William Richard Ratcliff Jr. (1832 - 1916)

Born 17 Mar 1832 in Amite or Yazoo City, Yazoo Co, Mississippi

Ancestors

Husband of Lucy Blanche (Collier) Ratcliff — married 22 Sep 1853 (to 15 Jun 1910) in Woodville, Tyler Co, TX

Descendants

Died 23 Mar 1916 at age 84 in Spurger, Tyler, Texas, United States

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Biography

Made shoes for the CSA. Story entitled "The Confederate Shoemakers of Town Bluff, Texas" by Thomas R. Reid, professor at Lamar University in Beaumont, TX.

Name: William R. RATCLIFF There is controversy over what the middle initial "R" stands for. Some sources suggest "Richards" after a person by that name who was influential in the early life of his mother. Other sources suggest "Richard," which is a name used commonly in his father's line.

Father: William RATCLIFF (Mar 24 1803 - Nov 1 1878) Mother: Abigail W. RICE (Oct 21 1809 - Dec 8 1881)

William R. RATCLIFF was born on March 17, 1832 in either Yazoo County or Amite County, Mississippi. His parents were married in Amite County, but within a few years they were living in Yazoo County, so his birthplace is uncertain.

In 1839 he and his family moved from Mississippi to Texas, eventually settling in Tyler County.

On September 22, 1853, at age 21, he married Lucy Blanche COLLIER, the daughter of James Gautney COLLIER and Elizabeth Ann "Eliza" STEWART in Tyler County, Texas.

He served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War in Company D, 11th Battalion (Spaight's) Texas Volunteers, having enlisted on June 13, 1862. He was detailed to make shoes for Confederate soldiers and was able to return home for this service.

On various censuses he was listed as a farmer.

He died on March 23, 1915 (or 1916), presumably in Tyler County, Texas, and was buried in Beech Creek Cemetery near Spurger in Tyler County, next to his wife and two of their daughters.

William and Lucy had a total of thirteen children:

Elizabeth Abigail "Eliza" RATCLIFF Charles Edward RATCLIFF Alice Olivia RATCLIFF John Rice RATCLIFF William Anna RATCLIFF Eugenia Alice RATCLIFF Blanche Katheryn "Blannie" RATCLIFF Lucy Donna RATCLIFF Joseph Gautney RATCLIFF Mary Elizabeth "Mollie" RATCLIFF James Thomas RATCLIFF Lalie Collier RATCLIFF Lela Stewart RATCLIFF

Family Members Spouse

Lucy Blanche Collier Ratcliff 1834-1910 (m. 1853)

Children

Elizabeth Abigail Ratcliff Hicks 1854-1942

Alice Olivia Ratcliff Lazenby 1856-1924

Blanche Katheryn Ratcliff Hicks 1864-1929

Lucy Donna Ratcliff Perryman 1866-1919

Joseph Gautney Ratcliff 1869-1957

Mary Elizabeth 'Mollie' Ratcliff Jordan 1872-1946

James Thomas Ratcliff 1874-1948

William was born in 1832. He was the son of William Ratcliff and Abigail Rice. He passed away in 1916.

Sources

• "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXLP-D61 : 23 December 2020), William R Ratcliff in household of William Ratcliff, Tyler, Texas, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
• "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2ZB-9CJT : 28 November 2018), William R Ratcliff and Lucy B Collier, 22 Sep 1853; citing Marriage, citing Tyler, Texas, United States, Texas State Library, Archives Division, and various Texas county clerks; FHL microfilm 1,006,070.
• "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXGD-NTJ : 29 May 2021), William R Ratcliff, 1870.
• "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFJF-PRZ : 20 February 2021), Wm R Ratcliff, Town Bluff, Tyler, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district ED 103, sheet 357A, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,255,329.
• "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M352-DVG : accessed 3 October 2021), William R Ratcliff in household of James T Ratcliff, Justice Precinct 5 (north part) Townbluff town, Tyler, Texas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 106, sheet 6B, family 109, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,674.

"The Confederate Shoemakers of Town Bluff, Texas" by Thomas R. Reid, professor at Lamar University in Beaumont, TX.

Beech Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Listing in Spurger, Tyler Co, TX.

Texas Marriages in Woodville, Tyler Co, TX register.

• Year: 1850; Census Place: Tyler, Texas; Roll: M432_915; Page: 167B; Image: 316
• Year: 1860; Census Place: Tyler, Texas; Roll: M653_1306; Page: 362; Family History Library Film: 805306
• Year: 1870; Census Place: Tyler, Texas; Roll: M593_1606; Page: 405B; Family History Library Film: 553105
• Year: 1880; Census Place: Town Bluff, Tyler, Texas; Roll: 1329; Page: 357A; Enumeration District: 103
• Year: 1900; Census Place: Justice Precinct 5, Tyler, Texas; Page: 6; Enumeration District: 0106; FHL microfilm: 1241674
• Year: 1910; Census Place: Justice Precinct 5, Tyler, Texas; Roll: T624_1594; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 0163; FHL microfilm: 1375607

Texas Department of State Health Services; Austin Texas, USATexas, Death Certificates, 1903–1982