| Notes |
- Notes of Kellie Sue Sapp King:
"When doing research on this family you will frequently see the quote that is "believed to have been English, or possibly German.", regarding if John, spouse of Mary wasfrom England or Germany. This often makes people look at his actual place of birth instead of the whole picture, that clearly show he is both English and German descent.
John moved from Virginia to Surry County, North Carolina where he met and married Mary Fussell on June 24th, 1735 in Surry County. Mary was the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Frances and grandaughter of Nicholas Fussell and his wife Mary. Johns wife, Mary was born in 1708 in St. Peters Parish, New Kent County, Virginia and died in 1782 in Surry County, North Carolina.
On November 20th, 1739, King George II of England granted John Rainwater 400 acres of land bounding on the south side of Roanoke River and lying in what was then Edgecomb County, North Carolina (later subdivided into Granville and Edgecomb Counties). Even though the Edcomb County Land Records state that the land was granted from King George II it may actually have been slightly different. Most land in that area was granted to Lord Granville from George II, and Granville starting selling that land through various agents while he lived with William Pitt. This land is John Rainwaters first true introduction to North Carolina as a land owner.
John Rainwater and sons James and John were members of the Militia of Granville County, North Carolina in 1754.
The land that was granted to John and his activity in the Militia of North Carolina I believe are strong reaons to believe that at this point in the Raineater line there is still no Native Americian blood.
John, Sr. made his will November 4, 1771. He died in May 1777, and his will was probated in Surry County, North Carolina. In his will, nine children are named.
His sons John and James were listed in the first census of the United States in 1790."
Notes of Martha B. Lyle:
"John Rainwater who is usually listed as 1695-1777, came to NC somewhere around 1735 and had sons that effectively split into several lines with John Jr staying eastern NC and his descendants working their way to GA, AL, MS, LA, TX, and into CA............Other son James went to western NC Surry County and had children, mostly daughters I believe, but included William that went to KY, and perhaps another John or James (without looking at FTM), Is one of these the originator of the TN line??"
I was aware that some claim John Rainwater as born in North Carolina but do not think that is correct.... however I also have excerpts of land records that list William Rainwater and wife Ann as the buyer in 1742.....now this William has been listed as born 1756...Another William is the son of James, son of John Rainwater 1695-1777. This William was not born until 1774 and lived until 1825.
A land record from Edgecombe County, Tennesse states: John Rainwater to William Rainwater, 23 Oct 1742, 50 L Proclamation Money, 150 acres south side of Roanoke River joining a small branch of the river. Part of Patent to John Rainwater.
Another says: John Rainwater of Edgecombe Co to John Noblein, 7 Feb 1745, 60 L current money of Virginia, 125 acres on south side of Morratock River where John Rainwater now lives, portion of Patent to him 1 Nov 1739."
Sources:
Edgecombe County, North Carolina Land Records
Geneaolgy of the Rainwater Family, Donald S. Webber.
Hal, Wednesday, October 27, 1999 3:56 AM, "Re: [RAINWATER] Indians," Rainwater List, RAINWATER-L@rootsweb.com.
Individuals Will.
Lovell, Eloise Groover, The Richard Phillips Family History 1791-1983, Roberts Library, Southwestern Baptist Seminary, Betty L. Capps [smtp:bkellick@mountvernon.net].
Martha Bankson Lyle, Bankson Relatives.
Rainwater List, RAINWATER-L@rootsweb.com, Hal Irving, GenieHal@Worldnet.att.net, Mon, 1 Nov 1999 14:23:49 -0700, "Re: [RAINWATER] Hal Irving's post: John Rainwater."
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Various notes from researchers at Land, Paris, Rainwater reunion, 1997.
Born:
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1705 - 1777 (72 years)
[1] 
Mary Rainwater, b. 1738, Surrey County, Tennesse, United States 
