Joseph Runyon

Note: Not to be confused with Joseph Runyon (1782 NJ - ? Kentucky), who likely lived in Fayette County, KY.

Phineas Runyon married Charity Coates in 1761. He worked as a tax assessor in Hunterdon County, New Jersey but eventually he and his family moved to Rowan County, N.C. Some say the move was prompted by a desire to escape harassment from the Tories.

On Dec. 25, 1779, Phineas Runyon purchased 240 acres of land from Allen Parke and his wife Elizabeth, along Cabbin Creek in Rowan County, NC. There, Phineas worked as a blacksmith and planter. On March 30, 1795 Phineas sold a farm he owned on Lick Creek (Rowan County) to Catherine Weaver for 145 pounds. On Sept. 10, 1795 he sold his tract of land on Cabbin Creek to William Ward for 300 pounds "of hard money."

Phineas and Charity Runyon, with all of their surviving adult children, emigrated to Madison County, Kentucky during the autumn of 1795 or in 1796.

On May 6, 1800, Phineas purchased 140 acres of land on Otter Creek, Madison County, KY from Edmund Baxter. On Dec.2,1808, he purchased 100 acres of land on Otter Creek from Abraham Hammond. On Nov.1, 1809 Phineas and Charity sold the 140 acre farm to John Hawkins. On Aug. 25, 1819 Phineas and Charity Runyon sold their 100 acre farm to Absolom Runyon, their son, (deed transfer did not occur until 1819 but Phineas and Charity had gone to live as Shakers at Pleasant Hill in 1812).

Phineas and Charity Runyon are thought to have had at least fourteen children. Phineas and Charity plus four of their adult children, each with their own young families joined the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearance (the Shakers) at Pleasant Hill, Mercer County, Kentucky, south of Lexington.

Joseph Runyon was the first to become a Believer, at age 45, and settled permanently at the Shaker village in 1810. Next, his brother Emley (age 28), parents Phineas and Charity (age 68), in the fall of 1812, sister Mercy Runyon who had married John Badgett, and lastly brother Martin (age 35) and his family, who arrived at the end of 1813. Joseph's daughter Nancy Runyon Ryan followed suit, joining the Shakers with her young children, leaving her husband behind. In total, 45 of the Runyon, Badgett, Ryan, and Sutton family members chose this life or were brought to Pleasant Hill as children.

Phineas & Charity, Joseph & Jane, Martin & Patience, Emley & Lydia, thirteen of Phineas' grandchildren, and two of Phineas' great-grandchildren lived out their lives among the Shakers and are thought to be buried in the graveyard at the western extent of the village. Eighteen individuals with the Runyon surname and five members of the Badgett family are believed to be buried in the Pleasant Hill cemetery. -- From FindaGrave

Research

While this may be true, it is strange that there are no Runyons listed in the 1820 Census of the Shaker Establishment, nor in the 1830 Census of Shaker town in Mercer County, Kentucky.

Regardless, it seems likely that Is there a second man with a similar name, perhaps spelled slightly differently? Joseph Runnion?

• Joseph Runnion

1. The 1809 deed between Joseph Runnion and Anthony Stout mentions Joseph's wife, Polly. This profile is married to Ginny

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