the care of Christopher WITT in

Germantown. There he remembered this farewell, and sent his last greeting to his old friend."

________________
Members of the Van Bebber family arrived at Philadelphia shortly after William Penn, having been recruited by him in Europe. Isaac Jacobbs Van Bebber was one of the original immigrants from Krefeld, Germany (a few miles from the Holland border), who arrived in Germantown, then a separate settlement from Philadelphia, on November 8, 1684.
--Mennonite Family History, The Van Bebber/Van Bibber Family, by David V. Stivison, Esq., Volume 4, No. 3, January 2001, Van Bibber Pioneers E-Newsletter.
***

Isaac Jacob von Bebber and his wife, Frances Shoemaker, moved with Reynier Herman von Burkelow to Bohemia Manor in Maryland. This family remained in Maryland and had many notable descendants

Issac* married Veronica* (Fronica) Schumacher on 25 May 1690. Veronica* (daughter of Peter* Schumacher (Shoemaker) and Sarah* Hendricks) was born about 1670 in St Stephen's Par, Earslville, Cecil Co, Maryland; died after 1692. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]