Ragsdale: The First Two Generations

The Godfreys

The first Ragsdale - or certainly the progenitor of this line -  to settle in the New World was Godfrey Ragsdale, born c. 1615 in East Bridgeford, Nottinghamshire.[1]  Primary sources on him are few; they can neither verify nor refute the story handed down from generation to generation. 

Godfrey must have arrived in Virginia between 1638 and 1642.  Family tradition has claimed that he crossed the ocean on a cattle boat; and certainly, his name doesn't appear on any passenger lists.  His wife was Mary Cookney, also born in Nottinghamshire; but whether they married in England or Virginia isn't known.  He arrived with or earned sufficient money to purchase 300 acres on the north side of the Appomattox River from John Butler on 25 Feb 1642.  On 18 Apr 1644, a day known thereafter as "Opechancanough Day", after the half-brother of the great chief Powhatan[2], the Indians attempted to drive the English back into the sea.  Five-hundred settlers were killed and scalped, Godfrey and Mary Ragsdale among them.  The tale is that Mary had the time and presence of mind to hide her young male infant under the bed.  He went unnoticed during the mayhem.  Discovered several days later, perhaps by probable grandfather John Cookney, young Godfrey was taken in by another family to be raised.  That family may have been the Cookneys or the Rowletts, who were to become his in-laws.  Shortly after reaching twenty-one, he claimed the land purchased by his father . . . .

13 Sep 1764: Along with Thomas Batte Junior and John x) Eginton, Godfrey witnessed a deed from Thomas Batte Senior "of Appamatuck" and Mary his wife to Gabriel Archer for 100 acres on the north side of the Appomattox River above the Old Indian Town.[2a]

13 Jan 1666: Godfrey Ragsdale was granted 450 acres on the north side of the Appomattox River in Henrico County "in the vicinity of the Falls".  It consisted of 1) 300 acres granted to Thomas Causey, who sold to John Butler who sold to Godfrey Ragsdale, "father of the present possessor" on 25 Feb 1642; and 2) 150 acres "by a former grant".[3]

Godfrey married Rachel Rowlett, daughter of  Peter Rowlett.  At least one researcher believes that he was first married to Rachel Peters.  It's certainly possible that he was married twice.

30 Apr 1675: He was listed in the Henrico County militia.[4]

27 Mar 1676: His land was mentioned in a boundary agreement between Edward Beville and Thomas Webster.[4a]

c. 1678: A deed from Godfrey to William Harris for land on Condite Creek of the Appomattox River was recorded in court.  The selling price was 1,200 pounds of tobacco.[4b]

2 Jun 1679: He was listed as a tithable with one servant in Henrico County.

1 Oct 1679: A deed from Godfrey Ragsdale to Thomas Batte Senior, both of Bristol Parish, Henrico County, was recorded in court.  Godfrey had sold Thomas 50 acres on the north side of the Appomattox River bequeathed to him by John H. Cookney, "joining land I now live on".  Witnesses: John Farrar and Essex Beville.[5]  John Cookney's will was dated 1 Dec 1646. 

15 Jun 1686: He, George Worsham, and Nicholas Dison appraised the estate of Charles Clay.[5a]

1 Aug 1687: The court in Henrico ordered that 40 tithables fit out men, horses, and arms - no doubt to defend against Indian attacks.  Godfrey Ragsdale appeared on the List of Peter Field with 1 tithable and 1 servant - the only man on the list with a servant.[6]  The court that met on that date also heard the case of Thomas Batt versus Major Chamberlain.  In a deposition for that case, Godfrey Ragsdale gave his age as 43.[7]

15 Nov 1689: Along with Thomas Batte Junior, Thomas Bott, and George Archer, he appraised the John Davis estate.[7a]

28 May 1690: Godfrey, Thomas Batte Junior, and Thomas Webster appraised the estate of William Harris.[7b]

9 May 1692: A deed between Thomas Batte "now of Charles City County" and Peter Jones "now of Henrico County" for 24o acres, "part of those plantations known by the name of Old Towne".   The lands of Godfrey Ragsdale adjoined the lower side of the tract, the upper bounded by John Beville.[8] 

As investigated by Adelia Simplot and Ramona Higer, Old Town and Godfrey's land is now in Petersburg and Colonial Heights, VA.  In fact, the site of the Ragsdale house may now be covered by the Southpark Mall.

2 Jun 1690: In another court deposition, Godfrey's age was give as 46.[8a]

16 Dec 1692: Godfrey served as a juror in Henrico County.

9 May 1693: A deed from Thomas Batte to Peter Jones mentioned land "which is part of those plantations known by the name of Old Towne, bounded on the upper side of the lands of Godfrey Ragsdale".[9]

1 Feb 1697: John Eginton and Godfrey Ragsdail witnessed a deed for 240 acres from Peter Jones to Stephen Cock on the north side of the Appomattox River.  "Known as Old Town", it was bounded by the lands of the witnesses.  When this tract was sold again in 1700 and 1704, it was still described as adjoining Godfrey.[9a] 

20 or 27 Apr 1697: Godfrey Ragsdale of Bristol Parish, Henrico County, signed his will.  In it, he bequeathed 150 acres, "with all its buildings, orchards and fencings" adjoining Peter Jones and the Appomattox River to son Godfrey: 130 acres to son Peter; the remainder of his land to son Daniel; five shillings to daughter Rachel, who he had already provided for; the cattle and hogs with their proper marks to all his children; and the remainder of the estate to wife Rachel.  Executors: Son Godfrey and wife Rachel.  Witnesses: Peter Rowlett Senior, Essex Bevill, and Nicholas Dison.[10]

 The will was proved on 1 Apr 1703.  Securities for son Godfrey III as administrator were Phillip Jones and Essex Bevill.[10a]

Children of Godfrey and Rachel Rowlett Ragsdale: Two sons, Benjamin and John, were born after Godfrey signed his will.   

Rachel Ragsdale (c. 1672 - 1758; m. Richard Jones 4 Jan 1692)

Godfrey Ragsdale III (c. 1676 - Jul 1731; m. Elizabeth Baxter Martin c. 1715)

Peter Ragsdale (c. 1680 - 1747; m. Alse [or Alice]  Drury Witton)

Katherine Ragsdale (m. Robert Hix 18 May 1701) 

Captain William Farrar was surety for the marriage bond.

Daniel Ragsdale (c. 1688 - c. 1726; m. Amy Maulding)

 2 Jan 1726/27: Having been appraised by Peter Rowlette, George Wilson, and Thomas White, the inventory of the Daniel Ragsdale estate was presented in the Henrico County court by Amy Ragsdale, "widow of Daniel".[11]   

15 Oct 1729: He was mentioned as an adjoining landowner in the will of George Archer Senior.[12]  But was that actually his estate?  Brother Peter was one of the witnesses to Archer's will.

13 Jun 1730: The Henrico County will of Patience Turner mentioned Amy Ragsdale.  The abstract - and probably the will - didn't mention a relationship.[13]

Children of Daniel and Amy Maulding Ragsdale: 

Daniel Ragsdale

24 Dec 1726: Daniel Ragsdale of Bristol Parish, Henrico County, sold 45 acres, being part of the plantation "where said Daniel lives", to Godfrey Ragsdale.  It was bounded by the dividing line between Daniel and Godfrey, the main road, and George Archer.  Witnesses: John Epes, Christopher Martain, and Will Kennon.[14] 

1 Apr 1727: Daniel sold 100 acres "for love and affection" to George Ragsdale, brother of said Daniel", it being the plantation where "Daniel and his mother now live".  It adjoined Peter Ragsdale and George Archer.[15] 

21 Apr 1727: He sold 100 acres on the north side of the Appomatox River to Christopher Martain, this parcel also adjoining Godfrey Ragsdale, George Archer Senior, and the main road.  Witnesses: Benjamin Ragsdale, Isham Epes, John and David (x) Ellington, and Henry Cox.[16] 

George Ragsdale

1 Feb 1745/46: Peter Ragsdale purchased 150 acres at "The Old Town" from James and Mary (x) Bevill for £150.  It was described as adjoining Col. John Bolling, Peter himself, Bates Run, and the cart path.  The deed was witnessed by George Ragsdale and John Herbert.[16a]

20 Mar 1745: Peter Ragsdale and William (x) Worsham "the Elder" sold 100 acres to George  for £10.  It consisted of two tracts, one granted to Peter and one to Worsham, and adjoined George White, Worsham, and Matthew Jackson.  Witnesses: Daniel Worsham and William Herringham.[17]  Peter was George's uncle.

16 May 1745: Along with Peter Ragsdale, Thomas Walthal, Philip Dunavant, and Matthew Jackson, George was named as an adjoining landowner in a deed from William (x) Dunavant to Peter Worsham, both of Henrico County, for land on Smacks Creek in Amelia County.[18]

24 May 1759: George Ragsdale, along with Daniel Willson and William Walthall, appraised the estate of Thomas Dunnivant in Amelia County.  He was also appointed to lay off the dower lands of widow Charity Dunnivant.[19]

21 Feb 1760: George Ragsdale, Tom Branch Willson, and John (x) Belcher witnessed a deed from Nathaniel Willson and Elizabeth, his wife,  and Daniel Willson to Thomas Dyer for 150 acres on Smacks Creek.[20]

John Ragsdale

Benjamin Ragsdale (1698 - 1772; m. Martha Jones c. 1823)

John Ragsdale (c. 1699- c. 1793; m. Mary ______)     See Too Many John Ragsdales

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Nancy Denty Breidenthal

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