William Ruffin1 
b. circa 1617, d. 1674
7th great-grandfather of William Lemuel Horn Jr.
9th great-grandfather of Laura Jane Munson.
- Family Background:
- Horn and Allied Families
- Appears on charts:
- Pedigree for William Lemuel Horn II
William Ruffin was born circa 1617 in England.1 He died in 1674 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, indicated by the fact that on 9 January 1674/5, administration on his estate was requested by Robert Ruffin as son and heir, with Captain William Oldis and Mr. William Boddie as surities.2
On 24 July 1635 at age 18, William Ruffin embarked for Virginia at Gravesend, Kent, England, on the ship Assurance; Master, Isaac Bromwell.3 The earliest record of him in this country appears to be his signature as a witness to the will of Edward Chetwyne in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. He signed his name "Gulielm. Ruffin." According to family tradition, his name was originally William Ruthvin. Apparently he had Latinized it, in accordance with the fad in those days, especially among the University graduates. Supporting the Ruthvin theory is that the name "Ruffin" has not been found abroad.1
On 24 July 1635 at age 18, William Ruffin embarked for Virginia at Gravesend, Kent, England, on the ship Assurance; Master, Isaac Bromwell.3 The earliest record of him in this country appears to be his signature as a witness to the will of Edward Chetwyne in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. He signed his name "Gulielm. Ruffin." According to family tradition, his name was originally William Ruthvin. Apparently he had Latinized it, in accordance with the fad in those days, especially among the University graduates. Supporting the Ruthvin theory is that the name "Ruffin" has not been found abroad.1
Additional Data
On back of a conveyance of land from Ambrose Bennett to John Motley and Thomas Turner dated 25 June and recorded 20 September 1843 which conveyance was assigned by John Motley and Mary to Henry Moore and Thomas Turner 17 April 1655 and recorded in Isle of Wight 10 March 1655, these words are endorsed, "May 10 1658, Mr. Arthur Skynner and William Andrews, attorneys, and Henry Moore on his part and Thos. Turner for himself did make over all their right to the land to Mr. William Ruffin."4
Dep. of John Smyth, aged 50 years, said Wm. Ruffin covenanted with John Groves to build him a house for 300 lbs. tbco., Ruffin's son to help 20 days, not built so tbco. was buried in ground for want of housing. 9 June 1664. Dep. of Katherine Thornton, aged 30 years, in regard to Jno. Grove's house, said same. Dr. Robert Williamson came to hire Brove but Ruffin would not let him off. John Groves, aged 23, deposed. Dorothy Grantlyn, aged 32, deposed about this. 9 June, 1664.5
In 1666 William Ruffin patented 750 acres of land in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, at ye Cypress Swamp, adjoining Ambrose Bennett.1
Wm. Ruffin empowers his son Robert to defend in court suit of Nich. Boon. 7 February 1667.6
In 1668 William Ruffin sold to Thomas Pope 450 acres out of 900 acres patented by him and Robert Coleman in Isle of Wight County, Virginia.1
Robert Ruffin sends note to Mr. Skynner explaining that an accident to his father prevented his attending court, etc. February 1668.7
Wm. Ruffin sells to Thomas Pope land that was patd. to Ruffin and Robert Coleman - 900 acres - of which 450 adj. William Boddie and John Gardiner. 5 April 1668. Tristam Knowles, will Bradshaw.8
William Ruffin makes over to Katharine Thornton 200 acres of land. In case of her death land to be equally divided between her two children, Arthur Whitehead and Rebecca Thornton. 9 June 1670. Abraham Rouse, Robert King.9
On 21 January 1675/76, Robert Ruffin "of the County of Surry" deeded to Thomas Giles of Nansemond County "my plantation on which my decd. father William Ruffin of Isle of Wight lived, except 200 acres which my decd. father made over to Katherine Thornton." This deed was witnessed by William Oldis and Edmond Prime, and consented to by Mrs. Elizabeth Ruffin.10
Dep. of John Smyth, aged 50 years, said Wm. Ruffin covenanted with John Groves to build him a house for 300 lbs. tbco., Ruffin's son to help 20 days, not built so tbco. was buried in ground for want of housing. 9 June 1664. Dep. of Katherine Thornton, aged 30 years, in regard to Jno. Grove's house, said same. Dr. Robert Williamson came to hire Brove but Ruffin would not let him off. John Groves, aged 23, deposed. Dorothy Grantlyn, aged 32, deposed about this. 9 June, 1664.5
In 1666 William Ruffin patented 750 acres of land in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, at ye Cypress Swamp, adjoining Ambrose Bennett.1
Wm. Ruffin empowers his son Robert to defend in court suit of Nich. Boon. 7 February 1667.6
In 1668 William Ruffin sold to Thomas Pope 450 acres out of 900 acres patented by him and Robert Coleman in Isle of Wight County, Virginia.1
Robert Ruffin sends note to Mr. Skynner explaining that an accident to his father prevented his attending court, etc. February 1668.7
Wm. Ruffin sells to Thomas Pope land that was patd. to Ruffin and Robert Coleman - 900 acres - of which 450 adj. William Boddie and John Gardiner. 5 April 1668. Tristam Knowles, will Bradshaw.8
William Ruffin makes over to Katharine Thornton 200 acres of land. In case of her death land to be equally divided between her two children, Arthur Whitehead and Rebecca Thornton. 9 June 1670. Abraham Rouse, Robert King.9
On 21 January 1675/76, Robert Ruffin "of the County of Surry" deeded to Thomas Giles of Nansemond County "my plantation on which my decd. father William Ruffin of Isle of Wight lived, except 200 acres which my decd. father made over to Katherine Thornton." This deed was witnessed by William Oldis and Edmond Prime, and consented to by Mrs. Elizabeth Ruffin.10
Child of William Ruffin
- Robert Ruffin+ 1 b. 1646, d. 1693
Citations
- [S554] John Bennett Boddie, Virginia Historical Genealogies (Redwood City, California: Clearfield Company, 1954; reprint Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1999), 262.
- [S554] John Bennett Boddie, Virginia Historical Genealogies, 262, citing Isle of Wight Will & Deed Book 2, page 24, reverse.
- [S554] John Bennett Boddie, Virginia Historical Genealogies, 262, citing Hotten, p. 113.
- [S550] John Bennett Boddie, Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County Virginia; A history of the County of Isle of Wight, Virginia, during the Seventeenth Century, including abstracts of the county records (Chicago: Chicago Law Printing Company, 1938), 526, citing Isle of Wight County Will and Deed Book I.
- [S550] John Bennett Boddie, Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County Virginia, 535, citing Isle of Wight County Will and Deed Book I.
- [S550] John Bennett Boddie, Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County Virginia, 548, citing Isle of Wight County Will and Deed Book I.
- [S550] John Bennett Boddie, Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County Virginia, 554, citing Isle of Wight County Will and Deed Book I.
- [S550] John Bennett Boddie, Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County Virginia, 557, citing Isle of Wight County Will and Deed Book I.
- [S550] John Bennett Boddie, Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County Virginia, 560, citing Isle of Wight County Will and Deed Book I.
- [S554] John Bennett Boddie, Virginia Historical Genealogies, 263, citing Surry County Book 2, p. 99.
