Too Many John Ragsdales

Although my goal was simply to document the line leading to Mary Ann Ragsdale Moore of Conway County, AR, I've usually included my ancestor's siblings in any research, partly because they're hard to avoid.  My desire to be inclusive, however, was defeated by the sheer number of John Ragsdales in 18th Century Virginia, especially in Lunenburg County.  Deciding between the Johns became a guessing game; and apparently I'm not alone, as various sources conflict.  I'm taking the easy way out: I've lumped - or dumped - many of the John Ragsdales into one file.    One exception is John, son of Benjamin Ragsdale and Martha Jones, who does appear in the notes for Generation 4.

In Henrico County:

1 Aug 1710: The inventory of the estate of John Ragsdaile was submitted to court in Henrico County, affirmed by Frances Ragsdale as a true inventory of her husband's estate.  The appraisers were Thomas Bott, George Archer and Peter Rowlett.[1]  And just who is this John?

1745:  The churchwardens of Dale Parish in Henrico County bound out orphans Elizabeth Evans and John Ragsdale.[1a]

In Amelia County: Formed 1735 from Brunswick and Prince George

8 Dec 1737: John Ragsdale was was among the tithables ordered to work on a road.[1b]

21 May 1742: John Ragsdale took his oath as a grand juror.

5 Nov 1744: John and Mary (x) Ragsdale sold 200 acres on Seller Fork of Deep Creek in Amelia County adjoining Eppes and Cabiness to John Hardy of King and Queen County for £45.  Witnesses: Edward Thweat, William Covington, and Josiah Grigg.[1c]

27 Jan 1745: John (x) Ragsdale, Abraham Cocke, John Bridgforth witnessed a deed from Charles Williamson of Bath Parish, Prince George County, to William Pittman of Raleigh Parish for 228 acres in Raleigh Parish, Amelia County.  The acreage was bounded, in part, by a forked branch of the Little Nottoway River.  All three witnesses proved the deed in court on 16 May 1745.[1d]

25 Jun 1747: John Ragsdale was granted land on Little Hurricane.  This grant was referred to in an Amelia County deed dated 28 Nov 1753 from Laughlin Flinn of Lunenburg to John Duram.[1e]

12 Mar 1750: John Ragsdale was mentioned as an adjoining landowner in a deed from Isham Epps to Daniel Elbank for 404 acres bounded in part by Woody Creek.  Other adjoining landowners were John Wallice, Francis epps, Matthew Cabaniss, James Griggs, and John Wallice.[1f]

20 Aug 1751: In two separate deeds, John Ragsdale of Cumberland Parish, Lunenburg County sold 600 acres granted to him on 25 Jun 1747.  The first parcel was 200 acres on both sides of Little Hurricane conveyed to Laughlin Flynn of Nottaway Parish, Amelia County, for £18.  This adjoined Hugh Williams, John Hughes and part of a 600 acres tract granted to Ragsdale on 25 Jun 1747.  The second was 400 acres on branches of Hurricane and Burchen Swamps sold to Joseph Magoune for £50.  This was bounded by Jackson and Bryan Fannin.  His wife relinquished her dower but was not named.[2]    This might instead have been Benjamin's son.  See also Lunenburg County.

26 Sep 1751: John Ragsdell was named as an adjoining property owner in a deed from Daniel Ealbank to Joseph Burnett.  The land also adjoined a fork of Woody Creek, John Wallice, Francis Epps, Matthew Cabaniss, and James Grigg.

28 Dec 1767: In a deed from Joseph Magoune to Charles Williams "on" the Hurricane and Burchen Swamps in Amelia County, the land was identified as "part of 600 acres patented to John Ragsdale on 25 Jun 1747.  The land adjoined Bryan Fannin.[3] 

16 Oct 1769: John Ragsdale of Lunenburg County sold 180 acres in Nottoway Parish, Amelia County to Thomas Hightower for £20.  The land adjoined Joshua Hightower, William Haymes, Eckles, Clark, Charles Williamson, and "young Bryant Fanin".  Witnesses: Richard Hancks, Charles Connally, Joshua Hightower, and William Hames.[3a]

In Lunenburg County:  Created 1746 from Brunswick

1750 Tithable List: John Ragsdale Junior; John Ragsdale, "servt." with 3; and John Ragsdale Senior with 2.[3b]

1751 Tithable List: John Ragsdale, bricklayer; John Ragsdale 3; and John Ragsdale Senior 2.  The following year there was only John Ragsdale Senior with 2.[3c] 

20 Aug 1751: John Ragsdale of Cumberland Parish, Lunenburg County sold 200 acres on both sides of Little Hurricane to Laughlin Flynn of Nottaway Parish, Amelia County, for £18.  The parcel adjoined Hugh Williams, John Hughes and part of a 600 acres tract granted to Ragsdale on 25 Jun 1747.[3d]  See also Amelia County.

6 Nov 1753: John Ragsdale was among the tithables appointed to clear a road from the mouth of Woodpecker Creek to the court house.  Others appointed were Benjamin Ragsdale, and Augustine Roling with Thomas Wilborne as surveyor.[4]   This may have been the 18 year old son of Benjamin Ragsdale.  Woodpecker Creek apparently became part of Mecklenburg County in 1765.  See also Generation 4. 

6 Jun 1754: "John Ragsdale Senior and his Negro" and "John Ragsdale Junior and his Negro" were appointed in clearing and maintaining a road [not described] in Lunenburg County.[5]

4 Oct 1757: John Ragsdale was serving as an Ensign in the Lunenburg Militia.[6]  A John Ragsdale was an Ensign in the Seven Years [French and Indian] War, which was fought 1754-1763.  Along with several others, he also "presented" himself to become a vestryman in the new parish when created from Cumberland.[7] 

1 Nov 1757: John Ragsdale was appointed surveyor of a road in place of David Garland.  No description was given.[8]

24 Sep 1758: Benjamin Ragsdale, John Ragsdale, and Augustine Rowland witnessed the will of Loflin Flynn.[9]  This John may have been Benjamin's son.  See also Generation 4.

6 May 1759: John Ragsdale, David Ragland, and Thomas Edwards were co-executors of the will of William Drew Embry in Cumberland Parish.  William's wife was Elizabeth.

10 Oct 1759: John Ragsdale, Neavill Gee, and Joseph Ragsdale witnessed a deed from Charles Gee of Sussex County to Henry Gee of Lunenburg County.[10]  Also that same month, perhaps the same day, John and Joseph witnessed a deed of gift from Charles Gee Senior of Sussex County to son Neavel Gee of Lunenburg County.  The property was located on the branches of Crooked Creek in Lunenburg adjoining Booker, Cook, Edloe, and Ragsdale.

1760: John and Baxter Ragsdale were appointed to maintain the road from Reedy Creek Church to Flat Rock Church.[11]

11 May 1764: Jacob Chavis sued John Ragsdale; suit dismissed.[12]

10 Jun 1764 Tithable List: John Ragsdale for the William Embry estate; Baxter Ragsdale with 1; John Ragsdale Senior and Peter "his son" with 4 tithables and 625 acres; John Ragsdale, "Gent." with 6 tithables and 804 acres; William Ragsdale, 3 and 300; John Ragsdale, 1 and 200; Richard Ragsdale, 3 and 368; Joseph Ragsdale, 3 and 217. By 1772, there are four John Ragsdales listed, that number remaining constant through 1774.[13]  

8 Nov 1764: John Ragsdale, Richard Witton Junior, and James Craig witnessed a deed from Richard Witton to Benjamin Bridgeforth for 250 acres on the south side of Little Hounds Creek.[14]  Richard Witton was acting as attorney for owner Hugh Lawson.

14 Jun 1765: John Ragsdale, John (x) Ragsdale, and William Gee assessed cattle and pen on the land of Edward Thweat.[15]

Oct 1765: John and Richard Ragsdale were listed on the roster of the Lunenburg Militia.[16]

12 May 1768: William Hardy sold land on both side of Crooked Creek to Thomas Smith, John Ragsdale, and Benjamin Gee.[17]

16 Oct 1769: John Ragsdale of Lunenburg County sold 180 acres in Nottoway Parish, Amelia County to Thomas Hightower for £20.  The land adjoined Joshua Hightower, William Haymes, Eckles, Clark, Charles Williamson, and "young Bryant Fanin".  Witnesses: Richard Hancks, Charles Connally, Joshua Hightower, and William Hames.[17a]

12 Mar 1772: There were three transactions involving John Ragsdale: 1) Thomas Smith and John Ragsdale sold 190 acres on both sides of Crooked Creek adjoining Temple to Benjamin Gee for £25; 2) Thomas and John a second parcel on both side of Crooked Creek to John Chiles for £100; 3) Thomas Chambers, John Ragsdale, gentleman, Thomas Smith, Benjamin Gee, and a second John Ragsdale sold land to John Chiles.  All three were recorded that same day.  "The wives of Smith, Gee & Ragsdale cannot travel".  Neither deed had witnesses.[18]

18 Dec 1773: John Ragsdale, Benjamin Tomlinson, Peter Ragsdale, and John Ragsdale Junior witnessed a deed from Jones Williams of Brunswick County to John Williams of Dinwiddie County.  The tract was 140 acres in the fork of Bears Element bounded by Gee, Tomlinson, Richard Booker, and Mason.[19]

12 Mar 1778: John purchased land adjoining Gee's Spring and John Ragsdale from Benjamin Gee.  He then sold another parcel to Benjamin.[20]

1 Feb 1779: Along with Thomas and William Chambers, Joshua and John Ragsdale witnessed a deed from Matthew Mills to William Buford for two parcels, one on Crooked Creek and one on Bears Element Creek.[21]

1781: Mary Ragsdale, daughter of Capt. John Ragsdale, married William Buford.  This was not the only Ragsdale-Buford marriage.  See also 14 Jun 1787 below.[21a]

14 Nov 1782: John Ragsdale Senior made deeds of gift to his children: 1) To son John, slaves Tom and Anthony and 200 acres adjoining Benjamin Gee; 2) To son Drury, slaves Ned and Bob and 200 acres adjoining Gee's Spring Branch; 3) To son Samuel, slaves Archer and Phill and 200 acres adjoining Nevil Gee and Barrett; 4) To daughter Mary Gee, wife of James Gee of Mecklenburg County, slaves Phebee and Amy.  All the gifts were reserved for John Senior for his natural lifetime.[22]

20 Jun 1785: John Ragsdale, John Junior, and Joshua Ragsdale witnessed a deed from Richard Pollard of King and Queen County [on behalf of William Temple] for 1,102 acres to William Buford of Lunenburg County.  The tract was located on Moody's Branch and branches of Crooked Creek and adjoined Young Bowers, Brodnax, Brown, Ragsdale, Benjamin Gee, grantee Buford and John Ragsdale.[23]

20 May 1786: John Ragsdale, George Gee, Will Young, and Joshua Ragsdale witnessed a deed from Thomas Green to Edward Ragsdale for 100 acres adjoining William Ambrose, Hugh Hammock, Joseph Hicks, deceased, Samuel Skinner, deceased, Henry Gee, and Robert Mayton.[24]

14 Jun 1787: The will of John Ragsdale was proved.  It named sons Joshua, Edward, John, and William; daughters Annie, Priscilla, Frances, Elizabeth, Mary; grandsons John Hardy Ragsdale and Thomas Lowry; but did not name a wife.  Executors: Sons Joshua and John Ragsdale.  Witnesses: Henry Gee, John Dixon, Nathan Gee, and Benjamin Gee.  Gay Mathis, on her Obion Twigs and Branches at Rootsweb, speculates that John's wife was named Elizabeth and lists their children as: Priscilla (5 Nov 1746 -     , m. James Buford), Elizabeth, Capt. Joshua (1750 - 1789, m. Letitia Buford), John (1752 - 13 Nov 1814), Frances (m. Leroy Buford), Anna (     - 1789, m. William or Josiah Buford), Edward (     - 1823, Williamson Co, TN), and William (25 Dec 1772 - 24 Dec 1823, m. Millie Gee 30 Jan 1794).  Van Leer placed this man in the fourth generation from Godfrey and Mary Cookney and claimed that he was the John who served as a Militia Captain in 1765, a Commissioner of Deeds in 1781, and Sheriff until his death.[25]

27 Mar 1790: John Ragsdale signed his will naming sons Drury, Samuel, and John, and daughters Lucy Young, Elizabeth Ballard, and Mary Gee.  Executor: Son John Ragsdale  Witnesses: John Dixon, Anderson Bagley; Robert Rudder.  The will was proved 11 Apr 1793.[26]

26 Mar 1791: Along with William Brown and William North, John Ragsdale witnessed the sale of 200 acres from William Ragsdale of Prince Edward County to John Goodwin of Lunenburg County.  The parcel adjoined Gee, Edward Ragsdale, Baptis Ragsdale, and Joshua Ragsdale.

18 Dec 1792: John Ragsdale married Martha Gee.

16 Oct 1793: John Ragsdale bought land from Abel and Nancy Coleman.  Witnesses: John and Henry Dixon, Jesse Gee.[27]

8 Dec 1798: John Ragsdale signed his will.  He mentioned his wife Mary, nephew Peter, eldest son of his youngest brother Samuel Ragsdale.  Executor: Brother Samuel Ragsdale.  Witnesses: Lucas Gee, Lucy Gee, Peter Jefferson.  It wasn't proved until 9 Dec 1813.[28]

30 Jan 1805: John Ragsdale signed his will.  It mentioned his wife Elizabeth, his sons, John Edwin and Thomas Morgan, his daughters Nancy Harrison Ragsdale, Elizabeth, Sally Baxter Ragsdale, and Patsy Gee Ragsdale.  It also mentioned Harriet Ragsdale Beadle, daughter of Elizabeth Beadle, but without stating her relationship.  Executors: Brothers Baxter and Joshua Ragsdale.  Witnesses: Thomas Blackwell, George Gee, and Henry Gee.  The will was probated on 10 May 1810.[29]

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Nancy Denty Breidenthal