Key Facts

Snapshot:	ferry operator; owned slaves
Parents:	unknown
Born:	early 1760's North Carolina
Died:	between 1 February and 11 March 1844 Laurens County, Georgia
Buried:	unknown

290Richard Ricks was born in North Carolina1 in the early 1760's.2-4

Problem: Unresolved Who is 290Richard's father? 290Richard's father is sometimes alleged to be John Ricks of Nash County, North Carolina, whose will dated 15 February 1790 does mention a son named Richard.5 However, I know of no evidence to prove that this son Richard is the same man as our 290Richard of Laurens County, Georgia. This research problem perhaps could be solved with DNA evidence.

As explained in the problem section below, 290Richard had two wives: (1) 291___ Herring, daughter of 582Arthur Herring and 583Elizabeth ___; and (2) Nancy Evans, whom he married on 8 April 1819 in Laurens County, Georgia.

Problem: Resolved Who were 290Richard's wives? A deed dated 29 December 1811 in Laurens County, Georgia proves that 290Richard had a wife whose maiden name was Herren, that she had a brother Abraham, that Abraham's (and thus 290Richard's wife's) parents were Arter and Elizabeth Herren, and that Abraham, Arter, and Elizabeth were all still living. The pertinent excerpts are copied below.6 This 1811 deed proves that 290Richard had a wife 291___ Herren and names her parents. Full page.6 290Richard's will, which is transcribed further down this page, dated 1 February 1844, names four heirs: sons Hampton, Rutherford, and Caswell and a daughter Arcissa.7 A Laurens County Superior Court record dated 19 July 1850 names the following plaintiffs of a lawsuit involving the estate of Caswell Ricks, who had died without wife or children:8 144Melangthan Thigpen and his wife 145Barbary (formerly 145Barbara Ricks) John Ricks Florida R. Ricks, who sued via a friend Green I. Brantly James Arline and his wife Elizabeth (formerly Ricks) Arthur Ricks Richard Ricks [not to be confused with his father of the same name, the subject of this page] Nancy Hicks (formerly Ricks), the widow of Nathaniel Hicks Esther Ricks The plaintiffs testified that they were all half-siblings of Caswell on his paternal side [i.e., descended from 290Richard], and that Caswell's full siblings were:8 Narcissa Hester (formerly Ricks) Hampton Ricks Rutherford Ricks Thus we see that 290Richard must have had a second wife, but who is she? Fortunately, we have a marriage record that identifies her: Nancy Evans, whom he married in Laurens County on 8 April 1819.9 Although we've identified 290Richard's two wives,8 it's not immediately clear which wife had which group of children. Fortunately, since we know when 290Richard married Nancy Evans, we can use the children's birthdates to distinguish the two groups. I've found relevant records for several of the children named above: Child Important Dates Source 145Barbary Ricks, wife of 144Melangthan Thigpen born 12 February 1799 10 Elizabeth Ricks, wife of James Arline born circa 1802 11 Arthur Ricks born circa 1805 12 Nancy Ricks, widow of Nathaniel Hicks born circa 1810 13 John Ricks living on 30 December 1811 14 Esther (Ann) Ricks born circa 1820 11 Hampton Ricks born circa 1820 15 Narcissa Ricks, wife of Jasper Hester born circa 1824 married 20 February 1846 16 17 Thus we see that 290Richard's first wife 291___ Herren was the mother of the older group that included 145Barbary, and his second wife Nancy Evans was the mother of the younger group that included Caswell.

In 1805 and 1806, 290Richard was a resident of militia district 53 (map), Montgomery County, Georgia (This district now lies in Emanuel County.), as proven in tax records, and these are the earliest records I've found of 290Richard. Living nearby were 288Travis Thigpen,18 whose son would later marry 290Richard's daughter, and 290Richard's father-in-law 582Arthur Herring.

The 1820 census shows 290Richard's family in Emanuel County. The numbers below represent: 1 boy age 10-15, 1 boy age 16-18, 2 men age 16-25, 1 man age 45+ (290Richard himself), 2 girls age 0-9 (probably Nancy and Esther), 1 woman age 16-25 (probably Elizabeth), 1 woman age 26-44 (probably 290Richard's second wife Nancy Evans), 3 people engaged in agriculture, 1 male slave age 0-13, 2 male slaves age 14-25, 1 male slave age 26-44, 1 male slave age 45+, 2 female slaves age 0-13, 1 female slave age 14-25, 1 female slave age 26-44.2

1820: 290Richard's family in Emanuel County, Georgia. Full page.2

290Richard was in Laurens County by 12 March 1827, when he won land in Georgia's 1827 land lottery, specifically Carroll County, district 12, lot 159 (map).19

By 1830 his family was back in Laurens County.3

1830: 290Richard's family in Laurens County, Georgia. Full page.3

1830: 290Richard's slaves. Full page.3

A deed dated 31 January 1832 strongly insinuates that 290Richard had been the co-operator of a ferry across the Oconee River.20 Researcher Scott B. Thompson suggests21 that 290Richard's ferry may have been at the same location labeled "Neel's landing" on an 1804 map of the area,22 which is at coordinates N32.51856 W82.88562.

1832: 290Richard had operated a ferry across the Oconee River. Full page.20

"NEEL'S Landing" on this 1804 map may be at the same location where 290Richard later operated his ferry. Full page.22

The 1840 census would be 290Richard's last.4

1840: 290Richard's family still in Laurens County. Full page.4

1840: 290Richard's slaves. Full page.4

Laurens County's 1841 tax digest shows that 290Richard was a resident of militia district 86 (map), owned 11 slaves, owned 1340 acres of farm land in Laurens County along the Oconee River, and also 40 acres of hickory/oak land in Cherokee County (but I know nothing else about that land).23

1841: 290Richard in a tax digest for militia district 86, Laurens County. Full page.23

Some additional court and land records involving 290Richard are abstracted in:

	Allen Thomas, Laurens County, Georgia, Legal Records, Superior Court, 1833-1857 (W. H. Wolfe Associates, 1993), pages 654-655; and
	Allen Thomas, Laurens County, Georgia, Legal Records, 1807-1832 (W. H. Wolfe Associates, 1991), page 633.

290Richard wrote his will on 1 February 1844, and it was probated 11 March 1844. Below is a transcription of the county record copy (or see it for yourself if you want).7

Georgia, Laurens County

In the name of God, Amen. I Richard Ricks of said county and state being of advanced age and knowing that I must shortly depart from this world, deem it right and proper, both as respects myself and my family that I should make a disposition of the property with which a kind Providence has helped me, I therefore make this my last will and testament hereby revoking and annulling all others heretofore made by me.

Item first: I desire and direct that my body be buried in a decent and Christian-like manner suitable to my circumstances and condition, my soul I trust shall return to rest with God who gave it as I hope for eternal salvation through the blessed Lord + Savior Jesus Christ whose religion I have professed and as I humbly trust, enjoyed for more than thirty years

Item second I desire and direct that all my just debts be paid without delay by my executors here in after named as I am unwilling[?] my creditors should be delayed of their rights especially as there is no necessity for delay

Item third I devise my son Hampton Ricks a certain lot of land where on he now live which I purchased from Henry Pitts, containing two hundred and ninety acres more or less lying in the County of Laurens with all the rights members and appurtenances to said land in any wise appertaining and belonging forever

Item fourth: I give and bequeath to my son Rutherford Ricks all my land lying north of a line commencing at the mouth of the branch below the Box landing on the Oconee River and running[?] as + with said Branch to its head near the Savannah Road then to the nearest part of said Road + with said Road Eastwardly beyond the house where I now live to the mouth of the lane[?] + there is a direct line to the north east corner of a one hundred acre lot surveyed by Benjamin Harison, and then on Eastwardly along + with the line between my lands and Andersons land to a lightwood stake corner, then northwardly with the line of land about three hundred yards to a corner known as the Blackjack corner, except the land already devised to my son Hampton which joins it about the northeast portion, all lying on the east side of the Oconee River in the state + county aforesaid with all the rights members and appurtenances to said parcel of land in any wise appertaining and belonging forever.

Item fifth: I give and devise to my son Caswell Ricks all my land lying south of the line described in the fourth item and from said line to the Oconee River including all the land to yopps[?] + Andersons lands which binds[?] on the East, and the house I now live in and all the other houses ___ the south side of the Savannah Road as described in item fourth, with all the rights members and appertainances to said lot or parcel of land in any wise appertaining and belonging forever

Item sixth I give and devise to my three sons jointly that is, to Hampton, Rutherford, and Caswell, one certain tract or parcel of land containing three hundred acres more or less lying in the county of Laurens adjoining the lands already devised to Hampton and Rutherford, it being the land I purchased of William Oliver, with all the rights members and appertainances to said lot of land in anywise appertaining and belonging forever

Item seventh: I give and bequeath to my daughter Arcissa Ricks my negro girl Annis about eighteen years of age and my negro girl Jane about six years of age, to her and her heirs forever

Item eighth: I bequeath to my son Hampton, my negro Boy Adam about sixteen years of age to him and his heirs forever

Item ninth: I bequeath to my son Rutherford my negro man Little Tom about twenty six years of age to him and his heirs forever

Item tenth: I bequeath to my son Caswell, my negro girl Lydia about twelve years of age, to him and his heirs forever

Item eleventh: It is my will and desire that my hereinafter named executors do sell my negro man Big Tom about forty five, and my negro woman Vesta about forty years of age, and also, that money to pay my just Debts to be raised from the sale of the said negroes together with my Barouche + the cream colored mare named Bets, also my smith[?] tools and a portion of my cattle sheep and hogs, and if necessary some corn, or ___ other like property that can be best spared (* 12th item on the other side)

Item thirteenth: the rest of my property both real and personal where ever and whatever it may be, I devise and bequeath to my three sons and daughter equally, that is Hampton, Rutherford, Caswell, and Arcissa, including the use of the oxen+ cart and the remnant of cattle sheep and hogs and other things, to them and their heirs forever

* Item twelfth: I give and devise to my son Rutherford and my son Caswell and my daughter Acrissa conjointly, all my house hold and kitchen furniture except one bed to my son Hampton (Item 12 should be between 11 + 13 refer to star)

Item fourteenth: I constitute and appoint my worthy friends Jeremiah H. Yopp and Edward J. Blackshear executors to this my last will and testament, this February 1st, 1844

his                      

Richard RR Ricks {LS}

mark                    

The within signed, sealed declared and published by Richard Ricks as his last will + testament in the presence of us, the subscribing[?] who subscribed our names hereto in the presence of said testator and of each other this February 1st 1844

his                      

William N Bush Senr

mark                    

James C McCullen   

E J Blackshear           

I don't know where 290Richard is buried. He's not in Laurens County, Georgia Cemeteries volumes I or II (2nd printing) by June Selph Adams, Vernon Alligood, and Scott B. Thompson, Sr.

Sources Cited:

1: 1880 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule). Militia district 395, Emanuel County, Georgia. Page 602B, dwelling 47, family 47, Barbary Thigpin household. NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 145. Internet Archive, <https://archive.org/stream/10thcensus0145unit#page/n670/mode/1up>, accessed 12 March 2015. Notice that 145Barbary's father's birthplace is North Carolina.

2: 1820 U.S. Federal Census. Emanuel County, Georgia. Page 80, Richard Ricks household. NARA microfilm publication M33, roll 6. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YB3-9DZP?i=7>.

3: 1830 U.S. Federal Census. Laurens County, Georgia. Page 9, Richard Ricks household. NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 19. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YYL-9RRV?i=18> et seq.

4: 1840 U.S. Federal Census. Captain Hester's district, Laurens County, Georgia. Page 164, Richard Rix household. NARA microfilm publication M704, roll 45. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YBQ-349?i=32&cc=1786457> (whites) and <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYBQ-3RG?i=31&cc=1786457> (slaves).

6: Laurens County, Georgia. Deeds book C, page 4, deed dated 29 December 1811 from Abraham Herren to his brother-in-law Richard Ricks. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSR1-G95Z-T?i=260&cat=245640>.

7: Laurens County, Georgia. Wills book 2 (1840-1868), pages 15-18, the will of Richard Ricks. FamilySearch, <https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-30542-7097-89?cc=1999178&wc=9SBD-4WT:267653401,267882901> et seq.

8: Laurens County, Georgia. Superior Court. Petitions and Writs 1849-1852, pages 492-509. Abstracted in: Allen Thomas, Laurens County, Georgia, Legal Records, Superior Court, 1833-1857 (W. H. Wolfe Associates, 1993), pages 654-655.

9: Laurens County, Georgia. Marriages book G (1809-1855), page 80, the marriage of Richard Ricks and Nancy Evans. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-8BZF-G92?view=index&action=view>.

10: Tombstone of Barbara Thigpen, Bethsaida Church Cemetery, Treutlen County, Georgia at coordinates N32.506294 W82.624607. Photographs taken by 1Bryant Knight, 26 April 2012.

11: 1850 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule). Baker County, Georgia. Page 79, dwelling 51, family 51, James Arline household. NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 61. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6P9S-12W?i=88>.

12: 1850 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule). Emanuel County, Georgia. Page 77 (handwritten) or 482 (stamped), dwelling 541, family 541, Arter Ricks household. NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 68. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6769-ZMT?i=76>.

13: 1850 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule). Emanuel County, Georgia. Page 77 (handwritten) or 482 (stamped), dwelling 542, family 542, Nacy Hicks household. NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 68. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6769-ZMT?i=76>.

14: Laurens County, Georgia. Deeds book C (1812-1814), page 5. Abstracted in: Allen Thomas, Laurens County, Georgia, Legal Records, 1807-1832 (W. H. Wolfe Associates, 1991), page 633.

15: 1850 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule). Laurens County, Georgia. Page 465 (handwritten) or 232 (stamped), dwelling 44, family 44, Hamton Ricks household. NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 75. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-64KQ-G1K?i=7>.

16: 1850 U.S. Federal Census (Population Schedule). Laurens County, Georgia. Page 391, dwelling 391, family 391, Jasper Hester household. NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 75. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-64KQ-2VD?i=56>.

17: Laurens County, Georgia. Marriages book G (1809-1855), page 227, the marriage of Jasper Hester and Narcissia Ricks. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GBZF-278?cc=1927197>.

18: Montgomery County, Georgia. Tax digests for 1805 and 1806, section for militia district 53, entries for Richard Ricks. Ancestry.com ("Georgia, Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892" / Montgomery County / 1805-1806 / images 22 and 63 of 90), accessed 4 May 2024. The column headers are on image 8; you can see a copy here.

19: Martha Lou Houston, Reprint of official register of land lottery of Georgia, 1827 (Walton-Forbes Co., Columbus, Georgia), page 12.

20: Laurens County, Georgia. Deeds book J (1831-1838), page 52. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSR1-Q9BT-N?i=310&cat=245640>.

21: Scott B. Thompson, Sr., "Ferries Across the Oconee" (blog post published 30 June 2014), Laurens County, Georgia: The Early Years, <https://laurenscountygeorgiatheearlyyears.blogspot.com/2014/06/ferries-across-oconee.html>. I saved a back-up copy of the page's text in case it goes offline.

22: Plat survey map for district 1, Wilkinson County, Georgia, Georgia Archives RG 3-3-24. Georgia Virtual Vault, <https://vault.georgiaarchives.org/digital/collection/dmf/id/396/rec/1>.

23: Laurens County, Georgia. Tax digest book for 1841, section for militia district 86, entry for Richard Ricks. Ancestry.com ("Georgia, Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892" / Laurens / 1841 / image 19 of 54), accessed 4 May 2024. The column headers are back on image 16.