Over the weekend, I met a person who was interested in the John Kains/Kines who lived in the Robinson River Valley. The interest stems from his being a possible ancestor. I was very happy to find someone who was interested in the man because he has been "under reported". But unfortunately, I do not know if anyone can fill in the details. There are some hints about this background, so let's look at what is known.
On 5 Jun 1736, John Kains had a patent for 400 acres on Comical Run, a branch of Deep Run, adjacent to John Huffman, Christian Clayman (Kleman), and Edward Ballenger. On 19 Feb 1761, the estate inventory of John Stinesyfer was returned by Robert Hutcheson, John Kains, and Michael (MS) Smith.
John Kains wrote his will on 6 Jan 1767. After the customary introduction, he gave to his grandson, John Harris, that part of the land that lies on the east side of Comical Run, together with the house and plantations on which he (Kains) lived. Second, he gave to Joseph Harris and his wife that part of the land on the west side of Comical Run containing 150 acres, where Joseph then lived. Hermon Spilman and John Stinesyfer, Junr., were nominated as executors. Witnesses were Hermon (H) Spilman, John Stinesyfer, and John Henry Stinesyfer.
To this will, John Kains added a verbal amendment, apparently on the same day, to this effect:
The items not given to John Harris were to be divided, with Barbary Harris to receive one bed and cap box, and Eve Harris to have a small box. Herman Spilman, John Henry Stinesyfer, and Anne Mary Huffman testified that they heard this from John Kains. The nominated executors refused to serve and John Harris was appointed to serve as administrator.
From all of this, I would believe that John Kains had a daughter, name unknown, who married Joseph Harris. They were the parents of John, Barbary, and Eve Harris. When John Kains died, he had a grandson old enough to be the administrator. Therefore, John Kains was born about 1700. He outlived his wife.
Going through this whole story, John Huffman was from Eisern in Germany. Anne Mary Huffman was the daughter of Henry Huffman of Eisern. The Stonecyphers were from Eisern. Herman Spilman was probably of a family that came from the Siegen area, but I do not have a positive identification of him.
I am not sure how the name would have been spelled in Germany. There may be more records in Virginia under other spellings that I have not recognized. It appears that John Kains left no sons, but with three grandchildren he probably did leave descendants. Anything that can be added to the story would be appreciated.
(17 Jul 00)
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