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]
Household | Role | Sex | Age | Birthplace | Occupation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
James B Ricketts | head | M | 39 | New York | Captain, 1st Artillery, USA |
Fannie L Ricketts | wife | F | 25 | New Jersey | |
Mary B. Ricketts | daughter | F | 17 | Maine | |
Julia A Ricketts | daughter | F | 3 | Texas | |
Mary Walton | servant | F | 32 | Ireland | servant |
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]
Household | Role | Sex | Age | Birthplace | Occupation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
James Ricketts | head | M | 54 | New York | USA officer |
Fannie Ricketts | wife | F | 35 | New Jersey | keeping house |
Fannie Ricketts | daughter | F | 4 | District of Columbia | |
Basil Ricketts | son | M | 2 | District of Columbia | |
Ann Obrien | servant | F | 35 | Ireland | domestic |
Sarah Obrien | servant | F | 30 | Ireland | domestic |
Mary Parker | servant | F | 16 | Ireland | domestic |
John Smith | servant | M | 22 | North Carolina | domestic |
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]
Household | Role | Sex | Age | Birthplace | Occupation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
James B Ricketts | head | M | 64 | New York | USA officer |
Fannie Ricketts | wife | F | 45 | New Jersey | keeping house |
Fannie B Ricketts | daughter | F | 13 | District of Columbia | at school |
Basil M Ricketts | son | M | 12 | District of Columbia | at school |
Basil Norris | boarder | M | 50 | Maryland | USA |
Isaac W Scott | servant | M | 27 | Virginia | servant |
Ellen Garmon | servant | F | 66 | Ireland | servant |
Bridget McNally | servant | F | 30 | Ireland | servant |
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]
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L > Lawrence | R > Ricketts > Frances (Lawrence) Ricketts
Categories: Elizabeth, New Jersey | Nurses, United States Civil War | Libby Prison, Richmond, Virginia | Washington, District of Columbia | Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia