An American Family History

Thomas Ricketts was born about 1659. He was a planter in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

He was born in England and transported to Maryland by William Burgess before 1677 when William Burgess sold George Holland "eleven rights of land" which he had received for transporting people, including, Thomas Ricketts, to Maryland.

Thomas Ricketts had 55 acres of Hickory Hills on the south side of the South River in Anne Arundel County on January 10, 1667 and a portion of Franklyn's Enlargement which was next to Indian Range on June 9, 1669.

Thomas married Margaret (or Margrit) Evans on 1684 in All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel, Maryland.

Thomas Ricketts, Jr. was born on September 20, 1685.

On March 8, 1702, Thomas bought 300 acres of Ridgely and Tylor's Chance in Prince George's County from Colonel Henry Ridgely and Robert Tyler.

On February 15, 1703 he bought part of Ryley's Discovery for 134£ from Hugh Ryley. His part was 510 acres in Prince George's County on Back Branch.

Margaret died on March 17, 1704. She was laid to rest at All Hallows Cemetery, (All Hallow's Protestant Episcopal Church Collection, "Parish Register 1669-1721," p. 32(1), Maryland State Archives SC 2458 M 221)

Thomas married Sarah Rawlings on August 14, 1705 at All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel, Maryland.

On August 14, 1705 Aaron Rawlings witnessed a land transaction between Daniel and Joseph Richardson, planters and Thomas Ricketts, Sr. Other witnesses were R. Duckett and Edward Moriarite. The transaction was for 55 acres called Ricketts’ Addition, which was part of Hickory Hills, next to Clark’s Inheritance.

On February 24, 1706 he mortgaged his 300 acres of Ridgely's and Tyler's Chance for 120£ to Thomas Fowler.

In 1707 he testified that he had seen Richard Clark who was on the run from the law at that time. Richard was Rebecca's first cousin.

On June 19, 1707, Thomas mortaged 200 acres of Ryley's Discovery to Richard Lancaster, merchant of London for 100£. He was to repay it within 3 years.

In 1708 Thomas was named Warden of Queen Anne's Parish, Prince George's County, Maryland.

In 1709 their servant, Eleanor Brown, confessed to having a mixed race son out of wedlock. The son was bound out until he was 31. Again in 1718/19, Eleanor, confessed to having a son out of wedlock. Her sons were bound out until the age of 31 to Henry Meriday. She was required to serve the Ricketts for an additonal 12 months. Her children were listed in the inventory of Thomas' estate.

May 1, 1717 he sold John Pottinger, Sr. 200 acres in Prince George's County including all of Pottinger's and part of Riley's Discovery for 120£. The same day he bought Major's Lot in Prince George's County from Pottinger for 20£.

According to the All Hallows Parish Register, Thomas Rickeots was buried on April 30, 1722 and Sarah Rickeots, a widow, on May 7, 1722.

Prince George's County, Maryland was created in 1696 from portions of Charles, and Calvert Counties. It was divided into six districts called hundreds: Mattapany, Patuxant, Collington, Mount Calvert, Piscattoway, and New Scotland. A part the county became Frederick County in 1748.