Jerry and Linda Butler

Anthony Rains, served in the Revolutionary War from; his pension application states that he entered service March 1781 in Randolph Co., North Carolina, and applied for his pension February 5, 1834, and also states his age as 77. He stated he was born 1757 in Caroline Co. VA. on the Rappahannock River, as recorded in his father’s Bible, which he had in his possession. (This shows the families were in the same area.) He stated he lived in Virginia until age 15, moving with his mother and family to Randolph Co., North Carolina, and his father being dead. This would have made the move to North Carolina the year of 1772, in which Henry Rains had died earlier, and indicates his mother and others. Anthony married Nancy Graham, sister to the wife of his older brother, George Rains. Except for the first 15 years of his life, Anthony lived out his life in Randolph Co, North Carolina. Most of the family had left North Carolina except for Anthony by early 1800’s. After the death of Anthony, Nancy Graham Rains went to Tennessee where her brothers, and brother-in-law, George Rains, and several of her children were living.

• from the research of David Earl Raines Jr.

Anthony Rains, the father of Balaam, took an active and gallant part in the struggle for independence under the undaunted Gen. Marion.

• Goodspeed History of Decatur Co. TN.