Thomas Ruffin [2], [Jr.]

(1824-1889)

At a Glance

Thomas Ruffin, Jr. was an attorney and in his time one of the most eminent criminal lawyers in NC. He was a solicitor, justice of a military court, and associate justice of the NC Supreme Court. He managed Ruffin Farms. During the Civil War, he was a Lieutenant Colonel in the 13th NC Regiment, CSA.

Story

Thomas Ruffin, Jr. married Mary Clack Cain (1827-1908). They had the following children: James H Ruffin (1859 - 1916) , Mary C Ruffin (1861-1947), Thomas Ruffin (1862-1900), William Ruffin (1865-1921), and Lonnie T. Ruffin.

Thomas Ruffin, Jr.'s wife and children James, Mary (Hill), and Thomas are buried at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Hillsborough. William in 1899 became mayor of Mayodan NC; He and his wife Mary Lou Greene (1865-1922) are buried in the Salem cemetery in Winston Salem NC.

Many letters from Thomas Ruffin Jr. to his father are included in the Thomas Ruffin Papers at the Southern Historical Collection at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Biographical Data

Important Dates

Thomas Ruffin [2], [Jr.] was born on September 21, 1824. He died on May 23, 1889, and was buried in St. Matthew's Churchyard in Hillsborough, NC.

Schools Attended

• University of North Carolina, until 1844.

Occupations

• Lawyer.
• Associate Justice of NC Supreme Court.
• Manager of Ruffin Farms.

Relatives

• Parents: Thomas Carter Ruffin [1] (1787-1870) and Annie McNabb Kirkland (1794-1875).
• Siblings:
  • one brother, Peter Browne Ruffin (1821-1900).
  • two sisters, Susan Mary Ruffin (1827-1851)  and Anne Ruffin (1814-1897).