Was 3 months old when his entire family was killed in a raid by Indians
Reared by John Cookney and his wife (possibly his grandparents. who found and cared for him after the massacre. He claimed his father's land upon reaching age of 21 on January 3, 1666.
Virginia Land Office Book 6, page 211, reflects: Jan. 13, 1666 - To all know ye I, Sir William Berkeley grant unto Godfrey Ragsdale 450 acres of land upon the north side of the Appomattox River in the county of Henrico, 300 acres part granted to Tho. Causey, April 10, 1641 who sold to John Butler, Oct. 1, 1641 and later sold to Godfrey Ragsdale, father of Godfrey Ragsdale to whom the tract is now regranted this date, Jan, 13, 1666; and 150 acres by a former grant.
According to William & Mary Quarterly, Vol. 24 (series I) 1915-1917(pages 140-141)
"Godfrey Ragsdale was born about 1645 and on 11/9/1679 deeded to Thomas Batte, Sr. 50 acres of land which were given to Godfrey under the will of Mr. John Cookney, deceased, of Bristol Parish, Henrico County, recorded in Henrico Court on 12/1/1646. The land conveyed to Batte was adjacent to the land Ragsdale lived on. On 5/18/1638 Cookney had two patents for land in Henrico County, one on 20 acres being a swamp within a neck of land, and the other for 150 acres adjoining Joseph Chadd & Richard Taylor. Places Cookney's immigration prior to 5/18/1638. Cookney was father of Mary Cookney, Godfrey's mother.
Henrico County, Virginia: Beginnings of Its Families: Part I, William Clayton Torrence
William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 24, No. 2., (Oct., 1915), pp. 116-142.
P 132 Heads of Families in Henrico in 1679 with Tythables, Godf Ragsdale 1 servt. 1
P 140 Henrico County patents, and other sources, of other names which appear in the list for 1679 are:
Godfrey Ragsdale, January 1668-9(3)
Godfry Ragsdale was born about 1645, and on 9 November 1679 he conveyed to Thomas Batte, Senior, 50 acres which were given to said Ragsdale by the will of Mr. John Cookney, deceased, of Bristol Parish.
P 141 Henrico Co., which was recorded in Henrico Court 1 December 1646, and the land conveyed to Batte adjoined the land said Ragsdale lived on. On 18 May 1638 John Cookney had two patents for land in Henrico one of 20 acres "being a swamp within a neck of land" and the other for 150 acres adjoining
Joseph Chadd and Richard Taylor.
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Henrico County, Virginia: Beginnings of Its Families: Part II, William Clayton Torrence
William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 24, No. 3., (Jan., 1916), pp. 202-210.
P 208 As nothing can be definitely stated as to the European ancestry of these people it does not seem amiss to give here the approximate years of the births of many of them. These years of birth are approximated from statements made by the parties themselves in making depositions in various
cases tried in Henrico County Court. The list includes: Godfry Ragsdale, 1644
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From Godfrey Ragsdale by Caroline Skelton, p 9: On January 13, 1666, about the time that Godfrey II came of age, Governor Berkley certified this 450 acres of land, as 300 acres left to him by his father and 150 acres "former grant".
William and Mary College Quarterly, Vol XXIV, 1915-1916, p 140
Lists families with early patents in Henrico Co, VA, Godfrey Ragsdale is listed January 1668-9
Henrico Co. Court at Varina, October 11, 1679...deed from Godfrey Ragsdale of Bristol Parish to Thomas Batte, Sr., for 50 acres of land on the north side of the Appomattox River left the said Godfrey Ragsdale by the will of John Cookney of Bristol Parish Henrico, dated December 1, 1646. The land conveyed to Batte adjoined the land said Ragsdale lived on. On May 18, 1638 John Cookney had two patents for land in Henrico on of 20 acres "being a swamp within a neck of land" and the other for 150 acres adjoining Joseph Chadd and Richard Taylor. Henrico Co D & W, 1677-1692, p 106
William and Mary College Quarterly, Vol XXIV, 1915-1916, p 131-132
"At a court at Varina for the County of Henrico June 2, 1679, an account of 40 tythables ordered to fit out men, horse, armes, etc. according to act." Each man was responsible for 44 tithables. In Mr. Peter Field's group - Peter Rowlett had 3 and Godf. Ragsdale 1 plus servt. 1.
The early records of Henrico Co., VA give interesting age statistics: Vol. I, p. 457. Deposition August 1, 1687 states: "Thos. Bott vs Maj. Chamberlain," Godfrey Ragsdale states he is 43 years, Abraham Womack - 42 yrs and Peter Rowlett is 50 yrs of age. "All of this occurs when the Court is held at Varina, Henrico Co., VA in early records, it is called "Olde Towne."
Henrico Co, VA Bk 5, pp299-301. "On May 9, 1692, Thos Batte, now of Charles City County and Peter Jones, now of Henrico Co., 240 acres of land which is part of those plantations known by the name of Old Towne bounded on the upper side of the lands of Godfrey Ragsdale on the lower side by the lands of John Bevil and on the other 2 sides by the woods and Appomattox River...130 acres escheated in the name of Thos. Batte, 50 acres purchased of Godfrey Ragsdale and the other 60 acres lying at the heads. Consideration a tract of land lying in Charles City County now held by the said Peter Jones, one which was surveyed by James Minge by order of the governor and council."
Godfrey Ragsdale made his will April 27, 1697
Henrico County , VA, Deed Book 1697-1704, p 317, Proven April 1, 1703
I, Godfrey Ragsdale, Senior of Bristol Parish in Henrico Co. ... to son Godfrey ...150 acres with all its buildings, orchards and fencings thereon, adjoining to Peter Jones, taking its breadth from ye River and running according to patent to ye farthest extent thereof ... to son Peter ... 130 acres ... to my son Daniel the remainder of my land ... to daughter Rachall ... 5 shillings, being already provided for ... to my wife, Rachall ... the remainder ... my wife and son Godfrey, executors ... 7th and 20th day of April 1697.
Signed G.R. with a seal.
Witness: Peter Rowlette, Senior, Essex Bevil, Nich. Dison
Approved Henrico Co., Va April 1, 1703 ... by ye oaths of Nich. Dison and Essex Bevil. Peter Rowlette, Sr. was dead ... James Cocke, Clerk.
[Transcription provided courtesy of Bill Ragsdale]
Two sons were born after the making of the will, Benjamin and John, Sr. Records prove they are sons.
