Biographical Sketches of Colonials -R-
Rae, James, brother of John Rae, Sr., was deceased in Ireland in 1779, but his son, James Rae of Augusta, lived in America:
- James Rae of Augusta married Ann (who married John Cobbison ca 1791, after the death of her husband, James Rae). He died in 1789, intestate in Columbia County, per Lewis Gardner, Esquire, Register of Probate for County of Richmond to Ann Rae, Whereas, James Rae, late of this county, deceased, died intestate. July 2, 1789. John Cobbison and wife, Ann, Administrators of the Estate of James Rae, sold to George Graves, Lot No. 19 in Augusta. Test: Andrew Whitfield. Dated June 21, 1791. James Rae and his wife, Ann, sold to Peter Wagnon of Augusta, 1/2 acre on Broad Street, Lot 18, dated 1789. 4 January 1796, James Richard, Sheriff of Richmond County, on suit of Joseph Clay and Joseph Habersham, against the estate of James Ray, deceased, for property which was in the hands of John Cobbison and his wife, Anne, and in the hands of Samuel Hammond and Rebekah, Administrators of the goods and chattels of the firm of Rae, Elbert and Grayham, for 573 pounds, one shilling, 10 pence.
- Isabella Rae, died 1808 Richmond County, named her grandmother, Phoebe Johnson. Also nephews, James Rae Wilkinson and Seaborn Jones Wilkinson.
- Elizabeth Rae, daughter of James Rae, son of James Rae, married November 1, 1798 in Richmond Co., John B. Wilkinson. Issue: James Rae Wilkinson and Seaborn Jones Wilkinson.
His brother, Matthew Rea, financed the arrangements for the voyage, on the Prince of Wales to sail in 1765 from Belfast to Charles Towne with passengers, thence to Savannah. The ship sailed in February. Matthew Rea was a land promotor for America, and lived in the Village of Drumbo in County Down, and was either a small landowner or farmer. He had the means to undertake two tours of the surrounding countryside in furtherance of his emigration plans, acting as middleman in the emigration trade, and agent, working with his brother, John Rea, in Georgia to obtain emigrants to the Colony. As far as this land business was concerned, John Rea was described as a scoundrel in a letter published in 1770 describing Georgia as "a woeful place...a poor hole...accursed place...inhabited by a few Irish and some run-aways from all parts of America...that John Rea was more concerned with erecting a hedge between himself and the Indians than with promoting the happiness of his settlers". As the ship Waddell sailed in November of 1773, Mathew's activities on behalf of Georgia and his brother came to anend. John Rae was a resident of Georgia in August of 1741, where he was appointed Conservator of the Peace ten years later. In 1752, he petitioned the Georgia Trustees for 300 acres on Argyle Island on the Savannah River and 100 acres on Pipemaker's Creek. In 1755, he was elected Representative to sit in the Assembly for Georgia at Augusta, and a lot was granted to him at Hardwick, in Chatham Co.
In behalf of his settlement efforts, he petitioned for relief for building a Church at Augusta in 1756, and received it. In February of 1768, he petitioned for lands on the Ogeechee River to be reserved for three years, in hopes of getting Irish settlers there. He printed ccopies of law and sent this to friends in Ireland, but the encouragement was much less than what was being given to South Carolina settlers, for in that State, free passage was provided, as well as other advantages. His friends wrote they would come to Georgia only if their passage was paid and they had use of lands free of expense and were exempted from taxes for ten years. The Georgia Trustees granted this wish to the Irish potentials, calling it "An Act for Encouraging Settlers to Come into the Province." John Rea, however, was very active in the affairs of His Majesty, trying to obtain settlers for the Augusta area. He was Commissioner at Augusta, Collector and Assessor, in charge of erecting forts, printed the laws, built churches, and was in charge of building barracks for the soldiers. John Rea lived on 200 acres on Stony Creek, three miles above Augusta, adjoining the lands of George Galphin, where he had a grist mill. In April of 1765, he petitioned for land originally surveyed for Isaac Barksdale to his widow, but the lands were passed in the name of John Rae, Jr. Other lands were 300 acres on Briar Creek, 200 acres in St. Paul's Parish (granted 1770 and 300 acres in St. George's Parish. He had a negro slave, Nero, who was convicted in 1772 of felony, for breaking open a store of rice and taking several barrels. Ten other slaves are found in the records, however there were probably a good deal more slaves who cultivated his lands. In 1771, John Rae was convicted of the manslaughter of Mrs. Ann Simpson, at Savannah, but was later pardoned. All his friends petitioned in his behalf, stating that he had been in the province for nearly forty years and had an unblemished character and had filled many offices of public trust. He has also been a Member of the Georgia Assembly, which was a very highlyr espected position in the province.
John Rae was married to Miss Phoebe Johnson. He died in Richmond Co. in the year of 1784, leaving extensive real estate holdings in Augusta (Joseph Rae was appointed Administrator of the Estate). He was the first of his brothers to come to America, with Robert Rae coming about 1770. His brother, James Rae, never came, but his son, James, Jr. did. He had a sister, Deborah Armstrong, who lived in Ireland in 1779. The children of John Rae as follows:
- Jane Rae married Mr. Somerville sometime after 1762 and had a daughter, Ann Somerville. She inherited the Augusta holdings of her father, and died there in 1779. She is named in the Will of her uncle, Robert Rae, who died in Chatham Co. In 1779. She was also named in the Will of her brother, John Rae, Jr. of Savannah, who left her all of the Augusta land, and she is Executrix of his estate, along with Robert Rae and Samuel Elbert.. Edward Somerville, Savannah Merchant, in his Will dated September 10, 1762, probated September 20, 1762, bequeathed Miss Jane Rae 100 pds sterling, and Judith Cameron the remainder of the estate. He also bequeathed to John Rae, Jr. one half of 500 acres of land on Uchee Island, sixteen miles above Augusta; also a negro boy, Ned. Executor, John Rae, Esquire and Thomas Eaton.
- John Rae, Jr. of Savannah, died Savannah in 1777, his LWT dated 4/12/1777, naming as executors his sister, Jane Somerville, Robert Rae and Samuel Elbert. He bequeathed to the daughter of Jane, Ann Somerville, leaving Januarye all of his Augusta land. Also, bequeathed to Elizabeth Elbert, daughter of Colonel Elbert; also to Caty Elbert.
- William Rae of Savannah. Wife, Sarah Jane. He was deceased in 1787. His daughter, Elizabeth Rae married Thomas Jones who came from Wales, arriving at St. Simon's Island in 1738, later receiving a land grant in St. Mathew’s Parish, Effingham Co. He formerly lived in London, a Clothworker, and voyaged with Oglethorpe to America In 1771 of 100 acres, and who died at Savannah on June 5, 1810. Eliza died at Savannah, her Will dated January. 17, 1817, Chatham Co. Will Book F. In her Will, she named her mother, Mrs. Jane Rae, and the children of her husband: Januarye Mary Jones and Martha Cowles Jones. Deed of William Rae and his wife, Sarah, dated 7 May 1787, of Savannah to Robert Jones of Richmond Co. For 150 acres of land. Isaac Barksdale, Augusta Trader, in his Will dated 12 June 1757, bequeathed to William Rae a negro boy, Sambo, guns and pistols.
- Mary Rae. In 1747, John Blenfield, Indian Trader, bequeathed all his estate of Jane and Mary Rae, daughters of John Rae.
Rae, Robert, brother of John Rae, Sr., died October 1779 in Savannah. In January of 1772 he petitioned the Georgia Trustees for 200 acres of land on the Kiokas, formerly surveyed for Samuel Wells, with four negroes to work the land. He was in business with Georgie Whitefield (Robert Rae, George Whitefield & Co.) and these gentlemen petitioned for 500 acres in St. Paul's Parish in 1771. His wife was Rebecca, and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Church. His Will dated October 13, 1779, probated October 30, 1779, named his brothers, leaving to the children of his brother James Rae, deceased, of Ireland, as well as his sister, Deborah Armstrong of Ireland, land in Killein, Ireland, and the plantation on the Savannah River opposite Little Island, and land north of Hutchinson's Island (this land now being in South Carolina). To his nephew, James Rae of Augusta, he bequeathed all the property and his interest in Rae, Whitefield & Co., Rae's Elbert & Co., and Rae's Elbert & Graham. Will probated at Savannah. Robert Rae married first a wife who died at Augusta in 1768; later married Rebecca.
Rae, Matthew, brother of John Rae, Sr., land promoter, lived in Ireland.
Ebenezer, Georgia
Rahn, Jonathan, born 1762, died Effingham County in 1840, married 1783 Christian Buntz (1763-1824), daughter of Urban Buntz. Known Children:- Emanuel Rahn born 1789 married Salome Berry in 1811.
- Susannah Rahn (1798-1863) married 1820 John Wilson.
Rees, Benjamin owned 1,285 acres in the township of Wrightsboro.
Remshart, John, was born in England, came to Georgia with Oglethorpe, resided at Ebenezer. He married 14 February 1764, Anna Margaret Mueller. Children:
- Daniel Remshart born 26 October 1765 married Elizabeth Waldhauer.
- Catherine Remshart.
- Judith Remshart.
- Asa Remshart.
- Christine Remshart
- Christian Remshart.
- Elizabeth Remshart
Richardson, Thomas was among those who came to Georgia from South Carolina to take up the ceded lands in Wilkes County. He brought with him a wife, and a son and daughter between the ages of 19 and 8 years. Their grant was dated 29 September 1773, 100 acres on Fishing Creek, where Nimrod Gilcrist lives. He died in 1777, his Last Will and Testament headed "Thomas Richardson of the ceded lands of Georgia", naming his wife, Barbary to whom he bequeathed the farm and the following slaves - Hannah, Jack and Harry. A son was William Richardson, born 1754, died 1806. His children were: William, John and Thomas. Apparently John resided in Wilkes County, because of a deed from Nathaniel Perre of Richmond County to John Richardson of Wilkes County, for 600 acres of land on Spring Branch, running into Newford Creek.
Riddlespurger, Christian, born 1716/1718 in Southern Germany, died 1790 in the Indian Fields, Charles Towne District, South Carolina, Married Elizabeth Ulrich who died after 1800, either in South Carolina or Georgia. Children:
- Elizabeth Ann Riddlespurger, born 1777 South Carolina, died 1833/1840, buried Indian Fields, Colleton County, South Carolina.
- David Riddlespurger, born 1778 South Carolina, died 10 January 1812 Columbia, Kershaw County, South Carolina.
- Thomas Riddlespurger, born 1778/1779 South Carolina, died 1824/1832 Georgia.
- John Riddlespurger born 1779/1780 South Carolina.
Roberson, John, bricklayer of Bishopgate Street, London, an original settler. Wife, Hannah. Sons: William and Richard. Had a daughter. Three servants (1738). Hannah was dead by 1741, and Roberson quit the colony. Resident of Frederica.
Robinson, John was recommended in June of 1735 by E. Sparks (account of the African Co.) To be sent to Georgia. But his wife and seven children arrived with him from Ireland in 1772, and petitioned for 500 acres on the southside of Brier Creek, between the lands of Dennison and Goron.
Robinson, Moses born ca 1770,lived in Washington Co., where he died in 1850. Letters of Administration were granted to William A. and Rufus A. Robinson, Executors, on 2 September 1850.
Robinson, Sylvanus was the Commissioner of Roads near Sunbury, and in September of 1773 had a plantation near that town.
Robinson, Thomas, Savannah Marina. 500 acres were granted him December 9, 1751 by the Trustees. He died October of 1758 after he had been out to sea for three months on a cruise against his Majesty's enemies. His entire estate was bequeathed to Hester Minis, the daughter of Abigail Minis of Savannah.
Rosendale, Thomas, quartermaster in the Regiment. Lived on St. Simons Island for six years as a farmer, according to his testimony in England (1743-4).
Ross, Hugh, born 1699, from Drenach, a servant to Mr. Mackay of Scourie, arrived in the colony 10 January 1735/6. In May of 1741 he was still a servant, in Darien. Later, he removed to Savannah where he was a shopkeeper and married Ann Stewart, the daughter of the late Daniel Stewart, shipmaster from Inverness, Scotland. Children:
- John Ross.
Rouvier, Paul, stocking weaver, arrived in the colony 16 December 1733 and settled at Highgate. He married Ann Boifois, and at his death she married Steven Mumford at Pursburg on 8 February 1734/5. Paul Rouvier was dead 2 September 1734. Children:
- Anne Magdalene Rouvier married David Hender at Savannah 25 March 1737.
- John Rouvier, cordwainer. To his brother, Simon, he bequeathed 50 acres at Highgate, adjoining lands of his own. Named his sister, Anne Guidre, the wife of David.
- Paulina Rouvier.
- Anne Rouvier married David Guidre.
Russell, Benjamin of Augusta died July 2, 1801.
- Mary Rouvier.
Russell, David was granted 100 acres April of 1771 in St. George's Parish, Burke Co., also a lot in Queensborough. He had a wife, six children and one negro.
Russell, Hugh, Capt., (1724-7/21/1797) master of the ship Hercules traded between London, Savannah and Antiqua. Russell, John of the schooner Benjamin was a suicide in 1768.
Russell, John of Savannah died October 9, 1806, aged 30.
Russell, Samuel of Savannah married Sarah Delyon, the daughter of Abraham Delyon March 26, 1806.
White Chappel, Middlesex. White Chapel is a district in London
Russell, William, Merchant and Comptroller, first resided in Savannah Town, then in St. Marys Parish. He was from White Chapel, Middlesex, England and first arrived in the colony on 28 December 1734 as a servant to Mr. Thomas Christie. The controversial Christie caused a great deal of misery among some of the colonists during his tenure in the colony, particularly in the office as Magistrate. After the unfortunate years with Mr. Christie, Russell must have used his industry as at the time of his death he owned fourteen farm lots east of Savannah, containing a total of 700 acres.
His wife, Jane, resided in Georgia for a time, but had removed to Englandat the time of the death of her husband. The brother of his wife was James Gallache of Savannah, a carpenter. William Russell died during February of 1769 in London. While still in Georgia, he was assigned as a clerk to the Trustees in 1739. Januarye, his widow, was granted 116 acres on December of 1770 in Chatham County, having been left sixteen farm lots from her husband located on Jekyll Island and in Frederica, Georgia, as well as three negroes. Jane died in 1790.
In his Will, William Russell named executors: wife, Jane; Francis Harris; Fleury Yonge; John Smith; Noble Wimberly Jones; and Joseph Clay.