Prudence Selina Ruffin was born 1815 on her father's plantation "Sycamore Grove" in Edgecombe County, NC, the youngest of 9 known children (8 girls/1 boy) born to wealthy planter, Samuel Ruffin (1773-1826) and his wife, Mary Ann Johnston.
She was the paternal grandchild of John Ruffin (alias O'Quinn) and his wife, Millicent, of Northampton Co, NC. John, alias O'Quinn, Ruffin was the son of Ethelred Ruffin of Northampton County and his liason with Mary O'Quinn of Edgecombe County. This Ethelred was married to Martha, often reported to be Martha Haywood, daughter of Col. William Henry Haywood and Charity Hare of Edgecombe County. Ethelred's will named John O'Quinn as his natural son and bequeathed him handsomely -- " I give and bequeath unto my natural son JOHN RUFFIN, alias O'QUINN, the plantation and all the tract of land whereon I now live..."
Prudence's father died in 1826 when she was just 11 years old. Her only brother, William Johnston Ruffin, died the following year and her mother inherited "Sycamore Grove" and the care of 7 living daughters still there. Based on the terms of her husband's will, it appears her mother leased out the slaves of "Sycamore Grove" to maintain the plantation. Mary Ann Johnston Ruffin survived her husband 31 years, passing in 1857 at age 80.
On December 24, 1837, Prudence married John Allen Vines of Edgecombe. They were both 22 years old. The couple would establish their own plantation, "Vinedale" in Edgecombe County where they would become parents to 9 known children (2 boys/7 girls). Sadly, two of his daughters died young, and his only two sons would perish in the Civil War leaving no heirs.
Their children included: Mary Sophia Vines (1840-1913), Charles Vines, CSA (1842-1864), Samuel Ruffin Vines, CSA (1844-1864), Olivia Vines (1846-1894), Salina "Lina" Vines (1849-1881), Prudence Vines (ca. 1850-aft 1880), Helen Vines (1852-1856), Emma Vines (1856-1878), and Linda Vines (1858-1928).
By 1860, "Vinedale" was one of the most prosperous farms in Edgecombe County, and John was one of the larger slave owners holding 65 slaves on the plantation. The war would greatly reduce his wealth, but not break him financially, and "Vinedale" survived Reconstruction intact and a still prosperous holding. Although, perhaps the same could not be said for John, as he buried both his sons Charles and Samuel, who died 2 months apart in 1864, in the waning months of the war.
Prudence Ruffin Vines was widowed in 1872 when her husband of 35 years passed at age 57. She survived him 3 years passing in 1875 at age 59. With no sons to inherit, "Vinedale" passed to their youngest daughter, Linda, who with her husband James Thomas Cobb, would make "Vinedale" thrive into the 20th Century.
As for Prudence's surviving older sisters, none were known to remain at "Sycamore Grove". Elizabeth Maund Ruffin (1799-1882), never married and died in Tarboro at age 83. Esther Johnston Ruffin (1803-1843) married (1st) William Tyson and after hid death in 1827 married (2nd) John A. Atkinson by whom she had 5 known children and lived/died in Tarboro. Celia Olivia Ruffin (1805-1880) married James J. Horne of Chatham Co and was mother to 3 children. After her husband's death in 1844 she removed to Fayetteville where her only surviving son became a pharmacist. She died at age 75 and is buried in Cross Creek Cemetery #1 in Fayetteville. Margaret Huett Ruffin(1808-1837) married John R. Barnes and was known to have 1 child. Jacque (Jackie) Anne Ruffin (1810-1844) married Robert John Randolph of Virginia and was mother to 2 known children before her death at 34 in Tarboro. Mary Ann Ruffin (1813-1843) married James Crafford Hilliard and resided at his plantation "Woodlawn" in Nash County where she was mother to 4 known children. She died at "Woodlawn" at age 30 and her husband married afterwards to Martha Ann Pitts of Halifax County and had 6 more children.
She was the paternal grandchild of John Ruffin (alias O'Quinn) and his wife, Millicent, of Northampton Co, NC. John, alias O'Quinn, Ruffin was the son of Ethelred Ruffin of Northampton County and his liason with Mary O'Quinn of Edgecombe County. This Ethelred was married to Martha, often reported to be Martha Haywood, daughter of Col. William Henry Haywood and Charity Hare of Edgecombe County. Ethelred's will named John O'Quinn as his natural son and bequeathed him handsomely -- " I give and bequeath unto my natural son JOHN RUFFIN, alias O'QUINN, the plantation and all the tract of land whereon I now live..."
Prudence's father died in 1826 when she was just 11 years old. Her only brother, William Johnston Ruffin, died the following year and her mother inherited "Sycamore Grove" and the care of 7 living daughters still there. Based on the terms of her husband's will, it appears her mother leased out the slaves of "Sycamore Grove" to maintain the plantation. Mary Ann Johnston Ruffin survived her husband 31 years, passing in 1857 at age 80.
On December 24, 1837, Prudence married John Allen Vines of Edgecombe. They were both 22 years old. The couple would establish their own plantation, "Vinedale" in Edgecombe County where they would become parents to 9 known children (2 boys/7 girls). Sadly, two of his daughters died young, and his only two sons would perish in the Civil War leaving no heirs.
Their children included: Mary Sophia Vines (1840-1913), Charles Vines, CSA (1842-1864), Samuel Ruffin Vines, CSA (1844-1864), Olivia Vines (1846-1894), Salina "Lina" Vines (1849-1881), Prudence Vines (ca. 1850-aft 1880), Helen Vines (1852-1856), Emma Vines (1856-1878), and Linda Vines (1858-1928).
By 1860, "Vinedale" was one of the most prosperous farms in Edgecombe County, and John was one of the larger slave owners holding 65 slaves on the plantation. The war would greatly reduce his wealth, but not break him financially, and "Vinedale" survived Reconstruction intact and a still prosperous holding. Although, perhaps the same could not be said for John, as he buried both his sons Charles and Samuel, who died 2 months apart in 1864, in the waning months of the war.
Prudence Ruffin Vines was widowed in 1872 when her husband of 35 years passed at age 57. She survived him 3 years passing in 1875 at age 59. With no sons to inherit, "Vinedale" passed to their youngest daughter, Linda, who with her husband James Thomas Cobb, would make "Vinedale" thrive into the 20th Century.
As for Prudence's surviving older sisters, none were known to remain at "Sycamore Grove". Elizabeth Maund Ruffin (1799-1882), never married and died in Tarboro at age 83. Esther Johnston Ruffin (1803-1843) married (1st) William Tyson and after hid death in 1827 married (2nd) John A. Atkinson by whom she had 5 known children and lived/died in Tarboro. Celia Olivia Ruffin (1805-1880) married James J. Horne of Chatham Co and was mother to 3 children. After her husband's death in 1844 she removed to Fayetteville where her only surviving son became a pharmacist. She died at age 75 and is buried in Cross Creek Cemetery #1 in Fayetteville. Margaret Huett Ruffin(1808-1837) married John R. Barnes and was known to have 1 child. Jacque (Jackie) Anne Ruffin (1810-1844) married Robert John Randolph of Virginia and was mother to 2 known children before her death at 34 in Tarboro. Mary Ann Ruffin (1813-1843) married James Crafford Hilliard and resided at his plantation "Woodlawn" in Nash County where she was mother to 4 known children. She died at "Woodlawn" at age 30 and her husband married afterwards to Martha Ann Pitts of Halifax County and had 6 more children.
Prudence Selina Ruffin was born 1815 on her father's plantation "Sycamore Grove" in Edgecombe County, NC, the youngest of 9 known children (8 girls/1 boy) born to wealthy planter, Samuel Ruffin (1773-1826) and his wife, Mary Ann Johnston.
She was the paternal grandchild of John Ruffin (alias O'Quinn) and his wife, Millicent, of Northampton Co, NC. John, alias O'Quinn, Ruffin was the son of Ethelred Ruffin of Northampton County and his liason with Mary O'Quinn of Edgecombe County. This Ethelred was married to Martha, often reported to be Martha Haywood, daughter of Col. William Henry Haywood and Charity Hare of Edgecombe County. Ethelred's will named John O'Quinn as his natural son and bequeathed him handsomely -- " I give and bequeath unto my natural son JOHN RUFFIN, alias O'QUINN, the plantation and all the tract of land whereon I now live..."
Prudence's father died in 1826 when she was just 11 years old. Her only brother, William Johnston Ruffin, died the following year and her mother inherited "Sycamore Grove" and the care of 7 living daughters still there. Based on the terms of her husband's will, it appears her mother leased out the slaves of "Sycamore Grove" to maintain the plantation. Mary Ann Johnston Ruffin survived her husband 31 years, passing in 1857 at age 80.
On December 24, 1837, Prudence married John Allen Vines of Edgecombe. They were both 22 years old. The couple would establish their own plantation, "Vinedale" in Edgecombe County where they would become parents to 9 known children (2 boys/7 girls). Sadly, two of his daughters died young, and his only two sons would perish in the Civil War leaving no heirs.
Their children included: Mary Sophia Vines (1840-1913), Charles Vines, CSA (1842-1864), Samuel Ruffin Vines, CSA (1844-1864), Olivia Vines (1846-1894), Salina "Lina" Vines (1849-1881), Prudence Vines (ca. 1850-aft 1880), Helen Vines (1852-1856), Emma Vines (1856-1878), and Linda Vines (1858-1928).
By 1860, "Vinedale" was one of the most prosperous farms in Edgecombe County, and John was one of the larger slave owners holding 65 slaves on the plantation. The war would greatly reduce his wealth, but not break him financially, and "Vinedale" survived Reconstruction intact and a still prosperous holding. Although, perhaps the same could not be said for John, as he buried both his sons Charles and Samuel, who died 2 months apart in 1864, in the waning months of the war.
Prudence Ruffin Vines was widowed in 1872 when her husband of 35 years passed at age 57. She survived him 3 years passing in 1875 at age 59. With no sons to inherit, "Vinedale" passed to their youngest daughter, Linda, who with her husband James Thomas Cobb, would make "Vinedale" thrive into the 20th Century.
As for Prudence's surviving older sisters, none were known to remain at "Sycamore Grove". Elizabeth Maund Ruffin (1799-1882), never married and died in Tarboro at age 83. Esther Johnston Ruffin (1803-1843) married (1st) William Tyson and after hid death in 1827 married (2nd) John A. Atkinson by whom she had 5 known children and lived/died in Tarboro. Celia Olivia Ruffin (1805-1880) married James J. Horne of Chatham Co and was mother to 3 children. After her husband's death in 1844 she removed to Fayetteville where her only surviving son became a pharmacist. She died at age 75 and is buried in Cross Creek Cemetery #1 in Fayetteville. Margaret Huett Ruffin(1808-1837) married John R. Barnes and was known to have 1 child. Jacque (Jackie) Anne Ruffin (1810-1844) married Robert John Randolph of Virginia and was mother to 2 known children before her death at 34 in Tarboro. Mary Ann Ruffin (1813-1843) married James Crafford Hilliard and resided at his plantation "Woodlawn" in Nash County where she was mother to 4 known children. She died at "Woodlawn" at age 30 and her husband married afterwards to Martha Ann Pitts of Halifax County and had 6 more children.
She was the paternal grandchild of John Ruffin (alias O'Quinn) and his wife, Millicent, of Northampton Co, NC. John, alias O'Quinn, Ruffin was the son of Ethelred Ruffin of Northampton County and his liason with Mary O'Quinn of Edgecombe County. This Ethelred was married to Martha, often reported to be Martha Haywood, daughter of Col. William Henry Haywood and Charity Hare of Edgecombe County. Ethelred's will named John O'Quinn as his natural son and bequeathed him handsomely -- " I give and bequeath unto my natural son JOHN RUFFIN, alias O'QUINN, the plantation and all the tract of land whereon I now live..."
Prudence's father died in 1826 when she was just 11 years old. Her only brother, William Johnston Ruffin, died the following year and her mother inherited "Sycamore Grove" and the care of 7 living daughters still there. Based on the terms of her husband's will, it appears her mother leased out the slaves of "Sycamore Grove" to maintain the plantation. Mary Ann Johnston Ruffin survived her husband 31 years, passing in 1857 at age 80.
On December 24, 1837, Prudence married John Allen Vines of Edgecombe. They were both 22 years old. The couple would establish their own plantation, "Vinedale" in Edgecombe County where they would become parents to 9 known children (2 boys/7 girls). Sadly, two of his daughters died young, and his only two sons would perish in the Civil War leaving no heirs.
Their children included: Mary Sophia Vines (1840-1913), Charles Vines, CSA (1842-1864), Samuel Ruffin Vines, CSA (1844-1864), Olivia Vines (1846-1894), Salina "Lina" Vines (1849-1881), Prudence Vines (ca. 1850-aft 1880), Helen Vines (1852-1856), Emma Vines (1856-1878), and Linda Vines (1858-1928).
By 1860, "Vinedale" was one of the most prosperous farms in Edgecombe County, and John was one of the larger slave owners holding 65 slaves on the plantation. The war would greatly reduce his wealth, but not break him financially, and "Vinedale" survived Reconstruction intact and a still prosperous holding. Although, perhaps the same could not be said for John, as he buried both his sons Charles and Samuel, who died 2 months apart in 1864, in the waning months of the war.
Prudence Ruffin Vines was widowed in 1872 when her husband of 35 years passed at age 57. She survived him 3 years passing in 1875 at age 59. With no sons to inherit, "Vinedale" passed to their youngest daughter, Linda, who with her husband James Thomas Cobb, would make "Vinedale" thrive into the 20th Century.
As for Prudence's surviving older sisters, none were known to remain at "Sycamore Grove". Elizabeth Maund Ruffin (1799-1882), never married and died in Tarboro at age 83. Esther Johnston Ruffin (1803-1843) married (1st) William Tyson and after hid death in 1827 married (2nd) John A. Atkinson by whom she had 5 known children and lived/died in Tarboro. Celia Olivia Ruffin (1805-1880) married James J. Horne of Chatham Co and was mother to 3 children. After her husband's death in 1844 she removed to Fayetteville where her only surviving son became a pharmacist. She died at age 75 and is buried in Cross Creek Cemetery #1 in Fayetteville. Margaret Huett Ruffin(1808-1837) married John R. Barnes and was known to have 1 child. Jacque (Jackie) Anne Ruffin (1810-1844) married Robert John Randolph of Virginia and was mother to 2 known children before her death at 34 in Tarboro. Mary Ann Ruffin (1813-1843) married James Crafford Hilliard and resided at his plantation "Woodlawn" in Nash County where she was mother to 4 known children. She died at "Woodlawn" at age 30 and her husband married afterwards to Martha Ann Pitts of Halifax County and had 6 more children.
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