of McHenry County, Illinois · documented from the public record
The family in the record
William Ratfield
William Ratfield⚭ Betsy Parker
childrenWilliam Nelson Ratfield · Mary Margaret Ratfield · Harriet Ann Ratfield · Thomas H. Ratfield
Source: History of McHenry County, Illinois (1922)
Their story
What the record says
History of McHenry County, Illinois (1922).
From Brainard, County Essex, England.
Lost his father as a child, shipped as a cabin boy at age ten and sailed for twelve years.
Married in New York.
Came to Illinois in 1834, lived in Virgil Township then Riley Township, McHenry County, where he died aged 65 (after being seriously injured by lightning).
Wife Betsy (Parker) managed the farm and raised their ten children.
Son William Nelson served in Co. B, 17th Illinois Cavalry (Civil War) and died in Polk County, Minn.
Daughter Mary Margaret married Frank Allen.
Daughter Harriet Ann married John Solomon.
Not all ten children named in the text.
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