John Ratcliffe Family

Capt John Ratcliffe arrived at Jamestown with Capt John Smith, in 
Discovery, April 26, 1607, with 20 other passengers. After Edward Maria 
Wingfield was expelled for wasting the “stores” he was elected president 
in his place. John Ratcliffe was one of the Council, “when the Colonists 
first reached shore” on their crossing to Accomac Co. (History of Accomac 
Co.) He was living at Jamestown May 23, 1609. (Browns Gen. to America.)

Roger Radclife was living “att West, and Sherlew hundred” Feb 16, 1623. 
(Hotten.) He arrived in Va, in “George” May 1619, with his wife Ann, age 
40, and son Isaac 9 years old. He gave his own age as 44.

Charles Radcliffe had land grt him, in Accomac Co, July 10, 1664.

The History of Grant Co Ind, shows that James & Mary Ratcliffe came from 
England to Bucks Co Penn, with five children, as follows: 1 Richard, b 
April 8, 1676—2 Edward, b Aug 14, 1678—3 Rachel, b Feb 16, 1682—4 Rebecca, 
b Nov 11, 1684—5 James, b 1686/7.

The theory has been advanced that the Richard (s of James & Mary) is the 
identical one who was such a prominent Quaker in Isle of Wight County Va,
but if one will stop to investigate the date thoroughly, it would be seen 
immediately, that such could not possibly be the case. The Richard in 
Penn, was only ten years of age when the Richard in Isle of Wight, made 
his will 1686. May we not more plausibly surmise, that Roger of West and 
Shirley hundred, might be the progenitor of Richard of Isle of Wight, for 
certainly propinquity would lend color to that version. Again he could 
have been a descendant of John Ratcliffe of Jamestown, however the records 
do not give any positive proof.

Richard Ratcliffe, first in Isle of Wight Co, made a will in sd county, 
which was Ack in Court Mar 4, 1686/7. Son Richard (2) to whom he 
bequeathed 200a of land, “if he die to s Cornelius” son John, dau’s 
Elizabeth, Sara, Mary, & Rebecca, wife Elizabeth, & John Copeland Exrs. 
Test’ Daniel Sandbourne, Wm Outland, Edmund Belson.

The children of Richard are given in Chuckatuck Friends Reg, Nansemond Co, 
as follows:

1. Elizabeth, b 21, 7mo 1668, m James Jordan (s of Thomas, & Margaret, of 
Chuckatuck Nansemond Co) 9, 12mo 1688—

2. Sarah, b 19, 9mo 1670, m Joseph Kennerly, of Dorchester Co Md, 20, 7mo 
1696—

3. Richard (2) b 13 7mo 1672, m Elizabeth Hollowell (d of Henry dec’d of 
Isle of Wight Co) 18, 7mo 1700—

4. Cornelius, b 15, 1mo 1674, m Elizabeth Jordan, widow (thought to be 
Elizabeth Sanborn, wid of Joshua Jordan) of Isle of Wight Co) 3, 9mo 1721—

5. Mary, b 5, 2mo 1679, m Thomas Newman, 13, 2mo 1699—

6. Rebecca, b, 3, 5mo 1684, m Richard Jordan (s of Thomas of Chuckatuck) 2, 
8mo 1706. The marriage Banns name her as “d of Richard Ratcliff of 
Trerasco Neck” and her father appears among the witnesses to the m 
certificate.


Richard Ratcliffe Sr attended a “meeting at Leavy’s Neck, 13, 4mo 1708.” 
Richard and John Ratliff are named in the m certificate of Rebecca 
(Jordan) as “brother.”

How to account for the fact that Richard Ratcliff (1) made a second will 
in Isle of Wight Co 8, 8mo 1713, p Oct 27, 1718, but from the fact that he 
names the identical children, and that they had the same husbands, we are 
led to conclude it was certainly the same Richard who made a will 1686, 
although a period of 27 years intervened. The 2d Richard could not have 
had a child ofr marriageable age, at the time the sons and dau’s of 
Richard Ratcliff did marry. Also the issue in the second will is in 
exactly the same sequence as the first, but the text of the will is 
different. Will of Richard Ratcliff of Lower pish Isle of Wight Co, p Oct 
27, 1718, gives to son “Richard plan’ whereon I now live,” after the death
of his wife Elizabeth, to her he left 5 negroes for her “Natual life,” to 
be equally divided between his children: Richard, Cornelius, John, Mary, 
Rebeccah, & the “children of my two dec’d dau’s Elizabeth, & Sarah, a 
childs pt to be divided among them.” Son-in-law Thomas Newman (husband of 
Mary) Richard Jordan (husband of Rebeccah) “a part of my Estate.” Test’ Wm 
Best, Humph’ry Marshall, Tho. Copeland.

Cornelius Ratcliff will Isle of Wight Co Va, p Feb 4, 1762. Leg: John 
Outland, Cornelius Moore, Marthy Winslow (wife of Jesse of Perq Co, (will 
1771) John Jordan “over Nansemond River,” Richard Jordan & wife Elizabeth, 
John Newman, Rachel Outland’s heirs, Thomas Outland “my plan’ in Western 
Branch” Cornelius Outland (s of Thomas). He gave to Thomas Outland, & 
Gideon Moore “all ready Money.” Test’ Charles Driver, Henry Pitt, Samuel 
Cutchin.

Cornelius, and Gideon Moore were sons of John Moore of Perq Co who made 
his will Mar 11, 1750. Joseph Ratliff is named in this will as 
“bro-in-law.”

Richard (2) Ratliff moved to Perq Co, where he m for his 2d wife Damaris 
Nixon (d of Zachariah, & wife Elizabeth Page, d of Mark Page, b 8, 6mo 
1682). His will p in Perq pre’ct, July 14, 1724. Sons: Thomas, Joseph, to 
whom he bequeathed “lands in Vir, & N. C.” Dau’s Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah, 
Huldah, wife Damaris, & brother Cornelius Exrs.

Damaris Ratlif also made her will in Perq, p Feb 24, 1734. Son: Joseph. 
Dau’s Mary Moore (wife of John, father of Cornelius, & Gideon) Sarah 
Winslow, “sons-in-law John More, & Thomas Winslow, gr-dau Betty More.

Joseph Ratcliffe, m Mary Fletcher (d of Ralph) 13, 3mo 1747. He was dec’d 
Apl 2, 1760, apparently without a will. Inventory on that date. His son 
Cornelius was bound apprentice to Josiah Jordan of Perq, July 1771, “to 
learn the Art of a Cordwainer,” & Thomas his brother bound at same time to 
said Jordan. (2) Joseph Ratlif will Perq, p July 1787. Names dau’s: 
Elizabeth, Mary, Peninah, & Catherine, brother Thomas, wife Sarah. Brother 
Cornelius, & Benj Albertson Exrs.

Joseph (1) Ratliff dec’d Feb 9, 1760; Mary relict. (Loose papers.)

Cornelius Ratliff was heir of Daniel Saint, Jan 18, 1783. (Divisions.)

Joseph Ratliff in Act’ with his Guardian Ralph Fletcher, Jan 20, 1771. 
(Audit.)

Mary Ratliff Admix of Joseph; William Newby who intermarried with 
Elizabeth Ratlif, petitioned the Court for division of negroes, “given the 
several Representatives” by Cornelius Ratlif of Va. Jan 19, 1769. (Loose 
papers.)

Joseph Ratliff m Sarah Newby, 3, 8mo 1774. (Welles Mo Meeting.)

Thomas Ratliff m Hannah Munden, 28, 11 mo 1778. (Welles Mo Meeting.)

Cornelius Ratliff m Elizabeth Charles, — 12mo 1780. (Welles Mo Meeting.)

Daniel Saint, m Margaret Barrow, 15, 6mo 1744. (Welles Mo Meeting.)

Damaris (Nixon) Ratcliff, m 1st Joseph Pierce (s of John & Mary, née 
Scott) Aug 11, 1699, “at Little River meeting.” The Scotts also came to 
Perq from Nansemond Co Va, and were Quakers.





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