Coursey-Sansing Family Tree

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Rainey, William Joseph

Rainey, William Joseph

Male 1845 - 1935  (89 years)

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  • Name Rainey, William Joseph 
    Born 5 Aug 1845  Lewisburg, Marshall County, Tennessee, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 24 Jun 1935  Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried Rehoboth Cemetery - RoEllen, Dyer County, Tennessee, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Findagrave.com Memorial #6903156
    Person ID I6044  Coursey-Sansing Tree
    Last Modified 17 Nov 2020 

    Father Rainey, Richard Reece,   b. 24 Feb 1806, Mecklenburg County, Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 11 Dec 1886, Marshall County, Tennessee, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 80 years) 
    Mother Smith, Mary Elizabeth,   b. 6 Aug 1815, Marshall County, Tennessee, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 Nov 1895, Dyer County, Tennessee, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 80 years) 
    Married Abt Jul 1832  Lewisburg, Marshall, Tennessee, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F500242  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Johnson, Effie Susan,   b. 23 Oct 1879, Ridgely, Lake County, Tennessee, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 4 Jul 1960, Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 80 years) 
    Married 23 Jun 1895  Ridgely, Lake County, Tennessee, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Rainey, Cordie Mae,   b. 28 Apr 1896, Ridgely, Lake County, Tennessee, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 11 Jul 1993, Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 97 years)
     2. Rainey, Joseph Clifford,   b. 20 Jul 1904, Ridgely, Lake County, Tennessee, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 Sep 1975, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 71 years)
    Last Modified 17 Nov 2020 
    Family ID F2550  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    William Joesph Rainey 2    		William Joesph Rainey 2
    William Joesph Rainey 2    		William Joesph Rainey 2

  • Notes 

    • Biography


       


      William was the son of Richard Reece Rainey and Elizabeth Smith Rainey. He married Effie Susan Johnson June 23, 1895 in Ridgely, TN. When they married, Effie was age 15 and William was 50. (Effie is buried in Big Creek Cemetery, near Millington and Lucy, Shelby County, TN.)


      The grave marker includes the inscription "Messenger" because he is reputed to have carried the surrender message from General Lee to General Grant at the end of the Civil War.


      William came through the Civil War unscathed but lost his left hand in a cannon accident during a celebration for the election or inauguration of President Grover Cleveland. It is unknown whether it was Cleveland's 1st or 2nd term so the estimated date of this injury is either 1884-1885 or 1892-1893