 The Maffetts are thought to have arrived in Newberry County in 1772 with a group of immigrants from County Antrim, Ireland, under the leadership of Reverend John Renwick of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.They were part of the massive (25,000) group of landless Scots-Irish who left Ulster in the period 1771–1775 searching for religious freedom and economic opportunity.The Maffetts prospered in their new home and James H. Maffett (1795–1880), Robert's father, was a successful farmer and long-time member of the state legislature.