An American Family History

Edward M. Ricketts was born about 1799 in Mason County, Kentucky. He was the son of Robert Ricketts and Susannah Wilson.

He married Leannah (or Leah) Cloud (Claud, Cloude) when he was about 25 years old. Leannah was born about 1800 in Mason County, Kentucky.

Leannah and Edward were early settlers in Decatur County, Indiana and all of their children were born there.

Edward and Leannah's children included:
Sarah Ricketts (1825, married Andrew Jackson Demoss),
Benjamin Ricketts (1829, married Mary Gemima McLaughlin),
Rachel Ricketts Doles (1830, married Thomas Doles),
Louisa Ricketts McLaughlin (1832, married John McLaughlin),
Susan Ricketts (1835),
James Ricketts (1836, married Nancy E. Riley),
Edward Franklin Ricketts (1838),
Tabitha Ricketts (1843),
and Jonathan Ricketts (1845).

In 1840 the household consisted of:

a man between 40 and 49,
a woman between 30 and 39,
two girls and a boy between 15 and 19, Sarah and two others
a boy between 10 and 14, Benjamin
two girls between 5 and 9, Rachel, Louisa
and a girl and two boys under 5. Susan, James, Franklin

The family appeared in the 1850 census in Decatur County, Indiana in Greensburg. The household consisted of Edward age 51 who was a peddler, "Leer" age 48, Benjamin age 22, Louisa age 18, Louise age 16, James age 14, Franklin age 12, Susan age 10, Tabitha age 7, and "Johnathan" age 5. The household also included Sarah "Dumop" age 27 and her children Martha age 5 and Amanda who was only two months.

In 1860 they were in Sand Creek. The household consisted of Edward age 61, "Leo" age 58, Susan age 19, "Tobitha" age 16, and Johnathan age 14.

They remained in Decatur during the Civil War. Benjamin served as a second lieutenant. James and Edward (Franklin) also served.

In 1870 they were in Washington Township, Decatur County.

Edward died in 1875. He is buried in Greensburg, Washington Township, Decatur County, Indiana.

In 1880, 78 year old Leannah was living with her daughter, Louisa Robbins' family, in Sand Creek.

Leannah died on July 19, 1885. Leannah and Edward are buried together in South Park Cemetery in Greensburg.

Children of Robert Ricketts and Susannah Wilson John Ricketts Phoebe Ricketts Sheridan Hannah Ricketts Buchanan William Ricketts Susannah Ricketts Moulton Robert Ricketts Isaac Ricketts Edward M. Ricketts Elizabeth Ricketts Larew Blankenship Rebecca Ricketts Winings Margaret Ricketts Kelso Sarah Ricketts Winings Vienna Louise Ricketts Moulton