826James Ricks
Key Facts
Snapshot:lived in colonial North Carolina; Revolutionary War patriot; owned slaves
Parents:1652Isaac Ricks
His mother's identity is uncertain.
Born:roughly 1730
perhaps Edgecombe County, North Carolina
Died:between 13 March and May 1792
probably Edgecombe County, North Carolina
Buried:unknown

We can guess that 826James Ricks may have been born around 1730 (since the will of his father 1652Isaac, written in 1760, suggests that 826James was an adult at the time). He may have been born and/or raised in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, although this is mere speculation (since his father's will was written in Edgecombe).1


1652Isaac Ricks' will mentions his son 826James. Full page.1

His mother was probably 1652Isaac's wife Eleanor, but this cannot be proven definitively with the available evidence.

826James married his first wife sometime before 8 December 1760. She was either Jude Ross or Ann Ross, but I'm not sure which. See the problem section below for more details.

Problem: Unresolved
Who was 826James' first wife?

The will of 1655Elizabeth Barnes, dated 6 June 1789 and proved May 1794, mentions a granddaughter "[413]Mary Horn wife of [412]Abisha Horn." 2

This "[413]Mary Horn" is 826James Ricks' daughter. She's named in his will as "[413]Ann Horn," so her full name at birth was probably 413Mary Ann Ricks.3

Next one may wonder who 413Mary's mother is. In other words, what woman comes between 1655Elizabeth Barnes the grandmother, and [413]Mary Ann Ricks her granddaughter?

Fortunately, the will of 1654Kallum Ross (an earlier, deceased husband of the abovementioned 1655Elizabeth Barnes; 1655Elizabeth apparently remarried after his death, although I've found no such marriage record), dated 8 December 1760, helps to clarify who 413Mary's mother's is. His will mentions daughters 827Jude Ricks and 827Ann Ricks, either of whom could have been 413Mary's mother.4


Therefore, we know that 826James Ricks' daughter 413Mary must have been born by either 827Jude Ross or her sister 827Ann, and thus one can reasonably presume that 826James was married to one of these two women, although no such marriage record exists.

On page 76 of his book The Descendants of Jonas Ricks and Other Ricks Families in America, Donald Milton Ricks argues that 826James married Judith, although the evidence provided doesn't seem conclusive to me.

On 26 January 1762 826James became the sole owner of the location where Rocky Mount Mills now lies. His father had co-owned a mill there previously. See his father's profile for more information, since it won't be repeated here.

On 23 July 1762 826James received a bond to marry his second wife Mary Crudrope.5 She presumably died young, since on 29 September 1770 he received another bond to marry his third wife Phoebe Horn.6 The marriage bond to Phoebe Horn is copied below, but the one to Mary Crudrope doesn't seem to be extant and is known only from an index.


The index of 826James' two later marriages. Full page.5


1770: 826James' marriage bond to Phoebe Horn. Bigger copy.6

On 16 September 1774, 826James sold a 72-acre plantation south of Tyancoca swamp.7 Now known simply as Cokey swamp, it lies a few miles south of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The first few lines of the deed are copied below.


The first three lines of a deed by which 826James sold a 72-acre plantation. Full page.7

The DAR recognizes 826James as an American patriot of the Revolutionary War (ancestor #A096217). He received three payments for his service, all issued in Halifax County, North Carolina. Voucher 211 is copied below, but you can use the following links to see the others if you'd like.

voucher 211: "at Halifax October + Novr 1779," "for a 47 days service of a horse in the light Dragoon Company commanded by Colonel Whitaker" 8
voucher 3715: "Halifax District," "Jany 17 [year obscured]" 9
voucher 8332: "Halifax District," "19th June 1783" 10


One of 826James' pay vouchers for Revolutionary War service. The hole punches signify that he redeemed the voucher. Bigger copy.8

During the war (specifically, 1 July 1779) he bought two tracts of land: 10 acres of some islands in the falls of Tar River,11 and 256 acres south of Tar River.12

826James wrote his will on 13 March 1792, and it was probated the following May. A transcription is below, or see the record copy.3

In the name of God amen: I, James Ricks of Edgecombe County and State of North Carolina being weak in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to God for the same but calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and Testament in manner and form following:

   Imprimis. I desire my just debts to be paid.

   Item. I lend unto my loving wife Phebe one half of the land and plantation whereon I now live with the buildings included in her part one half of my Grees Mill one negro man named Will one negro man named Seser two horses one named Bull the other Ball three cows and calves six head of sheep twenty head of hoggs fifty barrells corn two sows and pigs and a copper skillet two irons three iron potts one feather bed and furniture one half of my geese one half wear in my cubbord two large dishes two small ditto six pewter plates two basins six spoons one cart wheels and gear one plow frame one frying pan two plow hoes one weeding hoe one tub two pales one piggon the knives and forks one looking glass one blue chest six chares one trunk one pine table twenty sider casks one large stone jug two butter potts loom and gear two narrow axes one grubbing hoe two flax wheels one large wheel hatchet all my flax and cotton and wool all my salt during her widowhood.

   Item. I give and bequeath to my loving wife Phebe one negro woman named Flowery one hunting saddle and bridle one feather bed and furniture to her and her heirs and assigns forever.

   Item. I give and bequeath to my son-in-law Abeshai Horn one negro man named Snap to him his heirs and assigns forever.

   Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Ann Horn Ten pounds current money of the State to her and her heirs forever.

   Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Judith Moore one negro boy named Moses to her and her heirs and assigns forever.

   Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Mourning Arrington one negro boy named Epram to her and her heirs and assigns forever.

   Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Rhoda Battle one negro woman named Tillar, one negro girl named Milly to her and her assigns forever.

   Item. I give and bequeath to my son Robert Ricks one hundred acres of land on the river joining Redmun Bunns land commonly called the Goodson place, also the land and plantation I bought of Richard Ricks, also 102 acres of land on the falls the island of the river, one negro man named Pomp, one negro boy named Ellick one half of my Grees Mill one year old colt one saddle and bridle three cows and calves two sows and pigs one feather bed and furniture one half of my geese one Bible and syphering book one slate and ink stand one crosscut saw and all my carpenters tools six chares and folding Table one chest eight head of sheep one shot gun two pr steelyards two large dishes one large stone jugg one frying pan one pott and Dutch oven one pott rack twenty sider casks to him and his heirs and assigns forever.

   Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Charity Ricks one negro woman named Pes one bay mare one hunting saddle one bridle one Testament one spelling book one feather bed and furniture two cows and calves six head of sheep to her and her heirs and assigns forever.

   Item. I give and bequeath to my son Eli Ricks after my wifes death or marriage the lands and plantation whereon I now live containing two hundred and forty acres also one hundred acres of land on the River above the Fall Mill it being part of the land called the Goodson land one negro boy named Shadrack one negro girl named Rachael one feather bed and furniture to him his heirs and assigns forever.

   Item. I give and bequeath to my son Henrey and my son Josiah the land and plantation I bought of John Flowers containing two hundred acres to be equally between them their heirs and assigns forever.

   Item. I give and bequeath to my son Henry one negro girl named Jim one negro man named Mingo to him his heirs and assigns forever.

   Item. I give and bequeath to my son Josiah one negro boy named Mitchel also one half of my Grees Mill after my wifes death that the use of is lent to my wife to him his heirs and assigns forever.

   Item. I give and bequeath to my sons Robert, Eli, Henry, and Josiah five hundred and sixty acres of land in the woods to be equally divided between them their heirs and assigns forever.

   Item. I give and bequeath to my son Henry after my wifes death or marriage one negro man named Will to him his heirs and assigns forever.

   Item. I give and bequeath to my son Josiah after my wifes death or marriage one negro man named Seser to him his heirs and assigns forever.

   Item. I give and bequeath after my wifes death or marriage all the legacies that I have left to my wife and not already given and all the rest of my estate not already mentioned in this will between my five last children to-wit: Robert, Eli, Henry, Josiah and Charity to be equally between them their heirs and assigns forever.

   Item. I nominate and appoint my friends Redmun Bunn, John Battle and my son-in-law Abeshai Horn my whole and sole executors of this my last Will and Testament.

   Signed, sealed and published by the said James Ricks to be his last Will and Testament this 13th day of March one thousand seven hundred and ninety two. In presence of -- James Ricks -- witnesses Redmun Bunn, Joel Horn, Daniel Ross

Sources Cited:

1: Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Wills for the years 1758-1830, volume 8 (Phi-Sch), the will of Isaac Ricks, dated 15 April 1760. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-V49M-5R?i=133&cc=1867501>, accessed 6 June 2020.

2: Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Wills volume C (1785-1796), page 275, the will of Elizabeth Barnes, dated 6 June 1789. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-VZ84-G?i=293&wc=32LK-829%3A169764201%2C170997401&cc=1867501>, accessed 7 June 2020.

3: Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Wills for the years 1758-1830, volume 8 (Phi-Sch), the will of James Ricks, dated 13 March 1792. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-V49M-XR?i=139&wc=32LK-4WG%3A169764201%2C170981601&cc=1867501>, accessed 2 June 2020.

4: Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Wills volume A (1760-1778), pages 7-8, the will of Kallum Ross, dated 8 December 1760. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-JKGZ-1?i=15&cc=1867501&cat=299030>, accessed 7 June 2020.

5: Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Marriage bonds, volume 2 (1741-1868), page 164. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSHV-34H6?cc=1726957&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AQPSM-WP8L>, accessed 7 June 2020.

6: Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Marriage bonds for the years 1800-900, volume N-W. Marriage bond for James Ricks and Phoebe Horn, dated 29 September 1770. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-R199-R4?i=1183&cc=1726957&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AQJ8B-FF6M>, accessed 7 June 2020.

7: Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Deeds book 2 (1772-1775), page 163. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-8983-67KL?i=715&cat=306915>, accessed 20 June 2020.

8: North Carolina revolutionary pay vouchers, 5-HH (John Reeves - William Ruks), voucher #211 for James Ricks. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WB-8V5Z?i=884&cc=1498361&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AQ2WT-PVVH>, accessed 6 June 2020.

9: ibid., voucher #3715. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9WB-8V9Z?i=882&cc=1498361&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AQ2WT-51PN>, accessed 6 June 2020.

10: ibid., voucher #8332. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WB-8V22?i=880&cc=1498361&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AQ2WT-PN8B>, accessed 6 June 2020.

11: Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Deeds book E (1780-1783), page 30. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-9983-6SQW?i=405&cat=306915>, accessed 20 June 2020.

12: Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Deeds book E (1780-1783), page 34. FamilySearch, <https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L983-6SC3?i=401&cat=306915>, accessed 20 June 2020.