William Ruffin Hinnant
HINNANT on headstone was spelled wrong by carver. The stone was crated and hauled by wagon to this location. After unloading it was then discovered the misspelling of HINNANT. It was too heavy to cart back to town.
Thank you for your service
William served in the armed forces. We honor that service here.
When William Ruffin Hinnant was born on December 20, 1836, in Johnston, North Carolina, his father, Jesse, was 19 and his mother, Elizabeth, was 19. He married Willie Ann Whitley on January 16, 1879, in his hometown. They had 11 children in 19 years. He died on June 9, 1911, in Johnston, North Carolina, at the age of 74, and was buried here, in this 1/2 acre cemetery, on the family farm. Alongside of William Ruffin is his wife Willie Ann Whitley and his mother Elizabeth Hawkins Hayles. William Ruffin’s father, Jesse, left of Hawkins. There were several babies buried here as well. Other facts about Ruffin was he played the violin at weddings. He was captured at Petersburg and held at Point Lookout Maryland until the end of the civil war. He walked home after signing the oath of allegiance.
Bio of wife, Willie Anne Whitley
When Willie Ann Whitley and her twin sister Celia were born on January 18, 1858, in Johnston, North Carolina, their father, Everett, was 29 and their mother, Catherine, was 27. She married William Ruffin Hinnant on January 16, 1879, in her hometown. They had 11 children in 19 years. She died on June 12, 1905, in Johnston, North Carolina, at the age of 47, and was buried in Wendell, North Carolina.
Bio of mother Elizabeth Hawkins "Hawk" Hayles
When Elizabeth Hawkins Hayles was born on November 30, 1817, in Johnston, North Carolina, her father, William, was 37, and her mother, Tabethy, was 31. She married Jesse Hinnant on December 9, 1835, in her hometown. They had six children in 11 years. She died on March 1, 1900, in Johnston, North Carolina, having lived a long life of 82 years. Some other facts about Hawk, she had red hair. She delivered babies. She owned a horse and chased Union soldiers away with a gun when they tried to steal her horse. She grew roses.
The world William knew
Family milestones in gold, history for context
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