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 in Elizabethtown, Frederick (then Montgomery) County, Maryland which is now Hagerstown, Washington County, Maryland. His father was probably Anthony Ricketts. Some researchers believe his father was Jacob Ricketts or Edward Ricketts.
 
In 1780, when he was fifteen years old, he enlisted as a soldier in the American Revolution. (pension record page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4, page 5, page 6, page 7, page 8, page 9, page 10). 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 Colonel Piper's 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 Zachariah 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.

Edward, Thomas and Robert were rangers on the frontier with the Bedford County Militia 1778-1783.

In 1800, Robert was taxed in Mason County, Kentucky along with Nathan, Roclif, and Zachariah 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 Aberdeen, Ohio County, Indiana in section 22, grave number 117.

In 1762 the town of Elizabethtown was founded in Frederick County, Maryland.. In 1786 it became the county seat of newly created Washington County. In 1813 the name was changed to Hagerstown.

Children of Robert Ricketts and Susannah Wilson John Ricketts Phoebe Ricketts Sheridan Hannah Ricketts Buchanan William Ricketts Susannah Ricketts Moulton Robert Ricketts Isaac Ricketts Edward M. Ricketts Elizabeth Ricketts Larew Blankenship Rebecca Ricketts Winings Margaret Ricketts Kelso Sarah Ricketts Winings Vienna Louise Ricketts Moulton