Frances (Lawrence) Ricketts
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Frances (Lawrence) Ricketts (1834 - 1900)

Frances "Fanny" Ricketts formerly Lawrence
Born in Elizabeth, Union, New Jerseymap
Wife of — married Jan 1856 [location unknown]
Died at age 66 in Washington, District of Columbiamap
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Profile last modified | Created 30 May 2014
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Biography

Frances (Lawrence) Ricketts was born in New Jersey.
Frances followed her husband onto the battlefields, displaying courage and self-sacrificing devotion in the care of him and the sick and wounded soldiers in prison, hospitals, and her own house.
Flag of Virginia
Frances (Lawrence) Ricketts interred in Virginia.

Frances "Fanny" was born 8 May 1834 in Elizabeth, Union, New Jersey.[1] Her parents were John Thorpe/Sharpe Lawrence and Julia Ann Ricketts. [2]

Fanny married James B. Ricketts in January 1856. James was a graduate of West Point, a career soldier, currently Captain in the 1st Artillery of the U.S. Army. They moved to the Rio Grande River where James' company was stationed and remained there for three years. In the camp, the soldiers benefited from her cheerful attitude and the kindness and care she bestowed upon the sick. These traits and her devotion to the soldiers would be displayed on the battlefield, in prisons, and in hospitals throughout her life.

In 1860, Fanny (spelled Fannie in record) is living with her husband James, her step-daughter Mary B., daughter Julia A., and servant Mary Walton in Fort Monroe, Elizabeth City, Virginia, United States. [3]

HouseholdRoleSexAgeBirthplaceOccupation
James B RickettsheadM39New YorkCaptain, 1st Artillery, USA
Fannie L RickettswifeF25New Jersey
Mary B. RickettsdaughterF17Maine
Julia A RickettsdaughterF3Texas
Mary WaltonservantF32Irelandservant

In the spring of 1861, the 1st Artillery was ordered to Manassas, and Fanny was forced by military rules to return home to Washington, D.C.

James was severely wounded and captured at the Battle of Manassas. When she heard word that he had been wounded and killed, Fanny was determined to find him. She acquired a pass to go thru the Union lines to the battlefield and set out alone. When she arrived at the Confederate lines, she sought out the help of J.E.B. Stuart, who had been a family friend on the Rio Grande before the war, and got a pass thru the Confederate lines. She found James and his artillery unit held as prisoners at the Portici (also known as Lewis House) field hospital. The conditions at the hospital were horrific with dead and dying everywhere and few to care for them. Fanny stayed and nursed James, at the same time caring for countless wounded soldiers.

Shortly, James was transferred as a prisoner of war to Libby Prison in Richmond. Fanny went into captivity with him, continuing to nurse him, and hoping against hope that he would recover. While at the prison, like at Portici, she nursed many Union soldiers. After several months, James finally began to improve and was exchanged and released in December 1861.

At the Battle of Antietam in September 1862, James had two horses killed under him. The second horse fell on him and injured him badly. In 1863 he took part in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and then in July 1864 James was wounded in the chest during the Battle of Cedar Creek. In both cases Fanny again came to his side and nursed him back to health.

In 1870 the family was living in Washington, District of Columbia, United States. [4]

HouseholdRoleSexAgeBirthplaceOccupation
James RickettsheadM54New York USA officer
Fannie RickettswifeF35New Jerseykeeping house
Fannie RickettsdaughterF4District of Columbia
Basil RickettssonM2District of Columbia
Ann ObrienservantF35Irelanddomestic
Sarah ObrienservantF30Irelanddomestic
Mary ParkerservantF16Irelanddomestic
John SmithservantM22North Carolinadomestic

Throughout the war, their house was used as a hospital. After the war ended, Fanny was actively engaged in local charities and hospitals, assisting veterans, disabled soldiers, and their families.

In 1880 the family was still in Washington, District of Columbia. [5]

HouseholdRoleSexAgeBirthplaceOccupation
James B RickettsheadM64New York USA officer
Fannie RickettswifeF45New Jerseykeeping house
Fannie B RickettsdaughterF13District of Columbiaat school
Basil M RickettssonM12District of Columbiaat school
Basil NorrisboarderM50MarylandUSA
Isaac W ScottservantM27Virginiaservant
Ellen GarmonservantF66Irelandservant
Bridget McNallyservantF30Irelandservant

After the death of her husband James, Fanny struggled to get by with her widow's pension. When she applied for an increase in the pension, soldiers, officers, hospital directors and hospital boards submitted testimonials to her courage, and self-sacrificing devotion in the care of the sick and wounded soldiers. Her request was approved.

Toward the end of her life, Fanny lived in San Jose, California and spent her winters in Washington, D.C.

She passed away 13 Dec 1900 in Washington, District of Columbia and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.[2][6]

Sources

  1. Passport "United States Passport Applications, 1795-1925", citing Passport Application, United States, source certificate #, Passport Applications, 10/31/1795 - 12/31/1905., 207, NARA microfilm publications M1490 and M1372 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FamilySearch Record: QGKJ-1PH9 (accessed 18 April 2023) FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-89DC-N6KL Image number 00285, Name: Fanny Ricketts; Passport Application Date: 1875; Passport Application Place: United States; Birth Date: 1835; Age: 40; Id: 31634; Event Place Year Range: 181-2870.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Memorial Find a Grave (has image), Find A Grave: Memorial #29137868 (accessed 18 April 2023), Memorial page for Frances Ann Livingston Pyne “Fanny” Lawrence Ricketts (unknown-13 Dec 1900), citing Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA (plot: Sect. 1, Grave 17); Maintained by Keeper of the Stars (contributor 47216601).
  3. 1860 Census "United States Census, 1860", citing Page: 35; Affiliate Publication Number: M653, FamilySearch Record: M41Q-7Y9 (accessed 18 April 2023) FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GBSN-C75, Fannie L Ricketts (25) in Fort Monroe, Elizabeth City, Virginia, United States. Born in New Jersey.
  4. 1870 Census "United States Census, 1870", citing Page: 137; Affiliate Publication Number: M593; Line: 20; FHL microfilm: 000545622; Record number: 5628, FamilySearch Record: MNWB-2SY (accessed 18 April 2023) FamilySearch Image: S3HT-DHG7-Z8S Image number 00146, Fannie Rickets (35) in Washington, District of Columbia, United States. Born in New Jersey.
  5. 1880 Census "United States Census, 1880", citing enumeration district , sheet , NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm , FamilySearch Record: M6C4-39W (accessed 18 April 2023) FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GYB4-NMZ Image number 00080, Fannie Ricketts (45), wife, Keeping House, in household of James B. Ricketts (64) in Washington, District of Columbia, United States. Born in New Jersey, United States.
  6. Death "District of Columbia Deaths, 1874-1961", citing reference ID cn 134388, District Records Center, Washington D.C.; FHL microfilm 2,115,107, FamilySearch Record: F7TG-2F4 (accessed 18 April 2023) FamilySearch Image: 3QSQ-G9ZR-F942-5, Fanny Ricketts death 13 Dec 1900 (age 72) in District of Columbia, United States.
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