William Ruthven - WILLIAM RUTHVEN

It appears that at least one pedigree published by Ancestry has confused William Ruthven, here treated, with William Ruffin, an Englishman who settled in Colonial Virginia in 1634, and died there before 9 January 1674.
A link to William Ruffin's profile follows:

William Ruffin

A link to a fake genealogy published by Ancestry follows:

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/genealogy/records/william-ruthven-24-cvd...

To be honest that’s an amazing mixup.

Ruffin of Virginia has a clearly English pedigree.

The GENI trees look OK; is there anything needing correction I’m not seeing?

The family group identified for William Ruthven has been disconnected from the family tree of the Lords Ruthven, and is no longer part of the World Tree.

The problem of fake genealogy does not end with the Virginian named William Ruffin. In the following fake pedigree, published by My Heritage, William Ruffin is identified with a man who does not exist, that is William Alexander Ruthven (his name appears to have been created by conflating the baptismal records of two quite different men). To complicate matters further he in turn has been identified as the father of another man who does not exist, that is George John Ruthven.

The fake pedigree published by MyHeritage follows:

William Alexander Ruthven, 1613 - 1674 William Alexander Ruthven was born on month day 1613, at birth place, to William Ruthven and Marion Ruthven (born Clerksone). William was born in 1566, in Gowrie, Perth, Perth and Kinross, Scotland. Marion was born circa 1590, in Edinburgh Parish, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland. William was baptized on month day 1613, at baptism place. He had 4 siblings: Bessie Ruthven and 3 other siblings. William married Isobel or Isoble Reid - Ruthven. Isobel was born on November 16 1626, in Montrose, Angus, Scotland, United Kingdom. They had 4 children: George John (Reid) Ruthven and 3 other children. William lived at address. William passed away on month day 1674, at age 60 at death place, Virginia. He was buried at burial place, Virginia.

https://www.myheritage.com/names/william_ruthven MyHeritage

i found this birth certificate

William Ruthven; aka WILLIAME RUTHVEN

RUTHVEN
WILLIAME
WILLIAME RUTHVEN/MARIONE CLERK FR305 (FR305)
M
04/06/1613
685/1
20 77
Edinburgh

Susan Lynne Schwenger, can you link to the actual record index you found? Seeing it in plain text doesn't help us much, especially since we can't interpret the numerical notations without context.

My guess is that this is an index of the baptismal (not birth) record that Neil already located: https://www.geni.com/documents/view?doc_id=6000000122494076923&

Thanks!

Since other sites are also being cleaned up
the original INCORRECT REFERENCE shows:

WILLIAM RUTHVEN
Williame Ruthven
William Ruthven is the son of William Ruthven and Marione Clerk. He was born before 4 June 1613, the date upon which his baptism was registered at Edinburgh in Midlothian, Scotland. [National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Baptisms, reference OPR.685/1/2]
- THIS INFO is apparently NOT correct - did anyone find this actual reference # ?

more ruffin info:
http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~jinks/genealogy/ruffinwilliam.htm

William Ruffin Family
born: ca 1617 Scotland or England
married: ca 1645
died: 9 Jan 1674 Isle of Wight, VA (intestate - without a will)
CHILDREN:
Robert

William Ruffin listed a passenger on ship Assurance, leaving from Gravesend England on July 24, 1635 at age 18. Master of the ship was Isaac Bromwell.

William Ruffin witnessed the will of Edward Chetwin in Isle of Wight County in 1649, signing his name with the Latinized, Gulielm Ruffin.

Legatees James House, Thomas Attwell, Christopher Holms, John Young, Robert Watson, Henry Pitt, John Inglish, Nicholas Aldred, Mrs. Anne Jones, and all her children; Robert Watson and Henry Pitt, exors. Witnesses: Thomas Brook, and Gulielm. Ruffin.
on May 10, 1658, "Mr. Arthur Skynner and William Andrews, attorney and Henry Moore, for his part and Thomas Turner for himself", made over their right to 900 acres of land to Mr. William Ruffin.

In May 1666, Wiliam Ruffin and Robert Coleman patented 938 acres of land in Isle of Wight County adjacent to Thomas Harris.

In 1666, William Ruffin patented 750 acres of land in Isle of Wight County, VA at ye Cypress Swamp, adjoining Ambrose Bennett. In 1668, William Ruffin sold to Thomas POPE 450 acres out of the 900 acres patented by him and Robert Coleman.
[Cypress Swamp drained into the Pagan River and then to the James River and lay south and west of the two Rivers. Today this is a few miles southwest of the town of Smithfield. This was apparently the land where he lived and this is indicated in his son, Robert's sale of the land in 1677]

On February 7, 1667, Robert giving the authority to represent William in the court suit of Nicholas Brown.

In 1670, William Ruffin assigned 200 acres to Mrs. Katherine Thornton with reversion to her two children, Arthur Whitehead and Rebecca Thornton.

Katherine Thornton may have been his sister.

Court records on March 22, 1674 show Robert requesting the Administration of his father's estate. Securities were Captain William Oldis and Mr. William Body (Boddie). The bond was 90,000 pounds of tobacca, indicating a sizeable estate to be administered.

The Ruffin family may have worshipped at the church on the site of The Old Brick Church (present day St. Luke's Church near the James River bridge. They may also have worshipped at an earlier church Newport Parish which was located on Cypress Swamp.

His wife may have been the daughter of William Jewry. Will below shows inheritance to Robert Ruffin who might have been his grandchild.

Will of William Jewry
(Abstract)
I, William Jewry, of the Isle of Wight County, being very sick and weak, but of perfect mind and memory.
To be buried at the Discretion of my Exeuctor in the Parish Church of the county aforesaid.
After my debts which I justly owe unto any man, being first paid and my funeral expenses satisfied.
Imprimis. I give and bequeath unto ELIZABETH PENNY, the daughter of Richard Penny, of the county aforesaid, One yearling cow calf.
Item. I give an Bequeath into ROBERT RUFFIN, son of William Ruffin of Isle of Wight County af'd, one Heifer of the proper Mark of me the sa' William Jewry. Item. I give and bequeath into John Arran, sone of John Arran of the county af'd a calf, all and singular, the rest of my estate I give and bequeath unto my dear and loving friend ye af'd Jno Arran, for and of this my last will and Testament and do make and ordain him full and sole Executor.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Jewry, renouncing all former wills to this my last will and testament, have set my hand the first of January Anno Domini, 1651.
William X Jewry (Mark)

Signed and deilvered in the presence of us
Richard R. P. Penny, William R Ruffin (W.R.), William Westray
[signed initials as "mark"]

From the Isle of Wight book by Boddie:
pg 535:
Deposition of John Smyth, aged 50 years, said Wm Ruffin covenanted with John Goves to build him a house for 300 lb tbco [tobacco], Ruffin's son to help 20 days, not built so tobc was buried in ground for want of housing.
9 June 1664.

Deposition of Katherine Thornton, aged 30 years, in regard to Jno Grove's house said same.

Transcribed by: Monk Moore (no e-mail address)

ISLE OF WIGHT, VA WILL OF KATHERINE RUFFIN WHITEHEAD THORNTON BATHE

October 10th 1687

Arthur Smith age forty nine years ould or thereabout says that about the
22nd of August hast past, being desired to go and see the widdow
(Katherine) Bathe that lay sick at the house of Stephen Horsfield her
sone in law, I went and Henry Clark and John Watson with me and when the
aforesaid widow saw me she seemed to be very glad and tould me that she
had a greate desire to make a will to dispose of the little she had and
advised me there to take notice of her words and then tould us that all
she had she did give to her sone in law Stephen Horsfield and his wife
and children; but one wether she would give to her sone Arthur
Whitehead. Yo deponant asked her was this that was all she would give
her sone, she said yes for she had never bene no help to Stephen
Horsfield nor his wife since they was married and had always bene
helping her son Arthur Whitehead & tould us there was five cows & two
yearling heifers & three ould steer at Arthur Whiteheads of hers that
she gave to her son Stephen & there or fower sheepe at Stephens house of
hers and what other things that was hers as debt or any household goods
she gave it all to her son in law Stephen Horsfield, only the forsaid
wether, for he must looke after her as longe as she lives & declaring of
it with weeping tiares how unnaturall her said sone Arthur Whitehead was
to her. This I can dispose of
Arth. Smith
Henry H. Clark
John E. Watson
The underwritten Henry Clark and John Watson
have sworn to the above said noncupative will in
court held for the Isle of Wight County October
the 11th 1687.
Cert. John Pitt Ct. Cir.

Note: Wether - Old English for castrated ram or male sheep.

Dispose - to bestow of transfer property.

Noncupative Will: A will dictated to others and not written by the
person making the will. Could be verbal or written by another person.
Many times a deathbed will.

Monk's comments:

"Now we know what Katherine was talking about with the word unnatural.
She was not meaning that he was not a natural child but rather that his
treatment of her was not natural. She got her revenge by giving him the
most worthless animal there was, a wether (castrated ram), good for only
eating grass."

judeandjoe@mindspring.com

Subject: Henry Jefferson Ruffin Vail Gray Applewhite

I think I have finally found the Ruffin-Gray connection to the Applewhite/Applewhaite family and my grandfather. Katherine Ruffin b.1634 m. Arthur Whitehead b.1620 in Lancaster England. Great Grandson Joseph Whitehead b.1716 Halifax Co NC d.17 Feb 1781 m. Phereby Applewhaite b. ABT 1730 Isle of Wight. Their son Joseph Whitehead b.Abt 1781 Halifax Co NC m. Sarah"Sally" Gray b.1788 Halifax Co NC. Sincerely Jude Phillips Smith

Another RUFFIN Page pertaining to this family has been created by Randy Regan.

there are also pages here;
that are NOT correct

http://www.tntcarden.com/tree/ensor/Ruffin.htm

Ruffin, Ruthven

Descendants of Sir William Ruthven

Generation No. 1

1. Sir William1 Ruthven. He married Catharine Buttargask.

Child of Sir Ruthven and Catharine Buttargask is:
+ 2 i. Sir William2 Ruthven.

Generation No. 2

2. Sir William2 Ruthven (Sir William1). He married (1) Isabel Livington. He married (2) Christian Forbes.

Child of Sir Ruthven and Isabel Livington is:
+ 3 i. Sir William3 Ruthven, born 1528; died 1584.

Generation No. 3

3. Sir William3 Ruthven (Sir William2, Sir William1) was born 1528, and died 1584. He married Dorothea Stewart, daughter of Henry Stewart.

Notes for Sir William Ruthven:
Became 1st Earl of Gowery, 1566-1584

Child of Sir Ruthven and Dorothea Stewart is:

+ 4 i. William 'Gulielm'4 Ruffin, born 1617 in England; died 1674 in Isle of Wright Co. VA.

Generation No. 4

4. William 'Gulielm'4 Ruffin (Sir William3 Ruthven, Sir William2, Sir William1) was born 1617 in England, and died 1674 in Isle of Wright Co. VA. He married Elizabeth Jewry, daughter of William Jewry and Unknown.

Child of William Ruffin and Elizabeth Jewry is:
+ 5 i. Robert5 Ruffin, born Abt. 1647 in Isle of Wight Co., VA; died January 09, 1693/94 in Surry, VA.

Generation No. 5

5. Robert5 Ruffin (William 'Gulielm'4, Sir William3 Ruthven, Sir William2, Sir William1) was born Abt. 1647 in Isle of Wight Co., VA, and died January 09, 1693/94 in Surry, VA. He married Elizabeth Prime, daughter of Edmond Prime and Unknown.

Children of Robert Ruffin and Elizabeth Prime are:
6 i. Robert6 Ruffin, born 1681.
7 ii. William Ruffin, born 1683.
+ 8 iii. Mary Elizabeth Ruffin, born 1685 in Surry, VA; died 1761.
9 iv. Robert Ruffin, born 1687.
10 v. William Ruffin, born 1689.

Generation No. 6

8. Mary Elizabeth6 Ruffin (Robert5, William 'Gulielm'4, Sir William3 Ruthven, Sir William2, Sir William1) was born 1685 in Surry, VA, and died 1761. She married William Kinchen I, son of Thomas Kinchen and Sarah Alston.

Children of Mary Ruffin and William Kinchen are:
11 i. Mary7 Kinchen, born 1700.
12 ii. Matthew Kinchen, born 1707; died Abt. 1737. He married Elizabeth.
13 iii. Elizabeth Kinchen, born 1709 in Isle of Wight Co., Virginia. She married (1) Joseph Jones. She married (2) Joseph Exum 1733 in Southampton Co., VA.
14 iv. William Kinchen II, born 1711 in Isle of Wight Co., Virginia; died 1758 in Edgecombe Co., NC. He married Elizabeth Dawson.
15 v. Martha Kinchen, born Abt. 1713 in Isle of Wright Co. VA (Source: Gedpage, Estimated, (Internet).). She married Thomas Jarrell 1734 in Isle of Wight Co., Virginia.
16 vi. Patience Kinchen, born 1715 in Isle of Wright Co. VA. She married Etheldred Taylor.
17 vii. Sarah Kinchen, born 1717. She married James Godwin 1734 in Isle of Wright Co. VA.

NOTE some of this info; is NOT correct,
but, that website should be altered to fixing their data

i've said; i think we are missing a generation ?

RUTHVEN
WILLIAM
ALEXR. RUTHVEN/ISOBLE READ
M
13/10/1650
275/
10 195
Brechin

i paid for this; but; i can;t find a william ruthven 1650 to put it on >>> https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/view-image/nrs_opr_records/40284...

i uploaded an alexander ruthven 1608 file
along with a 1650 william ruthven file

are you sure this one
- https://www.geni.com/documents/view?doc_id=6000000126709598823&
is NOT the mother
- i didn;t see any proof of a daughter with the same name as the mother,
The DOB - date of birth would connect it to the marion clerk or clerksone
we already have
-or; like i suspect WE might be missing one generation !!!

however, i did see; somewhere a record
that showed her mother,
and, that woman had a similar name,
perhaps, marion spelled slighting different
thanks; susna

and, much info here
https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Clerksone-19

Biography
This biography was auto-generated by a GEDCOM import.[1] It's a rough draft and needs to be edited.

Birth
Date: 18 SEP 1628
Place: Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
Baptism
Date: 18 SEP 1628
Place: Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom

Sources
↑ Clerksone-19 was created by Richard Schuerger through the import of Schuerger Family Tree.ged on Sep 8, 2014. This comment and citation can be deleted after the biography has been edited and primary sources are included.
Source: S40 Record ID Number: MH:S500018 User ID: 53DA1A434A4FB28AF6036DD69BF13633 Title: Geni World Family Tree Publication: MyHeritage Text: The Geni World Family Tree is found on <A href="http://www.geni.com&quot; target="_blank">www.Geni.com&lt;/A&gt;. Geni is owned and operated by MyHeritage. Media: 40000 Type: Collection Record ID Number: MH:SC501127 Page: http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-40000/geni-world-fami... Data: Text:
Marie Clerksone
Gender: Female
Birth: Sep 18 1628 - Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
Baptism: Sep 18 1628 - Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom
Father: Andrew Clerksone
Mother: Jonat Clerksone (born Wat)
Siblings: Agnes Clerksone, Thomas Clerksone, Alexander Clerksone, Andrew Clerksone, James Clarkson, Margaret Clerksone, Marione Clerksone, Sara Clerksone, Johnne Clerksone, Agnes Clerksone, Williame Clerksone

Quality or Certainty of Data: 4
Source: S45 Record ID Number: MH:S500022 User ID: 53EFE0AD3B39C5BD26036DD69BF138BD Title: Scotland, Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950 Publication: MyHeritage Media: 30226 Type: Collection Record ID Number: MH:SC501208 Page: http://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30226/scotland-births... Data: Text:
Marie Clerksone
Gender: Female
Christening: Sep 18 1628 - Edinburgh Parish, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
Residence: Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
Father: Andrew Clerksone
Mother: Jonet Wat
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: C11685-7
System Origin: Scotland-VR
GS Film number: 1066662
Reference ID: 2:17JDNBB

Quality or Certainty of Data: 4

NEAL asks,
can anyone provide a source reference for this information
no, I POSTED a bunch of info
on Ruffin - Ruthven in another thread

William Ruthven (1613 - d.) - Genealogy
William Ruthven, Resident of Brechin
At least one pedigree published by Ancestry has confused William Ruthven, here treated, with William Ruffin who settled in Colonial Virginia in 1634, and died there before 9 January 1674.

Ruffin, Ruthven
www.tntcarden.com/tree/ensor/Ruffin.htm
Ruffin, Ruthven. William 'Gulielm'4 Ruffin, born 1617 in England; died 1674 in Isle of Wright Co. VA. Generation No. 4 4. William 'Gulielm'4 Ruffin (Sir William3 Ruthven, Sir William2, Sir William1) was born 1617 in England, and died 1674 in Isle of Wright Co. VA. He married Elizabeth Jewry, daughter of William Jewry and Unknown.

Message Boards - Ancestry
https://www.ancestry.com/boards/thread.aspx?mv=flat&amp;m=236&amp;p...
Most of us no longer believe in the Ruthven theory, but on this page you can see the theory and also the other link to Sussex which is the "ordinary" Ruffin theory. The Ruthven first appeared when a well-to-do Ruffin named his plantation this -- so the evidence is really not there to prove it.

One Web Many Names Ruffin~Ruthven~Harris Family - Family Tree
https://ruffinfamilyclan.tribalpages.com
With the use of different research techniques, such as DNA, family member collaboration and a wide range of resources,One Web Many Names Ruffin~Ruthven~Harris website was created for the Ruffin and Harris descendants. The main focus of this website is Henry John Gray Ruffin who lived in North Carolina,his son Samuel Ruffin who moved to Alabama

this stuff often gets changed, so, i will post in what i just found there

http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~jinks/genealogy/ruffinsussex.htm

Ruffin from Sussex
It is now thought (although not conclusively proven) that William Ruffin came from England, possibly Sussex County. When William arrived in Virginia, he was an eighteen-year-old commoner who signed his name with an X.
Map of England

We are grateful to Lucy Ruffin for her diligent efforts in proving either theory.

William was not only illiterate, but if you look at the dates, there is a skipped generation, which everyone who staunchly believes this theory, completely ignores.
We have a christening record of William Ruffine, son of Robert Ruffine (and wife) of Treyford in Sussex County England. It is dated 14 Oct 1618. He had an older brother named Robert, christened 4 Sep 1615.

I have since found the will of Robert Ruffin, dated 27 Sept 1630. I will copy Monk's translation below. Unfortunately, the will does not give the names of his children. So, I can't be certain that this Robert Ruffin is the father of the William who was christened in Treyford. The will was written in Midhurst, which only means he may have moved to Midhurst sometime before his death and after William was born.

There is a William Ruffyn of Midhurst, (who may have been Robert's brother) who's son William Ruffin was christened on 2 Aug. 1618. This is another of the three Williams found in the IGI that could have been our William. Good reason to move to Midhurst. Midhurst and Treyford are very near each other in West Sussex.

It has always been a question to me, as to, how William could have paid his passage to America, since he was not found to be a headright. My theory: Assuming the christening record is of our William, he had an older brother named Robert. And assuming this is the will of William's father, Robert was a yeoman (my dictionary defines yeoman as a small landowner, a servant in a noble household, an assistant or subordinate as to a sheriff) and assuming he was a small landowner, he probably gave his land to his namesake and oldest son, Robert, who would have been 15 at his death. (Remember Robert(3) and brother William(3) who were in very much the same situation when William left for NC!) Now this brings us to his ability to pay his passage to America. He was probably given a monetary inheritance upon reaching age 18. William would have been 13 years when his father died.

Do you see how this theory, with all its assumptions is still no closer to the truth than the Ruthven theory! I had not intended to send this will of Robert Ruffin to the Ruffin List until I had some positive link to William, like "my son in America" written somewhere. Dreaming again! So, now, the question is.....what degree of proof do we accept? I don't know. But what I have found so far in Sussex gives me the incentive to continue in this direction. There are Ruffins I have found in a previous generation who could have been the parents of Robert. There is still much to go on with what we have. The names of Robert's friends in the will may be of help. I will continue.

Will of Robert Ruffin
In the name of God amen Robert Ruffin of Midhurst in the County of Sussex Yeoman being sicke of body but of good and perfect minde and memory did in the presence of William Moorey, John Locke, Richard Locke, John Chrismas and John Poling the seaven and twentith day of September in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred thirty make and declare this last will and testament noncupative in manner and forme in effect as follows
Imprimus; Hee willed and desired John Locke, Richard Locke, John Chrismas and John Poling to be his friends intrust to sell his goods and to pay his debts and hee willed that yf any moneys shall remayne in his friends of trust hands aforesaid after his debts are paid that all cash moneys should remayne to his children. In witness hereof wee the aforesaid William Moorey, John Locke, Richard Locke, John Chrismas and John Poling have hereunto sett our hands the second day of October Anno Domino one thousand six hundred and thirty.

Monk gives the following note:
I have not changed any spelling or wording. The only thing I have a question about is the name Poling, but even in the certification it appears to be Poling.
This is a noncuparative will, meaning it was not written by Robert Ruffin, but was dictated to three or more witnesses (as required by law) and then testified in court as to the wishes of the deceased.
Notice that they use "y" as an "i" in two words.
Imprimis means "Let it be printed."

There was also an inventory, which was much harder to read, but Monk says it gives no details of what the disposition of the items was. Another way to look at this..........we now know that Robert had children, so we can't rule him out.

Again, if anyone has documents that tell us William Ruffin(1) is a descendant of Lord Ruthven of Scotland, I would really like to see them. Until then, I will continue to look in Sussex County, England. For those of you who believe like I do that we must document our sources and fully research all _clues_, there is a very good "letter to the editor" of RootsWeb Review, Vol. 2, No. 14.

Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2003 15:59:58 -0700
From: Barbara Mallyon
Source: KENT-ENG-L@rootsweb.com
Subject: [Kent] Researching the RUFFIN family

There is a William RUFFIN married 23 April 1604 Minster Sheppey, name of wife not given. ref IGI
Possibly the son also called William. William RUFFIN born 1617 Gravesend, ref IGI When William was 18 years he sailed to America 24 July 1635 on the ship "Assurance" Master of the ship Isaac BROMWELL, they sailed from Gravesend. It appears that William RUFFIN was the father of all Americans named RUFFIN.
These appear to be my ancestors. I have got back to my 4 x great grandfather also a William RUFFIN born approx 1777 married to Ann VINTER 11 May 1799 St. Mary the Virgin Church, Dover.
There is a gap in the IGI from 1617 to 1799 if anyone has any information on the RUFFIN family I would be very pleased to hear from you.
Names that have married into the RUFFIN family at St. Mary the Virgin Church, Dover.
Francos Maria married George Edward ANDERSON 24 April 1825
John married Mary BAKER 20 April 1794
John married Ann HOPTON 4 May 1803
John married Mary KELL 9 July 1814
John Denning married Jemima GOODWIN 1 July 1827
William Henry married Sarah RICHARDS 1 July 1827
Ann married Thomas HUTCHINGS 21 December 1790
Ann married Thomas MORRIS 19 October 1801
RUTHVEN THEORY
In the past there had been much thought that all the Ruffin family in the USA began with the one William Ruthven, the fourth son of William RUTHVEN, who was Earl of Gowrie, a Scottish nobleman, executed for his enmity to Mary, Queen of Scots, when young William was only 3 years old.
Ruthven Raid - 1582
Ruthven Family World Wide + Clans
Gowen Newsletter which explains the Gowrie Conspiracy Legend.
It is believed that he later fled to France, and eventually to Virginia, changing his name from Ruthven to RUFFIN.

Ed Dunn had some very good suggestions for anyone interested in pursuing the Ruthven theory. The one that I remember clearly is to make contact with the Lord Ruthven of today (their title was restored in later years). He would most certainly be the best source for Ruthven ancestry now. I hope someone will take the challenge to research the Ruthvens. Maybe we can settle this once and for all.

"Thomas Ruffin"
I just returned from London, and I'm sorry to say that my trip was not very productive so far as my Ruffin research goes. I had hoped that I would be able to find something - anything - that could help resolve the dispute as to whether we are of English or Scotch descent.

First of all, I was disappointed that I only had one day to allocate to the research. Secondly, the Family Records Centre was extremely busy - almost chaotic, mostly Americans researching their British roots. The center appears to be under-funded, and is located in a bad section of London.

In order to obtain assistance/advice, I would have to stand in a long line with other researchers - all anxious and having their own time restraints. The Brits working in the facility were always courteous, however, they tend to provide you with a simple, somewhat terse response, rather than guiding you through the process or providing any information not specifically requested. As a result, it seemed that I spent more time in the line waiting for assistance than I did in research.

The following is transcribed from my notes. If you have any further interest in any of it, or wish to discuss it, please let me know. You can E-mail me or call me on my toll-free line at: (800) 284-3579, ext. 329.

Generally, the records maintained at the center that would be applicable to the Ruffins are:

1. Wills and administrations 1383 to 1858 from the Prerogative Court of Canterbury ("PCC").

2. Many non-conformist registers 1567 to 1837.

3. Miscellaneous foreign returns of births, marriages and deaths 1627 to 1960.

4. A range of supplementary indexes and publications on family history.

My first effort was to search the indices to Wills and administrations for the years 1578 through 1636, for entries with the surname of Thornton, Ruffin, Whitehead, and Drewry. I found:

1627

John Ruffin, Portsmouth, Hants.

1631

John Thornton of Lenton, Lincs., 3/24/1630, by Edward Drewry.

Robert Whitehead of Semperington, Lincs., 5/11/1631, by Thomas Hincks.

1632

Thomas Thornton of Brockhill, Northants.

Edward Whitehead of London

1633

Mabell Ruffin of Eastrop, p. Highworth, Wilts., widow, 5/21/1633

John Thornton of Byfield, Northants., by son John

While I was at the center, I checked the British Isles version of the IGI. I found two entries for Catherine or Katherine Ruffins. (You may already be aware of these, since I know you have access to the IGI.)

Catarine Ruffin was christened 6 Aug. 1596, in Midhurst, Sussex. Her father was Robart Ruffin

Katherine Ruffin married Richard Stent on 27 Aug. 1619, St. Peter the Great, Chister, Sussex.

I found no other references to a Katherine Ruffin in any of the other resources I looked at.

The IGI also listed the following Ruffins, all in Sussex county. You probably already have this data, but I'm including it, with the spelling exactly as it appears, in case you don't.

Edward Ruffin, christened 29 Apr. 1615, Father - William Ruffin, Midhurst, Sussex

Elinor Ruffin, christened 29 Apr. 1615, Father - William Ruffin, Midhurst, Sussex (twin of Edward)

Elizabeth Ruffyn, christened Mar 1565, Father - Ric. Ruffin, Midhurst, Sussex

Elizabeth Ruffin, christened 18 Nov. 1575, Father - Ric. Ruffin, Midhurst, Sussex

Elizabeth Ruffin, christened 2 Apr. 1611, Father, Willimi Ruffin, Midhurst, Sussex

Elizabetham Ruffin m. Guillemus Morey 14 Oct. 1604, Midhurst, Sussex

George Ruffin christened 5 Sep. 1591, Father - Ric. Ruffin, Midhurst, Sussex

Jone Ruffyn christened 11 Feb. 1570, Father - Roger Ruffyn, Midhurst, Sussex

Joane Ruffin m. Edward Lane 13 May 1589, So. Bersted, Sussex

Jone Ruffin christened 16 July 1590, Father - Roberti Ruffin, Midhurst, Sussex

Jone Ruffin m. John Hanam 1 Nov. 1612

John Ruffyn christened 1570, Father - Richard Ruffin, Midhurst, Sussex

Judith Ruffin christened 26 June 1580, Father - Rogeri Ruffin, Midhurst, Sussex

Margerie Ruffin christened 29 March 1579, Father - Rici Ruffen, Midhurst, Sussex

Margerie Ruffyn, christened 9 Sep. 1582, Father - Rogeri Ruffyn, Midhurst, Sussex

Mary Ruffyn christened 3 July 1606, Father - William Ruffyn, Midhurst, Sussex

Mary Ruffin christened 2 Apr. 1613, Father - Robert Ruffyn, Midhurst, Sussex

Mercy Ruffin christened 2 Apr. 1613, Father - Robert Ruffyn, Midhurst, Sussex

Mercie Ruffin m. Arthur Lodger 5 Nov. 1640, Upmarden, Sussex

Richard Ruffin christened 20 Feb. 1587, Father - Ric. Ruffin, Midhurst, Sussex

Robert Ruffine christened 4 Sep. 1615, Father - Robert Ruffine, Treyford w. Didling, Sussex

Agnis Swan m. Roger Ruffin 12 Oct. 1567, Midhurst, Sussex

Susan Ruffin christened 18 Nov. 1604, Father - William Ruffin, Midhurst, Sussex

Thomas Ruffin m. Agnis Machyne 23 June 1566, Midhurst, Sussex

William Ruffin christened 8 Mar. 1567, Father - Richard Ruffyn, Midhurst, Sussex

William Ruffin christened 21 Aug. 1580, Father - Ric. Ruffyn, Midhurst, Sussex

William Ruffen m. Joane Knight 15 Sep. 1585, S. Bersted, Sussex

William Ruffin christened 14 Oct. 1618, Father - Robert Ruffine, Treyford with Didling, Sussex

William Ruffin christened 2 Aug. 1618 - Father - William Ruffin, Midhurst, Sussex

The only information that I left with that might have some value is the following. It was transcribed from a book indexing Wills and Administrations from Sussex County that are archived in Chichester, which is a small village in Sussex County. And you may already have these, I don't know.

Wills on file in Chichester:

Ruffin, William, West Itchenor (orig. J. 99) vol. 14, page 468, 1588.

Ruffin, Thomas, Midhurst (orig. S. 32) vol. 12, page 177, 1580

Ruffin, Roger, Midhurst, vol. 12, page 84, 1579

Ruffin, Robert, Midhurst, vol. 18, page 39, 1630

Ruffin, Elizabeth, Westdean, vol. 21, page 364, 1649

Administrations on file in Chichester:

Ruffin, Agnes, widow, Midhurst, vol. F, page 175,
1621

Ruffyn, Robert, Midhurst, vol. C, page 16, 1579

Ruffen, Robert, Midhurst, vol. B, page 60, 1588

Ruffyn, Thomas, Midhurst, vol. C, page 46, 1580

I was told that these records can be ordered by contacting the archives office in Chichester. Do you know if they have already been researched?

I have been surprised at the many variations in the spelling of the name "Ruffin", which seem to vary even in a particular entry, with father and son or daughter's surname being spelled differently. Lucy, please let me know if there is anything here that might be a basis for further research. Sorry this was all that I got.

Thom
ENGLAND - KENT
Barbara Mallyon"

I have William RUFFIN married to Ann VINTER 11 May 1799 at St. Mary the Virgin Church, Dover, Kent.
Lott Burgy Cemetery , El Dorado, AR (Union Co.)
African American

Ruffin, Will H.
b. 17 Apr 1870
d. 02 Mar 1958
age 87

Ruffin, Mollie H.
b. 21 May 1896
d. 18 Mar 1960
age 63

Ruffin, Willie Howard
b. 10 Apr 1904
d. 26 Mar 1969
age 64
Wife of Carl Ruffin

Ruffin, Aaron
b. 22 Nov 1916
d. 19 Jul 1971
age 54
Gone but not forgotten

Ruffin, Carl
b. 04 Dec 1900
d. 09 Jun 1979
age 78

Ruffin, William Edward
b. 17 Feb 1914
d. 31 Mar 1980
age 66
Blessed are the peacemakers

Ruffin, Phillip, Jr.
b. 04 Mar 1972
God's Holy Child

White, Lillie Ruffin
d. 24 Jun 1985
Reference Books
From Dr. David Alexander Ruffin
“Any new approach to the arrangement of old and new data must be carefully rechecked … the Family Chart checked against the material in Tyler’s Quarterly and all material checked against material that has been published in The Virginia Historical Register, The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Schwam’s (?) Index, Bohannan’s Old Surry, and William and Mary Quarterly. All of Boddie’s work must be checked:

Virginia Historical Genealogies (1954)
Historical Southern Families (1965), Volume 9
Historical Southern Families (1980), Volume 23
Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight (1938).

“Much material that should be added is in H.H. Daniel’s William Ruffin Family History (1977) and in Boddie’s “Ruffin of Virginia, North Carolina, Middle Tennessee, Missouri and Oklahoma” from Historical Southern Families, Volume 23 and his “Ruffin and De Loach of Virginia, North Carolina, and Mississippi” from his Historical Southern Families, Volume 9.”

William Ruffin (1747-1825) - Find A Grave Memorial
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/132919564
William Ruffin married Margaret Ritchie, daughter of Mary Ritchie and sister of Thomas and Archibald Ritchie, in Virginia in 1803. FROM THE RALEIGH REGISTER. "Man is but a shadow, and life a dream." Of the truth of this, we have had, during the past week, a most melancholy illustration.

Birth: 1768, Virginia, USA
Death: 6 Sep 1825 (aged 56–57), Raleigh, Wake

william ruffin and william ruthven; not the same person
william ruffin born in usa - 1768, virginia, usa

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/194695337/robert-ruffin

COL Robert Ruffin
BIRTH unknown
Surry County, Virginia, USA
DEATH 1777
King William County, Virginia, USA
BURIAL Burial Details Unknown
MEMORIAL ID 194695337 · View Source

Son of John and Martha (Hamlin) Ruffin

Wife of Mary Elizabeth (Clack) Ruffin

Their children were:

1. Martha Ruffin (m. Maj. Buller Claiborne)
2. Capt. James B. Ruffin, #89377002 (m. Mary "Molly" Roane, #89379019)

Family Members
Spouse
Mary Elizabeth Clack Ruffin
(m. 1751)

Children
William Ruffin
1747–1825

Photo
James B. Ruffin
1754–1802

Martha Ruffin Claiborne
1765 – unknown

i added a number of
William Alexander Ruthven, 1613 - 1674 William Alexander Ruthven was born on month day 1613, at birth place, to William Ruthven and Marion Ruthven (born Clerksone). William was born in 1566, in Gowrie, Perth, Perth and Kinross, Scotland. Marion was born circa 1590, in Edinburgh Parish, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland. William was baptized on month day 1613, at baptism place. He had 4 siblings: Bessie Ruthven and 3 other siblings. William married Isobel or Isoble Reid - Ruthven. Isobel was born on November 16 1626, in Montrose, Angus, Scotland, United Kingdom. They had 4 children: George John (Reid) Ruthven and 3 other children. William lived at address -- i'll see what i can discover out of this that is true - i know i am NOT connected to RUFFIN

RUTHVEN
MARIONE
ARCHEBALD SOFTLEY/FR887 (FR887)
13/01/1648
685/1
430 280
Edinburgh -- marriage

marriage

RUTHVEN
JONET
JAMES SCOTTE/FR835 (FR835)
10/05/1640
685/1
430 231
Edinburgh

Marriage

RUTHVEN
HELLEN
PATRIK GRAY/FR130 (FR130)
21/06/1646
369/
10 117
Kinnoull

Marriage

RUTHVEN
HELEN
PATRIK GRAY/FR128 AND 149 (FR128)
25/05/1645
369/
10 115
Kinnoull

RUTHVEN
AGNES
JHON MURDOCH/FR18 (FR18)
07/06/1627
366/
10 25
Kinfauns

Marriage

RUTHVEN
AGNES
JAMES SANDY/FR36 (FR36)
24/07/1638
366/
10 59
Kinfauns

RUTHVEN
WILLIAM
ISABELL GARDNER/FR48 (FR48)
05/04/1649
366/
10 91
Kinfauns

Marriage

RUTHVEN
JA
METALD /REA FR15 (FR15)
14/07/1646
273/
10 10
Auchterhouse

JA = john alexander ???

Ruthven deaths

RUTHVEN
-----
-----
U
00/03/1645
150/
10 177
Cullen

RUTHVEN
RICHARD
-----
M
21/03/1645
150/
10 177
Cullen

RUTHVEN
CATHREINE
-----
F
00/07/1628
685/3
200 39
Canongate

RUTHVEN
DOROTHIE
-----
F
00/02/1634
685/3
200 55
Canongate