Revised 4/26/2017. Copyright @2017; The following Documentary Timeline has been compiled and created by Paul Rhetts. It may be copied for research purposes; but it may not be reproduced for inclusion in any printed or electronic distribution of any kind without the express written permission of the author. Any requests to use this information should be sent to Paul Rhetts, LPDPress@q.com.
Godfred RATZ (1743-1804) m. Maria Margaretha Elizabetha SCHWEISSGUT (1748-1806)
s/o Philip Henrich Ratz (1714-1775) m. Anna Catharina Georg (1721-1775)
d/o Laurentius SCHWEISSGUT (1723-1799) m. (1) Catherina Elizabetha WEYER (1727-1811); (2) Elizabeth SALTZBERGER (1726-1800)
22 Apr 1743 Godfred (aka Godfred or Gottfried) RATZ born Nassau, Deggendorf, Bayern, Germany [7th of 10 children of Philip Henrich Ratz and Anna Catharina Georg; 4th son] [one source says birth at Wuerttemburg, Germany] [listed in A roster of Revolutionary ancestors of the Indiana Daughters of the American Revolution, p.264; states birth as 1747 in York, PA] [listed in Indiana Genealogy, p63 #1072] [listed in The Zink Families in America, p.15]
3 Mar 1748 Margaretha Elizabetha SCHWEISSGUT born at Nassau, Deggendorf, Bayern, Germany [2nd of 9 children; 2nd daughter of Laurentius SCHWEISSGUT and Catherina Elizabetha WEYER [Baden, Germany, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1502-1985 states birth 3 Mar 1749 and baptism 5 Mar 1749 at Wiesbaden, Hessen, Preußen; also states father was Lorentz Schweißgut] [Ohio, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center Obituary Index, 1810s-2013; Title: BIOGRAPHICAL FILE; Location: HPC - Files On Various People And Families; Description: May include correspondence, clippings, etc.; Details: SWAISGOOD FAMILY] [FindAGrave states birth was 3 Mar 1749 and death was 29 Mar 1806; Memorial #18928188] [one source says birth was 1743 in Wuerttemburg; another source says February 22, 1746/1747 in Bierstadt, Wiesbaden] [LDS IGI film # 2034475 Margaret Swicegood birth 1753 Penns, Father Lorentz Schweissgute mother Elizabeth]
1751 Margaretha Elizabetha SCHWEISSGUT and her parents and her sister Sophia Elisabetha Schweissgut as well as Godfred Ratz and his parents Philip Henrich Ratz and Anna Catharina Georg and his brother Johann Peter RATZ immigrated on the Edinburgh to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
16 Apr 1761 Godfred Ratz’ father Philip Henry Ratz (a tailor) is shown in the Deed Records of York County, Pennsylvania, as having sold his improvement
1769 Godfred RATZ and Maria Margaretha Elizabetha SCHWEISSGUT married at York, PA [listed in A roster of Revolutionary ancestors of the Indiana Daughters of the American Revolution, p.264; states marriage as 1769] [U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 states marriage was 1770] [LDS IGI 8728901 sheet 68 source # 1396419 Marriage of Marget Swicegood to spouse Godfried Ratz in 1780 Rowan NC]
11 Oct 1770 son Henry T Ratts born at York, York, PA; married Barbara Ann Winkler on 2 Mar 1790 at Rowan, NC. [one source says birth was 14 Oct 1770] [He died on 30 Dec 1833 in Washington County, Salem, Indiana. Henry moved to Washington County, Indiana in 1823. He was a hatter by trade. He lived in Davidson County, North Carolina prior to moving to Indiana.] [Religion: Member of The German Lutherans of Washington County. They organized a number of Churches, the first of which was in 1822 when a small log church was built near Harristown. Col. Henry Ratts and family became members. It was abandoned in 1837 and another was built, called Zion Lutheran. Even later, a larger Church was built in Salem. Death: The Henry T. Ratts Family by Margaret R. Hendrickson p20. lists cause of death as palsey. Will: Film 055028-1 Abstract of Washington County Wills Page 23 HENRY RATTS of Jackson Twp., Washington County, Ind. pp.144-148, Probate Court "B" Date: April 21, 1833 Probated: Jan.15, 1834; Wife: Barbary; Sons: Godfrey; Henry [The Beck and Pavey families along with Henry T Jr. who left Washington County, Indiana about 1844, went through Johnson County, Missouri and then took new lands grants in Mercer Colony. John J. Beck, oldest son of George Beck, took several families with him there. Henry T. Ratts had married Elizabeth "Betsy" Beck and they were in that migration. Their children were Margaret Jane and Sarah Elizabeth Ratts. He married again to Cinthia Keen and a lawsuit ensued after his death on behalf of Margaret and Sarah. A young man went with these families, including a Pavey]; Rinehart; Jacob; Francis; Andrew. Daughters: Margaret Click (and Jacob Click); Elizabeth; Land: In Washington County & Morgan County, Ind. Executor: son Reinhart Ratts; Witnesses: Bartlett Scott; Thomas Brittain; Ransom Johnson. Burial: Old Blue River cemetery, Pierce Township, Washington county, Indiana]
1772 dau Catherine Ratts born at Rowan, NC; married John Henry Blessing in 1807 at Rowan, NC [Some Ratts genealogists have Catherine Ratts married to Henry Blessing. Henry and John could have possibly have been the same person; i.e. John Henry Blessing.]
6 Nov 1775 dau Margaret Ratts born at Rowan, NC; married Jacob Gobble in 1796 at Rowan, NC
1778 Rowan Co, NC Tax List shows Godfrey Ratz owing 567 schillings in the Capt Morris District, p. 22 (doc)
abt 1778 Sophia and Henry Clement, Margaret and Godfrey Ratz, Johann Adom Schweissguth and Phillip Schweissguth moved to Rowan County, NC. They settled near Tyro Wagon Shops. The four families received many land grants. [from "The Wiseman Family" by Grant Franklin Wright, printed in 1924]
22 Apr 1778 son Godfried RATTS born at Rowan, NC; married Elizabeth Gobble on 12 Jan 1799 at Rowan, NC [He died on 1 Dec 1840 in North Carolina. He was buried in Wesley Chapel, "Old Chapel Church" Cemetery, near Tyro, North Carolina. Godfried was married twice. The children ascribed to Gottfried could have been from either wife.]
1780 Godfried RATZ listed in the Census enumeration for Capt Morris’ District, Rowan Co, NC (Document: Tax List - 1779 [NC State Archives]. Call Number: C.R. 085.701.5. Page Number: 63. Family Number: 10.)
1780 dau Elizabeth R Ratts born at Rowan, NC; married John Andrew Cope abt 1800
1780 Godfred RATZ furnished supplies to the Army at Rowan, NC, constituting Patriotic Duty [DAR A094749/407582/488399; SAR #136019 TN # 02404; SERVICE: NORTH CAROLINA; Service Source: NC Rev War Pay Vouchers, #402, #90, Roll #S.115.119; Service Desc: Furnished supplies to Army, Rowan Co; Rank: PATRIOTIC SERVICE; listed as Ratts, Godfrey] [one source says he was a sutler and provided liquor to the Army of the US] [SAR CD 1999 Public Service NC; SAR#136019 TN # 02404; DAR Supplemental # 407582 and 488399] [listed in A roster of Revolutionary ancestors of the Indiana Daughters of the American Revolution, p.264: Patriot, furnishing sundries and cash to Militia of NC, VA, and SC as allowed by a Committee of Claims, dated April 1780. Report 28 shows account of U.S. with NC Book A, p.60, states whiskey] [ [The Zink families in America, including many of the Archer, Colglazier, Marshal, Ma, p.15 (doc)] [Peter Ratts, Godfried’s younger brother, served in Captain Thomas White's Company, Fifth Battalion, York County Militia in 1780 and another younger brother John Jacob Ratts was in the Philadelphia Militia Company during the same time; not sure of connection, but an Adam Ratts was a Revolutionary soldier in the Philadelphia Militia from 1783 to 1890.]
1782 dau Mary Magdaline Ratts born at Rowan, NC; married Warren Robert on 27 Aug 1804 at Rowan, NC [She died in Nov 1842.]
1782 Godfried Ratz (Godfrit Ratts) gave military 25 bushel corn at Rowan county [Treasurers and Comptrollers Papers, Revolutionary War Pay Vouchers, S.115.119 frames #825-826; State of North Carolina In General Assembly April and May 1789; Here may certify that Godfrey was allowed one Hundred and Sixty pounds as per report of the Committe of Claims Concerned with By order J Hunt] [Treasurers and Comptrollers Papers, Revolutionary Army Accounts, S.115.45 Vol. A. p.60: Godfrey Ratts # 1701; Treasures and Comptrollers Papers, Revolutionary Army Accounts S.115.61 Vol XII, TP, p. 47. folios 2-4. and p. 48, folio 1 Godfrey Ratts #409 Godfrey Wratts #123]
10 Oct 1783 Land Grants #1117: 200 acres Grant # 500 issued Oct 10 1783 entry 1870 Entered March 11779 Book 51 page 130 On the Waters of Potts Creek
1786 dau Mary Ann Nona Ratts born at Rowan, NC; married Daniel Marmon Click on 21 Apr 1814 at Rowan, NC
25 Oct 1786 Land Grants #1970: 200 acres Grant #1185 issued 25 October 1786 entry 1369 entered 11 Nov1778 Book 67 page 45; On Both Sides of Potts Creek July 1 1784 Richard Wilson signed over rights to Grant to Godfried Rats
29 Oct 1789 DEED BOOK 11:815. Jacob [X] Beck, planter to Godfrey RATZ for£250 specie 200 A on both sides of S kf of Swans Crk. Wit: Wm LINE,Thos CARSON. Prvd at Nov Court 1789.
1790 Federal Census, Rowan, NC-Godferry Ratz: Males <16=2; Males 16>=1; Females=4; Slaves=3 (Roll: M637_7; Page: 338; Image: 527; Family History Library Film: 0568147) (doc) [(American Genealogical-Biographical Index Vol 143 Page 3 Heads of fams. at the first U.S. census. NC. By U.S. Bureau of the Census. Washington, 1908. (292p.):176]
18 May 1792 Land Grants #2508: 320 acres Grant # 1798 18 May 1792 entry # 2747 Entered 19 Nov 1784Book 71 page 97; On the Head Waters of Potts Creek
12 Mar 1799 Godfrey RATZ named in will of father-in-law Laurentius Schweissgut; Prove Date: 26 Mar 1799; Laurence Schweisgute. Mar 12, 1799. Executors: Michael Spangler and John G. Oderman. Paradise Township. Wife: Elizabeth Schweisgute. Children: Adam, Philip, Sophia wife of Henry Clementz, Margaret wife of Godfried Ratz, Catharine wife of Michael Spangler, Elizabeth wife of Peter Actland, Anna wife of Jacob Wagner and John. [York County, Pennsylvania Wills, 1749-1819]
1800 Federal Census, Salisbury, Rowan, NC – Godfrey Ratty: Males 16-25=2; Females<10=1; females 16-25=1 (doc)
17 Jun 1803 Godfred RATZ Will filed in Rowan Co, NC
18 Apr 1804 Godfred RATZ died (age 60) Tyro, Davidson, North Carolina; He was buried in St. Lukes Lutheran Church Cemetery (Row 12-A #1 Gotfrid Ratz) at Sandy Creek, near Lexington, NC [one source says he died on 1 Dec 1804 in Rowan County, North Carolina] [FindAGrave Memorial #52887164] [Headstone Inscription: 1804 DEN 18 A BRIL:IST GEST ORBEN GOT FRID RATZ (1804 On the 18th of April Passed Away Gotfrid Ratz ) Gravestone
30 Mar 1806 Margaretha Elizabetha SCHWEISSGUT (age 57) died at Tyro, Davidson, North Carolina [FindAGrave states birth was 3 Mar 1749 and death was 29 Mar 1806; Memorial #18928188] [another source says death was 6 Mar 1806 at Rowan, NC] [buried in St. Lukes Lutheran Church Cemetery (ROW12-A#2 Margarets RATS) at Sandy Creek, near Lexington, NC] Gravestone [ROW 13-A #3 Here lies the body of Barbary Rats; she was born May the 6th 1811 and died May 20th 1816; d/o Henry rats and Barbara Winkler]
5 Jun 1813 Division of the land of deceased Godfrey Ratz as specified in his Last Will and Testament, dated 17 June, 1803, to 3 Daughters: BK. 21 page 103 BK. 23, Pg. 358 June 5, 1813; The Plantation of 659.75 Acres: Lot # 1 - 113.30 Acres to John Cope, Elizabeth's husband. Lot # 2 - 208 Acres to Warren Roberts, Magdaline's husband. Lot # 3 - 193.75 Acres to Mary Ratz. [Taken from Last Will and Testament located in the library in Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina. Danny A. McBee, September 6, 1999].
Godfried RATZ WILL [The well preserved and faded original is in the
McCubbin Section of the Salisbury, N.C. Genealogical Library]
In the name of God, Amen. I Godfried Ratts of the County Rowan of State of Nth. Carolina, planter, being very weak in body but of perfect mind & memory, Thanks be given with God calling unto mind the mortality of my body & knowing that it is appointed to all men once to die, do make & ordain this my last will & test.
That is to say principally & first of all, I give & recommend my soul into the hand of Almighty God that gave it, and my body at the direction of my executors nothing doubting that at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God & as touching such worldly extate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life, I give devise & depose of the same in the following manner & form:
First I do give & bequeath to my beloved wife Marget the house & plantation whereon I now live containing one hundred acres, likewise all my household furniture & one horse of her choice saddle & bridle three cows & one Negro of her choice all to be for her use as long as she remains a widow in my name and if she marries or at her decease I do allow all that I have here willed bequeath to her, to be sold at public sale & an equal division of the money made amongst all my children.
Likewise, I do give & bequeath to my son Henry Ratts the plantation whereon he now lives containing two hundred & seventy five acres to him & his heirs forever.
Likewise, I do give & bequeath to my daughter Catherin Blessing twenty Dollars.
Likewise, I do give & bequeath to my son Godfried Ratts the plantation whereon he now lives containing two hundred acres & another tract of land that joins to it containing two hundred acres both containing four hundred acres to him & his heirs forever.
Likewise, all the rest of my land not here willed & bequeathed I do allow & give to three of my daughters to wit Elizabeth Cope, Mary Ratts & Magdelina Ratts to pay Catherin Blessing twenty dollars out of the land.
Likewise I do allow all the rest of my inereable property & negroes not here willed or bequeathed I do allow to be sold at public sale and the money to be equally divided amongst all my children & my wife to have a childs part with them and I do hereby make & ordain my beloved wife and my son Henry Ratts executors of this my last will & testament in witness whereof I the said Godfred Ratts have to this my last will & testament set my hand & seal this 17 day of June in the year of our Lord 1803.
Signed, Sealed, published and declared by the said Godfried Ratts test. as this last will & testament in the presence Godfried Ratts of us who were present at the same time
(Seal)
of signing & sealing thereof
Robert Wilson X
Henry Clement
Isaac his Lovless
X
Mark