An American Family History

Robert Ricketts and Susannah Wilson married about 1786 in Pennsylvania. The Ricketts family had moved to Pennsylvania by the time of the Revolution. They lived in the Kishacoquillas Valley of Central Pennsylvania in an area of Bedford County that became Huntingdon County in 1787. It was later annexed to Mifflin County.

The first three children were born in Pennsylvania. John Ricketts was born on February 1, 1787.

In 1788 Robert was taxed in Frankstown Township in Pennsylvania.

Phoebe Ricketts Sheridan was born about 1789 and Hannah Ricketts Buchanan was born about 1790.

They lived in Pennsylvania for about ten years after the Revolution, then moved to Mason County, Kentucky where the next seven children were born. Robert's name appeared on the 1790 tax list there.

William Ricketts was born on January 26, 1792. Susannah Ricketts Moulton was born on February 21, 1794. Robert Ricketts was born on July 14, 1795. Isaac Ricketts was born on September 15, 1798. Edward Ricketts was born about 1799. Elizabeth Ricketts Larew Blankenship was born on October 18, 1801. Rebecca Ricketts Winings was born on January 3, 1803.

The Ricketts family relocated to Indiana in about 1804. Robert had 158 acres surveyed in Dearborn County, Indiana in 1804. The last three children were born in Dearborn (now Ohio) County, Indiana. Robert Ricketts settled in the township quite early. General Wayne’s 1795 treaty with the Indians encouraged settlement in Dearborn County. Most of the new settlers were Revolutionary soldiers who found themselves in straitened circumstances. They were

a brave and independent class of people. They had suffered and fought for what they deemed just and were ready again to suffer and to fight. They brought with them their household goods and the desire to build society on a foundation that would be sound and enduring. They were ready to conquer the forest, the savage beast and the more savage race of red men that opposed their coming and were justly jealous of their occupancy of what to them was a hunting ground. (History of Dearborn County, p. 283)

During the period of the Indian frights, the Ricketts cabin, which was often used as a place of defense and resort. Robert was one of the mounted rangers.

Margaret Ricketts Kelso was born on April 24, 1806. Sarah Ricketts Winings was born on December 24, 1807.

Robert appeared in the 1807 Indiana state census of males over 21. He was in Dearborn County.

Vienna Louise Ricketts Moulton was born about 1813. In 1814 Susannah married John Moulton. Sixteen years later in 1830 Vienna married his younger brother Jeremiah.

Two of their children married into the Abraham and Abigail (Rittenhouse) Larew family who were from Hunterdon, New Jersey. In 1816 Robert, Jr. married Ann Larew whose brother Garret married Elizabeth in 1817. John married in 1817 as well.

At the time of the 1820 census, Robert Ricketts was living in Randolph, Dearborn County, Indiana. Two daughters married into the John Wining and Elizabeth (Grider) family. Rebecca married Daniel Winings on January 13, 1821 and Sarah married his brother, Abraham, on August 5, 1824. Two daughters, Susannah and Vienna married into the John Moulton family.

At the time of the 1830 census, Robert Ricketts was still living in Randolph, Dearborn County, Indiana.

At the time of 1840 census, Robert Ricketts was still living in Randolph, Dearborn County, Indiana.

Robert died on February 14, 1853 and Susannah died on February 20, 1853. At the time they died, they had 11 living children.