Revised 4/24/2017. 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.
Henry T. RATTS (1770-1833) m. Barbara Ann WINKLER (1769-1849)
s/o Godfred RATZ (1743-1804) m. Maria Margaretha Elizabetha SCHWEISSGUT (1748-1806)
d/o Franz WINKLER (1745-1802) m. Mary Catherine BOTT (1752-1790)
5 Oct 1769 Barbara Ann WINKLER born at Bottstown, York, PA [FindAGrave Memorial #22842186]
1771 sis Margaret Peggy Winkler born at York, York, PA
11 Oct 1770 Heinrich Henry T RATTS born at York, York, PA [one source says 14 Oct 1770] [one source says middle initial was F not T] [Henry’s father Godfred came to US with his friend Ludwig Winkler from Germany]
1772 sis Catherine Ratts born at Rowan, NC
1773 The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tyro was formed by a group of German Immigrants who came to Davidson Co., N. C. in 1773. The date of its formal organization is not known, but C.E. Bernhardt was the first pastor, serving in 1787-1788. According to the deed this land was bought for 5 shillings from Adam Swicegood (this is Johann Adam Swicegood and his wife Mary Cathron (This is Mary Catherine Beck Swicegood, in 1790 by Henry Clemmons and John Gobel as "trustees for the congregation that upholds the German meeting house, known and designated by the name Sandy Creek Meeting House, on the waters of Sandy Creek." As a result of these circumstances the church has been known as "The German Meeting House", "Swicegood's Church", "Sandy Creek Church", and it's official name of "St. Luke's." The present building, the fifth, is located 1/2 mile east of the original 24Ft. by 30Ft. structure. The first 2 buildings of unknown date were destroyed by fire and the third was built in 1835. The records of Sandy Creek Evangelical Lutheran congregation were transcribed by Mary Jo Shoaf. The names, dates, etc. were written exactly as they appear in the original record even when there are obvious errors in spelling, dates, etc. For convenience names within a given section were arranged alphabetically even though the original records were chronological. The following are taken from those records.
Lists of Communicants in the Lutheran Congregation at Sandy Creek Meeting House, Davidson County, North Carolina. January 21st 1803
_Beck, Jacob__Nope, Philip & his wife
_Clement, Anna Maria'_Meyer, George
_Clement, Henry__Ratz, Anna Maria
_Clement, John Adam_Ratz, Godfried & his wife
_Clement, Margarett_Ratz, Margarett
_Cope, Andrew__Sharp, Daniel & his wife
_Cope, Elisabeth__Swicegood, Adam & his wife
_Cope, John & his wife_Swicegood, Andrew
_Cope, Magdalena__Swicegood, Catharine
_Gervec, David__Swicegood, Eve
_Gobble, Elisabeth__Swicegood, Margarett
_Gobble, George__Swicegood, Philip
_Luckabil, Gerdrout
April 30th 1809
_Beck, Sr. Philip__Clements, Catharine
_Beck, Jr. Philip__Clements, Sophia
_Cope, John__Luckabil, Susan
_Gobble, George__Ratz, Barbara
_Ratz, Henry__Swicegood, Caty
_Ratz, Jr. Henry__Swicegqod, Adam
BAPTISMS
_NAME__PARENTS_BORN_BAPTISE_SPONSORS
_Ratz__Henry Ratz & his_May 6_May 26__John Cope
_ Barbara_wife_1811_1811__& his wife
_Ratz__Henry Ratz & his_Dec. 19th_March__Godfrey Ratz
_ Elisabeth_wife Barbara_1801_1802__wife Margaret
_Ratz__Henry Ratz & his_April 14_May 8__Godfrey Ratz
_ Francis_wife Barbara_1808_1808__wife Elisabeth
_Ratz__Henry Ratz & his_April 114_May 25__John Blessing
_ Jacob__wife Barbara_1806_1806__& wife Katy
_Ratz__Reinhart Ratz &_July 31_Sept. 8__Parents
_ Jemimah_wife Susanna_1822_1822
_Ratz__Henry Ratz & his_July 29th_---__John Gobble
_ Margarett_wife Barbara_18014___Magdalena Ratz
_Ratz__Godfrey Ratz &_Oct. 30_April 13__Unknown
_ Margarett_wife Elisabeth_1817 (?)_1817 (?)
_Ratz__Godfrey Ratz &_Nov. 12_May 7__Henry Ratz &
_ Merkey(America) wife_1813_1815__wife Barbar
_Ratz__Godfrey Ratz &_Sept._Oct. 27__John Gobble &
_ Obadiah_wife_T811_1811__his wife
_Ratz__Godfrey Ratz &_Oct. 1_1805__Henry Ratz &
_ Valentine_wife Elisabeth_1805___wife Barbara
NOTE: According to these records, there were still "Ratts" in the Sandy Creek Congregation as of 1 Nov. 1864. The original church records are now located at the North Carolina Lutheran Synod office in Salisbury.
1773 sis Mary Elizabeth Winkler born at York, York, PA
1774 bro Jacob Winkler born at York, York, PA
1775 sis Maria Catherine Winkler born at York, York, PA
6 Nov 1775 sis Margaret Ratts born at Rowan, NC
1775-76 Father Godfred Ratz and family and the Winkler family moved from York, PA to Rowan County, NC. They owned land near each other at Potts Creek. Ratz and Winkler changed their names about this time from Ratz to Ratts and Ludwig to Lewis.
1776 sis Susanna Susan Winkler born at York, York, PA
1778 bro Francis Winkler born at York, York, PA
22 Apr 1778 bro Godfried Ratts born at Rowan, NC
1780 bro Peter Winkler born at York, York, PA
1780 sis Elizabeth R Ratts born at Rowan, NC
1782 bro Reinhart Winkler born at York, York, PA; died 1783
1782 sis Mary Magdalene Ratts born at Rowan, NC
1784 sis Docey Winkler born at York, York, PA
1786 sis Mary Ann Nona Ratts born at Rowan, NC
2 Mar 1790 Henry T RATTS and Barbara Ann WINKLER married at Rowan, NC [listed in A roster of Revolutionary ancestors of the Indiana Daughters of the American Revolution, Vol II, p.385] [listed in Indiana Genealogy, p63 #1072] [listed in The Zink Families in America, p.15] [listed in SAR #35513 (doc)] [listed in SAR #89124 (doc)] [listed in A roster of Revolutionary ancestors of the Indiana Daughters of the American Revolution, p.385] [listed in Indiana Genealogy, p264]
1790 Federal Census
5 Jul 1790 mother Mary [aka Mari] Catherine BOTT died at Rowan, NC
129 Jul 1791 son Godfrey Winkler Ratts born at Rowan, NC [FindAGrave Memorial #22842098]
16 Oct 1792 son Henry T Ratts born at Burke, NC [Historical archives of the Kaufman County, Texas library about the Ratts and Beck and Pavey families 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. Email me if I can be of help. A descendant - Joyce Nell Beck Truitt [Copied from America Online, September 5, 1999, by Danny A. McBee, Gastonia, North Carolina.]
1797 bro Peter Winkler died
31 May 1798 dau Margaret Ratts born at Rowan, NC
9 May 1800 son Rinehart J Ratts born at Davidson, NC
1800 Federal Census, Rowan County, NC; 3 Males < 10=3; males 16-26=2; males 26-45=1; females <10=1; females 26-45=1; slave=1 (doc)
19 Dec 1801 dau Elizabeth Ratts born at Rowan, NC [listed in SAR #89124 (doc)] [FindAGrave Memorial #22842098]
3 Jan 1802 father Franz Winkler died at Salisbury, Rowan, NC
14 Jul 1804 dau Mary Magdalene Ratts born at Rowan, NC [listed in SAR #35513 (doc)]
6 Apr 1806 Henry Ratts, executor of estate of Godfrey Ratz, sold 100 Acres on Potts Creek for 304 lbs. of N. C. Currency, to Obediah Smith. Part of a tract of 200 ac. granted by State to Nathanial Tinpenny on 14 Nov. 1784. Who conveyed same to Godfrey Ratz 26 Mar, 1789 Jacob Beck 30 Sep. 1789 John Lopp 2 Jan. 1790 Godfrey Ratz 25 Jan. 1796 Signed Henry Ratts Godfrey Rattz, Jr. Witnessed by Warren Roberts [It appears that Henry and his descendants, after the death of his Father in 1804, began to spell the name RATTS, rather than RATZ or RATTZ, as it is spelled that way beginning with a Deed in 1806. However, relatives remaining in N.C. after the exodus of Henry and his Family, may have continued to spell the name RATTZ. There were listed in the Salisbury, N. C. telephone book in that city in 1978, the following: Rattz, Garland 329 Vance Ave. Salisbury, NC. Rattz, Mrs. Lillian Rt. 1, Gold Hill; Rattz, M. C. Relationship, if any, to the Henry Ratts Family is unknown, but they MAY be descendants of Henry's brother Godfried, Jr.]
1806 sis Margaret Peggy Winkler died
6 Apr 1806 Deeded property by Henry Ratts
Henry Ratts, executor of the estate of Godfrey Ratz, sold 100 acres on Potts Creek for 304 pounds of NC currency to Obedaih Smith. Part of a tract of 200 acres granted by the state to Nathaniel Tinpenny on Nov 4 1784.
Who conveyed same to Godfrey Ratz March 26, 1789
Who conveyed same to Jacob Beck Sept 30, 1789
Who conveyed same to John Lopp Jan 2 1790
Who conveyed same to Godfrey Ratz Jan 25, 1796
signed Henry Ratts
Godfrey Rattz
Witnessed by Warren Roberts
16 Apr 1806 son Jacob Ratts born at Rowan, NC
2 Nov 1807 Godfrey Wingler orphan of Francis Winkler age nine years and two months, bound to Henry Ratts to learn the trade of Hatter, to comply with the Law.
4 Apr 1808 son Francis Ratts born at Randolph, NC [FindAGrave Memorial #22842098]
1810 Federal Census, Rowan, NC-Henry Rats: Males <10=4; males101-5-2; males 16-25=2; males 26-44=1; females <10=2; females 10-15=1; females 26-44=1; slaves=5 (doc)
1810 Minutes of the N. C. Synod (Lutheran) lists HENRY RATZ as a Deacon of St. Lukes Congregation, also known as the Sandy Creek Meeting House or Swicegoods Meeting House. (From Centennial History of Davidson County by Jacob Calvin Leonard. Also in this book we found: Valentine Leonard was born in the Palatinate in 1718, came to N. C. in 1746 and settled on a stream later named Leonard' s Creek. Sandy Creek Meeting House was built on land adjacent.) Sandy Creek Meeting House (Taken from folder in Salisbury Genealogical Library, Mar. 1982)
17 Feb 1810 son Andrew Jackson Ratts born at Rowan, NC [FindAGrave Memorial #22842098]
6 May 1811 dau Barbara Ratts born at Tyro, Davidson, NC; died 20 Apr 1816 at Tyro, Davidson, NC
5 Jun 1813 Henry Ratts, Executor of Estate of Godfried Ratz, deceased--sold to Warren Roberts, 200 A. on Potts Creek, for 147 Lbs., 10 Shillings, it being part of a parcel of 400 A. granted to James Kory. Signed Henry Ratts Witnessed by John Smith Richard Leach
31 Mar 1814 Henry Ratts gave a Deed to 14 Acres near a spring branch for a School &/or Church, it being part of a parcel of land INHERITED By Henry from his Father Godfrey Ratz.
26 Jan 1816 Henry Ratts sold to James Walling (illegible) A. a part of the Dowry of Hannah Winkler, Widow of Francis Winkler, deceased. Henry was acting as Power of Atty. for the heirs of Francis Winkler, deceased. The heirs were: Francis Winkler, John Davey, Peter Winkler, Beechim Helton, Reinhart Winkler, Michael Varner, & wife Catherine, Henry Clement, Henry Ratts & wife Barbara, Signed Henry Ratts Samuel Dusenberry Witnessed by William Moore
16 Nov 1819 Henry Ratts sold some more property. Wheeler's Historical Sketches of N. C. Vol. I & II, page 398. "Col. Henry Ratz was a member of the House of Commons from Rowan County, N. C. to the General Assembly in 1821."
7, Aug 1820 Federal Census, Washington, IN-Henry Ratts: Males <10=1; Males 26-44=1; females 16-25=1; engaged in agriculture=1 (doc); Federal Census, Battalions 2 and 4 (Lexington Side), Rowan, NC – Henry Ratts: Males 10-15=3; Males 16-25=3; Males <45=1; females 16-25=1; females >45=1; engaged in agriculture=4; slaves=9 (doc)
17 Jun 1821 From The Colonial & State Records of N. C. Henry Ratts, Esq. was a delegate from the Lutheran Synod of N. C. to a meeting at Lau's Church in Guilford County, to confer with the Episcopal Church of N. C. with the hope of promoting better relations between the two groups. Pathfinders, Past & Present--A History of Davidson Co. N.C. Pg. 35 - 38.34 Davidson Co. was created by Act of the General Assembly by Chapter 147 of the Private Laws of 1822.
1823 Henry T Ratts and family moved from Davidson, NC to Washington, IN. He was a hatter by trade and accumulated considerable wealth. Settled on a farm about four miles South of Salem, Ind. They were members of the Lutheran church. [The Rhett Family of South Carolina "Later generations show no connection, either in family or tradition, with the Ratts or Ratz family of York Co., Pa. None of the names of children or marriages correspond in any line." Copied from a letter to Mrs. Harvey Morris from Barnwell Rhett, Hayward, S. C., found in an undated Historical Genealogical Magazine. "The definite records in our County begin with Henry T. Ratts son of Godfrey, born in 1770 perhaps York Co., Pa. Married Barbara Winkler about 1790. She was born 1769, daughter of Francis and Marie Catherine (Bott) daughter of Rhinhart Bott of York Co., Pa." The above from letter to Mrs. Young, York Co., Pa. Historical Society from Edition Indiana Genealogical Magazine.]
1823 “On information that the Protestant Episcopal Church will hold their next annual Convention for North Carolina in Salisbury, on the second Thursday after Easter, in the year 1823, the following persons were elected to attend the same, and there represent the Synod, namely: the Rev. G. Shober, the Rev. Daniel Scherer, Gen. Paul Barringer, and Colonel Ratz.” All these delegates appeared at said Convention and attended its sessions. After the year 1823 nothing more appears concerning the fraternal relations of these two ecclesiastical bodies, although this “bond of friendship” does not appear to have been revoked, nevertheless, the interchange of delegates, being attended with some difficulty in those days of traveling by private conveyance, fell practically into disuse.
Jan 1823 The first Court of Common Pleas appointed, among others, Godfrey Ratts, Jr. and Philip Swicegood as Constubles of the County. Henry Ratts and Daniel Leonard were appointed as Road Overseers. Andrew Swicegood was appointed "County Ranger" and also to list the taxable property of the members of Capt. Gobbles Company.
10 Jun 1823 Henry Ratts sold property to Richard Wilson and wife Elizabeth (Ratts) Wilson. (Henry's daughter) This transaction shows that Henry was still in N. C. in 1823. Henry was well educated for his time, and served as an Attorney in transferring deeds, executing wills, etc. He was referred to as Esq. a title of respect, in numerous documents in which his name appeared. In some papers, he was called "Col. Henry Ratts" which we assume to be Honorary, since we found no record of his having served in the Militia. In Indiana, Henry served as Justice of Peace in Washington County. The German Lutherans of Washington County 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.
1824 Pierce Twp, Washington Co, IN Land records show Henry T Ratts land holdings 8 lots; son Godfrey Ratts with 1 lot; Rinehart Ratts with 4 lots; and Philburt Wright with 1 lot. (doc from drawing provided on pg. 170 of Genealogy of Franklin and Susan (Ratts) Strain.) [1837 Pierce Twp, Washington Co, IN Land Map}
1830 Federal Census, Washington, IN-Henry Ratts: Males 20-29=1; Males 60-69=1; females 10-14=1; females 60-69=1 (doc); Federal Census, Morgan, IN-Henry Ratts: Males 5-9=1; males 10-14=1; males 30-39=1; females <5=1; females 10-14=1; females 30-39=1 (doc)
1833 Probate Record [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; 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.]
30 Dec 1833 Henry T RATTS died (age 63) at Jackson, Washington, IN; Burial: Old Blue River cemetery, Pierce Township, Washington county, Indiana [COD: palsey] [FindAGrave Memorial #22842098] (gravestone)
15 Mar 1847 son Andrew Jackson Ratts died at Jackson, Washington, IN
8 Jan 1849 Barbara Ann WINKLER died at Salem, Washington, IN [FindAGrave Memorial #22842098] [FindAGrave Memorial 22842186] (gravestone)
1872 History of the Lutheran Church in North Carolina by Bernheim, G. D. (Gotthardt Dellman), 1827-1916; Volume 08, pp. 790: 1872: Revs. G. Shober, Michael Rauch, and Henry Ratz, Esq.” The next day the following report was submitted and adopted: “The committee of the Protestant Episcopal Church of North Carolina, and the committee on the part of the Lutheran Synod of North Carolina and adjacent States, having conferred on the subject of their respective appointments, have agreed on the following articles:
“I. Resolved, That we deem it expedient and desirable that the Lutheran Synod and the Protestant Episcopal Church of North Carolina should be united together in the closest bonds of friendship.
“II. Resolved, That for this purpose we will mutually make such concessions as may not be inconsistent with the rules and regulations of our respective churches, for the purpose of promoting a friendly intercourse.
“III. Resolved, That the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church may send a delegation of one or more persons to the annual Synod of the Lutheran Church, which person or persons shall be entitled to an honorary seat in that body, and to the privilege of expressing their opinions and voting in all cases except when a division is called for; in which case they shall not vote.
“IV. Resolved, That the Lutheran Synod may, in like manner, send a deputation to the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, who, in all respects, shall be entitled to the same privileges.
“V. Resolved, That all the ministers of the Lutheran Church in union with the Synod shall be entitled to honorary seats in the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church; and the clergymen of the said last-mentioned church shall, in like manner, be entitled to honorary seats in the Synod of the Lutheran Church.
“The Committee respectfully recommend to the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and to the Synod of the Lutheran Church the adoption of the foregoing resolutions.
“G. SHOBER,
“MICHAEL RAUCH,
“HENRY RATZ, “ Committee of the Lutheran Synod.
“A. EMPIE,
“DUNCAN CAMERON, “Committee of the Protestant Episcopal Church.”
Will of Henry T. Ratts 1770-1833
"In the name of God amen-I Henry Ratts of Jackson Township in the County of Washington State of Indiana being will in body and of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God calling into mind the mortality of my body knowing that it is appointed for all ment that is to say principally and first of all I gave and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it and my body I recommend to the casket to be buried in a decent christian burial at the discretion of my executors nothing doubting but at the general ressurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God-- and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life --I give bequeth and dismiss the same in the following manner. First--I do give and bequeath to my beloved wife Barbary the house and barn and also the land of that quarter section whereon I now live, that lying south of the Blue River and East of the middle of my land and also the Barn and Barn yard that is to say she is to have all the building belonging to said quarter also all the land that lyies South of the middle of Blue River and East of the middle of my land and the barn yard of the above quarte and also forty acres that I have lying along the West sid of James Hines line being in all about fifty five acres be the same more or less also my house clock all the above mancioned land and house clock to be for the use of my wife Barbary her natural life and at her death to be sold and the money to be equally divided amongst all my heirs. I also give to my wife Barbary one horse saddle and bridle of her choice and one cow and calf of her choice and two ---- and forniture of her choice and one wheel and one table and commode and one cupboard all of her choice and one iron pot and one dutch oven one skillet one frying pan, two pewter dishes and two peter basons and six pewter plates and set of fore sitting chairs all the above to be for her use that she may do with them except the hosue clock adn land and buildings is to be sold at her death and the money comming therefrom is to be equally divided amongst my heirs--and do give to my wife Barbary for her first years provision one hundred bushel of corn and twenty bushels of wheat and one hundred wate of beef and fore hundred wate of pork and twenty five wate of cheezer adn ten pound of coffee and two bushels of slat and two pound of pepper and pound of spices and for my wife Barbarys support after the first year is this my executor shall rent out the remainder of that quarter of land that is not yet willed that I now live on each and every year as long as my wife Barbary lives and is to keep the fences and pay the tax of said quarter and pay himself for his trouble that he has in renting and remainder of the rent he is to pay my wife Barbary each and every years as long as she lives and at her death the land is to be sold with the rest of said quarter and the money equally divided amongst my heirs also my executor shall put eight hundred dollars of my estate on interest as soon as he cand and pay my Barbary the interest thereof at the end of each and every year as long as she remains a widow in my name and if she marries the eight hundred dollars is to be collected by my executor and equal division of the money made amongst my wife and all my heirs and my wife Barbary is to have a childs part of it and if my wife does not marry at her death the eight hundred dollars is to be collected and divided amongst my heirs. I do allow for all my heirs to keep al that I have heretofore given them by deed or otherwise but they must pay up all the book accounts and notes that I have against them except them that I have willed otherwise.
Secondly--I do give and bequeath to my son Godfrey Ratts that lt of land where on he now lives it being about forty for acres be the ame more or less, also a lot of land I had vowed of for him by Eligha Wright of the quarter section whereon Adason Viles now lives containg about forty nine acres be the same more or less to him and his heirs for ever.
Thirdly--I do gave and bequeath to my son Henry Ratts the West half quarter of section No 30 in Township No 12 N. of Range No. 1 West containing eighty acres be the same more or less. Also the West half of the North East Quarter section No 35 Township No 12 No. of Range No2 West contaning eighty ares be the same more or less--the above two half quarters lying in Morgan County Indiana to him and his heirs forever.
Fourthly--I do gave and bequeath to my daughter Margaret Click and Jacob Click the east half of the north west quarter of section nineteen in township one North Range East also the WEst half of the North east quarter of of sectioon nineteen township on North of Range fore East the above two half quarters containing one hundred and sixty acres be the same more or less all to them and their heirs forever.
Fifthly--I do gave and bequeath to my son Rinehart Ratts one note of hand of seventy five dollars which I hold against him to his lands equal with the rest of there lands to him and his heirs forever.
Sixthly--I do gave and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Wilson and Rinhart Wilson the West half of the South West Quarter of section seven in township one north of Range fore East also the west part of the north East quarter section of seven in township one North of Range fore East containg forty acres the above two lots containing in the hole one hundred and twenty acres to them and their heirs forever.
Seventhly--I so gave and bequeath to my daughter Polly Wiseman and Jacob Wiseman the thirty seven and a half acres which I now have said Wisemans deed for it lyies in the quarter whereon said Wiseman now lives be it the same more or less also two notes that I now hold against said Wiseman One of them is for twenty four dollars princible and one for forty two dollars and sixty two and a half cents the first came due April 3 1826 and the other came due July 10 1826--I gave them the princible and the interest ons aid notes to make there lands equal with the rest of thar lands I also give them twenty five dollars in money to them and there heirs forever.
Eightly--I do gave and bequeath to my son Jacob Ratts the lot of land that lyes south of the land that I deeded to said Jacob Ratts it being the South part of the north west quarter section two township on South Range three East containing one hundred and twenty and twenty three acres be the same more or less to him and his heirs forever.
Ninthly--I do gave and bequeath to my son Francis Ratts the WEst part of the North West quarter of section six in township one of Range fore containing ninety seven acres be it the same more or less it being the land that Francis formerly lifed on to him and his heirs forever.
Tenthly--I do gave and bequeath to my son Andrew Ratts the West part of the North West quarter of section twelve one range three east containing one hundred and ten acres also I gave him twenty acres that lyes joining said Andrew that I bout of J Ordan Johnson also I gave him twenty five dollars in money for his trobles to go and get his tittles for his land when old misses Humbarger claims for the heirs Jacob Copple has not sined that widows dowry title as yet all this above to him and his heirs forever I do alow for all my lands and other property that is not as yet willed or bequeathed to be sold at public sale and my just debts to be paid and if there be any thing left it is to be equally divided amongst my wife and all my heirs my wife is to have a childs part thereof I do hereby make and ordain my son Reinhart ratts executor of this my last will and testament In witness whereof It he said Henry Ratts have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal this twenty first day of April one thousand eight hundred and thirty three signed sealed published and declared by the said Henry Ratts as his last will and testament in the presence of us
Bartlet Scott
Thomas Brittain
Ransom Johnson
X Hen: Ratts (seal)
U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
Name: Henry Ratts; Birth Place: PA; Birth Year: 1770; Spouse Name: Barbara Winkler; Spouse Birth Year: 1769; Marriage Year: 1790; Marriage State: NC
SAR Membership Number 35513: Henry F Ratts
Birth Date: 1770
Death Date: 1833
Spouse: Barbara Ratts
Children: Mary Magdalene Ratts
SAR Membership Number 89124: Henry T Ratts
Birth Date: 14 Dec 1770
Birth Place: Rowan, North, Carolina
Death Date: 30 Dec 1833
Death Place: Washington, Indiana
Spouse: Barbara Winkler
Children: Elizabeth Ratts
SAR Membership Number 613685 : Henry T Ratts
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY 1884
Settlement of Pierce Township
This township was named in honor of President Pierce, and was organized in March 1853. It coincides with the Congressional Township 1 north range 4 east. It is stated that John Moore squatted on the Goss farm as early as 1806, though this is disputed by several. At least Moore was in the township very early. Soon after him came Archibald Scott, Peter Fisky, John Mozier, John Wilson, Jesse Lucas, Thomas Evans, John Evans, Thomas Knot, John Stewart, Rober Brooks. Michael Smith entered the first land in 1809, on Section 32 Henry Wyman bought a tract in 1811, and Jacob Motsinger and Henry Ratts the same year. Jacob Miller bought in 1812; Christian Mars and Elijah Wright in 1813; Matthew Coffin, Amos Wright, Philbrt Wright and William Hitchcock in 1814: James S. Wilson, John Fouler, William Wright, John Moore, Richard Gilstrap, John Duval and John Coffman in 1815; David Motsinger, John Newland, Jesse Lucas, George Gloss, David Alvis, Samuel Baker, John Strong and George Casely in 1816,and C. Monical, J. Marvis, John Peugh, Rhodes Meads, Robert Evans, P. McGarvin, William Watts, Lewis Martin, William Green and Charles Schultz in 1818.
Other Items of Value
The first blacksmith was John Mozier. John Peugh started a hattery as early as 1815, and for several years manufactured hats from furs principally, but also from what little wool he could get. Sheep could not be well kept, owing to the prevalence of ferocity of wolves. Henry Ratts also followed the occupation of hatting. Almost every early settler raised cotton from seed brought from the south, and on new land this crop did well. Valentine Baker conducted a cotton gin to meet the demand. In several instances in this township nettles were gathered, allowed to rot, were then broken and manufactured into a respectable article of cloth. Early stores were opened by Christian Bixler, Green & Watts, John & Jacob Peugh and John Dover. In about 1825 John Dover undertook the difficult task of rearing silk worms and manufacturing silk. After a year or two the business was found to be very uncertain and unprofitable, and was abandoned. The Dovers were from England, and brought with them the first piano in the county. They lived on Section 23. John Aley operated an early tannery; Dover and Henry Wyman manufactured salt on Section 34. It is claimed that this township was the birth place was the man who gave to Indianians the appellation of "Hoosier" His name was Short. Why he was permitted to live after the christening has never been satisfactorily explained.