A History of the
RANKEN and MOLYNEUX Family
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Letters written in 1872 by Elizabeth RANKEN (1817-1876)
daughter of John RANKEN (1788-1821) and Elizabeth MOLYNEUX (1787-1871)
Letters were written without any paragraph separations – this was done to distinquish individuals mentioned and time period.
Transcribed by Scott O. Fraser
My grandmother was born in Ruskey parish of Aghadory, Co., Londonderry, Ireland, July 24, 1787. Her father John MOLYNEUX was descended from one of three brothers who came from France with William, Duke of Normandy, and who settled in Killead Co., Antrim.
John MOLYNEUX came to Aghadory some time during the last half of last century and settled there being engaged in the lemon trade, which was then extensively carried on in the north of Ireland especially in Aghadory. He married Mary KERR, daughter of John and Jane KERR, whose maiden name was Jan MCCARTNEY, both of scotch descent.
Mary KERR was a woman of genuine piety and grave demeanor. Her husband was a lively disposition and genial. My mother was the only surviving issue of their marriage. She lost her father when only 3 years old, and her mother being a delicate woman never recovered the shock. She left Ruskey immediately and took private rooms in Mr. WALLACE of Garvagh for herself and child. She afterward went to Grace HILL near Ballymona, County Antrim where there was a Moravian settlement, intending to remain there, as the Moravian way of living was in accordance with her views, and to have her child brought up in a religious community, but her health failing she returned to Mr. WALLACE in Garvagh where she remained until her death. Being an invalid nearly all that time my mother was left to the care of Mr & Mrs WALLACE, who had no children and who bestowed on her all the care and tenderness of parents. Her preacher feeling her end approaching appointed her two brothers William and James KERR to be guardians over her child, and directed that she should remain with Mr & Mrs WALLACE until her education should be as far advanced, that she could be sent to a boarding school. She left means sufficient for all this.
Thus at the age of six years she was cast on a cold unfeeling world , though in a pecuniary sense, she was independent, but what would make up for a mother’s love, the sympathy of a mother, or sister, and very soon she began to know, and feel she was destitute of these. When on visits at her friends houses, and some others of her age surrounded her with the warm sympathies of home, and near and dear relatives know how deeply she felt her situation.
She was very sensitive and had deep feelings. She was lively and amiable and a favorite with her companions, any of who she clung to while she lived.
Her maternal grandfather died while she was a child but her grandmother lived till after her marriage. Both were eminently pious. She was greatly attached to her grandmother, and talked of her with the greatest respect and affection.
She lived with her son Willliam KERR in Draghead, the family homestead. She lived to a good old age but was confined toher bed for many years before her death. She was one of the excellent of the earth.
My mother’s uncles had each two children, she was sometimes in the one family, and sometimes in the other but at home in neither. When she was ten years old she was sent to Ballymona to school but the rebellion in Ireland 1798 happening just their Ballymoney was burnt, and my mother with some difficulty was conveyed to her uncles. When the rebellion was over, and the country in some measure settled, she was sent to Grace HILL, the best Seminary then in the north or Ireland for young ladies, and conducted entirely by the Moravians. There she rec’d what she never lost. It was the happiest time of her youth. Everything was so admirably conducted and all to promote and secure the intellectual, moral and religious improvements of the pupils. She often said it was a heaven on earth. There she got a love for the things of God & learned how worthless this world is compared with the Christian joys and prospects. Religion was at that time at a low ebb in the Presbyterian Church to which she and all her people belonged, and great spiritual deadness prevailed but she new her Bible true. While under the care of Mr & Mrs WALLACE they made her read it carefully, and thought they neither questioned her on it, nor explained it to her (that was not the order of the day) yet the seed was there sown which bore precious fruit in after years.
Her uncle James KERR kdied and she appointed her cousin William ORR to be her guardian in his place. Finally she was sent to Coleraine to finish her school days. It was chiefly to learn plain work she went there, which had been neglected up to that time. This is all I reflect of her childhood and youth. It is merely what I heard herself and others tell. Her life was a checkered one but he without whose permission a sparrow cannot fall watched over her.
Aunt Eliza
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My beloved mother, your grandmother was married on the 5th Jan 1808 to her cousin John RANKEN 3rd son of David RANKEN of Heathfield. With the approbation of her guardians, one of who (cousin William ORR) was my fathers uncle. I may here mention that my grandfather MOLYNEUX had a sister Nancy MOLYNEUX who was married to William ORR of Garvah Oghadory, and a daughter of theirs (Mary ORR) was married to my grandfather RANKEN. This formed the relationship between my father & mother previous to their marriage.
When married my mother was 20 years of age and father some months younger. Their first home was Woodbank. David, and John, their two oldest sons were born there. My grandmother intended Woodbank for father but dying without a will, all this freehold property went to the oldest son. Father rather than being his brothers tenant purchased Lisnabaugh near Coleraine. Whither he removed with his family in 1811. Four more children Jane, William, Hugh and myself were born there. In 1821 father died leaving six children the eldest 12 years, and the youngest 3 years old. Mother felt her responsibility and set about doing the best her circumstances would allow. Father left his two brothers executors and mother executrix of his will. Uncle wished her to sell Lisnabaugh and go into a town but mother anxious to have the family educated, and fearing she would not have the means to both educated, and maintain them, held by the place until the last of her sons.
Hugh emigrated. Her trials and difficulties were many, and known only to God. He was her refuge. The longest thing I reflect is her going to her room everyday and fastening the door inside. I soon found out why she went there, and many a night I have listened to her fervent pleadings at the thone of grace, when she thought we were all asleep. Perhaps no mother ever had deeper affection for her children, and it caused her the keenest anguish to part from her sons one by one, and her yearnings after them, and anxieties about them were very great.
At your father’s going away the old family house and place were parted with, and in the providence of God we were treated here 1834. It was a great change to mother leaving the bustle of such a place and church, but she was induced to take an interest in our concerns. She not only minded the housekeeping but took an interest in the school children and would bring them into the quite of her house and taught them many remember her with affection and gratitude.
Little occurred to vary our life for 13 years. When an opportunity offered to go out to Troy, taking Nancy WILSON with her in 1847. You have no doubt often heard of her stay there. She returned to Ireland in the Autumn 1850.
The remaining years of her life she spent in reading and work, both useful and ornamental, which was a source of great enjoyment to her as it filled up the time pleasantly, and profilably, when she was so much alone. The last 20 years were the ripening season, some other time I will tell you of it.
May 1872
Aunt Eliza
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Our Coat of Arms and Crest
The parts you name indicate that the RANKENS were a war like tribe, that they were eminent for their chivalry and deeds of valor. I think the motto (always ready) explains the whole thing.
Both the motto and the dericals were conferred by the reigning soverign under whom they served for deeds of valor, and exploits in the chase and field. You will remember these things carry us back to the semi-barbarons times of the countries. Where literature and science were at a low ebb. Since writing I have been talking with Miss SIMPSON on the subject of crest and family armormial. She says the boars head is a very common thing in heraldry as is the crest of several families.
The RANKENS were a German tribe and mother thinks that the boars head may have originated or belonged to them on that account. As boar hunts were as common there as deer stalking is in England. Miss S--- does not think dates could be given at the heraldry office. The antiquity of it dates to far back for particular dates to be obtained. No one in this country would think of asking for an explaination farther than the arms explain themselves, and the battle ax and javelin or boars spear show the antiquity of the whole thing. The branch of our family who settled in Ireland have been a plain, peaceful, and upright people and have never tarnished their name or execution of a dishonorable action.
Son I have written this to yourself and you can make your own use of it. I think it would be well to distinquish between those who have a right to ask questions and ignorant minds as there is no satisfying the latter.
It is 200 years since the first RANKEN came to Ireland & settled in Aghadory, he was only 19. David RANKEN, Heathfield, was your great-grandfather. Hugh that I have marked was his brother, and father to David RANKEN who died so rich at St. Louis.
The horn of plenty, the cornucopia is the crest of the MOLYNEUX who came from Normandy France.
Grandfather and Grandmother RANKEN
John RANKEN born at Heathfield Jan 16, 1788
Elizabeth MOLYNEUX born at Ruskey July 24, 1787
Only child of John MOLYNEUX and Mary KERR
Married Jan 5, 1808.
Their children:
David RANKEN born Oct 6, 1808 at Woodbank
Emigrated to American April 1826.
Died at Kentucky 1830 aged 22 years
John born at Woodbank Feb 26, 1810
Emigrated to America April 1829
Died at Troy, NY Sept 9, 1864. Aged 54 years
Jane born at Lisnablaugh Sept 4, 1811
William born at Lisnablaugh March 12, 1813
Emigrated to America April 1830
Died at Troy, buried at Albany
Hugh born at Lisnablaugh May 29, 1815
Emigrated May 1834. Died at Woodbank
Troy, NY Oct 23, 1871. Aged 56 years.
Elizabeth born at Lisnablaugh April 12, 1817
Died at Ballykelly April 23, 1876
Aged 59 years.
John RANKEN, born at Woodbank Ireland
Feb 26, 1810 – Died Sept 9, 1864
Nancy MCNALLY born at Brackley Armagh
May 28, 1816. Married at Auburn, NY June 8, 1834
Their children born as follows:
Hugh Fulton, Albany, June 12, 1835 Left home April 5, 1854
Hannah Cordelia, Troy, Oct 8, 1836
Henry Stearns, May 6, 1838
William John, Troy, Feb 10, 1840
Robert Brown, Troy, Jan 2, 1842
David Molyneux, Troy, May 16, 1843
Elizabeth Jane, Troy, March 8, 1845
Peter Buillions, Troy, Feb 6, 1847
Sarah, Troy, Nov 20, 1848
Mary, Troy, Sept 26, 1850
H.C. (Hannah Cordelia) RANKEN married at Troy NY April 14, 1858
To George H. BILLINGS of Cohoes by Rev. Peter Bullions, D.D.
Their children:
Elizabeth Ranken born at Cohoes Oct 26, 1861
Richard Blass born at Brooklyn March 26, 1866
Henry Rouney born at Brooklyn Oct 17, 1869
Bertha Louise born at Cohoes Apr 3, 1876
Henry S. (Stearns) married at Sand Lake May 21, 1861
To Lizzie Kerr WICKES of Sand Lake.
Jessie, only child of H.S. and L.K. RANKEN
Born at Troy Dec 24, 1865
William John married at South Adams, Jan 9, 1864
To Sylvia Janet BOWEN of Berkshire
Nellie Grace born at Troy Dec 2, 1867
Emma Gertrude, Oct 18, 1869
William John, March 27, 1873
Thomas Bowen, Jan 9, 1875
Herbert, Oct 27, 1876
R.B. (Robert Brown) married at Albany March 16, 1862 to
Margaret WALKER of Albany
Children of R.B. (Robert Brown) and M.W. (Margaret Walker) RANKEN –
Hugh Fulton born at Troy Aug 20, 1865
Died Nov 27, 1865 aged 3 months
Mary born at Troy Aug 27, 1867
D.M. (David Molyneux) married at Brunswick NY Sept 18, 1867
To Mary Francis MORRISON of Brunswick.
Children of D.M. (David Molyneux) and M.F.W. (Mary Francis MORRISON) –
Fred born at Troy April 28, 1869
E.J. (Elizabeth Jane) married at Troy Nov 28, 1866
To Julius R. PETTIS of Troy
Children of E.J. (Elizabeth Jane) and J.R. (Julius R. PETTIS) –
Edwin Loomis born at Troy Feb 7, 1870
Agnes Elizabeth born at Troy, Aug 10, 1872 died Dec 24, 1879 aged 7 years
Walter Ranken born at Troy July 10, 1874
William John born at Troy Oct 2, 1876
Sarah married at Troy Sept 13, 1870
To James H. MCDOWELL by Rev. William Irwin D.D.
Lulu born Nov 26, 1875 only child of Sarah and J.H. MCDOWELL
Mary married at Troy, NY Sept 12, 1871 to Martin MCLEAN by Rev. Dr. William Irvin, D.D.
Children of Martin and Mary R. (Ranken) MCLEAN
Agnes born at Norwich NY Aug 4, 1872
Henry Rutgers at Norwich NY Jan 25, 1874
William Longwell at Norwich Jan 29, 1876
Peter Bullions born at Troy, NY Feb 6, 1847
Uncle Hugh RANKEN married Jan 1, 1844
To Sabrina BUSSEY who was born in Hoosick Aug 25, 1821