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James Rankin
Born 3 Jun 1731 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotlandmap
Ancestors ancestors
Son of Thomas Rankin and Agnes McKewn
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of Margaret (Witherspoon) Rankin - married [date unknown] [location unknown]
Descendants descendants
Father of Andrew Rankin, Henry Rankin, James Rankin, John Rankin, Miriam Rankin, William Rankin, Samuel Rankin, Henry James Rankin, James Rankin Jr. and David Rankin
Died about 1804 in Littleton, Grafton, New Hampshire, USAmap
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Profile last modified 18 Jul 2017 | Created 22 Aug 2013
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Biography

James rankin was born June 3, 1731 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He was christened 03 Jun 1731 in Glasgow , Lanark, Scotland. Parents Thomas Rankine & Agnes McKewn

James Rankin, born in Glasgow, Scotland. married Margaret Whitherspoon, of Paisley, Scotland. Children, all but David, born in Glasgow, Scotland.

    John, born 1757.
    Andrew, married Dorothy French.
    William, married Olive Brown. residence Brompton, P.Q.
    Henry, married ____ Holbrook. residence Brompton, P.Q.
    James, died 1820. A.F. and A.M., North Star, No. 8. ( Free Mason's Lodge, Lancaster, New Hampshire )
    Samuel, married Aug 22, 1798, Azubah Whitcomb.
    Miriam, married Nathaniel Webster.
    David, born Thornton, 1783.

He immigrated from Glasgow Scotland to Salem Massachusetts about 1776[1]. He settled first in Thornton, New Hampshire, then moved to Littleton, New Hampshire in 1791 and purchased the mill, then partially built, and privilege at Pattenville, and 1200 acres of timber land, paying therefore with lands in Thornton. Lumber manufacturer. Presbyterian elder. Moderator, 1794-5-7-8-1800. Town Treasurer, 1794. Selectman, 1795. Representative, 1798.


    In 1788 the residents who held bonds from the proprietors containing the clause in relation to the mills and roads, renewed their efforts to secure its fulfillment, and were so far successful that the proprietors were induced to enter into a contract with Jonathon Eastman to rebuild the dilapidated and useless Bailey grist mill, and erect a saw mill to be operated by the same power. The grist mill was in use the following year, and the saw mill, though not covered in, had an up and down board saw in operation in January, 1791. When Deacon James Rankin had his controversy with the church at Thornton, and resolved to abandon a community with which he could not sustain amicable relations, he was invited by Deacon Moses Little to exchange his lands in the Pemigewasset valley for lands in this town. With a view to arranging such an exchange, Deacon Rankin visited Littleton about the time Mr. Eastman was sawing out his first boards.
    He wanted the mill property, and as the trade seemed to turn upon this point, Deacon Little traded the lot next east of Thomas Miner, for Mr. Eastman's interest in the mills. The trade between the deacons was then easily arranged. Deacon Rankin thus acquired the mills on the brook which has since borne his name, a tract of land containing one thousand and fifty acres, and four oxen. He retained the mills for his own use. The tract was divided among his children, each receiving one hundred and fifty acres of land. The eldest son, John, never lived in this town. When his father moved to Littleton, he was established in Barnet, Vt. Andrew located on that part of his father's purchase which has long been known as the T.L. Parker farm, on the road leading from the Connecticut river road at the west end to Lyman; Henry on the George Carter farm; James, Jr., on the place now owned by Charles Carpenter; Samuel, on the farm now occupied by Mrs. Bradford Kinne; Miriam, the wife of Nathaniel Webster, on the Moffet place, now owned by Frank C. Lewis. David, the youngest member of the family, remained with his father; he was but a lad at the time of the removal from Thornton. William lived in Littleton some years; then went to Brompton, Canada. The family were educated, enterprising, and industrious, and constituted an important addition to the population at that period.
    The Caswells, Miners, Eastmans, Rankins, and Pingrees were members of an organized church before coming to Littleton. While their numbers were few and their means insufficient to enable them to organize a church and engage a pastor, they were accustomed to meet each Sunday at the house of one of their number, usually at Captain Thomas Miner's, for a service of prayer. When James Rankin joined the settlement, meetings were held at his house. Mrs. Pike of Waterford, a daughter of Captain Miner, frequently attended these services, and in her old age related to Dr. Moore her recollection concerning them. She states that Mr. Rankin was a good reader and gifted in prayer; he generally led the service, often reading a sermon. He also officiated at funerals. Nathaniel Webster was a leader at these meetings. Sometimes all the inhabitants would be in attendance on such an occasion[2].

    The first decade of the nineteenth century witnessed a rapid advancement in the material welfare of the town. Its population had increased from 381 to 873. A fair estimate would show that the wealth of the town had increased fully 200 per cent, not so large as the population, but it should be remembered that many of the emigrants brought little with them save brawn, and a determination to conquer a home in the rugged wilderness.
    The gain had not been without serious loss among the pioneers. Aside from the large number who removed from town, death claimed its share. James Rankin passed to his reward in the summer of 1804.
    Among the men who have contributed to the advancement of the moral and business welfare of the town, James Rankin holds a prominent place. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1745 or 1746, and with a large family came to the American Colonies in 1776. He purchased a considerable tract of land in Thornton, and was one of the first to settle in that remote mountain valley. He was active in promoting the welfare of the new settlement. In the spring of 1780 he and his wife Margaret were among the twelve persons who organized the first church in Thornton, the meeting for that purpose being held at his house. In 1786 he was chosen to the double office of Ruling Elder and Deacon.

In 1787 the pastor of the church, Rev. Experience Eastabrook, was dismissed, and was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. Noah Worcester. Mr. Rankin had been educated in the Scotch Presbyterian Church, and held strictly to its teachings and creed. The Rev. Mr. Worcester and the Elder soon came into conflict concerning questions of doctrine, and as the Elder was free with his criticism of what he regarded as doctrinal error, a church council was the inevitable result of their differences. The Pastor was the complainant, and the charge, briefly stated, was that the Elder was untruthful, and not a suitable person to hold the position of Elder in the church. After many sessions, extending through the summer and autumn of 1790, the council reached the conclusion that the charge of untruthfulness had not been proven, but that the character of Mr. Rankin, self-willed and obstinate, was such as to render him unfit for the position he held in the church, and he was accordingly deposed. He was also required to make a public confession of his alleged sin before the church. Notwithstanding the conclusions and requirements of the council, the Elder remained of the same opinion still, and refused to make any confession or apology. Nothing that we know of his character tends to disprove the correctness of the verdict of the council that Mr. Rankin was "self-willed and obstinate," but as to the cause which led to the church controversy time seems to have justified the contention of Elder Rankin, for within a few years the Rev. Noah Worchester renounced the creed of the Presbyterian Church and became an avowed Unitarian. Doubtless it was a tendency in that direction which Mr. Rankin detected in his sermons that caused the trouble in the church at Thornton.

    The last act in the church controversy was reached in November, 1790, and Mr. Rankin at once took measures looking to a severance of his connection not only with the church, but with the people at Thornton. During the same month he came to Littleton and entered into the negotiations which finally resulted in his becoming a resident of this town. He exchanged all his landed possessions in Thornton with Colonel Little for ten hundred and fifty acres of land lying in a body near the Connecticut River, and the mills and privilege at West Littleton. The deeds were passed on the 22nd of January, 1791, and within a few weeks Mr. Rankin and his sons Samuel, Andrew, Henry, James Jr., and David, and his daughter, with her husband, Nathaniel Webster, were enrolled as citizens of Littleton.
    Mr. Rankin established himself at the mills. His son David, the youngest of the family, was but a lad. Both mills were put in operation, and remained under the management of the Elder, or his son David, for more than half a century. The Elder took a prominent part in town affairs, and frequently was called upon by the people to serve them in an official capacity. He was Moderator in 1794-1795-1797-1798 and 1800, Treasurer in 1794, Selectman in 1794, and Representative from the class in 1798, being the second resident of Littleton to occupy a seat in the General Court. As a member of the Legislature he served on a committee to frame a deer law, and voted against an act to incorporate the Baptist Society at Northwood, a proposition to keep alive certain State claims, and a bill providing for a bounty on crows.
    James Rankin was intellectually a strong man, and maintained a large influence among his fellow citizens in shaping local political, religious, educational, and industrial affairs. His judgment was sound and clear, and his purposes and actions always tended to advance the highest interests of the community. The church council was right, "he was self-willed." He was slow in reaching a conclusion, but once his mind was settled it could not be moved.
    While he lived the large family remained within call, but when he died they soon departed. Henry, William, James, Jr., and Nathaniel Webster went to Canada and settled in Stanstead, Brompton, or Windsor[3].

    The first post-office was established in 1802, with James Williams as postmaster. The office was at his inn at the north end, the place now owned by William Humphrey. The mail came and went each way once a week. The conveyance was by saddle-horse, the carrier taking a course that enabled him to serve all the offices in the Connecticut valley between Hanover and Lancaster. His course took him from Lisbon (then Concord) to Lyman, thence he again reached the valley at West Littleton. It was the custom of the time to take his newspaper mail in open saddle-bags, and deliver the papers to such subscribers as resided on the route. The postman was a Mr. Prescott. He was due at the Littleton office on Saturday. One stormy week in midwinter the mail was delayed a day, and when he reached the house of Deacon James Rankin on Sunday, he tossed the newspaper into the open door. The sheet was rendered vile by a Sunday delivery, and Mrs. Rankin lifted it with tongs and dropped it into the fire which was blazing on the hearth. The paper was the only one taken in the neighbor-hood, and some of the gossips thought the deacon's wife more pious than wise to deprive them of their weekly installment of information[4].
    In the northwest corner of the grounds is now a granite headstone, placed there by direction of a great-grandson of those whose names it is designed to commemorate. It bears this simple legend, "James and Margaret Rankin." To those familiar with the rugged character of these Scotch Presbyterians the stone will be regarded as a peculiarly fitting memorial.
    Exercises at the centennial celebration of the incorporation of the town of Littleton, July 4th, 1884[5].

    JAMES RANKIN.
    One of the pioneers, and the first to leave an enduring impression the business prosperity of the town was James Rankin, who emigrated from Scotland. He first settled in Thornton, but came here in 1791. He purchased of Moses Little the mills on what is still known as the Rankin Brook, together with seven hundred acres of land, situated in that vicinity, which he divided equally among his six sons and a daughter, who was the wife of Nathaniel Webster. Mr. Rankin possessed the characteristics of his race. He was sturdy, mentally and physically, frugal, industrious and honest. He was repeatedly honored by his townsmen with positions of trust. He was treasurer of the town as early as 1794, agent to the General Court, moderator six times, and chairman of the board of selectmen in '95. One who knew him well describes Mr. Rankin as a "strict Presbyterian, gifted in prayer, and who often officiated at funerals and public religious meetings." His son-in-law, Webster, is said by the same authority to have been "a good reader, who frequently read a sermon." I might dwell at length upon the character and achievements of this nobleman, but I should anticipate those who are to follow me. He died in 1802, and his remains lie buried in the cemetery near his mill, in a grave unmarked and almost unknown[6].
    They had but one mail a week until after 1810. The postman carried this on horseback, and was due here on Saturday morning. Once a storm caused a delay, and Mr. Prescott, the postman, did not succeed in reaching town until Sunday morning. He delivered his newspapers as he rode along, and tossed into the door of one of our prominent citizens a paper. It was the only one received, and furnished news for the neighborhood, but the good wife could not touch it after it had been contaminated by a Sunday delivery, so lifting it with the tongs, she dropped it into the capacious fireplace, and the outside world, for that week, was a blank to the people of West Littleton. The woman who did this was the wife of James Rankin, the Scotch Presbyterian.[7].
    We will in brief outline the church history of the town. In the earlier days, the people being few and scattered, highways rough-where there were any highways at all, and the material resources extremely limited, we could hardly expect to find a church edifice and permanent preaching. It is evident that some of the fathers were religious men, and did what they could for the support of religious interests. Their log cabin homes were thrown open to the people; and, from Sabbath to Sabbath, services were conducted by one of their own number. James Rankin, a Scotch Presbyterian, often officiated on the Sabbath, and at funerals. Nathaniel Webster officiated also. Among the places where worship was held, were the cabins of Thomas Miner and James Williams. Pioneer preachers from time to time passed through this section, and gave words of exhortation and encouragement. About 1790, a preacher by the name of Atkinson, of much talent, from Portsmouth, ministered to the people for the space of six months. In '91, a vote was passed to hire preaching for two months. In '92, £9were voted for the gospel. In '96, the town voted to pay James Rankin for going for the minister." In '99, voted to raise a committee to hire a minister to preach out the money subscribed." March 18th, 1800, voted to choose a committee to direct the selectmen in fixing a center place in town, to hold town meetings, and hold meetings of preaching." Voted that "Capt. Williams, Capt. Hoskins, Andrew Rankin, and Mr. Robins be the committee as aforesaid."[8].
    SAWMILLS.
    The first saw mill was built on Rankin's brook, near the gristmill, in 1787-8, by Jonathan Eastman. The frame was up and the saw in running order early the next year. Moses Little traded with Mr. Eastman and got the sawmill in 1788, giving therefor the land now constituting the Russell Steere farm, and Mr. Rankin purchased it of Little the same year, and ran it until his death, in 1802,when it became the property of his son David, who operated it, together with the grist mill, for about forty years. Gen. David Rankin did a large business for those times, sawing the lumber, drawing it to the landing below the fifteen mile falls, from which point it was rafted down the Connecticut river to market. This was the only sawmill in town until 1792 or 1793
    GRIST MILLS.
    Only three grist mills have ever been erected within the limits of the town, and one of these, that built by Eastman, Tilton & Co., on the site of the saw mill of the Littleton Lumber Company, was never put in operation. The first grist mill was built by Jonathan Eastman for Messrs. Little, Dalton, Phelps, Morey and other proprietors in 1787, on the site of the mill now standing on the Rankin brook, not far from where it empties into the Connecticut river. This mill was first operated by Jonathan Eastman, and afterwards was purchased by James Rankin, together with eleven hundred acres of land, lying in West Littleton, before he moved his family from Thornton. It was owned by Mr. Rankin until his death, and by his son, Gen. David, until his removal to the West in 1846 at which time it passed into the hands of George and Sylvanus Milliken, who ran it until 1863[9].

    Rankin, Jeremiah Eames, educator, was born in Thornton, N.H., Jan. 2, 1828; son of the Rev. Andrew and Lois (Eames) Rankin; grandson of Andrew and Dolly (French) Rankin, and of Col. Jeremiah and Persis (Williams) Eames; great-grandson of James and Margaret (Witherspoon) Rankin, and of Col. William and Zilpah (Wilder) Williams. His great-grandfather, James Rankin, a native of Paisley, Scotland, emigrated from Glasgow to Salem, Mass., 1776, and subsequently settled in Thornton, and later in Littleton[10].

He died about 1804 in Littleton, Grafton, New Hampshire and was buried in [Wheeler Hill Cemetery], Littleton, Grafton County, New Hampshire, Plot: A-1-2=1B-6[11].
Probate

        Date: 6 Sep 1804
        Place: Littleton, Grafton, New Hampshire Page: Inventory of the estate of James Rankin taken 6 Sep 1804 in Littleton New Hampshire.

    Gratfton Co., Probate Court
    Sept 6, 1804
    Present to honorable Charles Johnstone Esqe. Judge of said court.
    Ordered that Margaret Rankin, widow & David Rankin appointed administrators of the estate of Jame Rankin late of Littleton in said County Yeoman deceased intestate and they entered into Bonds a letter of administration joined by them accordingly.[12].

Sources

      The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans: Volume IX: Rankin, Jeremiah Eames
      From History of Littleton, New Hampshire Author: Edited by James R. Jackson Publication: Cambridge, Mass., Published for the town by University Press, 1905. Vol I, Pages 196 - 197.
      From History of Littleton, New Hampshire Author: Edited by James R. Jackson Publication: Cambridge, Mass., Published for the town by University Press, 1905. Vol I, Pages 229 - 231
      From History of Littleton, New Hampshire Author: Edited by James R. Jackson Publication: Cambridge, Mass., Published for the town by University Press, 1905. Vol I, pages 218-219
      From History of Littleton, New Hampshire Author: Edited by James R. Jackson Publication: Cambridge, Mass., Published for the town by University Press, 1905. Vol I, pages 218-219
      From History of Littleton, New Hampshire Author: Edited by James R. Jackson Publication: Cambridge, Mass., Published for the town by University Press, 1905. Vol II, Page 68 - 69
      From History of Littleton, New Hampshire Author: Edited by James R. Jackson Publication: Cambridge, Mass., Published for the town by University Press, 1905. Vol II, Page 70 - 71
      From History of Littleton, New Hampshire Author: Edited by James R. Jackson Publication: Cambridge, Mass., Published for the town by University Press, 1905. Vol II, Page 190 - 191
      From History of Littleton, New Hampshire Author: Edited by James R. Jackson Publication: Cambridge, Mass., Published for the town by University Press, 1905. Vol II, P 233 - 235
      Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans: Volume IX
      Find A Grave Memorial # 38639473
      New Hampshire County Probate Records,1660 - 1973 Grafton, Probate records 1773-1814 vol 1-2, page 367 - 373, image 193 - 196

See also:

    History of Littleton, New Hampshire Author: Edited by James R. Jackson Publication: Cambridge, Mass., Published for the town by University Press, 1905.
    1790 United States Federal Census Title: 1790 U.S. census, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, Provo, Utah, Digital images Publication: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.
    1800 U.S. census, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, Provo, Utah, Digital images Publication: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.
    New Hampshire County Probate Records,1660 - 1973 Grafton Title: "New Hampshire County Probate Records,1660 - 1973," database, FamilySearch.org, https://familysearch.org/   Author: Grafton County Probate Court
    Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564 - 1950 Publication: Index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
    History Of Littleton, New Hampshire, Edited by James R. Jackson, Vol III, Pages 404 - 405

Birthdate is an estimate.