I just discovered this wonderful resource. I had no idea the clan was so large. I'm especially grateful to those able and dedicated cousins who are doing the work of research. Thank ya'll.

Do I understand that Hanson Ruark, born in NC in 1808 was the son of Kimbell Ruark, son of Franklin Ruark, son of Wade Ruark who came to America in 1682 with Lord Calvert and lived near Boston? Is this Wade one of the famous "4 brothers"? Sometimes 3 are mentioned and sometimes 4. What's the connection? If so, how did Wade get from Maryland to "near Boston"? What a great story. I see a movie! I am Rena Ruark Lindstrom, daughter of Henry, son of Robert, son of James Buchanan Ruark, son of Hanson. Thanks, Rena L.

I'M NOT SURE IF WE ARE RELATED BUT WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT.....JAMES BUCHANAN RUARK WAS MY GRANDFATHER'S BROTHER.....THEIR FATHER WAS BRYANT WHITFIELD RUARK....IF THIS IS FAMILIAR PLEASE RESPOND TO....WOLFLOVER1023@AOL.COM...THANKS....SHEILA

Sheila: I tried to send you an email at the address given but it came back to me. Bryant Whitfield Ruark was the brother of my grandfather, Robert C. Ruark, who was the son of James Buchanan Ruark. We're cousins, girl! You must be in my child's generation. Have you been to Southport and visited the cemetery there? There are several generations resting there. I have a cousin Whit in my generation who, last I heard, lived in Raleigh. We used to hang out together at Lake Junaluska in the summertime. Any kin? Keep in touch.
Rena

Reply to Rena Lindstrom
Doubt that Wade Ruark was one of 4 original brothers.
Legend is that they were Thomas,James,Major,and William.
I have been trying to find proof that they came to the
colonies with Lord Calvert. Or for that matter, when and
if they were the first Ruarks here. I am a decendant of
James.

Rena, we wrote a couple of times, but I was ofline for a long time and didn't get the chance to respond to you....here is the family history that I have....you asked me if I'm related to Whit Ruark from Lake Junaluska....He was my grandfather's brother's son........
Here is the Family tree as I have it:
Hanson R. Ruark
--appointed Postmaster of Smithville (Southport) N.C. on April 24, 1867
--Elected Town Commissioner on May 1, 1882
--Cited in Southport (Smithville) & Environs Vol 1 by Bill Reaves 1978
--Occupation: Ocean Pilot
--Married: Rebecca Ann Woodside ....1836
--Children: John H
Robert M
Richard ?
Hanson K
William A
Mary C
Wilson W
James Buchanan ( my great great grandfather)
Barbary ?
James Buchanan Ruark
--Cited in history of NC vol 5 pp 79 - 80
--Town commissioner and Alderman
--Chairman County Board of Education
-- Treas and Steward Trinity M E Church
--Noble Grand if Intl Order Odd Fellows
--Cited as Uncle Jimmy in `The Old Man and The Boy` by Robert Chester Ruark
--Born: Jan 24 1857 in Southport
--Died: Jan 24 1934 in Southport
--Occupation: Merchant
--Clerk in general store at age 14
--Partnership with Mr. Guthrie in 1887
--Partnership dissolved after 16 years
--Operated J.B. Ruark Co. from 1912 till death
--Married: Sarah Potter Longest on Oct 29, 1876 in Southport
--Children: Hattridge Longest
Robert ?
James ?
Agnes K
Edith ?
Joseph Waters
Cronley Guthrie
William Thomas
Bryant Whitfield ( my great grandfather)
Mary Rebecca
Sallie Potter
Marjorie ?
Alice Dickenson
Bryant Whitfield Ruark
--Born Jan 16, 1892 in Southport
--Died in 85 or 86 burried in the Ruark family plot in Southport
--Occupation Trade Association Executive
--School Teacher
--School Headmaster
-- Sales Crew Leader
--Married Beulah Ione Stiffler Dec 16, 1916 in Detroit Mich
--Children Frances Ione
James Buchanan II
Franklin Stiffler ( my grandfather)
Alice Ethel


Hope this helps Take care... hope to hear from you soon.

Sterling, Hanson R. Ruark was my great great great grandfather....married to Rebecca Ann Woodside.....Their children were...John H.,Robert M.,Richard ?, Hanson K., William A., Mary C., Wilson W., James Buchanan ( my great great grandfather), Barbary ?, I do know for a fact that we came from germany....I have a bible dated back to 1727 that has been past down from generation to generation. I aquired the bible when my Grandfather ( Franklin Stiffler Ruark) died...I do not have any info on or about when Hanson R. Ruark was born or who his parents are, but I am digging and will let you know what I find.....I have numorus documents on the family's history and am in the process of trying to figure out what I can... I hope I have helped some......Sheila Maurer

Still looking for verified parents of Hanson Kelly Ruark, sr. of Southport, NC. He is my husband'.s ancestor. We have been to Southport, studied at the library, looked up records, but found nothing. No grave is found for Hanson Kelly Ruark, Sr. He was lighthouse keeper in Southport, NC during the Civil War..actually there were two lights at Prices Creek - the lighthouse (actually on top of the house) and then the light signal point, a part of which stands today - sort of a short round tower - to be seen from the Ferry that comes from Ft. Fisher to Southport - My husband's grandmother was Mary Catherine Ruark, H.K. Ruark Sr.'s daughter. She married first Dr. Carr, a widower, and then Franklin James Anders, Confederate Veteran and also widower. Mary Cathrerine Ruark Anders and Franklin James Anders had three children of their own: Annie Mildred, William Gladstone, and Virginia. Annie Mildred married Jamieson Olin Coleman, my husband's father and mother.

Whit Ruark and wife Patricia now reside in Wilmington, NC.

LET'S FIND OUT ABOUT THIS WADE Ruark AND GET FACTS AND FANCIES ON HIM!!! Come on, guys, we need real data! Anyone going for it????

HI Rena, sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you..have had some problems with my computer...Yes I am related to Whit Ruark, He is my Grandfather's, Brother's son. He and wife Patricia now live in Wilmington NC. Their address is: 1740 S. Live Oak Pkwy, Wilmington, N.C. 28403...phone is: (910-343-1438) Hope this helps....I also have listings of all the Ruarks steming from Hanson K.Ruark if interested....My new E-mail address is: DreamWeaver2596@aol.com....Take Care and I hope to hear from you soon.....Sheila

Sheila,

Sheila,

Does the name John Washington Rheuark ring the bells of your family? He was to have married a Fanny Mariah ?? and she died in about 1872/73/74.

John W. married in 1875 to a Mary Sargent. Any info would be helpful.

John is listed in the 1840 and 1850 Tippah Co, MS census and the 1870 census in Monroe Co, AR.
Thanks,

Bob Nickell

I am typing this posting from Judge Ruark's former home in Southport. Judge Ruark is, I think, also known as Joseph Waters Ruark. I've been researching Judge Ruark's family and thank you for the additional data. I tried to find the Ruark plot at the cemetery last week but couldn't find it. Will try again this week. Is it the Old Smithville Cemetary in downtown Southport?

Many thanks.