We have been trying for many years to identify the parents of Margaret Major. The following is what we do know:

"Ringo Family History Series," Vol. 2, pg. 113:
(Henry Ringo), "At the age of 24, he was married on March 21st 1749, probably in Hunterdon County, New Jersey to Margaret Major. No record of the marriage is to be found other than in the Ringo family Bible but there were Majors in Hunterdon County, particularly in Maidenhead Township and further research may reveal the names of her parents. We do know that she was born June 21st, 1732." (Margaret Major Ringo died January 20th 1795 in Montgomery County, Kentucky).

Henry Ringo, and his wife, Margaret Major, about 1770, removed from, New Jersey to Loudoun County, Virginia, and in the summer of 1789 they removed from Virginia to Kentucky..

"Ringo Family History Series," Vol. 2, pg. 386, "Early Collateral Lines," Major.
"Very few clues have been found for identifying the ancestors of Margaret Major who married Henry Ringo in 1749. The following persons with surnamed Major have been found in New York and New Jersey:

" 'Thomas Major' lived East side of Broadway near the Wall in 1665 which was probably the property bought from the orphans court. Conveyance signed by Pieter Stoutenburg Feb. 8, 1656 for a house and lot on the east side of Broadway to Tomas Major. (Berthold Fernow 'Orphanmasters of New Amsterdam," 1655-1663, Colonial Dames ed. 1907. No information on family).

"Anjou--'Probate Records of Ulster Co., N.Y'.--Vol. II, p. 119, 'James Major' of Ulster Co., died intestate. Wife Annee Admin. May 1, 1733. No family listed."

"Robert Major listed as head of family in 1722 Maidenhead, N.J. from Monette's--'First Settlers," etc. Part VI, p. 1058

"N.J. Archives lists 'Robert Major' vol. 23, p. 246 as creditor in 1728 to Gershom Hull, Amwell, Hunterdon Co., N.J.

"N.J. Archives, Vol. 30, p. 174 -- 'Robert Major' in 1734 was creditor of John Ferguson of Trenton. No wife or children have been found for this (or these) 'Robert Major.' "

"Mrs. Letton had the theory that the Elijah Major who lived in South Carolina in the Camden District Fairfield County must be some relation because Joseph Ringo named a son Elijah. Major Ringo and Joseph's brother Cornelius was visiting relatives in South Carolina when he enlisted in the Revolution. There was an Elijah Major who m. 1802 a Nancy Wardlow in S.C. Other Major and Majors living in Camden Dist., Fairfield Co., S.C. in the 1790 Census besides Elijah were: Nathan'l, Benj'n, and James.

"In Loudoun Co., Va. is the will of 'Richard Major' Nov. 2, 1796 probate May 8, 1797 -- wife Sarah; ch'ns: Elijah, James, Sarah Hutchinson, Rebecca Beaver, ch'n of dec'd son Daniel; grandau. Elizabeth Major. It is believed that this Major family may have been from New Jersey. Was Elijah mentioned in the Will the same as Elijah in S.C.?

"Names that may have been from the Major side of the family and not previously used by the Ringos were Samuel, Joseph and Richard. These names have been used by Major families as well as James and Elijah!"

SOURCES: "Ringo Family History Series," Volume 2, pp. 113-129, & pp. 386 "Major" from the "Supplement, Early Collateral Lines;" Volume 3, pp. 3, eldest son of Henry Ringo & Margaret Major, Philip Ringo, RG #1D2B1; "The First Five Generations of the Ringo Family in America," from "The Ringo Family History Series", The Line of Descent from Philip Janszen Ringo, 1981. 13 Volumes, published by "The Freeborn Family Organization, Inc., 518 Alahmar Street, Alhambra, CA 91801. Henry Ringo's "Ringo Family Bible."

Any help will be appreciated!

Catherine, spntotnr@shawneelink.net