John Runyon

Not to be confused with John Hyde Runyon, who lived in Fayette County around the same time, but died in 1811."

John Runyon must have been brought to Kentucky by his parents as a child. Joseph was the first Runyon to appear in Fayette tax and property records beginning in 1795; he was probably a relative, most likely John's father. Reuben Runyan -- another early name in Fayette tax records -- would have been his uncle.

Joseph bought land for the family in late December of 1801: 3 acres and 91 poles on the waters of Cane Run. Next year, Joseph sold what seems like the same plot to a Vincent Runyon. A son? A cousin or nephew?

John married Sarah Stout in 1808 in Fayette county, Kentucky, where he lived for 40 years. In 1850, he moved to Illinois; a series of real estate transactions spanning a year and two counties show John Runyon -- "late of the county of Fayette and State of Kentucky" -- buying lots in Christian County and selling them to his children.

Family Matters: The Stout/Runyon Connection

In 1802, Joseph Runyon sold 3 acres and 21 poles on the waters of Cane Run in Fayette County, Kentucky to a Vincent Runyon. (his brother, perhaps? Or this man?). Jediah Stout and Anthony Stout were witnesses to the deed. Anthony Stout was the father of John's wife, Sarah Stout. It stands to reason the Joseph Runyon and Anthony Stout knew each other -- they were both born in 1765 in Hunterdon, NJ. Hence Joseph must be related to John, no?

John Hyde Runyon

The very well done Dedpepl genealogical blog posits a first wife and parents for John Runyon. I believe this is a separate person named John Hyde Runyon:

"Possible first wife: Patty Barrett Feb. 23, 1803 in Flemington, Huntingdon, New Jersey. Moved to Kentucky ca. 1805 possibly with his first wife. Possible children of John & Patty (Barrett) Runyon:

Daughter b. 1804-1810
Daughter b. 1804-1810

Another theory connects John Hyde Runyon to John Runyon. But: "There was speculation for awhile that John Hyde Runyon's father was John Runyon who married Rachel Hyde, however after taking a hard look at Runyon genealogies and records I do not believe they are the parents of John Runyon."

• https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/109423041/person/3...
• https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/family/GMDR-TJV

Still tbd

• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Feb 3 2022, 4:12:14 UTC
• https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/45989841/person/64...
• https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/KH6Y-CZH