Robert Rutherford (R1)
[The biography of Robert Rutherford below gives a few highlights of Rutherford's life and a copy of his will. A more detailed and extensively researched biography of Robert Rutherford by Rudolf Loeser can be accessed by this link] Robert Rutherford, of Roxburgh County, Scotland, immigrated to Virginia and was recorded as early as march 1676 in Old Rappahannock County. The immigrant Robert Rutherford's great grandson was Robert Rutherford, of Jefferson County, Virginia, father of Sarah Rutherford the wife of Daniel Bedinger. During the French and Indian War, 1754-1759 he was living in Frederick County near Mecklenburg. The settlers in the area were gravely affected by Indian raiders killing settlers and burning homes. At its worst, in the late 1750s, many rural farmers had left the countryside for safer havens. The settlers were largely responsible for their own defense. Neighbors gathered at local sites that afforded some protection. In Mecklenburg, Fort Shepherd was a stockaded stone house where neighbors gathered in time of an Indian onslaught. “It is said that one of Thomas Shepherd’s sons was born while the fort was besieged by a band of the bloody marauders.” [i] |
In 1755, George Washington was promoted Colonel and named commander of all Virginia forces to protect the inhabitants from Indian raids. George Washington established headquarters at Fort Loudon, Winchester, Virginia, located a few miles southeast of Mecklenburg, Virginia. The regular military force was sparse. Under the orders of Governor Dinwiddie, Washington organized bodies of rangers whose duties were to scour the woodlands and give notice of approach of war parties.”[ii] One of these companies is of special interest to us because it was raised by Captain Robert Rutherford, known as “Robins Rangers,” composed of able-bodied young men, expert marksmen, and fearless Indian fighters. This company did very efficient service and was praised by George Washington.
Although a member of the Republican Party, Robert Rutherford was a staunch admirer of President Washington. As Captain of the Rangers during the Indian wars and as surveyor for Lord Fairfax, he had been associated with Washington and a friendship developed which lasted a lifetime. He was a frequent guest at Washington’s home.
He entered into political life of the emerging nation succeeding George Washington in 1766 as Representative of Frederick County to the Virginia House of Burgesses. In 1772, he was elected Representative from Berkeley County, Virginia. He was strongly opposed to the policies of the British Government and with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and others signed the Virginia Nonimportation Resolutions of 1769 and 1770 in which “…his majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects of Virginia…” gently but firmly protested the infringement of their sovereign rights. He continued to publicly object to the restrictive policies of the British Government against the American Colonies as a Member of the Virginia House of Burgesses and was a delegate to the Virginia Conventions in Richmond and in Williamsburg in 1775 and 1776. During the American Revolution he supported the cause of liberty and from 1776-1790 he served in he Virginia State Senate. He was the first person elected to the U. S. Congress west of the Blue Ridge, serving in the House of Representatives from March 4, 1793 until March 3, 1797.
Robert Rutherford’s youngest daughter, Eleanor wrote a description of her father: “He looked old when I first recollected him yet he was handsome with dark hair worn in a queue, grey eyes and a high forehead. He was always plain in his dress and wore short clothes, knee and shoe buckles. His disposition was cheerful; he was musical and sang well. His manners were easy, his conversation agreeable. He did not fight in the Revolution but worked all through those years supporting the cause of liberty.”
While he was a man of high character, of education and refined feelings, of great kindness and generous to a fault, he was very inattentive to fashion and always dressed in a very ample style. During his service as a member of congress in Philadelphia he was invited to dine with a prominent citizen of that city. Near the appointed hour he presented himself, probably in homespun clothing, at the residence of his friend. Not giving his name at the door he was not recognized and was requested to wait for the gentleman of the hour who was soon expected. Not being invited into the house, on account of the plainness of his appearance, Mr. Rutherford, who greatly enjoyed a piece of fun, took a seat quietly on the doorstep. After a short time the lady of the house noticed him and still not knowing him, and supposing him to be tired and in need, said kindly she would give him his dinner if he would come in and cut some wood and bring some water she wanted. Mr. Rutherford readily assented and, after doing what she asked of him took a seat in the corner of the kitchen to wait for the promised dinner.
Meanwhile the gentleman of the house was wondering at the nonappearance of the honorable member of Congress from Virginia. Upon inquiring if anyone had called and asked for him, he was told that no one had done so except an old man who was then in the kitchen, waiting to see him on business. Mr. Rutherford was soon forthcoming; the hostess was of course mortified at her mistake but was soon put at ease by Mr. Rutherford who was greatly amused and not at all offended, and the dinner passed off nicely but not in the kitchen.[iii]
In his will he named his wife, Mary,[iv] who was living, his living children, his brother Thomas and his sons-in-law and his step-daughter. He devised money to be given to the deserving poor of the neighborhood, and money to each of the seven neighborhood churches.
His will, proved June 11, 1805, is given below:
He entered into political life of the emerging nation succeeding George Washington in 1766 as Representative of Frederick County to the Virginia House of Burgesses. In 1772, he was elected Representative from Berkeley County, Virginia. He was strongly opposed to the policies of the British Government and with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and others signed the Virginia Nonimportation Resolutions of 1769 and 1770 in which “…his majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects of Virginia…” gently but firmly protested the infringement of their sovereign rights. He continued to publicly object to the restrictive policies of the British Government against the American Colonies as a Member of the Virginia House of Burgesses and was a delegate to the Virginia Conventions in Richmond and in Williamsburg in 1775 and 1776. During the American Revolution he supported the cause of liberty and from 1776-1790 he served in he Virginia State Senate. He was the first person elected to the U. S. Congress west of the Blue Ridge, serving in the House of Representatives from March 4, 1793 until March 3, 1797.
Robert Rutherford’s youngest daughter, Eleanor wrote a description of her father: “He looked old when I first recollected him yet he was handsome with dark hair worn in a queue, grey eyes and a high forehead. He was always plain in his dress and wore short clothes, knee and shoe buckles. His disposition was cheerful; he was musical and sang well. His manners were easy, his conversation agreeable. He did not fight in the Revolution but worked all through those years supporting the cause of liberty.”
While he was a man of high character, of education and refined feelings, of great kindness and generous to a fault, he was very inattentive to fashion and always dressed in a very ample style. During his service as a member of congress in Philadelphia he was invited to dine with a prominent citizen of that city. Near the appointed hour he presented himself, probably in homespun clothing, at the residence of his friend. Not giving his name at the door he was not recognized and was requested to wait for the gentleman of the hour who was soon expected. Not being invited into the house, on account of the plainness of his appearance, Mr. Rutherford, who greatly enjoyed a piece of fun, took a seat quietly on the doorstep. After a short time the lady of the house noticed him and still not knowing him, and supposing him to be tired and in need, said kindly she would give him his dinner if he would come in and cut some wood and bring some water she wanted. Mr. Rutherford readily assented and, after doing what she asked of him took a seat in the corner of the kitchen to wait for the promised dinner.
Meanwhile the gentleman of the house was wondering at the nonappearance of the honorable member of Congress from Virginia. Upon inquiring if anyone had called and asked for him, he was told that no one had done so except an old man who was then in the kitchen, waiting to see him on business. Mr. Rutherford was soon forthcoming; the hostess was of course mortified at her mistake but was soon put at ease by Mr. Rutherford who was greatly amused and not at all offended, and the dinner passed off nicely but not in the kitchen.[iii]
In his will he named his wife, Mary,[iv] who was living, his living children, his brother Thomas and his sons-in-law and his step-daughter. He devised money to be given to the deserving poor of the neighborhood, and money to each of the seven neighborhood churches.
His will, proved June 11, 1805, is given below:
Jefferson County, West Virginia
Will Book 1, Pages 198 - 204
Rutherford, Robert, Will
In the name of god amen. I Robert Rutherford of Jefferson county in the state of Virginia being of
sound mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament, in the manner following that is to say the disposal of my body I leave to the discretion, and affection of my friends Casting my soul in the lowliest man ever before the all supreme Judge imploring his infinite Mercy together with the pity and gracious interposition of my -?- -?- Redeemer.
And secondly, my will is that all my just debts be paid so soon as my Executrix and executors shall be enabled to settle and discharge the same which I wish them my said Executrix and executors, to settle on the most enlarge principles of Justice, and generosity, as well as equity, And in the generosity, as well as equity, And in the manner hereafter divided.
Item to my affectionate wife Mary Rutherford, I give full and ample possession of the tract of land, I now live on, together with the mill and sawmill with all the appertinancies thereunto belonging as also all houses, Buildings, orchards and other improvements of what kind so ever to the said premisies belonging, or in anywise thereunto appertaining during the full term in which I am possessed, which will terminate on the first day of May one thousand eight hundred and four.
Item I further give and bequeath to my said wife Mary Rutherford all my books and furniture of every kind and denomination whatsoever, together with all the slaves belonging to my estate at the time of my discease also all my stock of every kind, as also all the utensils of husbandry of every kind and nature whatsoever, my -?- -?- and the -?- belonging to them to, together with my Bees and the crop that may be growing in the before mentioned farm, at the time of my discease also the grain of every kind that may be there on hand together with the necessaries and other articles provided for the use and consumption of my family and stock All and singular the property hereunto mentioned to her the said Mary Rutherford her heirs and assigns forever.
Item It is my will and desire that the sum of one hundred pounds shall be divided amongst the most
deserving poor of my neighborhood at the discretion of my executors
Item I give and bequeath the sum of forty dollars to the following churches and Chapples that is to say to the Stone Church -?- charles, that is in borough of Winchester to that in Martinsburg the Chapple in
Shepherdstown Morgans and Hedges Chapples together with the Presbeterian Meeting house, and the methodist congregation in charles town each as above mentioned the sum of forty dollars.
And whereas my son in law John Morrow holds my bond dated the ninth day of November one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven conditioned for the conveyance of four thousand acres of land situate on the River Ohio in the state of virginia It is therefore my will and desire, and I do hereby direct and empower my executrix and executors hereafter named, or such of them as shall think proper to act, to
make and execute unto him the said John Morrow his heirs or assigns Deeds of conveyance for that aforesaid four thousand acres of land in conformity with and agreeable to the conditions of the bond aforesaid at any time thereto required by the said John Morrow or his legal representatives.
Item In case my son in law Daniel Bedinger shall not obtain peaceable and -?- possession of the one
Thousand acres of land all ready conveyed to him situate in the state of Kentucky near Henderson grant then and in that case I give and bequeath to the said Daniel Bedinger the one thousand acres which I purchased of James Critter on green River in lieu thereof, on the said Daniel Bedingers relinquishing the title made to the aforesaid tract or parcel of land.
Item I give and bequeath to my wifes son in law William Little one -?- -?- or half of all the land remaining unsold, and unconveyed adjoining and between the land sold and conveyed unto William Brady (now Landes’s) the said William Littles land, William Bulls land, and Cowens land to him the said William Little
his heirs and assigns forever. Whereas I agreed verbally to let the late Richard Morgan have the four
hundred acres of land situate in the county of Hampshire on the drains of the little Cape Capon adjoining the lands surveyed for Joseph Watson and Thomas Speake, for Ninety pounds Virginia currency and the said Richard Morgan having paid me somewhere about the sum of Thirty pounds I do hereby direct my Executors, one the representatives of the said Richard Morgan, paying the balance of the above mentioned sum to convey unto them the aforesaid tract of land.
And Whereas I made an agreement with Mr. Peter Helfinstein diesceased , to add the back part of the
lot in Winchester Thirty six square poles of land out of the land I purchased of Mrs Mary Wood which said
Thirty six square poles of land is transferred to Frederick Curtz. I do hereby give and bequeath to the said Frederick Curtz, his heirs and assigns for ever the said thirty six square poles of land adjoining the part of
the lot he now lives on, that is to say extending from his ground back westward, to the edge of a sink, thence turning at right angles, and runing a line parilel to Loudon street south westwardly to the extremity of my land south thence with a line of the same to the extremity of my land Eastwardly and with a line of he same being the line of the land I purchased of Mrs Mary Wood to the beginning. he the said Frederick Curtz paying the sum of ten pounds.
And whereas it may be necessary for the payment of my just debts and the several legacies herein before bequeathed , that some part of my estate should be sold by my executors, it is therefore my will and desire , and I do hereby empower direct my executors hereafter named, or such of them as shall think proper to act to sell and dispose of any part of my estate ether real or personal, be the same situated in the state of
Virginia, Kentucky or either of them , and to make ample and complete deeds, for any part of the property they sold by them for the purposes aforesaid, And it is further my will that all the land belonging to my estate which shall remain unsold by my executors as above directed, shall be equally divided amongst the following persons Viz Margaret Little, Susanna Peyton, Mary Morrow, Deborah Hite, Elizabeth Davis, Sarah Bedinger and Eleanor Brown to them their heirs, or assigns forever. The same to be divided in such a manner as shall be thought most proper by my executors, in order that each of them may have an equal share or divided according to real value.
And I wish it further to be understood as my will that the legacies heretofore bequeathed to my wife Mary Rutherford together with, all other proper not before mentioned shall in case of her death happening before mine, be divided in like manner amongst her daughters aforesaid, except the mulatto woman Beck and her family of children which I wish to be disposed of in the following manner Viz To my daughter Sarah Bedinger I give and bequeath the said negres woman Beck, and in case the said woman has us issue after
the date of this my will I also give and bequeath to my said daughter Sarah Bedinger, her youngest son called Robin but in case of other issue I give and bequeath the said boy Robin to my wifes daughter Margaret Little and all the issue of he said mulatto woman Beck after the date aforesaid. I give with her to the said Sarah Bedinger in lieu thereof to my daughter Mary Morrow I give and bequeath the negro boy Jonathon to my daughter Deborah Hite, I give and bequeath the negro boy Bill to my daughter Elizabeth
Davis, I give and bequeath the negro boy John and to my daughter Eleanor Brown, I give the two negro boys Harry and George to each of them as above mentioned, their heirs or assigns forever, but It must be farther understood as my will that the above mentioned slaves shall not be disposed of in any manner whatever
contrary to the wish or inclination of my daughters aforesaid.
And as great contests have heretofore arisen on the meaning and constructions of wills, it is my will and desire, if any ambiguity e found with this my last will and testament, that it be altogether left to my executors and such persons as they may choose to assist them in coming at and opening out my present intentions , in forming this my will, and that their decision be final, conclusive and binding, on all concerned without litigation or law suit
And finally I do hereby nominate and appoint my loving wife Mary Rutherford my affectionate brother Thomas Rutherford my sons in law John Peyton, John Morrow, George Hite, Daniel Bedinger, Joseph Wilson Davis, and James Brown Executrix and executors to this my last will and testament hereby revoking annuling and making void all will, or wills by me heretofore made, pronouncing, publishing and declareing this, and this only to be my last will and testament. In testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifth day of January in the year of our lord Anno Dom one thousand eight hundred and two
Signed sealed, and published by the testator as his last will and testament out in the presence of us
Robert Rutherford HS
Will Book 1, Pages 198 - 204
Rutherford, Robert, Will
In the name of god amen. I Robert Rutherford of Jefferson county in the state of Virginia being of
sound mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament, in the manner following that is to say the disposal of my body I leave to the discretion, and affection of my friends Casting my soul in the lowliest man ever before the all supreme Judge imploring his infinite Mercy together with the pity and gracious interposition of my -?- -?- Redeemer.
And secondly, my will is that all my just debts be paid so soon as my Executrix and executors shall be enabled to settle and discharge the same which I wish them my said Executrix and executors, to settle on the most enlarge principles of Justice, and generosity, as well as equity, And in the generosity, as well as equity, And in the manner hereafter divided.
Item to my affectionate wife Mary Rutherford, I give full and ample possession of the tract of land, I now live on, together with the mill and sawmill with all the appertinancies thereunto belonging as also all houses, Buildings, orchards and other improvements of what kind so ever to the said premisies belonging, or in anywise thereunto appertaining during the full term in which I am possessed, which will terminate on the first day of May one thousand eight hundred and four.
Item I further give and bequeath to my said wife Mary Rutherford all my books and furniture of every kind and denomination whatsoever, together with all the slaves belonging to my estate at the time of my discease also all my stock of every kind, as also all the utensils of husbandry of every kind and nature whatsoever, my -?- -?- and the -?- belonging to them to, together with my Bees and the crop that may be growing in the before mentioned farm, at the time of my discease also the grain of every kind that may be there on hand together with the necessaries and other articles provided for the use and consumption of my family and stock All and singular the property hereunto mentioned to her the said Mary Rutherford her heirs and assigns forever.
Item It is my will and desire that the sum of one hundred pounds shall be divided amongst the most
deserving poor of my neighborhood at the discretion of my executors
Item I give and bequeath the sum of forty dollars to the following churches and Chapples that is to say to the Stone Church -?- charles, that is in borough of Winchester to that in Martinsburg the Chapple in
Shepherdstown Morgans and Hedges Chapples together with the Presbeterian Meeting house, and the methodist congregation in charles town each as above mentioned the sum of forty dollars.
And whereas my son in law John Morrow holds my bond dated the ninth day of November one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven conditioned for the conveyance of four thousand acres of land situate on the River Ohio in the state of virginia It is therefore my will and desire, and I do hereby direct and empower my executrix and executors hereafter named, or such of them as shall think proper to act, to
make and execute unto him the said John Morrow his heirs or assigns Deeds of conveyance for that aforesaid four thousand acres of land in conformity with and agreeable to the conditions of the bond aforesaid at any time thereto required by the said John Morrow or his legal representatives.
Item In case my son in law Daniel Bedinger shall not obtain peaceable and -?- possession of the one
Thousand acres of land all ready conveyed to him situate in the state of Kentucky near Henderson grant then and in that case I give and bequeath to the said Daniel Bedinger the one thousand acres which I purchased of James Critter on green River in lieu thereof, on the said Daniel Bedingers relinquishing the title made to the aforesaid tract or parcel of land.
Item I give and bequeath to my wifes son in law William Little one -?- -?- or half of all the land remaining unsold, and unconveyed adjoining and between the land sold and conveyed unto William Brady (now Landes’s) the said William Littles land, William Bulls land, and Cowens land to him the said William Little
his heirs and assigns forever. Whereas I agreed verbally to let the late Richard Morgan have the four
hundred acres of land situate in the county of Hampshire on the drains of the little Cape Capon adjoining the lands surveyed for Joseph Watson and Thomas Speake, for Ninety pounds Virginia currency and the said Richard Morgan having paid me somewhere about the sum of Thirty pounds I do hereby direct my Executors, one the representatives of the said Richard Morgan, paying the balance of the above mentioned sum to convey unto them the aforesaid tract of land.
And Whereas I made an agreement with Mr. Peter Helfinstein diesceased , to add the back part of the
lot in Winchester Thirty six square poles of land out of the land I purchased of Mrs Mary Wood which said
Thirty six square poles of land is transferred to Frederick Curtz. I do hereby give and bequeath to the said Frederick Curtz, his heirs and assigns for ever the said thirty six square poles of land adjoining the part of
the lot he now lives on, that is to say extending from his ground back westward, to the edge of a sink, thence turning at right angles, and runing a line parilel to Loudon street south westwardly to the extremity of my land south thence with a line of the same to the extremity of my land Eastwardly and with a line of he same being the line of the land I purchased of Mrs Mary Wood to the beginning. he the said Frederick Curtz paying the sum of ten pounds.
And whereas it may be necessary for the payment of my just debts and the several legacies herein before bequeathed , that some part of my estate should be sold by my executors, it is therefore my will and desire , and I do hereby empower direct my executors hereafter named, or such of them as shall think proper to act to sell and dispose of any part of my estate ether real or personal, be the same situated in the state of
Virginia, Kentucky or either of them , and to make ample and complete deeds, for any part of the property they sold by them for the purposes aforesaid, And it is further my will that all the land belonging to my estate which shall remain unsold by my executors as above directed, shall be equally divided amongst the following persons Viz Margaret Little, Susanna Peyton, Mary Morrow, Deborah Hite, Elizabeth Davis, Sarah Bedinger and Eleanor Brown to them their heirs, or assigns forever. The same to be divided in such a manner as shall be thought most proper by my executors, in order that each of them may have an equal share or divided according to real value.
And I wish it further to be understood as my will that the legacies heretofore bequeathed to my wife Mary Rutherford together with, all other proper not before mentioned shall in case of her death happening before mine, be divided in like manner amongst her daughters aforesaid, except the mulatto woman Beck and her family of children which I wish to be disposed of in the following manner Viz To my daughter Sarah Bedinger I give and bequeath the said negres woman Beck, and in case the said woman has us issue after
the date of this my will I also give and bequeath to my said daughter Sarah Bedinger, her youngest son called Robin but in case of other issue I give and bequeath the said boy Robin to my wifes daughter Margaret Little and all the issue of he said mulatto woman Beck after the date aforesaid. I give with her to the said Sarah Bedinger in lieu thereof to my daughter Mary Morrow I give and bequeath the negro boy Jonathon to my daughter Deborah Hite, I give and bequeath the negro boy Bill to my daughter Elizabeth
Davis, I give and bequeath the negro boy John and to my daughter Eleanor Brown, I give the two negro boys Harry and George to each of them as above mentioned, their heirs or assigns forever, but It must be farther understood as my will that the above mentioned slaves shall not be disposed of in any manner whatever
contrary to the wish or inclination of my daughters aforesaid.
And as great contests have heretofore arisen on the meaning and constructions of wills, it is my will and desire, if any ambiguity e found with this my last will and testament, that it be altogether left to my executors and such persons as they may choose to assist them in coming at and opening out my present intentions , in forming this my will, and that their decision be final, conclusive and binding, on all concerned without litigation or law suit
And finally I do hereby nominate and appoint my loving wife Mary Rutherford my affectionate brother Thomas Rutherford my sons in law John Peyton, John Morrow, George Hite, Daniel Bedinger, Joseph Wilson Davis, and James Brown Executrix and executors to this my last will and testament hereby revoking annuling and making void all will, or wills by me heretofore made, pronouncing, publishing and declareing this, and this only to be my last will and testament. In testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifth day of January in the year of our lord Anno Dom one thousand eight hundred and two
Signed sealed, and published by the testator as his last will and testament out in the presence of us
Robert Rutherford HS
The will of Robert Rutherford contains references to the disposition of several slaves. He had had owned more slaves whom he freed before he died. He was one of the first slave owners in Jefferson County to manumit his slaves.[v] In the early records of Jefferson County is found the following:
“December 9, 1801.—The records state that a “Mr. Rutherford” (evidently meaning Robert Rutherford, the Congressman) appeared before the justices and had placed on record the fact of his having manumitted three of his slaves, Menta, Joseph and Adam. This is the first case of manumission in the county, and is notable for the reason that it was long before any anti-slavery agitation occurred. It is altogether probably that this course (manumission) would have been generally pursued, in the border States, at any rate, had not violent agitators risen to attempt to force the matter. Some horses may be led but not driven. Numbers of other cases occurred similar to that of good, plain old “Robin” Rutherford, whose heart is said to have been far out of proportion with his small frame.”[vi]
“December 9, 1801.—The records state that a “Mr. Rutherford” (evidently meaning Robert Rutherford, the Congressman) appeared before the justices and had placed on record the fact of his having manumitted three of his slaves, Menta, Joseph and Adam. This is the first case of manumission in the county, and is notable for the reason that it was long before any anti-slavery agitation occurred. It is altogether probably that this course (manumission) would have been generally pursued, in the border States, at any rate, had not violent agitators risen to attempt to force the matter. Some horses may be led but not driven. Numbers of other cases occurred similar to that of good, plain old “Robin” Rutherford, whose heart is said to have been far out of proportion with his small frame.”[vi]
[i] General references for information on Robert Rutherford follow:
(1) Bushong, Millard Kessler, 1941, A History of Jefferson County West Virginia, Jefferson Publishing Company, Charles Town, West Virginia, 438 p.
(2) Rutherford, W. K. and Rutherford, A. C., 1969, Genealogical History of the Rutherford Family, Vol. I, Intercollegiate Press, Shawnee Mission, Kansas.
(3) Mary Rutherford (Hughes) Tayloe, 1985, Jamestown to Charles Town Descendants of Robert Beheathland and Allied Families, Published by the Author.
(4) Wayland, John Walter, 1907, The German Element of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Published by the Author, 272 p.
[ii] Dandridge, Danske, 1910, Historic Shepherdstown, The Michie Company, Printers, Charlottesville, Virginia, 389 p., p. 32.
[iii] West Virginia Historical Magazine Quarterly, Vol. 1.
[iv] Mary Dobbin, Robert Rutherford's wife, is said to have married first Lord George Augustus Howe. This is stated without citation of source in several articles published in historical and genealogical publications. The fact of such a marriage was questioned in unpublished notes found in the Bedinger and Dandridge Collection of Duke University. I know of no document that supports the statement. Authoritative British publications state that Lord George Augustus Howe was unmarried. Rudolf Loeser in his biography of Robert Rutherford, pp., 6-8, cites documents that show Mary How's first husband was Thomas How of Winchester, Virginia. Thomas How died intestate. On May 8, 1750 Mary How was granted administration of Thomas How's estate. By her marriage to Thomas How, Mary had a daughter Margaret. Robert brought Mary's daughter up as if she were his own. Margaret married Colonel William Little and both she and her husband were mentioned in Robert Rutherford’s will.
[v] Bedinger and Dandridge Family Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.
[vi] Norris, J. E., ed., 1891, History of the Lower Shenandoah Valley Counties of Frederick, Berkeley, Jefferson and Clarke, A. Warner & Co., Publishers, Chicago, Illinois, 812 p.