John Ragsdale Sr (abt. 1720 - abt. 1787)

Born about 1720 in Bristol Parish, Henrico, Virginia

Ancestors

Descendants

Died about Jun 1787 at about age 67 in Lunenburg County, Virginia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: John McCullough [send private message]

Biography

John Ragsdale: Born in 1720 to 1588. Godfrey Ragsdale and 1589. Elizabeth Baxter in Prince George's Co., VA. Married 795. Mary Unknown in 1745 in VA. Died in June 1787 in Lunenburg Co., VA.

John Ragsdale was the second child born to Godfrey Ragsdale, III and Elizabeth (Baxter) Martin. He was born about 1720 in Prince George Co., VA. It is not clear when John Ragsdale moved west to Lunenburg Co., but it was very likely prior to the beginning of hostilities with Great Britain.

John Ragsdale and his wife were probably married about 1745, based on the birth date of their oldest known child. They were in Lunenburg Co. in 1757 where John was an Ensign in the Militia. He was a Justice of the Peace of Lunenburg Co. in 1759 and was a Captain of the Militia in 1765. John Ragsdale (referred to as Gentleman and " Bricklayer of Flatt Rock") was Commissioner of Deeds of Lunenburg Co. in 1781 and Sheriff there until his death. He died in 1787 in Lunenburg Co. and his will (probated on 14 June 1787) identified all his children. Since his wife is not identified in the will, it is presumed that she had died before it was written.

John Ragsdale and (Mary May)? are:

i. Priscilla Ragsdale, born November 05, 1746 in VA; died Unknown; married James Buford Abt. 1770 in VA; born July 05, 1746 in Brunswick Par., Amelia Co., VA; died Bef. July 1811 in Williamson Co., TN.

ii. Elizabeth Ragsdale, born Abt. 1748 in VA; died Unknown.

iii. Joshua Ragsdale, born Abt. 1750 in VA; died 1789 in Lunenburg Co., VA; married Letitia Buford; born September 01, 1758 in Amelia Co., VA; died Unknown.

iv. John Ragsdale, born Abt. 1752 in VA; died November 13, 1814; married (1) ? Bef. 1780; died Unknown; married (2) Patience Williams May 04, 1780 in Lunenburg Co., VA; died Unknown.

v. Frances Ragsdale, born Abt. 1755 in VA; died Bef. March 15, 1807; married LeRoy Buford Abt. 1774 in VA.

vi. Ann Ragsdale, born Abt. 1758; died 1789; married Josiah Buford; born May 11, 1753 in Amelia Co., VA; died 1789.

vii. Mary Ragsdale, born Abt. 1761; died Unknown; married William Buford 1781 in VA; born May 15, 1742 in Amelia Co., VA; died January 23, 1816 in Lunenburg Co., VA.

viii. Edward Ragsdale, born Abt. 1763 in Lunenburg Co., VA; died 1823 in Williamson Co., TN; married Letitia [Buford]; died Unknown.

ix. William Ragsdale, born December 25, 1772; died December 24, 1823; married Millie Gee January 30, 1794; died Unknown. ^[1]

Death

Death:

Date: JUN 1787

Place: Lunenburg County, Virginia^[2]

NOTE: Given that he also drafted a will in 1790, which was probated in Lunenburg County in 1792, the 1787 death date is probably wrong.

Will of 1790

WILL OF JOHN RAGSDALE, Lunenburg County Will Book 4,p. 35

In the Name of God Amen this Twenty Seventh day of March Anno Domini One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety. I John Ragsdale of Cumberland Parish and County of Lunenburg being now in perfect health and sound mind and memory and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die; do make and ordain this to be my Last Will and Testament hereby disanulling all other wills or bequests by me heretofore made in manner and form followin Imprimis, my will and desires are that all my Just Debts be discharged; Item I Give and bequeath to my Daughter LUCY YOUNG two Negroes namely Sarah and Viney both of which are now in her possession to her and her heirs forever; Item I give to my daughter ELIZABETH BALLARD one Negro woman named Jude to her and her heirs forever; Item I Give and bequeath to my daughter MARY GEE one feather Bed and furniture which are now in her possession to her and her heirs forever; Item I give and bequeath to my son DRURY RAGSDALE two Negroes namely Charles and Ross, two Cows and calves and one bed and furniture to him and his heirs forever; Item I give and bequeath to my son SAMUEL RAGSDALE two Negroes namely Gloucester (?) and Sudey (?) also one bed and furniture to him and his heirs forever; Item I give and bequeath to my son JOHN RAGSDALE four Negroes to wit Amy, Redd (?), Edmund, and George together with all my stock of every kind all my household and kitchen furniture and lumber that is not herein before willed and bequeathed by me: And lastly I desire that there be no inventory taken of my estate; and that my executor hereinafter named be not held to security; I constitute and appoint my son John Ragsdale executor to this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the day and the year first above written. his John (X) Ragsdale (Seal) mark Signed Sealed and Acknowledged in presence of John Dixon Anderson Bagley Robert Ruddel

Sources

1. ↑ http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/h/e/n/Michael-K-Hendrix/GENE1-0032.html
2. ↑ Source: #S621 Page: Summary of will 1787, containing names of children Page 277 Footnote 149, Will Book 3, p277

• Sources in text
• Source: S621 Author: Landon C. Bell Title: Cumberland Parish, Lunenburg Co. Va 1746-1816 Vestry Book
• Source: Research of William Compton Kerr GA, Joyce Compton, et al, COMPTON'S PLACE OF GEORGIA CONNECTIONS.