Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/376

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

Ann, Alargaret. and probably George and Samuel Rust. Another will of William Rust, probably son of the above William, is dated 1699, and evidence points toward his iiav- ing a son named John.

All of the southern Rusts are descended from the pioneer, William Rust, who is thought to have come from Northumber- land to \\ estmoreland county, but some authorities stating direct from England. The coat-of-arms of the Rust family is given in Burke's Armory as follows : Ar. a saltire az. betw. two Roman fasces in pale ppr. and as many crosses pattee fitchee in fesse gu. Crest : A demi-lion gu. holding in the dexter paw an ivory rod and charged on the shoulder with three crosses pattee fitchee chevronwise or. ]\Iotto: J'critatis et acquit- atis tciia.v.

Benedict Rust was born in Westmoreland county, Virginia. October 25, 1743, and died September 18. 1829. In mature years he moved to the Valley, Warren (then Fred- erick) county, his brother, Vincent Rust, taking up his residence in Loudoun county, Virginia. Benedict Rust married, March 24, 1766, Jane Aliddleton, of Westmoreland county, Virginia, born February 26, 1751, died September 13, 1832, and had two sons, John and Matthew.

John Rust, son of Benedict and Jane (Mid- dleton) Rust, was born February 8, 1769, died April 17, 1851. With his brother JNIat- thew he served in the war of 1812, and held the office of justice in his native state of Virginia. He was the owner of a beautiful estate, "Rock Hill," overlooking the Shenan- doah river, the manor house a stone struc- ture of fourteen rooms with surrounding stone porches. John Rust married, August 13- I797' Elizabeth Marshall, of Maryland, born September 17, 1779, died March 27, 1857. a relative of Chief Justice John Mar- shall. This family of the Marshall line built "Marshall Hall," on the Potomac river, be- low Washington. D. C. Children of John and Elizabeth (^Marshall) Rust: Charles B. C. of whom further, Dr. Bushrod, and Mar- shall.

Charles B. C. Rust, son of John and Eliz- abeth (Marshall) Rust, was born Decem- ber 26, 1816, and died December 17, 1904. He married, September 12, 1839, Mary Ann Ashby, whose family line traces from royal English blood, born October 19, 1817, died April 18, 1883, daughter of Robert B. Ashby. born April 17, 1788. died August 29. i83'8,

and granddaughter of Benjamin Ashby. Benjamin Ashby was born in 1745, and was a noted Indian tighter. One of the greatest chiefs of the Indian tribes of that region was buried on his farm in Frederick county, now Warren, on a high peak of the Blue Ridge chain, Mount Venus. Robert B. Ashby married Elizabeth Ash, and at his request he was buried on the highest point of his farm, so that, as he expressed it, he could see over it when he desired. Ashby 's Gap, of the Blue Ridge, takes its name from a daring exploit in driving of Captain "Jack" Ashby, of this line, and General Turner Ashby, the dashing, gallant officer of the Confederacy, is of the same branch. Chil- dren of Charles B. C. and Mary Ann (Ashby) Rust: John Robert, of whom fur- ther; Dr. Charles; Ashby; Elton, married Dr. Thaddeus Haynie ; Sallie, married Ed- ward Massie ; Ida, married Charles Leach; Attie, also married Charles Leach, and Lou, married Preston Marshall.

John Robert Rust, son of Charles B. C. and Mary Ann (Ashby) Rust, was born June 14, 1840. At the outbreak of the civil war he was a student in Piedmont College, and belonged to the Virginia militia, leaving school to go to the front with the first Southern troops. He joined Company I, Twelfth Regiment of Virginia Cavalry, under the command of his cousin. General Turner Ashby, Captain Charles O'Farrell, afterward Governor O'Farrell, in command of Company I. He served as lieutenant under Captain O'Farrell until that officer was wounded, and from that time until his capture, about sixty days before the final surrender, led the company. With the ex- ception of Gettysburg, when he was left to guard Harper's Ferry, he fought in every important battle engaging the Army of Vir- ginia, serving under General "Stonewall" Jackson, and at Kelley's Island, one of the first engagements of the war, opposed the LTnion troops commanded by General Lew Wallace. About sixty days before the close of the war he was captured at his home, taken to Fort McHenry, and was there locked in a dark cell because of his refusal to take the oath of allegiance. His war record is a wonderful one. and during the four years of conflict he endured all that comes within a soldier's experience. Six horses were shot from under him and twice he went down with his horse, once wounded in the knee, once in the ankle. After the