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It is most unfortunate that we have no photos or pictures or Griffith Rutherford and only have conflicting reports on the circumstances which relate on when he came to America. Little is known about the man who would become a hero to all of us. Some reports say he was born in Northern Ireland in 1721, others claim it was 1731. His grave marker at his final resting place uses 1721. It is said he was born in Ireland to John and Elizabeth Griffith Rutherford. The parents were of Scottish-Welsh descent. Either during or shortly after the trip to America, both of his parents died. One source claims that he was left in the care of relatives in Pennsylvania, others state that it was relatives in Virginia. It is also mentioned that he came through New Jersey as well as Pennsylvania and even lived in New Castle, Delaware. After 1745 this orphan boy is reported to have lived in Halifax County and Lunenburg County, Virginia. While a resident of Lunenburg County he lived as a close neighbor to his cousin, James Rutherford and James’ son, William.
It was at this time that documentation gives us the facts on Griffith Rutherford. In 1751 his name appears on a deed transfer of one acre for a cemetery. Also, at this time Griffith became associated with William Weaklely of Lunenburg County having witnessed his will on September 23, 1752. Finally, influenced by the good climate and relative peacefulness of the Catawba Indians, Griffith came to North Carolina. The laxity of North Carolina laws on religion in comparison to those of Virginia also made North Carolina attractive especially to the Scotch-Irish. During this period Griffith Rutherford was taught how to survey land. About 1753, Griffith moved to Rowan County, North Carolina and bought a tract of land not far from Salisbury. It was the first of several land purchases he made during that time. In 1754 he claimed 656 acres on Grant Creek and in the same year married the sister of one of his neighbors, Elizabeth Graham. She bore him ten children: Jane, 1756; James, 1758; Blanche, 1760; Margaret 1765; Alfred, 1767; Newton, 1770; Elizabeth, 1772; John, 1774; Griffith Weakley, 1775; and Henry, 1782.
The orphan boy from Ireland was soon to become an American hero. He was an officer in the American Revolutionary War, a political leader in North Carolina and a major figure in the early history of the Southwest Territory and the state of Tennessee.
In the Colonial Militia he served as a Captain in 1760 and Colonel 1772. In the North Carolina Militia he served as a Colonel, December 21, 1775 and as a Brigadier General, April 22, 1776. He was also involved in battles and wars, specifically the French and Indian War, War of the Regulation, American Revolutionary War and the Chickamauga War. Politically Griffith Rutherford served in the North Carolina senate, ran for governor of North Carolina, but lost, settled in Sumner County, Tennessee and became President of the Legislative Council of the Southwest Territory in 1794, which became the state of Tennessee. He passed away on August 10, 1805.
Interesting facts about Griffith Rutherford. He was taken prisoner in 1780 after being wounded and after ten months at Castillo de san Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida he was exchanged for another prisoner in 1781. Following his release, he returned to Salisbury and found his home ransacked by British troops. Shortly after a reunion with his family he took command of a North Carolina militia numbering 1,400 men. Rutherfordton, North Carolina, Rutherford County, North Carolina and Rutherford County, Tennessee are all named after an orphan boy who loved his adopted country and became one of its’ heroes.
Today, we only have his accomplishments and dedicated service to rely on, but can proudly claim that we live in a county named in his honor, Rutherford County. A man we have no drawings or pictures of, but we do have a copy of his strong signature!
