An American Family History

Edward M. Ricketts was born about 1799 in Mason County, Kentucky. He was the son of Robert Ricketts and Susannah Wilson.

He married Leannah (or Leah) Cloud in 1824. Leannah was born about 1800 in Mason County, Kentucky. They were early settlers in Decatur County, Indiana and all of their children were born there.

Edward and Leannah's children were Sarah Ricketts Dunlap (1825), Benjamin Ricketts (1827), Louisa Ricketts Robbins (1829, married Fountain B. Robbins), James Ricketts (1831), Franklin Ricketts (1833), Susan Ricketts (1835), Tabitha Ricketts (1837), and Jonathan Ricketts (1839).

The family appeared in the 1850 census in Decatur County, Indiana in Greensburg. The household consisted of Edward age 51 who was a peddler, "Leer" age 48, Benjamin age 22, Louisa age 18, Louise age 16, James age 14, Franklin age 12, Susan age 10, Tabitha age 7, and "Johnathan" age 5. The household also included Sarah "Dumop" age 27 and her children Martha age 5 and Amanda who was only two months.

In 1860 they were in Sand Creek. The household consisted of Edward age 61, "Leo" age 58, Susan age 19, "Tobitha" age 16, and Johnathan age 14.

They remained in Decatur during the Civil War. Benjamin served as a second lieutenant.

In 1870 they were in Washington Township, Decatur County.

Edward died in 1875. He is buried in Greensburg, Washington Township, Decatur County, Indiana.

In 1880, 78 year old Leannah was living with her daughter, Louisa Robbins' family, in Sand Creek.

Leannah died on July 19, 1885.