R/RFHA Newsletter, March 1995                        P. 3

From Cole L. Martin, 817 Sherwood Lane, Fredericksburg, VA 22407

Quoting from a letter by C role; "In the December issue of the Newsletter (P.54) I saw the Westmoreland reference. Since I sent the original information, more data has surfaced on RICHARD's son JOHN "R", who married Mary. JOHN died by Nov. 27, 1739; his widow Mary married William Wharton by Nov. 25,1740. Wharton was made guardian to JOHN and Mary's children; MARY, REBECCA and ANN on March 31, 1741. The records indicate the estate was mismanaged by Wharton. Augustin Weedon was appointed guardian to REBECCA on June 24, 1746; and RICHARD RALLINGS (no relationship stated) to ANN on April 26, 1748. No mention was made of the infant MARY so I assume she was deceased. REBECCA married the Rev. Archibald Campbell Jan. 15, 1753. ANN chose him as her guardian on Nov. 27, 1753.

REBECCA died March 21, 1754 in the 20th year of her age. This per her tombstone which is the only mining artifact of Round Hill Church (formerly in Washington Parish, Westmoreland County, but now part of King George County). Buried with REBECCA was her infant son Alexander Campbell.

Using REBECCA's approximate birth year (1734) to give a time-frame to this family., it seems JOHN R's children were quite young when he died. I doubt any were of age so all would have had guardians appointed (and thus be present in the records). Working from this theory, JOHN left no male issue. The only "loose end" is the daughter ANN.

Also, regarding WILLIAM who died 1718: No relationship is stated for the Sarah Sebastian named in his will. Since he enumerated not only the names but the ages of 'my three children', and named whose care they would be in, it would seen Sarah was not their mother. Also, Sarah Sebastian was not named administratrix of the estate as was customary for a wife. The only thought that canes to mind is that she is a married daughter. But, why not state the relationship? Another endless cycle."

Ed.Note: It is also possible that Sarah was WILLIAM's mistress and mother of the three children; or she could be a sister-in-law, but then he would have provided for her to take care of his children, wouldn't he? Time and further research will tell.

A PRODUCT ALERT! from the National Genealogical Society Newsletter, Jan/Feb 1995

Due to the fact the R/RFHA has received several inquiries of subscribers/members concerning offers they've received in the mail concerning Surname Histories for RAWLIN(G)S and ROLLIN(G)S et al, I have been having some communication with the NGS only to discover they, too, are concerned about these publications. The following is- a reprint of P.9 of the January/February 1995 Newsletter which says it all, printed by permission of the NGS.

Coats of Arms

Several companies sell coats of arms or "ancestral arms" for thousands of surnames. Some employ artists to design original coats of arms; others adapt coats of arms found in books. Coats of arms purchased in shopping malls or by mail order are most likely not related in any way to the purchaser's ancestry. Rules on the use of authentic coats of arms differ. You may rightfully use British coats of arms only if you can trace your ancestry through the male line directly to the man who was first granted that coat of arms. To ensure authenticity, you should register your arms with the English College of Heralds, or the Scottish Lord Lyon, King of Arms.

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