Fourth Generation

46. Robert RUTHERFORD¹⁹ was born on 20 October 1728 in Essex Co., VA.^11,20 He signed a will in 1792 in VA.¹⁹ He mentioned land located in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, much of which is in the present states of West Virginia and Kentucky. Over 20,000 acres of this land was located on the watercourse of the Rockcastle River according to the entries on record at Stanford, KY, the County Seat of Lincoln Co., KY.
He signed a will on 5 January 1802 in Jefferson Co., VA.¹⁹ He named his wife, his living children, his brother Thomas, his sons-in-law and his step-daughter. He devised 100 Pounds to the deserving poor for the neighborhood and $40.00 to each of the seven neighborhood churches.
Robert died on 10 October 1803 in Jefferson Co., VA.^11,20 Will proven for name at place on date.¹⁹ Robert succeeded George Washington in 1766 as representative of Frederick County to the Virginia House of Burgesses. In 1172 he was elected Representative from Berkley Co., VA and he served until the Virginia House of Burgesses was dissolved. He was strongly opposed to the policies of the British government and with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Archibald Cary, Francis Peyton, James Wood, Thomas Jett, and others, he signed the Virginia Non importation Resolutions of 1769 and 1770 in which "... his Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects of Virginia..." gently but firmly protested the infringement of their sovereign. In May 1774, Robert Rutherford, as one of the Association of Members of the late House of Burgesses, wrote letters '...pointing out to our countrymen such measures as in our opinion are best fitted to secure our dearest rights and liberty from destruction, by the heavy hand of power now lifted against North America." George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Robert Rutherford were the three that signed the Dispatches which were sent to call together the late representatives to meet at Williamsburg 1 Aug 1774.
Robert Rutherford was a delegate to the conventions in Richmond and in Williamsburg in July 1775, Dec 1775, and May 1776. He was a member of the committee which drew up the famous State Bill of RIghts of Virginia. He represented Frederick, Berkley and Hampshire Counties, Virginia, in the state Senate 1776-1790. Robert Rutherford was the first person elected to Congress who lived west of the Blue Ridge Mountains. He was elected to the third and fourth congresses and served from 4 Mar 1793 until 3 March 1797.
Robert Rutherford was assistant commissary and he made an inventory of supplies 18 Apr 1756. A disbursement of moneys to Robert Rutherford's Company was ordered by Col. George Washington 21 Dec 1756, 19 Jan, 4 Feb., and 26 Feb. 1757. He was a frequent guest in Washington's home. His daughter Eleanor wrote, "He did not fight in the Revolution but worked all through those years supporting the cause of liberty".

Robert RUTHERFORD and Mary DOBBIN were married on 13 September 1763 in Shepherdstown, Jefferson Co., VA.²⁰ Mary DOBBIN was born on 27 February 1732. She died on 24 June 1813 in Charles Town, Jefferson Co., WV.²⁰ Buried on in the family Cemetery on their estate near Charlestown, WV.

Robert RUTHERFORD and Mary DOBBIN had the following children:

106
i.
Susanna RUTHERFORD was born on 23 November 1764 in Frederick Co., VA.²⁰ She died on 8 May 1829.²⁰
107
ii.
Mary RUTHERFORD was born on 20 November 1765 in Frederick Co., VA.²⁰
108
iii.
Thomas Hugh RUTHERFORD was born on 30 July 1767 in Frederick Co., VA.²⁰ He died on 20 October 1787 in VA.²⁰
109
iv.
Deborah RUTHERFORD was born on 11 May 1768 in VA.²⁰
110
v.
Elizabeth RUTHERFORD was born on 28 September 1769 in VA.²⁰
111
vi.
Margaret RUTHERFORD was born on 19 January 1770 in VA.²⁰ She died in 1788.²⁰
112
vii.
Sarah RUTHERFORD was born on 12 August 1771 in Berkeley Co., VA.²⁰
113
viii.
Eleanor R. RUTHERFORD was born on 5 July 1775 in Berkeley Co., VA.²⁰ She died on 21 March 1857.²⁰