Individual Details
Rev. John Sanford Rainwater
(21 May 1819 - 1898)
Along with Henry Howell, Sanford Rainwater was one of the earliest settlers in Crawford county, arriving before 1850.
Minister of the Gospel (may be inscribed on grave marker)
It's quite likely John S. Rainwater was married more than one time. In the 1880 Crawford Co Census, he is age 61, wife Isabelle E. is 50, and there are 5 daughters between the ages of 19 and 7.
In 1870, the enumerator gave only initials for most of the household of J. S. Rainwater who was 57 born in TN. "E. E." was 39, born in KY so this appears to be the same as in 1880. There are two children older than "H.H." who can only be Henry Houston. James Rainwater, age 80, born in NC and blind, lives with the family - likely the father of Rev. John S. Rainwater.
In 1860, John S. had a wife named Isabel. James, age 70, born in SC was still living with the family.
1860 Census: Lee's Creek Twp, Crawford Co AR, p.741 as found on
In 1850, John S. lived with wife Lucinda, the first four children, and James age 60, born SC was living with them.
1850 Census: Lee's Creek Twp, Crawford Co AR, p.345, as found on
In the book History of Crawford County, Arkansas by Miss Clara B. Eno, page 231-232 it reads: Men who met at Col. V. Matlock's in Crawford county, September 2, 1848 to organize to protect their property from the depreciation of the Cherokees were: (followed by a long list of names), J.S. Rainwater (followed by more names)
1850 census. Lee's Creek Twp, Crawford, AR, Hh 81
John S. Rainwater, 30, b. TN
Luscinda, 29, b. TN
Julia A., 8, b. TN
William P, 6, b. TN
Mary E., 3, b. AR
James, 3 months, b. AR
James, age 60, b. SC
1860 Census, Lee's Creek Twp.
John S. Rainwater age 41, b. TN. Isabel E., age 30, b. KY. Wm. P. age 16, Mary E. 13, Sarah E. 9, John A. 7, Louisa V. 3, and Henry H. age 1. All children born in Arkansas. James Rainwater, age 70, born in South Carolina also lived with them.
John is said to have been shot by a bushwacker during the Civil War - if he was shot, he did not die from his wounds.
The Natural Dam Methodist Church was organized at John's home, about 1868 by Elisha Robinson, Caswell Mills and David McCaslin.
In the book History Benton, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford, Franklin, and Sebastian Counties, Arkansas; published in 1889 by the Goodspeed Publishing Company, page 591 it reads: Natural Dam Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at the residence of John Rainwater, about twenty years ago by Elisha Robison, Caswell Mills and David McCaslin, and then belonged to the Van Buren Circuit. John S. Rainwater was class leader. They have never had a building, but services have been held at various times since by Refs. Gilcoat, Conley, Manus, A. Hyde, Obarr, Bryant, Hunt and others. The church at one time had thirty-five or forty members, but there are very few at present.
1870 Census, Lee Creek P.O, Lee Creek Twp, Crawford AR, Hh 119
J. S. Rainwater, 67, b. TN
E. E., female, 59, b. KY
M. E., 18, female, b. AR as were all the children
J. A., 16, male
H. H., 11, male
L. C. 9, female
N. J., 8, female
M. C., 5, female
M. E. , 2 female
James Rainwater, age 80, b. NC, marked as blind
1880 Census. Lees Creek, Crawford, AR, Hh 69
John S. Rainwater, 61, b. TN
Isabelle E., 50, wife, b. KY
Lucinda, 19, dau, b. AR as were all the children
Nancy, 17, dau
Martha, 14, dau
Margaret, 12, dau
Josie, 9, dau
Samuel Williams, 18, laborer
Events
| Birth | 21 May 1819 | Tennessee |  | ||
| Marriage | 16 Sep 1841 | Jefferson County, Tennessee - Lucinda Shehan | | ||
| Marriage | Abt 1857 | Isabella E. Allen | | ||
| Death | 1898 | |
Families
| Spouse | Lucinda Shehan (1821 - 1860) |
| Child | Julia Rainwater (1842 - ) |
| Child | William Perry Rainwater (1844 - ) |
| Child | Mary E. Rainwater (1848 - 1925) |
| Child | James H. Rainwater (1850 - 1860) |
| Child | Sarah Elizabeth "Lizzie" Rainwater (1852 - 1936) |
| Child | John Albert Rainwater (1854 - 1881) |
| Child | Louisa V. Rainwater (1857 - ) |
| Spouse | Isabella E. Allen (1830 - 1913) |
| Child | Henry Houston Rainwater (1859 - 1926) |
| Child | Lucinda Catherine "Katie" Rainwater (1861 - 1953) |
| Child | Nancy J. Rainwater (1863 - ) |
| Child | Martha C. Rainwater (1866 - 1892) |
| Child | Margaret Emeline "Maggie" Rainwater (1868 - 1940) |
| Child | Josephine "Josie" Rainwater (1870 - 1918) |
| Father | James Rainwater (1790 - 1880) |
| Mother | Catherine "Katie" McCall (1796 - 1875) |
| Sibling | Eli D. Rainwater (1811 - ) |
| Sibling | Milas W. Rainwater (1816 - ) |
| Sibling | Maston Crawford Rainwater (1822 - 1863) |
| Sibling | Louisa C Rainwater (1828 - ) |
| Sibling | William Inman Rainwater (1832 - ) |
Endnotes
1. Compiled by Doris Stevenson West & Susan Stevenson Sevenburn, History in Headstones; A Complete Listing of all Marked Graves In Known Cemeteries of Crawford County, Arkansas. August 1970. No index. Arranged by cemetery. (Original c1970; The Press-Argus. Reprinted in paperback 1993, Old Van Buren Press; Van Buren, AR), Hall Cemetery, p.254.
2. LDS Microfilm #1254041 & #1254042, US Census 1880 AR, Crawford Co, Lees Creek Twp; p.468b; Dwelling 68.
3. Email.
4. Rainwater Research and Dababase
5. LDS Microfilm #1254041 & #1254042, US Census 1880 AR, Crawford Co, Lees Creek Twp; p.468b; Dwelling 68.
6. Compiled by Doris Stevenson West & Susan Stevenson Sevenburn, History in Headstones; A Complete Listing of all Marked Graves In Known Cemeteries of Crawford County, Arkansas. August 1970. No index. Arranged by cemetery. (Original c1970; The Press-Argus. Reprinted in paperback 1993, Old Van Buren Press; Van Buren, AR), Hall Cemetery, p.254.