John Rule, Wm. S. Rule, Breckenridge, Ligon, and Shrite (Srite) Family Stories

Source: L. Earl Colley, “John Rule, Wm. S. Rule, Breckenridge, Ligon, and Shrite (Srite) Family Stories” (New York: unpublished manuscript).

[Note: Much, if not all, of this manuscript has been reproduced as a series of articles in the journal of the genealogical society of Platte County, Missouri. While I saw these articles several years ago, I neglected — already having this manuscript directly from Mr. Colley — to copy the articles or note exactly where I found them.]

The John Rule Family in Platte – Clay

Most children who attended school in Platte Co. must have performed in Thanksgiving pageants. Generations of school teachers have used these pageants to teach their pupils of the history of our society. It has long been the custom at these events for a pupil to recite or dramatize Longfellow’s famous poem, “The Courtship of Miles Standish.” Miles Standish wanted Priscilla Mullens for his wife. We all know how the story ends. John Alden got the girl. But some of these pupils have not known that they would never have been born if that romance had never happened.

Phebe Byram was born in the state of New Jersey in 1766. When she was old enough to understand, she probably learned that John Alden and Priscilla Mullens were GGGGgrandparents. The Byram family moved to the wilds of western Pennsylvania, where Phebe married a young Revolutionary soldier, Thomas Rule. The Rule and Byram families left western PA to make a new home in Bourbon Co., Virginia. Soon, their new home was made part of the state of Kentucky.

Thomas and Phebe Rule lived among their Rule and Byram relatives in Kentucky. Thomas was a miller, a Justice of the Peace, and High Sheriff of Bourbon Co. Thomas and Phebe Rule had many children. As they grew old, they joined the Shakers at nearby Pleasant Hill. They lived the rest of their lives in that community.

John Rule was born 1784, one of the children of Thomas and Phebe. He was sometimes recorded as John Rule, Junior. That probably served to distinguish him from his uncle John Rule, who lived in the same neighborhood. John Rule married Theodocia (Dicy) Collins. Their marriage bond was signed in Bourbon County on 3 February 1806. John and Dicy Rule kept a tavern in Millersburg, Bourbon Co., Kentucky. He moved to Pendleton County, Kentucky, about 1819, and very soon died there.

One of the children of John and Dicy Rule was Thomas R. Rule. He was born in Kentucky 18 September 1809. He became a hard shell Baptist preacher. He married Clerissa Pence 13 September 1832 in Clay County, Missouri. It is recorded that he performed a number of marriages in the Platte-Clay neighborhood, but soon made his residence across the River in Jackson County. He later went to Colorado where he is supposed to have owned a large acreage of mountain land. He died there. Reverend Thomas R. Rule was married three times, and had numerous children. But none of them are known to have lived in Platte County.

Another child of John and Dicy Rule was Olive Rule. She married Jackson Pence in Clay County, Missouri on 11 January 1835. Her household is probably the one listed in dwelling 207, Pettis Township, on the 1850 census of Platte County. The census recorder listed the head of this household as a 38 year old male named Oliver Pense. This is probably an error, and really represents Olive Rule Pence, who was born in Kentucky. The census lists children in the household: Wm. H. Pence, age 14; Eliz’h Pence, age 12; Virginia Pence, age 10; Louisa Pence, age 8; and Adaline Pence, age 6. Olive Pence is listed in dwelling 416, Liberty Township in Clay County in the 1860 census. Three of the same children were still living with her at that time.

Another child of John and Dicy Rule was Sarah Ann Rule. She married William Rollins in Clay County, Missouri, 29 July 1832.

Mary Jane Rule was one of the children of John and Dicy Rule. She married Isaac Brink in Platte County 9 April 1840. Their household is listed in dwelling 206, Pettis Township, in the 1850 census of Platte. The children in the house were: Jackson Brink, age 9; John W. Brink, age 7; and Ann E. Brink, age 1. The adults in the house are listed as: Isaac Brink, age 30, born Mo., and Mary J. Brink, age 30, born Ky. The 1860 census of Platte again lists their household in Pettis Township.

While this little story is based on careful research of many records, the conclusions are based on fallible human opinion, and may be, or may not be, true.

The Rule Family in Platte County

Volume 2 of the Cemetery Records published by the Platte County Historical Society reproduces, among others, inscriptions from gravestones found in the Second Creek Cemetery. There are several Rule family burials here. Among the inscriptions is found:

• William S., 1787-1879

Paxton’s Annals of Platte report that William S. Rule was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, October 3, 1793, and died near Linkville in 1878.

A family Bible preserved by descendents of William S. Rule records his birth on 3 November 1797. The 1850 census of Platte County lists William S. Rule at age 55.

Before 1800, in Bourbon County, Kentucky, lived a widow, Sarah Rule, and her 7 sons and 3 daughters. She had been born Sarah Robinson, had married Samuel Rule, and they had lived in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, during the American Revolution. She and her family had made their home near Millersburg, Kentucky, at the turn of the century. They may well be the only residents of that time and place to bear the Rule surname. But among them, none have definitely identified as a parent of William S. Rule. William S. Rule married Mariah Bates in Bourbon County, Kentucky, on 12 April 1824. Their children, all born in Bourbon County, were:

1. Bolivar Garret Rule, born 2 October 1825
2. America Clay Rule born 15 December 1829
3. Roscoe A. Rule born 21 December 1831
4. Rivanna Jefferson Rule born 6 March 1834
5. William Wallace Rule born 5 June 1836
6. Robert Bruce Rule born 2 January 1839

“The Western Citizen” was a weekly newspaper published in Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky. The 5 April 1839 issue of that paper published a notice that Maria L. Rule, wife of W.S. Rule, had died on the 28th of last month after an illness of 18 months, in the 35th year of her age.

William S. Rule and Jane Robinson were married in Bourbon County, Kentucky, 5 December 1839. Jane Robinson was the widow of Joseph Robinson. Her children by Joseph Robinson were: Robert A. Robinson, James S. Robinson, Joan K. Robinson, and America C. Robinson, all under 21 years of age on 3 November 1838, when Jane Robinson made application for her dower in her late husband’s estate.

On 3 July 1843 the Bourbon County, Kentucky, Court appointed Thomas Eales as guardian for Bolivar Rule, America Clay Rule, Roscoe Rule, Rivanna Jefferson Rule, and William Wallace Rule, children of William S. Rule. These children had inherited a part of the estate of Thomas Garrard, deceased, their mother’s uncle.

The 1850 census of Carroll Township, Platte County, Missouri, lists the household in dwelling number 119:

• Robert Robertson, male age 25, born in Kentucky
• America Robertson, female age 17, born in Kentucky

And the household in dwelling 120:

• Wm. S. Rule, male age 55, farmer, born in Kentucky
• Jane Rule, female age 47, born in Kentucky
• Rebecca Rule, female age 19, born in Kentucky
• Jefferson Rule, female age 17, born in Kentucky
• William Rule, male age 13, born in Kentucky
• Mariah Rule, female age 10, born in Kentucky

And the household in dwelling 121:

• Bolivar Rule, male age 25, farmer, born in Kentucky
• Eliza Rule, female age 22, born in Missouri
• Nancy Rule, female age 5, born in Missouri
• Jane Rule, male age 3, born in Missouri
• Ann Rule, female age 1, born in Missouri
• Peter Henning, black male age 47, born in Kentucky

These census listings evidently identify William S. Rule and Jane Rule, their children and stepchildren. But some new questions are implied. Is the 10 year old Maria Rule a daughter of William S. and Jane Rule? Who is the 19 year old Rebecca Rule?

On 13 January 1852, William S. and Jane Rule, James S. Robison, Robert A. Robison, Albert Endicott and America Clay Endicott appeared before a Platte County Justice to make oath for a petition to sell a slave residing in Bourbon County, Kentucky. Dr. Benjamin Smith and Anthony Hume were called upon to inquire into the age and health of Mrs. Jane Rule. They reported that they believed her to be in her forty-ninth year and of apparent good constitution, although at the time affected with chills and fever.

Most of the data presented here has been gleaned from probably reliable sources. But the inferences are based only on fallible human opinion, and should be regarded as tentative.

The Breckenridge Family in Platte County

The 22 December 1893 issue of the Platte City Landmark announced the death of Mrs. Lettia Breckenridge, wife of the late Elmore Breckenridge. She was born in Clark County, Kentucky, 31 October 1801, a daughter of John and Martha Strode. She married William Shrite in Clark County 13 December 1821. They had three children.

John P. Shrite, son of William and Letitia, married America Clay Rule. They removed to Platte County, Missouri, where they raised their children and lived out their lives.

Ruth Ellen Shrite, daughter of William and Letitia, married Parson Stockwell in Clark County, Kentucky, 12 March 1844. They removed to Platte County where Parson Stockwell died. His widow, Ruth Ellen Stockwell, married Jonathan Wallace in Platte County 10 March 1859. Ruth Ellen removed with her husband and children to Nortonville, Kansas.

It is supposed that Elizabeth Shrite, daughter of William and Letitia, stayed in Clark County, Kentucky.

Letitia Shrite, widow of William, was married to Elmore Breckenridge in Clark County, Kentucky, 18 January 1838. Elmore Breckenridge had also been previously married. He had married Martha Strode, sister of Letitia, in Clark County 22 July 1830.

The Landmark article says that Elmore and Letitia Breckenridge removed to Platte County in 1843. They are listed on the 1850 census in Carrol Township, dwelling 22; and on the 1860 census in Carrol Township, dwelling 471. The census lists the Breckenridge children in the household as William, Elmore, George, James, and Marion. The first three of these children are listed as having been born in Kentucky, the last two, in Missouri.

The Landmark article states that Elmore Breckenridge died 25 November 1880. Volume 1 of the Cemetery Records published by the Platte County Historical Society record data from the gravestones of Elmore and Letitia Breckenridge. These stones are recorded with a supposed error in Letitia’s birth year, from the Farmer Cemetery near Platte City.

While this sketch is based on careful research of many records, the conclusions are based on fallible human opinion, and may be, or may not be, true.

The Ligon Family in Platte County

Richard T. Ligon has been reported to be a son of Leonard Seth Ligon and Jannett Mayo. Powhatan County, Virginia, Will Book 3, page 367, describes an obligation dated 15 November 1809, for Jannett Ligon, Josiah Smith, D.M. Wharton, and James Poindexter, executors and administrators, to deliver to Leonard, Catherine, Lenira, Seth, Charles, Richard, and William Ligon, orphans of Seth Ligon, deceased, all estates due to said orphans. Powhatan County, Virginia, Deed Book 9, page 358, records a deed made 25 July 1826 by Jannett Ligon as administratix of the estate of Seth Ligon, deceased. This deed was signed by Richard T. Ligon and Martha Ligon, his wife.

Powhatan County, Virginia, Deed Book 13, page 79, records a deed made 7 April 1835 by Charles Ligon and Virginia C., his wife, and Richard T. Ligon and Martha, his wife, to Joseph S. Ligon, all of Powhatan County.

Clay County, Missouri, records show that, on 12 September 1835, Richard T. Ligon was an owner of Clay County land. On 22 February 1837, Richard T. Liggon and Martha, his wife, sold Clay County land to William S. Colley, all of Clay County. On 28 December 1839, Richard T. Ligon conveyed land to William C. Ligon, both of Clay county. It may be significant that Martha, wife of Richard T. Ligon, is not mentioned in this transaction. Platte County records list the 27 April 1848 marriage of Emma C. Ligon and Elijah Colly (transcribed as Colby in a published copy).

Clay County, Missouri, records list the January 1850 marriage of Elizabeth Ligon and Isaac Warren.

The 1850 census of Platte County, Carrol Township, lists the following household in dwelling 148:

• Elijah W. Colley, age 27, born in Virginia
• Emily Colley, age 22, born in Virginia
• William Colley, age 1, born in Missouri
• Rich’d Liggin, age 50, born in Virginia
• Virginia Liggin, age 17, born in Virginia

Platte County records list the 30 June 1853 marriage of Virginia C. Ligon and Simon Pancake.

On the 1860 census of Platte County, Richard Legan, age 60, born in Virginia, is again listed in the household of E.W. Colley. On the 1870 census of Clay County, Missouri, Richard Liggin, age 65, born in Virginia, is listed in the household of Isaac and Elizabeth Warren.

Volume 2 of the Cemetery Records of Platte County, published by the Platte County Historical Society includes gravestone inscriptions copied from the Pancake Cemetery. Among the inscriptions: Virginia C. wf. of Simon B. Pancake, b. 2-27-1833, d. 11-18-1890.

While this sketch is based on careful research of many records, the conclusions are based on fallible human opinion, and may be false.

The Shrite (Srite) Family in Platte County

The Platte County Historical Society reprint of the early land records of the county show that on 11 May 1844, John P. Srite became the owner of a quarter section of land near the Clay County line.

John P. Shrite was the son of William Shrite and Letitia Strode, who were married 13 December 1821 in Clark County, Kentucky. The last will of John Shrite was probated in December 1835 in Clark County, Kentucky, court. This grandfather of John P. Shrite gave a tract of land to his 3 grandchildren, children of his deceased son, William Shrite. John Clickenbeard was appointed guardian of the three orphans of of William Shrite. Bondsmen were John Ecton and Constant Strode.

The 1860 census of Platte County, Missouri, Carroll Township, lists the following household in dwelling 321. Comments have been appended:

• John Shrite, farmer, age 40, born in Kentucky.
• America Shrite, age 26, born in Kentucky. She was a daughter of William S. Rule.
• Elizabeth Shrite, age 11, born in Missouri. She was Elizabeth Taylor Boggess, died 12 August 1938 in Clay County, widow of James W. Boggess.
• Albert Shrite, age 10, born in Missouri. He married Mary R. Ebbard in Platte County 11 November 1875.
• Emma Shrite, age 8, born in Missouri. She married George Dunlap in Platte County 29 April 1875.
• Lavina Shrite, age 6, born in Missouri. She married James K.P. Earl in Platte County 8 October 1874.
• Cora Shrite, age 2, born in Missouri. She married James Clay Colley in Platte County 9 October 1879.
• Mary Shrite, age 3/12, born in Missouri.

In addition to these children listed on the 1860 census, Annie Shrites, age 8, born in Missouri, is listed in the household of America Shrites on the 1870 census of Platte. Annie Srite married Thornton Coons in Platte County 8 November 1883.

Volume 2 of the Cemetery Records of Platte County, published by the Platte County Historical Society, record gravestone inscriptions from Second Creek Cemetery. Among them are the following:

• Skite, America C., 1830-1897
• Skite, John P., b. 1-26-1823, d. 1-7-1876

While this sketch is based on careful research of many records, the conclusions are based on fallible human opinion, and may be, or may not be, true.