Abner Tenn. Oct. 6th, 1891

Dear Brother, We rec. your letter some ten days ago in which you informed us that you had found some of our relatives. Yes, the said A. J. Rippy is first cousin to both pa and ma. I remember being at his house when he lived in Ga. in 1852. It was the last of Feb. or the first of March. We were on our way to Miss. No doubt he remembers it. I will now give you the information you requested. I am able to go back as far as 1733. I will set it down just as it is in my Book beginning with our Ireland ancestors and on down to our time. Our great great grandfather and mother came first. I have not got his birth But have our great great grandmother's. She was a Miss Thomas.

Susannah Thomas was born March 3, 1733 in the state of Virginia. She married Edward Rippy who was born in Ireland. But his birth and date of their marriage is unknown. The names and births of their children comes next. Some of them I can give no account of neither can ma. Grand ma Martin told me about them all what became of them __ But I didn't set it down therefore have forgotten. Those that I have knowledge of I will put a mark under their name.

Mary R. was born Dec. 3, 1762. Edward R., Jun. was born March 23, 1764. He was our great grand father and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war.

Anna R. was born July 22, 1766. Rhoda R. was born May 12, 1768. She married a man by the name of Gilmore but had no children. I remember her well. Jesse R. was born Dec. 20, 1769. This one moved to Ky., or Ohio when quite young. So his people lost sight of him. Fannie R. was born Dec. 25, 1771. She married Abednego Adams. I also remember her. John R. was born Feb. 5, 1773. I remember seeing him. He never married. Our great grand father and mother and their children comes next, on next page.

Edward Rippy Jun. married near Haw River in the state of N.C. to Mary Elmore. She was born in Va. in 1761.

Names and births of Edward and Mary Rippy's children. Sarah R. was born Apr. 28, 1789. She married Valentine Martin. They are our grandparents. Edward R. Jun. was born in 1791. But I have not got the month. He is pa's father. His first wife pa's mother was Mary Martin old William Martin's daughter and sister to lawyers T. N. Martin and H. K. Martin of Miss.

James Rippy was born in 1793. He is Jack and cripple Jim Rippy's father. Jesse Rippy Jun. was born in 1795. The last account we had of him he was living in Ga. His wife as well as I can remember was named Sally. But her maiden name I have entirely forgotten. Mary Rippy was born in 1797. She was called Polly. She married G___on Black. The last account we had of her, She was living in Miss. but I don't know the county. I presume some of her children are still there. She died in Miss. I think. Mastin Rippy was born in 1799. He is still living or was a few moths ago. He lives in Cleveland County, N.C. His wife was Mary Arnold. Anna Rippy was born in 1801. She married Mathias Turner and lived and died in Cleveland N.C. Cleveland County was composed of part of Rutherford and Lincoln cos.

The names of pa's brothers and Sisters come next. But I can't give you their births. I will give you all the information concerning them that I am able. His eldest sister was named Sally. She married Mart Martin. grand pa Martin's brother Thomas Martin's son. Lucinda Rippy married Hose Martin brother to Mart. William Rippy married Miss Mary Crawford. James Rippy Junior married Manervia Rippy uncle Mastin Rippy's oldest daughters. They were cousins, brothers children. I keep up correspondence with their youngest daughter Maggie But uncle and Aunt are both dead. They lived in Cleveland Co. N.C. Hannah married Alonzo Ellis. She is dead but left several children. They also lived in N.C. Polly ____ married Mark Ellis. brother to Alonzo. Her last husband was _ilman Mc_re___ you know them. Susan married David Murks of Rutherford Co. N.C. He died a number of years ago. Betty Ann came next. She died. was not married. Edward or Ned as he was called married Miss Harper. Cousin Billy Rippy who came out here several years ago was their son. Caroline Rippy married Henry Sepaugh. They still live in N.C. Samuel Houston married but I don't know to whom. All those that I have named are full brothers and sisters. Grand pa's second wife had two children. Charlie and Barbara, Charlie was killed in 7 day fight in Va. during the war. He was just grown and not married. Barbara married Henry Borders and are living in Texas, Waxahache is their P.O. I believe I have told all I know. I hope you will be able to understand it. If not write to me and I will give you all the information I can. All up but not very well. Bad colds. I heard from ma and sister J. today. They are getting along tolerably well. Both staid at brother B's last night. They went Sunday and staid till this morn. They have been to see me. Love to all. write soon. your sister Sarah

Brother, fearing you may not understand what I've written about our kin folks I'll set down the names of each family of children in rotation also who they married as far as I know for certain. It comes awkward to begin at pa, so I'll begin with the first Rippy that ever came to America. Our great great grand father and mother. When you get this, you can then arrange them, to suit yourself. I only wish to make it plane, so you can understand.

Edward and Susannah Rippy, our great grandparents had 7 children:

Mary

Edward Jun. (Mary Elmore) our great grand parents

Anna

Rhoda (Gilmore)

Jesse (moved to Ky. or Ohio)

Fannie (Abednego Adams)

John (never married).

Edward Jun. and Mary Rippy our grandparents had 7 children:

Sallie (V. Martin) ma's parents.

Edward (M. Martin) pa's parents.

James (first wife, I think, was a Holt).

Jesse (father to A.J. Rippy of Texas.

Mary or Polly (Guion Black).

Mastin (Mary Arnold).

Anna (Mathias Turner)

Edward Rippy Jun. and Mary Rippy ___, our grand parents had twelve children:

Sallie (M. Martin)

Lucinda (H. Martin)

William (Mary Crawford)

James (M. Rippy)

Atha (Elizabeth Martin) our parents

Hannah (Alonzo Ellis)

Polly ___ (Mark Ellis)

Edward or Ned (Polly Harper)

Susan (David Murks)

Bettie Ann (died unmarried)

Caroline (H. Sepaugh)

Samuel Houston. I don't know who he mar.

grandpa's second wife was Salena Harper. She had two children. Charlie and Barbara which make 14 children. All that I have set down is correct.

Abner, Tenn. May 7, 1907

Mr. William P. Rippy Blacksburg, S.C.

My dear cousin: After some delay which was unavoidable, I now comply with your request that of furnishing you with an account of our ancestors or fore fathers and mothers. The information I am giving you was gleaned from time to time by me, some of which I got from our great grand sire Rippy. Some from my grandmother Martin who was his daughter and some from my mother, who was her daughter, so what I state to you are facts. It will be necessary for you to read the first few lines below very carefully, to better understand what follows without becoming confused.

The first Rippy that landed on American Soil that we have had any knowledge of was Edward Rippy, from Dublin, Ireland, a full-blooded Irishman. His Father lived in Dublin, Ireland owned and run a linen factory in the city. Edward, his son, wanted to come to America, having heard of the _____, but his father very much opposed his coming and further more to prevent Edward coming told him that if he came to America among heathens and barbarians that he should never inherit a cent of his estate, he would disinherit him. However, no doubt, Edward possessed a roaming disposition, therefore he ran away from his father. He was six months crossing the Atlantic Ocean, and at one time his ship in which he sailed and the whole crew on board came near being destroyed. He never wrote a line back from the time he set foot on American Soil down to the day of his death; He often told his children that he was confident there was property coming to him from his father's estate in Ireland. But said he did not want it, therefore would not take the trouble to find out whether or not there was. In giving you this history I must speak of three Edward Rippys in a straight line, I deem it necessary to piece a prefix to each Edward so you can distinguish them apart.

The first Edward, I will call him Irish Edward. The 2nd I will call American Edward. The 3rd Edward I will call Edward, Junior. I hope this will prepare you to understand more clearly.

I now go back to Irish Edward Rippy. I have no date of his landing in America nor of his Birth, Marriage, nor death. Doubtlessly I could have possessed all or part of this information if I had diligently sought it. Some time after he landed in America he married Susannah Thomas, Welsh descent. She was born Mar. 3, 17_3. This I got from an old Bible. I think they were married in Virginia but of this I am not certain. Anyway they moved to North Carolina, and settled down not far from in that state. Some years after, they moved to Cleveland CountyAt that time I think it was known as Rutherford County, North Carolina. They lived and died and was buried there. I remember seeing their graves and the house they used to live in, though I was quite young. Irish Edward and Susannah Rippy was our Great Great Grandparents on the Rippy side. I have no date of their deaths.

Births of Irish Edward and Susannah Rippy's Children:

Mary Rippy, Born December 3, 1762, (died in infancy)

Edward R. Rippy, Born March 23, 1764, was our Great Grand Father.

Anne Rippy, Born July 22, 1766, Died in Girlhood.

Rhoda Rippy Born May 12, 1768, Married Gilmore, had no children.

Jesse Rippy, Born Dec. 20, 1769, Went to Ohio in early days.

Fanny Rippy, Born Dec. 25, 1771, Married Abednego Adams.

John Rippy, Born Feb. 5, 1773, He died an old bachelor.

Now I come to American Edward Rippy, who served in the Revolutionary War, and was a prisoner for 6 months in the hands of the British, came out of the war with an honorable discharge. Sometime after which he married Mary Elmore whose parents then lived near Haw River, N.C. They were our Great Grandparents.

Births of American Edward and Mary Elmore Rippy's Children:

Sarah Rippy, Born April 28, 178_, My Mother's Mother.

Edward Rippy Jr. Born 1791. Your Father's Father.

Jessie Rippy, Born 1795. Moved to Georgia and died there.

Mary Rippy, Born 1797. Married Guion Black, died in Mississippi.

Ma_tin Rippy, Born 1799 He was your Mother's Father

Anna Rippy, Born 1801 She married Mathias Turner

Mary Elmore Rippy, Mother of the above children was born 1761 and died Sept. 7, 1844, age 83 years. American Edward Rippy, Father of the above named children was born March 23, 1764 and died Dec. 9, 1853. 89 years, 8 months and 17 days.

Edward Rippy, Jr. Comes next. He was your father's father. His first wife was your Father's Mother. Her maiden name was Mary Martin. On the page you will find the Births of Edward, Jr. and Mary Rippy's children. These are your Father's Parents.

Births of Edward, Jr. and Mary Martin Rippy's Children:

Sarah Rippy, Born March 26, 1811. Married Mart Martin, my Mother's first Cousin.

William Rippy, Born Nov. 10, 1813. Married Mary Crawford.

Lucinda Rippy, Born Sept. 21, 1815. Married Hose Martin.

James Rippy, Born Sept. 17, 1817. Married Minnervia Rippy.

Mary Rippy, Born March 21, 1820. Died in infancy.

Atha Elmore Rippy, Born July 10, 1822. Married Elizabeth Martin.

Edward Rippy, Born May 30, 1824. Married Polly Harper.

Hannah Rippy, Born June 15, 1826. Married Alonzo Ellis, Waynesboro, Tenn.

Polly More Rippy, Born Nov. 29, 1828, Married Marcus Ellis, Waynesboro, Tenn.

Elizabeth Ann Cordelia Rippy, Born Aug. 19, 1830. Died in Girlhood.

Susannah Rippy, Born Oct. 20, 1832. Married D. Morrow.

Martha Caroline Rippy, Born Dec. 4, 1834. Married H. Safaugh.

Samuel Houston Rippy, Born 1836. Don't know who he married.

Barbara Angeline Rippy, Born Mar. 21, 1842. Married H. Borders.

Charles Harper Rippy, Born Jan. 25, 1845. He fell in the 7 day battle at Richmond, Va. a Confederate Soldier.

I don't think I have left out anything.

Mary Martin Rippy, Edward Rippy, Jr.'s first wife, died very sudden Jan. 13, 18_9, age 43 years. Edward, Jr. died May 15, 1874. They were your Father's Parents and your Grandparents. My Mother was present when your Grandmother passed away.

I don't consider this complete without giving you some information concerning your Grandmother Mary (Martin) Rippy's side of the house. She was the daughter of William Martin and sister to Uncle William Adam's wife Betsy and a sister to James Martin, a Baptist Preacher, who married Aunt Polly Adams' Uncle William Adams' Sister. Your Grandmother Mary Rippy- -also had a brother who was a Presbyterian Preacher and another Brother who was a Methodist Preacher and two Brothers who were prominent lawyers, Thomas Nelson and Hugh K. Martin. Thomas Nelson was judge for 15 or 16 years. I saw them all while we were in Mississippi. They all lived at or near Houston, Chickasaw County, Mississippi.

Your Great Grandfather, William Martin died while we were there. He accumulated a good deal of property, lived in ease and comfort and left a good legacy to his many children and died at a ripe old age. Uncle Moore and Jack Martin of North Carolina are his sons. I suppose they have all passed over the River by now. Your Great Grandfather Martin was a Brother to my Great Grandfather, Thomas Martin. He was my Mother's Grandfather. Thomas was older than William only the 2 boys and 2 girls. One of the girls married Benjamin Hardin and Ancils Hardins Farther. The other girl married Irvin.

Some things more I wish to tell you concerning cousin Lizzie Adams' side of the house. The first Abednego Adams married a Hambric, their son, Abednego married Fannie Rippy's Great Grand Sire Rippy's Sister. I can remember them. Their sons were William, who married Betsy or Elizabeth Martin, Frank, John and Martin were burned to death in the Spring of 1813 or 1814 before or about the time my Mother was born. Uncle Abednego and Aunt Fanny had some daughters but I can't remember any but Aunt Polly, who married James Martin, a Brother to your Grandmother Mary Rippy.

Our Great Grandmother, Mary Elmore Rippy, had a sister Ann. She married a man by the name of McSwain. He died leaving her with one child, a boy. His name was James, I remember being at his house. If I am not mistaken, he lived between old Grandsire Rippy's and Uncle Martins. He had a daughter named Hannah and a son named Hicks. They are all I can remember distinctly. Uncle Jim McSwain's Mother then married old Hugh Carr, a school teacher after she lost her first husband. I can well remember Uncle Hugh but I never saw Aunt Ann.

Now, Cousin, I'm about through. All I ask of you is to file this away in a careful place. Keep it for your Children and Grand Children to look over. It may be a pleasure to them at some future date to do so. When I pass away I don't know on whose shoulders my mantle may fall. Perhaps you or one of your Children. I suppose I am the only living ones of the Rippys or Martin Family who have kept a record of our old ancestors. Cousin, come to see us this summer, do come and if I live to see you again, I'll sit down and tell it all to you. I can talk it so much better than I can write it. I received your letter. Glad to do so. I am not feeling well, neither is Mr. Lutts. We are nearly down with bad colds. I hope you are all well. Write us soon as you get this and let me know if it reached you safe. We are having a great deal of rain and cold weather. My garden doing no good. Frost killed all the fruit with us. Wheat and Oats coming our and looks well, corn not coming up to do any good. Write soon. Love and best wishes to you and Cousin Lizzie. Lovingly, your Cousin, Sallie C. Lutts

Unknown

Births of my great great grandparents children namely Edward Rippy and his wife Susannah Thomas Rippy. The birth and death of said Edward Rippy is not known. He was born in Dublin, Ireland. His wife Susanna Thomas was of Welch origin, born Mar. 3, 1733. To put it plain Susanna Thomas was born in Welch March 3, 1733 came to America in an early day and were married to Edward Rippy of Dublin Ireland in the state of Virginia but I do not know the date. They both died in the zenith of life leaving 5 children.

Mary the eldest born Dec. 3, 1762, She died in infancy. Edward Jr. born March 23, 1764, He was my great grandfather. He served in the revolutionary war and was honorably discharged at its close. Anna died in childhood born July 22, 1766. Rhoda born May 12, 1768. She married a by name of Gilmore died a widow and childless. Jesse born Dec 20, 1769. In early youth he went to Ohio. Married and settled there was the father of several children. Fannie or Frances born Dec. 25, 1771. She married Abednego Adams. John the youngest born Feb. 5, 1773. He died a bachelor.

Edward Rippy Jr. Son of gr____ Edward and Susannah (Thomas) Rippy was a soldier in the revolutionary war. I can't give the number of years he served. But he was honorably discharged. At one time he was captured by the British and held a prisoner by them six months during which time he suffered much with hunger came near starving to death and went thru other sufferings that was fearful. I got this from his own lips and many other things that time has robbed my memory on. So will give you what I vividly remember.

After said Edward was dischargedfrom the army he married Mary Elmore was born in Virginia in the year of 1761 month unknown to me. Edward and Mary E. were married near Haw River, NC. after which they moved to Cleveland Co. NC. Bought land and settled and raised a family of 7 children. Their names and birth are given below:

Sarah my grandmother born April 28, 1789

Edward 3rd born in 1791

James born in 1793

Jessie born in 1795

Mary or Polly as she was called born 1797

Ma_tin born in 1799

Anna born in 1801

Death of my great grandparents Edward Jr. or the 2nd and his wife Mary (Edward) Rippy. Remember this Edward is the son of Ireland Edward the 1st. Mary E. Rippy died Sept. 7, 1844. Edward the 2nd died Dec. 9, 1853.

I remember them both especially my great grandfather Edward. I have sat by his side at different times heard him tell of the hardships thru which he past while a soldier much of which I have forgotten. I am proud of my ancestors and am glad that I can truthfully say that there never was a blemish on the character on one of them. I say this without fear of contradiction.

They were all strict members of the Baptist church excepting one that was my father's father Edward Jr. or the 3rd. Edward in line. He was a member of the M. E. church also some of his children were, my father for one.

Said Edward Rippy Jr. my great grandparents father was a devout member of the Baptist church a true christian Honorable and upright in his dealings with his fellow man. True honesty and justice was his motto a friend to the _____. He lived honored and respected by all who knew him and died at a ripe old age. He was blessed in life with every thing that was essential to his comfort and happiness and left a goodly legacy to each of his seven children when his spirit took its flight to heaven.

All of his children lived to be over three score and ten. Several were some over 90 years old. One of his grand daughters that I know of was near 97 at her deaths. My mother's mother one of his grand daughters was near 91 at her death. I will now give our Martin ancestors on my mother Elizabeth (Martin) Rippy's side:

Sarah Rippy the daughter of Edward Jr. 2nd and his wife Mary (E) Rippy married Valentine Martin Dec. 24, 1808. They were the parents of ten children. The name and birth of each as follows:

Edward born Oct. 7, 1809

Mary, J. W. Lutts' mother born Nov. 30, 1811

Elizabeth my mother born Oct. 7, 1814

Sabra born Jan. 9, 1816

John born Feb. 5, 1818

Sallie or Sarah born Dec. 24, 1820

William born Nov. 10, 1822

Eliza Ann born Feb. 14, 1824

Dulcenia born Feb. 3, 1827

Cintha born Jan. 23, 1830

William Martin who was my uncle was a Soldier in the Mexican war of 1846. He was honorably discharged at its close. He died in Okla. the date of which I do not know.

Parents of the above named children were married in NC. Cleveland Co. in the latter part of the thirties or early part of forties. They moved to Bedford Co. Tenn. Bought land and settled there after their children grown and all married. They came to Lawrence Co. Tenn. lived and both died at their son in laws Alexander Lutts.

Death of my mother's parents Valentine & Sarah (Rippy) Martin: Valentine M. died Sept 2, 1859. Sarah (Rippey) Martin died Oct. 15, 1868.

The following was transcribed from a very old handwritten note found among the papers of Mrs. Lutts (Sally). It is presumed to have been written by Sally herself, in the late 1800's. My copy, along with other notes and records were obtained via fellow researcher's James Clark of Houston, Mississippi and Mrs. Jean McSwain of Sanford, North Carolina. Parts of this letter were very difficult to read. My intent was to present it entirely verbatim. As one can quickly see, it is a very important cache of information. (if correct)

"Our Grandma Elizabeth Rippy's Side"

"My great, great, great grandfather Martin was from England his wife was Scotch-Irish & catholic had 4 children 2 boys William & Thomas one girl married an Irvin, the other Benjamin Hardin. My great, great grandfather Thomas Martin married Sabra Wilkey, her father was George Wilkey from France & was lost on the Atlantic. Thomas & Sabra had 8 children 7 sons & 1 daughter Elizabeth, she married a Taylor. The sons William, Thomas second, Valentine my great grandfather, next John, J_ri__, J_ab_ Absolon They all married & moved to different states except Thomas who died near Hickory Creek NC He had 20 children & raised 18 to be married William married & moved to Mississippi in 1841. He had one son who was a Baptist preacher one who was a Presbyterian & one a Methodist one son name Thomas Nelson Martin was Judge of Houston Miss. My father W. M. P. Rippey moved from Spartanburg SC to Houston in 1855 & left for Tenn. in Oct. 1855 & settled at the Rippey stand All the Martins came from William & Thomas. William's daughter Mary married Edward Rippey the Third Valentine Martins (great) grandfather came over in the May Flower Edward the second sister Fanny married Abednego Adams, their daughter Polly Adams married William Martins oldest son James a Baptist preacher. His eldest sister Betsy Martin married William Adams eldest son of aunt Fannie & Abednego Adams & settled in Water Valley Miss."