Early Settlers -R-

Ragan, Nathaniel (1762-1831) lived near Raysville Bridge, Lincoln County 1800-1850. Ref: Wilkes County Cemeteries by Nell and F. M. Newsome.

Raiford, John , son of Matthew Raiford, Jr. (1710-1769), was b. in New Bern, N. C. At the outbreak of the American Revolution. he enlisted, and was at the Battle of Brandywine 9/11/1777, the first man to assist General Lafayette when the French soldier was wounded in the thigh. He was at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse 3/15/1781; was with Lafayette in May and June of 1781 on the famous retreat into Virginia. He was at the Battle of Combahee Ferry 8/27/1782 and was shot down; later confined to a hospital. Upon the evacuation of Charleston by the British, be was discharged from the army. After the war, he shouldered his captured British musket and went along with other veterans and old Indian scouts to Galphin's Agency (or "Old Town") in Burke Co., Ga. There, he met Lucy Spell and m. her ca 1784. She was the dau. of Joseph and Nancy Spell who had stopped in Ga. on their way from Buncombe Co., N. C. to La. Lucy had hidden a small halfbreed Creek boy from the vengence of some white men following a bloody fight st Old Town. The boy was William McIntosh, later a general and famous leader of the Creek Nation. As a result, she was secretly "adopted" by the Indians and given the name "White Bird." John Raiford and Lucy settled about three miles lower down the Ogeechee River from Galphin's Agency and a mile from Raiford's Bridge. When Lucy died, he m. 2nd, Rebecca Gray. By 1811, John owned 1263 acres along the Ogeechee River, Jefferson Co, John d. ca 3/1812 and was buried next to Lucy in the old field, coming out of the river swamp on the north side of the Ogeechee. Rebecca d. age 82 at home of Dr. Robbins in Louisville, Ga, John Raiford raised a family of six boys and four girls, all averaging nearly six feet in height. Ref: McCall's Roster of the Revolution.

Raines, Cadwilla lived in Bibb Co. Ref: LWT of PHillip Thurmond, 1840 Bibb Co.

Rhodes, William, was b. 1798, pioneer settler to Taliaferro Co. Celebrating his birthday in 1886. TC 1-30-1885.

Rich, M. was born 1847 in the province of Hungary. He came to America in 1860, landing in New York, and never returned to Europe. At first, he lived in the north Georgia foothills, then settled in Atlanta, going into the merchandising business. He married Miss Goldberg of Madison, Georgia in 1879. His infancy and early boyhood were spent in his native province, where he acquired the rudiments of an education and first learned to shuffle for himself. He was a member of the Hebrew colony of Atlanta, and was always fair to his employees. His residence was on Pryor Street, next door to his two brothers. The Rich name became famous in Atlanta as "Rich's Department Store" dominated Whitehall Street for so many years. It was a landmark until the mid 1980's, when apparently Mr. Rich's son or relatives sold the business. Rich's was the first Atlanta department store to have a "return policy" for any reason for a refund, and this type of family integrity generated a huge business. He had two children. Ref: The Constitution, Atlanta 5/28/1893

Richardson, Thomas came from (probably) Edgefield Co., S. C. and settled on Fishing Creek, Wilkes Co. He brought with him a wife, son and daughter, from 19 to 8 years of age, and was granted 100 acres of land where Nimrod Gilcrist lived on 29 Sept 1773. This grant was from the "Ceded" Lands. His LWT dated 31 Aug, probated 15 Sept 1777, "Thomas Richardson, of the ceded lands of Georgia," named his wife, Barbary, giving her slaves, viz: Hannah, Jack and Harry, as well as all of his estate in fee simple. His son, William Richardson, was born 1754 and made his LWT dated 13 Jan 1806, probated 4 Mar 1807, leaving his estate to his wife and sons, William, John and Thomas, with John resigning as the executor of the estate on 4 Mar 1807. Nathaniel Perre of Richmond Co. deeded John Richardson of Wilkes Co. 600 acres of land on Spring Branch, running into Newford Creek on 16 Jan 1790. Ref: Wilkes Co. Mix Deeds 1777-1778; Wilkes Co. Wills.
Rivers, E. was born on a plantation near Milner, Pike Co., Ga. After completing his education he removed to Atlanta and went to work in the service of the railroad. In 1900 he bought an interest in the real estate firm of Holleman and Robson, and the name of the firm was changed to Robson and Rivers. Rivers soon became sole owner of the E. Rivers Realty Co. Rivers took a leading part in the development of Atlanta, notably Silver Lake (12 miles from Atlanta) and Peachtree Heights. His residence was on Roxboro Road in Ruckhead. He was president of the Boys' Club and was instrumental for the construction of a club house at 19 Trinity Ave. Ref: Atlanta Georgian 12/23/1909.

Robinson, William H. was born in Jones Co., Georgia 7/12/1813. Ref: History of Macon County Georgia by Louise Frederick Hays.

Rogers, Berry lived in Macon. Ref: LWT of Reddick Rutland, 1840, Bibb Co.

Rousaw, William 100 acre survey on Clouds Creek, Oglethorpe Co. Oglethorpe Co. Deed Book E, page 254.

Rushin, John, from Houston, County, was listed as an early settler of Macon County. Ref: History of Macon County Georgia by Louise Frederick Hays.