Of the surviving deed books, Prince George Co, VA... Jan 9, 1727... Godfrey Ragsdale "et ux... to my brother Benjamin Ragsdale... lease and release... Namoses Creek... for 5 shillings rent... 160 acres of 320 acres...1 year's use" As was the custom, Godfrey gave this land in his will (Henrico Co., VA W.B. 2, p 310) to Benjamin "...160 acres, he now lives on" ex. 1726, proven 1734. This became Dinwiddie Co., VA in 1752.
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Cavaliers and Pioneers, Abstracted by Nell Marion Nugent, Vol 3: 1695-1732, p 522
Benjamin Ragsdell, 200 acres Pr. Geo. Co; on heads of Sampson's Br. Of Winticomiack Cr; adj. Robert Rucker, Junr; September 28, 1730
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He received a grant in 1730 of 200 acres in that part of Prince George County (bk 13, p 522), which became Amelia County, in 1734. he sold this land indenture the 14th day of July 1752, recorded Amelia Co, VA (Bk A, p 440) August 27, 1752, between Benjamin Ragsdale of Dinwiddie County, VA and James Tucker...1 parcel of land...200 acres lying on Whittocomok Creek, Amelia Co, VA...for 30 pounds...along Robert Tucker's line...D.B. 4, p 442, August 17, 1752...rec. August 27, 1752, Benjamin signs bond to give "peaceable possession" Dinwiddie records were destroyed in War Between the States.
Benjamin buys land, 678 acres on both sides of the middle fork of Bluestone Creek of Lunenburg Co, VA, ex. December 21, 1753, rec. February 1, 1754 (D.B. 3, p 432). This area became Mecklenburg Co, VA in 1764. From Benjamin Ragsdale's will and from land taxes, Mecklenburg Co, VA, he and Martha had twelve children.
Martha survived Benjamin Ragsdale.
(Lunenburg County, VA, Va. Ct. O...B.), October 5, 1762 exempting him from payment of Public Levies and County Levies for the future. This was done at the age of 64
From Godfrey Ragsdale by Carolina Skelton, p 20: Benjamin's land on Bluestone Creek had been cut into the new county of Mecklenburg in 1764.
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Mecklenburg CO, VA
DB 3, p 1, Mar 11, 1771 Benjamin Ragsdale Sr. sells 50 acres on the upper side of middle Bluestone Cr to William Ragsdale
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Will Book I, p 123, April 1772. He signed his will, December 29, 1770. It was proven, May 9, 1772, Mechlenburg Co., VA
Mecklenburg Co, VA
Benjamin Ragsdale
In the Name of God Amen
I Benjamin Ragsdale of the County of Mecklenburg and Parish of St. James being in perfect sense and memory thanks be to God for the same but calling to mind the uncertain state of this transitory life well knowing that all men was born to die and after that to come to Judgement allow this to be my Last Will and Testament. First I give my soul to God that gave it and my body to be decently buried and all costs and charges to be paid by the bear of Executor. I desire that all my debts _____ and demands that I have against any man and any man against me be contended and paid and now for settling of my temporal estate.
Item I give unto my son Daniel two cows and calves and one stear with what I have already given which he hath in his possession.
Item I give to my daughter Rachel Moore all that I have already given which she is now in possession
Item I give to my son John all that I have already given which he hath now in possession.
Item I give unto my daughter Mary Rowland all that I have already given her which she has now in possession.
Item I give to my son Richard all that I have already given which he hath now in possession.
Item I give unto my son Peter all that I have already given which he hath now in possession.
Item I give unto my son Thomas all the land that I own on the lower side of of Blue Stone Creek to him and his hiers forever.
Item I give unto my daughter Winnefred one bed and furniture.
Item I give unto my son Godfrey one bed and furniture.
Item I give unto my son Jesse one bed and furniture.
Item I give unto my son William all my other estate of every kind and all my household furniture.
Item I give unto my son Benjamin the land that I am possessed lying on the upper side of Blue Stone Creek, including the Plantation where I now live and my son Benjamin lives to him and his heirs forever only my Will is that my son William be possessed the house and Plantation where he now lives which is called mine during the life of my beloved wife and that my son William shall not molest the house and Plantation that is called my son Benjamin's.
Last of all I appoint my son William Executor of this my Last Will and Testament as witness my hand and seal this twenty ninth day of December one thousand seven hundred and seventy.
Benjamin Ragsdale (his mark) [seal]
Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of
Stephen Clark
Thomas Wilburn (his mark)
John Wilburn (his mark)
