Sally’s great-great-great Grandparents:
Joshua Rayner ca 1760 – 1824 | his parents
& 1803 Martha Outlaw 1783 – 1820 | her parents
Of Bertie County, North Carolina
This is my working hypothesis – the way I see it as of this moment!!
Joshua Rayner and Martha (Patsy) Outlaw married 22 Dec 1803 in Bertie County NC. They resided in the old John Rayner place located about one mile from Powellsville off the Cremo road.
Joshua Rayner son of John Rayner and Judith Chappell of Bertie County was born after 1756 and before 1765. Joshua Rayner died 15 May 1824.
Martha Outlaw daughter of John Outlaw and Elizabeth Cannady (They named their eldest son John Canada.) was born in 1783.
“Martha Rayner departed this life on Tuesday Morning, the 5th day of December 1820. She was in the Thirty-Seventh year of age.” Joshua Rayner Bible
Children of Joshua Rayner and Martha Outlaw:
1. Josiah Rayner 24 Sept 1804 – 19 Nov 1806
2. Mary A Rayner 12 Feb 1806 –
married 1826 Aquilla Oxley 1795 – 1857
Ct. Div of lands May 1857 Bertie Co
3. Elizabeth Rayner 27 Feb 1808 –
married 15 July 1823 Aquilla K Copeland
4. Sarah (Sally) Rayner 27 Oct 1809 – 17 Dec 1859
married 13 May 1829 John Thomas ca 1806 – ca 1850
son of Elisha Thomas d 1826 and Polly Burn
5. William Rayner 30 Oct 1812 – 23 Mar 1860
married 20 May 1834 Eliza C Drew
6. Joshua Rayner II 13 Sep 1815 – 11 Sep 1850
married ca 1838 Belinda Hoggard
7. Loadica Rayner 6 Sep 1817 – 26 Aug 1860
both buried Zion Baptist Church, Haywood Co, TN
married 30 Oct 1832 Rev. George E. Thomas 1811 – 16 Sept 1873
son of Elisha Thomas d 1826 and Polly Burn
he married 2nd 11 Feb 1862 Mrs. Lucy Ann Blaydes
Bonds:
#1 Aquilla K Copeland to be administrator of the estate of Joshua Rayner –9 Aug 1824. Aquilla K Copeland, Saml H Sessoms & David Watford bound to George Outlaw.
#2 William Rayner to be Guardian to Mary, Sally, Wm., Joshua, & Dicey Rayner Orphans of Joshua Rayner — 15 July 1826. Wm. Rayner, Josiah Freeman & Elijah Rayner.
#3 Aquilla Oxley to be Guardian to Sally, William, Joshua & Dicy Rayner Orphans of Joshua Rayner –14 Aug 1827. Aquilla Oxley, John H Cobb, James Mardre, Miles Hughes & John Freeman.
#4 John Thomas to be Guardian to Joshua Rayner Orphan of Joshua Rayner–14 Aug 1834. John Thomas, William Watson, & James R Rayner.
Will of William Rayner dated 16 July 1827– proved August Term 1827
I William Rayner of Bertie County do make and Publish this my last Will
First I give to my sister Sally Rayner One negro woman named Edy to her and her heirs forever-
Secondly I lend unto my said Sister Sally the plantation and lands where on I now live
together with two other parcels of land adjoining
One of which I purchased of John Britton
the other of Abner Harrell together with all the profits, —during her natural life, (at her death,)
I give the tracts mentioned above of land unto William Rayner son of Joshua Rayner decd I —
Thirdly I lend unto my Sister Sally two negro men Hebre and Jery during her natural life and after her death I give the Said Negro Jery to Thomas Rayner Son of Amos Rayner to him and his heirs forever
and also I give the Said Negro Hebre unto Joshua Daughtry Son of Daniel Daughtry to him and his heirs forever.
Fourthly I lend unto my Sister Winny Daughtry five negroes namely Hannah, Bay and Barbary, Harry and Harriet during her natural life and after her death it is my will that the said five negroes to be equally divided between John, Mehita, Amos, William R., Daniel and Joshua Daughtry, the children of Daniel Daughtry decd. to them and their heirs forever.———
Fifthly I Give one Tract of Land unto William R Daughtry it being a tract of Land in Hertford County whereon Johnston Hill now lives I say to him and his heirs forever.
Sixthly I give to William McFarlin One negro Girl named Beea I say to him and his heirs forever ——–
Seventhly I give to my beloved brother Amos Rayner my family Bible to him and his heirs forever.———–
Eightly I give William S Rayner One Tract of Land adj to the land of Matthew Morris and others also One negro man named York to him and his heirs forever——–
Ninthly I give to Elijah Rayner, James Duers & Celia Capehart One hundred dollars to be equally divided between them to compensate for a piece of Land that Joel Rayner gave me in his last will that they were displeased with me for Amt quit.
Tenthly I give unto James Ross Oxley Son of Aquilla Oxley One negro girl named Jane to him and his heirs forever.———-
Eleventhly I give unto Joshua Rayner Son of Joshua Rayner decd a Tract of Land Called the Trumbell Tract to him and his heirs forever.———–
Twelth I lend unto Elizabeth Copeland One negro boy named Blount during her natural life for the sole use of her benefit, but not to be Construed or to come under the Control of her husband or subject to the payments of any of his debts and after the Said Elizabeth Death I give the said negro unto Loadicy Rayner daughter of Joshua Rayner decd to her and her heirs forever——-
Lastly all the Residue of my Estate both Personal and real after Paying all my Just Debts and the Legetees above named It is my will and desire it should be equally divided that is to Say One fourth Part to the heirs of Daniel Daughtry decd; One fourth Part to Amos Rayner’s Children; One fourth Part to the heirs of Walter McFarlin decd; and the other fourth part to be equally divided between the following children of Joshua Rayner decd namely Mary Oxley, Sally Rayner, William Rayner, Joshua Rayner, Laodice Rayner–
In witness whereof I the said William Rayner have to this my last will and Testament set my hand & Seal this 16th day of July in the year of our Lord 1827–
Signed sealed and declarred in presents of Test James Ward & Test Isaac P Freeman ——— W Rayner
The Bill of Complaint of Samuel H Sessoms 2 August 1827 . . .in 1826 William Rayner was appointed Guardian to Joshua Rayner’s Orphans . . .and that the said Mary Rayner some time in the year —- intermarried with Aquilla Oxley.
Sally’s 3 great aunt
Mary A Rayner 1806 – | her parents
& 1826 Aquilla Oxley 1795 – 1857 | his parents
of Bertie Co
Mary A. Rayner and Aquilla Oxley (Bertie Co, NC) had:
1. James Ross Oxley 1827 – 1883 Brunswick, Chariton Co, MO
[JimVosper believes he spent most of his adult life in MT
I Sally place the following children as James Ross’s rather than his father’s
as they did not receive shares in the division of Aquilla’s land in 1857]
a. Laura Lafayette Oxley 29 Feb 1848 – 26 Sept 1940 Chariton Co, MO
married 1st Jesse P. Adams
married 2nd Chariton Co, MO Benjamin Franklin Fleetwood
b. Hannah Oxley ca 1849 – living 1870 Chariton Co, MO
c. Rebecca Oxley Apr 1850 Bertie Co – living IL early 1900’s
married 1st ? Greer
married 2nd Chariton Co, MO Gideon Buckmaster
d. Joshua Aquilla Oxley ?Apr 1850 – living 1870 Chariton Co, MO
2. Jackson Lawrence Oxley ca Oct 1828 – bef. 1845
3. Martha Elizabeth Oxley 26 Nov1829 – 10 Apr 1907
married 11 Jan 1848 Bertie Co Henry Jackson Britt 1821 – 1879
removed ca 1857 to Chariton Co MO
a. George Washington Britt 1848 – 1915
married Dora Shackleford
i. Maude Lee Britt
ii. Romie Britt
iii. Oswald Britt
b. William Jackson Britt 1850 – 1878
c. Joseph Augustus Britt 1851 – 1911
d. Mary Elizabeth Britt 1852 – 1892
married Jacob Bruner
i. Betty Bruner
e. Ann Jackolin Britt 1854 – 1857
f. Nellie Keturah Britt 1855 – 1933
married James Marion Glenn 1853 – 1931
i. Clarence L Glenn 1879 – 1958
married Dolly Smith
ii. James Henry Glenn 1881 – 1941
married Dora K Brightwell 1881 – 1964
iii. Jessie Emmaline Glenn 1883 – 1973
married Thomas W Foggin d 1954
iv. Earl Robert Glenn 1885 – 1960
married Gertrude Allie
v. Luther D Glenn 1887 – 1952
married Tillie A Harrison 1887 – 1975
vi. John Britt Glenn 1889 – 1973
married Helen Kelley
vii. Nolan Riley Glen 1892 – 1973
married Ida Grace Hines 1891 – 1968
viii. Stella Hazel Glen 1895 – 1982
married George Watson Clements 1890 – 1977
ix. Pauline Alberta Glenn 1898 – 1981
married Ben Butler Cowan 1898 – 1971
g. Laura Battle Britt 1857 – 1864
h. Patric Henry Britt 1858 – 1874
i. James Albert Britt 1862 – 1862
j. John Oscar Britt 1863 – 1934
married Hallie VanNoy
i. Charles Britt
k. Martha Raynor Britt 1864 – 1948
married Charles H Whittall
i. Maco Whittall
l. Theodosia Britt 1866 – 1938
married Noland L Riley d. 1936
i. Beula Riley
ii. Mayfield Riley
married Elizabeth
iii. H. C Riley
iv. G L Riley
v. A M Riley
vi. E A Riley
married Reno
m. Louisa May Britt 1868 – 1868
n. Amelia Britt 1869 – 1946
married James Dameron
o. Romulus Rothwell Britt 1871 – 1879
4. Ann-Jackline Oxley ca 1831 – bef 1857
5. Amanda Oxley 1832 –
married 1856 Bertie Co Lorenzo Butler
6. William Augustus Oxley 1834 –
7. Leodicia Penelopy Oxley Nov 1836 – 1916 MO
married Shadrach Manasia Britt
8. Oliver H Oxley 1839 – living 1860 Chariton Co, MO
9. Mary E. [Molly] Oxley 12 Nov 1840 – 16 Dec 1893
married 1st Samuel Fleetwood
married 2nd Chariton Co, MO Thomas Prosser Knight
10. Sarah C Oxley 1843 – Sept 1849
1850 Mortality Schedule Bertie Co Sarah C Oxley 6 f NC Sept Pneumonia 12
11. Frances Victoria Oxley Sept 1845 – aft 1900
living early 1900’s
married 1st Andrew Jackson Riley
married 2nd Chariton Co, MO D. H. Hancock
Chariton Co, Mo information from JimVosper
Sally’s 3 great aunt
Elizabeth Rayner 1808 – aft 1840 | her parents
& 1823 Aquilla K Copeland ca 1800 – aft 1840 | his parents
of Bertie Co
Elizabeth Rayner and Aquilla K Copeland had:
1. Dolly Frances Copeland 21 May 1824-
2. (girl) 23 May 1825-
others?
Sally’s 3 great aunt
Sarah [Sally] Rayner 1809 – 1869 | her parents
& 1829 John Thomas ca 1806 – 1850 | his parents
of Bertie Co
Sarah (Sally) Rayner 27 Oct 1809 – 17 Dec 1859
married 13 May 1829 John Thomas ca 1806 – ca 1850
son of Elisha Thomas d 1826 and Polly Burn
Sarah (Sally) and John Thomas (Bertie Co, NC) had:
1. Martha Thomas 3 May 1832 – 19 Mar 1916
married 12 April 1851 Howell Freeman 1830 –
died in the POW camp at Point Lookout MD
a. Joshua Freeman Dec 1851-
b. Mary Freeman 1856 –
c. George Freeman 1858 –
d. Legget Freeman 1860 –
2. John Thomas 1838 – bef 1851
3. Emily Thomas 1841 – (Haywood Co, TN)
married 15 June 1869 Joseph Dawson Castellaw 1836 – 1913
4. George Thomas 1843 (Haywood Co, TN)
5. James P Thomas 1846 – bef 1851 (Haywood Co, TN)
6. Mary Thomas [? orphan of John 1851]
7. Maria Thomas
Sally’s 3 great aunt
Loadica Rayner 1817 – 1860 | her parents
& 1832 Rev. George E Thomas 1811 – 1873 | his parents
& 1862 Mrs. Lucy Ann Blaydes | her parents
of Bertie Co & Haywood Co TN
Loadica Rayner 6 Sep 1817 – 26 Aug 1860
both buried Zion Baptist Church, Haywood Co, TN
married 30 Oct 1832 Rev. George E. Thomas 1811 – 16 Sept 1873
son of Elisha Thomas d 1826 and Polly Burn
George Thomas married 2nd 11 Feb 1862 Mrs. Lucy Ann Blaydes
Loadica Rayner and Rev. George E. Thomas (Haywood Co, TN) had:
1. Margaret Ann Thomas 9 Feb 1834 – 18 Dec 1850
married 4 Sept 1849 Ripley F Oliver
2. Sarah Jane Thomas 1836 – 3 Aug 1855
3. Rebecca M Thomas 1841 – 1896
married James W Castellaw 1839 – 1918
4. John Amious Thomas 1844 – 1922 Co L, 7th TN Cavalry, C. S. A.
married Elizabeth 1844 – 1924
5. Albert J Thomas 1846 – 1864 Co L, 7th TN Cavalry, C. S. A.
died while in army of disease
6. George R Thomas, M. D. 1848 – 1909
married Mary F 1847 – 1919
Joshua Rayner Family Bible Records
(Copied from a paper certified 5th day of January, 1937 by Mark Cowsert, a Notary Public, Castro County, Texas to be a true and correct copy of the entries contained with all the entries therein shown of a family record, taken from a Bible found on the Morton Rayner Plantation near Powellsville, Bertie County, North Carolina)
The age of Joshua Rayner children.
Josiah Rayner, Son of Joshua Rayner and Martha, his wife
was (born) September 24, 1804.
Mary Rayner, Daughter of Joshua Rayner and Martha, his wife,
was born February 12th day 1806.
Elizabeth Rayner, Daughter of Joshua Rayner and Martha his wife was born February 27th day of 1808.
Sarah Rayner, Daughter of Joshua Rayner and Martha his wife (was born) October 27, 1809.
William Rayner, Son of Joshua Rayner and Martha his wife, was born Oct(ober) 30, 1812.
Joshua Rayner, Son of Joshua Rayner and Martha his wife, was born September 13, 1815.
Laodica Rayner, Daughter of Joshua Rayner and Martha his wife was born September the 6th 1817.
Aquilla K. Copeland and Elizabeth Rayner was married the 15th of July 1823.
Dolly F. France Copeland, the daughter of Aquilla K. Copeland & Elizabeth Rayner, his wife was borned the 21 day of May 1824.
child The ( ) of Aquilla K. Copeland ( ) Copeland daughter of Elizabeth Rayner was born the 23 of May 1825.
Joshua Rayner and Martha his wife was married December 22, 1803.
Josiah Rayner departed this life November 19th day 1806.
Martha Rayner, departed this life on Tuesday Morning, the 5th day of December 1820. She was in the Thirty Seventh year of age.
Joshua Rayner, son of Joshua Rayner departed this life Sept. 11th 1850.
One day after date, we or either of us promise to pay William Rayner or order the sum of Five Cents. Witness my hand and seal this 18 of Oct. 1839. (No signature)
William Gaston Rayner, the son of Joshua & Belinda his wife, was born Sept. 17, 1839.
(Here follows an entry which appears by the date to be the same entry of the birth of a child of Aquilla Copeland & Elizabeth his wife ( ) May 1925, shown above)
Marriages
William Rayner and Eliza C. Drew was married the 22 May 1834.
Marcus B. Evans and Mary A. Rayner were married Jan 22nd 1868.
George B. Harrell and Martha A. Rayner were married January 28th 1869.
Births
Eliza C. Drew, the daughter of Whitmell Drew and Penelope his wife was borned the 6th day of September 1818.
The age of William Rayner’s children
Marcus Joshua Rayner, the son of William Rayner and Elizabeth his wife was born Monday the 6 of July 1835.
John Alexander ( ) Rayner, the son of William Rayner and Elizabeth, was borned July 31, 1837 (Sunday)
Martha Ann Panelope Rayner, the daughter of Wm. Rayner & Eliza his wife was born Friday the 18th of Oct. 1839.
Mary Adalin Hannah, the daughter of Wm. Rayner & Eliza his wife was borned Sunday the 6th of November 1842.
Sarah Virginia (struck out)
Sarah Eliza Rayner, the daughter of William Rayner & Eliza his wife was born Friday the 3 day of Octr. 1845.
Araminta Amanda (the word Amanda is struck out and the name written above it cannot be made out) Rayner, daughter of William Rayner & Eliza his wife was born 9th March 1848.
William Reed Rayner, the son of William Rayner & Eliza his wife was borned the 24th day of May Tuesday 1853.
Buelah May Evans daughter of Marcus B and Mary A Evans was born January 21st 1869.
Lenow Trevathan was born Oct. 8, 1901.
Eliza Rayner, the wife of William Rayner departed this life on Wednesday night 10 O’clock August 6, 1856 Age 38 years 11 mo.
William Rayner died Friday the 23rd of March, at half past 9 O’clock A. M. A. D. 1860 Age Forty Seven years four months & twenty three days 47-4-23
Mary A. Evans died June 18, 1869.
Buelah May Evans died July 23, 1869.
Luta I. Harrell was born the 25th of January 1870
Eliza E. Harrell was born the 3rd July 1872
Martha A Harrell was born the 30th Nov 1874
Joseph M. Harrell was born the 14th of March 1878
James William Rayner, The son of John
Joseph Marcus Harrell was born the 14th March 1878
———————————–
Deaths
Martha A Harrell died the 3rd day of Nov 1879
Penelope Drew departed this life Feb. the 3rd 1880.
- J. Rayner departed this life Nov the 4 1906.
Luta J. Trevathan departed this life Nov 1 1903.
Lizzie Smith died June —- 1905
Jacob Lenow was married to A M Rayner April 9, 1884.
Jacob Lenow departed this life Feb 18, 1892.
MARK COWSERT RAY COWSERT
COWSERT & COWSERT
LAWYERS
DIMMITT, TEXAS
January 8, 1937
Mrs. Percy Rayner
Powellsville, N. C.
Dear Mrs. Rayner;
You will recall that last May, an elderly couple visited your home, trying to get some information about one branch of the Rayner family. We were those people (My wife’s maiden name being Araminta Rayner the daughter of Gaston Rayner)
We had visited Mrs. Dilliday (Dilday) and she had given us two old books as momentoes of the place her father had once lived, none of us knowing what the books were. The next day while travelling she decided to see what they were. One was a very old Bible, and contained the family records of several branches of the Rayner family and in it was the name of Gaston Rayner, born Sept. 17, 1839. This was her father and you can imagine there was rather a hysterical time around there for a few minutes. . . . . . . . . .
I am enclosing herewith a certified copy of the entries in this old Bible as we are sure you will be interested am also sending a copy to Mrs. Dilliday and Mrs. Sessions (Sessoms). . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thanking you for the courtesies shown us while there,
We are very truly
Mr & Mrs. Mark Cowsert
Dimmitt, Texas