Nathaniel Ragan (ca 1762 - 21 Sep 1831)

In 1785, Nathaniel Ragan surveyed 160 acres of land on Richland Creek in Washington County, Georgia as a headright grant (584).

On 12 Jul 1831, Nathaniel Ragan made a will (583). Nathaniel Ragan died on 21 Sep 1831 at age 69 years (582). He is buried in a historical Methodist cemetery in Lincoln County, Georgia.

The Will of Nathaniel Ragan was proved in court on 7 Nov 1831 and recorded on 22 Nov 1831 (583).

Sources

582. Gravestone. Nathaniel Ragan, Methodist Historical Cemetery #04, Lincoln County, Georgia. Find A Grave Memorial 72945950. (Images: Find A Grave, Ancestry.com)

583. Will of Nathaniel Ragan, Lincoln County, Georgia, 12 Jul 1831. Lincoln County, Georgia Will Book C-D, 1800-1832 and Will Book F, 1878-1936. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.)

584. Survey Plat, Nathaniel Ragan, Washington County, Georgia, 160 acres, 1785. Abbe, Mary H., Georgia Colonial and Headright Plat Index, 1735-1866, R. J. Taylor, Jr., Foundation and the Georgia Archives, Morrow, Georgia. Volume F, Page 407, Record 47614.

Notes and Comments

The year of Nathaniel Ragan’s birth is based on an inscription on his tombstone.

Methodist Historical Cemetery 4 in Lincoln County, Georgia is located approximately at 33° 39' 01.5" N latitude, 82° 28' 45.7" W longitude.

Will of Nathaniel Ragan
Lincoln County, Georgia, USA
12 Jul 1831

In the name of God, Amen. I Nathaniel Ragan being weak in body but of sound mind and disposing memory do constitute ordain and publish this my last will and testament (viz.)

Item 1st. It is my will and desire that my just debts shall be first paid out of my estate.

Item 2nd. I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth Ragan one fifth part of my estate after my debts are paid.

Item 3rd. I give and bequeath to the children of my daughter Rebecca Holliday dec'd. viz. Martha Walker, Synthia Sanders, Nathaniel Holiday and Dickerson Holliday one fifth part of my estate.

Item 4th. I give and bequeath to my daughter Jane Gideon formerly Jane Hemphill ten dollars exclusive of what I have heretofore given and have put in her possession.

Item 5th. I give and bequeath to the children of my daughter Jane Gideon by her former husband Thama Hemphill (viz.) Nancy Cleaveland, Elizabeth Thornton, Hiram Hemphill, Emily Hemphill and Cyrus Hemphill an fifth part of my estate.

Item 6th. I give and bequeath to my daughter Nancy one fifth part of estate.

Item 7th. I give and bequeath to my daughter Lucinda Holliday one fifth part of my estate.

Item 8th. I do hereby constitute and appoint my friends Jeremiah Griffin and Billington M. Sanders my Executors to carry this my last will and Testament into effect and i do hereby sollemnly revoke all others will or wills purporting to be made by me heretofore.

Signed sealed and published and declared by me this twelvth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty one.

In presence of Nathaniel Ragan (Seal)
John Lamar
Thos. W. Reviere
Richard Griffin J.P.

Lincoln County, Georgia

Personally came in open court Thomas W. Reviere and Richard Griffin two of the subscribing witnesses of the last will and testament of Nathaniel Ragan deceased and being duly sworn saith that they saw said sign publish and heard him declare this writing to be and contain his last will and Testament that at the time thereof he was of sound disposing mind and memory and that he did it freely and without compulsion to the best of their knowledge and they also saw John Lamar sign his name as a witness to said will.

Sworn to and subscribed Thomas W. Reviere
this 7th day of November 1831 Richard Griffin
Reue Reuison J.I.C.
Robert Fleming J.I.C.
Thomas Curry J.I.C.

Recorded 22nd November 1831
Francis F. Fleming, C.CO.

____________________
Transcribed from an image of a handwritten original document by William R. Emanuel, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA, 5 Jun 2016.