There are many stories about our ancestor Dr.William Rickman. I have taken information
from the many sources that have been given to me to try and put together the most
interesting parts of his life. I do not claim that this is the most factual history of all of us. I want to thank all for their help in sharing what they have.
Rickman Origins:
9-Robert RICKMAN I born 1552 d.unknown
8-Robert RICKMAN II born 1647 d. unknown
Spouse: Elizabeth Bishoppe
7-Robert Rickman III born 1683 died Dec 1743
Sponse: Tamar Reynolds born 1684 died Abt. 1779
Our Rickman's came from England, because of the name, it is believed that they were
originally Saxon. In later times in England the name was sometimes spelled Rickman, Richeman or Rickman and as late as the pioneer days, in North Carolina it was sometimes misspelled Rickmon. Our Rickman family is from a long line of Quaker ancestors, many of whom were ministers and women belonging to the sisterhood of nurses established by the sect in various sections of England.
Branches of the family settled in Dorsershire and Hampshire. Since the Hampshire Rickman's became Quakers, they are probably the antecedents of our family. Richard Rickman (also recorded as Richmond and Richman) was born about 1480 in Hampshire, England. Known as being a Partiot and no popery man, left his pough and his mill and joined the army of the Duke of Monmouth which was defeated at Sedmoor in the year 1685. He escaped the slaughter of the day and the vengeance of Judge Jeffries and returned home to tell of his adventures, to boast of them after the triumph of his party at the Revolution of 1688. Another ancestor of our Whitakers did not escape the vengeance of Judge Jeffries.
Amoung the early Rickmans were John Rickman who was married by Queen Elizabeth 1st on August 19, 1680 to Margaret Edwards, the daughter of the Earl of Leicester.
Joseph Rickman born on August 1691 son of John and Margaret Edwards Rickman. He married Ann Baker of New Haven, moved to Park Farm, Killingly, where the two youngest of his nine children were born, the last being Caleb. He was a Quaker minister for 24 years. Three Joseph Rickmans were ministers---Joseph the eldest, Joseph the younger and Joseph the youngest ( uncle, nephew, great-nephew) One of these peachers was imprisoned in 1709 for his belief and died before the charges were cleared. Another member of the Rickman family, a baker, living in London was visited by Emperor Alexander of Russia, who wanted to see the Quakers.
Our Rickman family is descended from Dr.William Rickman in England to Robert and Tamar Rickman. He first married Katherine and had four children.
Dr William Rickman born 1731 died 1783 married Katherine born in England
(last name unknown) he later married Elizabeth Harrison born Abt. 1775
died 1790, she was the sister of Benjamin Harrison Elizabeth Harrison was named
in his will , Proved 14 Mar 1784 issues
Arthur, Elizabeth, Thomas, Faith and John who married his daughter Tamara
None of William Rickman son's are mentioned in his will ,only his daughter and her husband John Washington.
The children of William and Katherine Rickman
Child 1
Peter Rickman born 1760- in England died unknown
He renounced his allegiance to Great Britain and took the oath of allegiance in
the formation of Henry County, Virginia. The South Carolina 1820 federal census
contains entries for Peter Rickman in Spartanburg County. Also for William Rickman
Child 2
John Rickman born 1765 in England died unknown
1790 federal census listed in Catham, Hillsborough district, North Carolina
2 free white males over 16 years, 1 free white male under 16 years, 3 white females.
and one slave.
Child 3
Tamara Rickman born 1768 in Virginia, married John Washington.
As stated in Lottie Rickman Randleman’s handwritten history of the Rickman family
submitted to the Seattle Public Library in Dec 1963: “John Washington”. There is a
Grant of land to Arthur and John Washington for 742 acres on the South of the
Main Black Water, 25 Apr 1701.
Child 4
Jesse Riley Rickman born 2 May 1770 born in America died 10 Mar 1860 married to Mary Tranthum. His first wife, daughter of Martin Tranthum & Ann Shattock married 10 Jan 1791, she was born 5 Dec 1771 in Potts Creek, North Carolina and died 21 Feb 1837. He second married Mrs Rhoda Taylor Gadd, she was born 2 May 1770 and died 10 Mar1860
Dr. Rickman's health deteriorated during the war. He submitted a resignation in April 1780 but didn't get his release until October 1780. He retired as the rank of Colonel. He died between the last of June or September 1783. Jesse Rickman son of Dr. William Rickman left the home after his fathers death, as he did not get along with step-mother Elizabeth Harrison Rickman.
Military service:of Dr. William Rickman:
Served in the French and Indian Wars. There is a listing for a Captain Rickman of regiment 95, commisioned on 23 Feb 1760 of British Officiers serving in America 1754-1774.
January 1 1766, he was appointed surgeon to the ship H.M S. Launceston. He served on the Launceston for about 3 1/2 years until about August 1769.
British Naval physician. Director of Hospitals for the Southern Department of the Continental Army during the Revolutional War.
