Thomas Ruark (1800NC-1888IN) - md Rachel Hays (1804VA-1871IN). Thomas and his entire family moved to Marion County, IN in 1834, then most of the family (except for Margaret Ruark Culbertson) moved to Putnam County, IN in 1861, where Thomas had purchased 500 acres of land in Marion Township. In 1855, Thomas and Rachel donated land for the Sugar Grove Mission, a Methodist Church. Years later, another Methodist church opened on a nearby corner, and the churches combined. Eventually, the land passed out of church hands (about 50 years ago), the descendants of Thomas and Rachel, who could prove that descent, each got a small amount of money.
Thomas, Rachel, and many of their children are buried in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery, in Putnam County Indiana. This cemetery has not been used in at least 75 years, but is still occasionally mowed. Apparently they don't mow close to the headstones, though, and some of the weeds surrounding these have grown to the size of small trees! Most of the stones are in good condition, and still quite readable. It's located on a slight rise at the corner of two streets, and some of the nearby residents don't even know it's there. It's hidden from the streets by the rise, and by many trees and shrubs. The last time I was there, there was a tree branch laying over several stones towards the rear of the cemetery, but the Ruarks are mostly in the middle.
Most of the family remained in Putnam County, except Thomas and Rachel's oldest son, Peter. Peter stayed until around 1872, when he followed his uncle to Wayne County, Iowa. I've always had the feeling that Peter was the black sheep of the family, because he moved away. This family carried on family names quite a bit, yet there's a curious absence of any children named Peter. Also, when Thomas died, he left land to all his children - except Peter. Peter filed suit against his brothers and sisters, but without success. Apparently Thomas had been very specific in his will.
In one census, Rachel is listed as having 10 children, 7 of which were living at the time.
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All the names shown in bold are my direct ancestors.