My aunt Jettie researched the Rankin line and she found that your great grandfather was James Pinckney Rankin Sr. as we had to add the Sr. since your grandfather was named after him. Great grandfather James Pinckney Rankin was married to Rachel Boatwright and she is buried at Salem Cemetery near Wright City, Tx. We also learned that she was full blood Indian,

Regarding Pinckney it is spelled right and I found out that it is a surname also, so great grandfather James P. Rankin Sr. was named after his father's Mother's surname or his Mother's maiden name. That is where they pick up the middle names.

Aunt Jettie could only go as far as the Civil War where great grandfather James P. Rankin Sr.was held prisoner. This was around the Great Lakes area. He died in prison there. I also found out that when one died there - no record of them being there or their death - now how true that is I don't know.

Aunt Jettie found great grandfather James was born in SC about 1820. My grandfather Henry was born in Atlanta, Ga. I have James Pinckney Rankin, Jr. born in GA also.

Now everyone told me that Uncle Dave was born in SC - I have no idea where he is buried or where he lived. Grandfather Henry had a large picture of Uncle Dave. I remember seeing that picture hanging up in Granny Carrie's house. Aunt Rushia got the picture - now where that picture went to I don't know, but I wanted that picture. He had dark skin and dark hair and a dark mustache. He looked Indian.

I remember them saying that Grandfather Henry was on horse back and they stopped in Alabama and stayed there for a while. I was wondering who lived in Alabama. Grandfather Henry crossed down around Nacogodoches area (the only place to cross back then). He met my grandmother in Livingston, TX.

Received on September 1, 2007 from Peggy Lewis, Tyler, TX - rankinotes

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