I would like to call attention to some information appearing on page 207 of the work titled "Richard Ratcliff of Lancashire, England and Talbot County, Maryland and His Ancestors and Descendents 1065-1988."
 
Since reading the information given for Alfred Ratliff on page 207 and repeated online elsewhere, I have been in contact with the archivist in Lawrence Co., TN. I have concluded that some of the information on this page is not correct.
 
(1J3D1C) Alfred Ratliff is shown as probably a son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Taylor) Ratliff.  I have found nothing to dispute that.
 
What I question is that this Alfred died in Lawrence Co., TN between 1840 -1850.  Also, reference is made in the same paragraph to a "his father's gift deed".
 
I sent for a copy of the gift deed after communicating with the Archivist in Lawrence Co., who said the gift deed was not from Alfred, but from Joseph Ratliff to his nieces and nephew.
 
On page 207 the names of the children named in the gift deed are shown as Aaron Ratliff, Nancy Jane Ratliff, Lawrence Ratliff, and Martin Van Buren Ratliff.  These children are shown as "Alfred's children".
 
The actual gift deed, dated July 1837, is for sheep and one lamb to his nieces and nephew (singular).  Although the names are not entirely clear, they appear to read Areann, Nancy Jane, Lawrina, and Martin Van Buren Ratliff.  "Their" mother is named as Nancy.
 
Based on an 1850 census record in Dallas Co., AR and marriages records in Dallas and Calhoun Co., AR, I believe the four children are more accurately named (Arreann/Areann), Nancy Jane, Lavinia/Louvenia, and Martin Van Buren Ratliff, children of William and Nancy Ratliff.
 
The 1850 census of Dallas Co., AR lists William Ratliff, age 57, farmer, born in NC; Nancy Ratliff, age 52, born in NC, Laurieve (?), 16, female, born in TN; Martin V, 13, born in TN, Cullin, 11, male, born in MS, and Martha, 9, born in MS.
 
The younger two children were born after the gift deed was signed by Joseph Ratliff in TN.  I believe the first two named in the deed were out of the household by the 1850 census.
 
I cannot find any information on Arreann/Arean.  Nancy Jane Ratcliff, 18, married James Monroe Saunders in 1847 in Dallas Co, AR.  Louvenia Ratliff, 18, married Benjamin Baird in 1851 in Dallas Co.  Martin Vanburen Ratliff, age 22, married Parmelia Fry in 1858 in Calhoun Co., AR.  Dallas Co. is the parent county of Calhoun Co.
 
Although the father in the above census, William Ratliff is not usually shown as a son of Aaron Ratcliff/Ratliff of NC and TN, I have found a land reference in NC that attests to that relationship.  Lenoir Co., NC land records show a transaction on March 26, 1814 whereby Aron Ratliffe, grantor, grants 150 acres, more or less, to the grantee, William Ratliffe. described as son of Aaron Ratliff, in consideration of natural love and affection.  Witnesses:  Wm. Taylor and Joseph Ratliff
 
I have concluded that Joseph Ratliff of NC and TN made a gift deed to his nieces and nephews, children of William Ratliff.
 
I would be interested in knowing if you agree that the content of the gift deed by Joseph connects to the family shown in the AR records for William Ratliff and his children.  His wife Nancy fits the name of "their mother" in the gift deed.
 
Numerous conversations with the archivist in Lawrence Co. TN regarding my ancestor Alfred Ratliff have come to an agreement that there was only one Alfred Ratliff in Lawrence Co., TN in the 1840's and he is most likely my ancestor who did not die there, but, instead, moved to White Co., IL prior to 1850.
 
I have tracked my Alfred Ratliff to White Co,. in 1850 along with married and unmarried children, on to Wise Co., TX in 1860 , Mo in 1870 and Arkansas in 1880.  His son John, my great grandfather, was listed in the Benton Co., AR newspaper in the 1890's as an "Old Veteran" attending a reunion, some family information including being born in Lawrence Co., TN.
 
My hope to get the information on the Joseph Ratliff gift deed corrected and to give some information past Lawrence Co., TN on my ancestor Alfred Ratliff.  My Alfred named a son Aaron, suggesting a relationship to the Lawrence Co., TN Ratliffs as well as by proximity.
 
Again,  thank you for all the thorough research done by your family.
 
Sincerely,
 
Liz Bawden
 
lizandgordon@comcast.net