An American Family History

"[L]iberty must at all hazards be supported.
We have a right to it, derived from our Maker.
But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us,
at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood."

Robert Ricketts was born on January 15, 1765 near Hagerstown, Frederick County, Maryland. His parents are uncertain. His father has been said to be Anthony, Jacob, or Edward.
 
In 1780, when he was fifteen years old, he enlisted as a soldier of the Revolution. According to the Atlas of Moultrie County and  the State of Illinois he was "first a substitute, and afterwards enlisted and served until the close of the struggle."

According to an often cited letter from 1927, Robert was living in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania when he enlisted and he served as a private in the company commanded by Captain James Johnson in the Colonel Piper's Pennsylvania Line Regiment. Colonel John Piper was protecting the lead mines in Sinking Valley. He served with, Nathan Ricketts.

The letter also said that in 1782, when he was 17, he lived in the Kishacoquillas Valley in Pennsylvania and he enlisted again and served under Captains Roberts, Samuels and Bowls. Pay musters indicate that he served three months and seven days as a private in Captain Robert Samuel's Company. Captain Samuel commanded the 8th Batallion of Cumberland County. He served with a Zacaria Ricketts.

He married Susannah Wilson about 1786 when he was 21 years old. Their 13 children and life together are described in detail in the section on Robert and Susannah Ricketts.

He was allowed his pension in 1832.

He died on February 14, 1853 in Ohio County, Indiana.

He is buried in the Mount Carmel Cemetery in Mount Carmel, Franklin County, Indiana in section 22, grave number 117.

Robert Ricketts was born on January 15, 1765 near Hagerstown, Maryland. His pension (S17047) states he served for six months in 1780 under Capt. James Johnson in the Pennsylvania Militia. He was living in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania when he entered the service again in 1782.

May 27, 1927

Mrs. W. H. Shonts
203 E. Marion St.
South Bend, Indiana

Madam: I have to advise you that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 17047, that Robert Ricketts was born January 15, 1765, near Hagerstown, Maryland. He enlisted in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in 1780 as a private in Captain James Johnson’s Company in Colonel Piper’s Pennsylvania Regiment and served three months. While living in Kishacoquillas Valley, Pennsylvania, he enlisted in 1782 and served three months and seven days as a private in Captains Robert's Samuel’s and Bowls’ Pennsylvania Companies. He was allowed pension on his application executed September 18, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Dearborn County, Indiana. He died February 14, 1853, leaving a widow and eleven children, their names not stated. His widow died February 20, 1853.
Respectfully,
Winfield Scott
Commissioner