Genealogy Richard Remmé, The Hague, Netherlands » Peter Fleming Ragan (1829-1905)

Personal data Peter Fleming Ragan 

• He was born on January 29, 1829 in South Carolina.
• He died on January 15, 1905 in Pelahatchie, Rankin County, Mississippi, he was 75 years old.
• He is buried in Ragan Cemetery, Pelahatchie, Rankin Co., MS.
• A child of James Ragan and Elizabeth Decker
• This information was last updated on December 4, 2022.

Household of Peter Fleming Ragan

(1) He is married to Martha McGarrah.

They got married on December 25, 1855 at Sampson, GA, he was 26 years old.

Child(ren):

1. Samuel Crittenden Ragan  1856-1932 
2. Florence Elizabeth Ragan  1860-1940 
3. Mary Eulalia Ragan  1862-1946 
4. Willie Clifford Ragan  1865-1868
5. Emmie Leverner Ragan  1868-???? 
6. Moses Edwin Ragan  1872-1906 
7. Willard Peter Ragan  1874-1953 

(2) He is married to Cornelia Atheria Wilson.

They got married in the year 1887 at MS, he was 57 years old.

Child(ren):

1. Mary Etoil Ragan  1889-???? 
2. Bessie Fleming Ragan  1892-1894

Notes about Peter Fleming Ragan

Peter Fleming Ragan is found in the Madison Co., FL census in 1850. He had migrated to MS prior to 1860 census. ; According to 1860 census from Rankin Co., Mississippi, Peter Fleming Ragan was born in South Carolina.  His occupation was listed as "farmer."

The 1860 census listed Peter Fleming's (age 28) family as follows:

Wife:  (First)Martha, age 24. born in Georgia
Son:  S.C. (Samuel Crittenden), age 4, born in Georgia

Also included in the family were:

Lucinda, age 16, born in Georgia
J.C., age 13, born in Georgia

Lucinda and J.C. were the brother and sister of Peter Fleming Ragan. Their mother, Elizabeth Decker Ragan, wife of James Ragan, is listed elsewhere as dying in 1865 (I don't know if this date is documented and confirmed or not at this writing, 1/20/99, BD). Perhaps she was sick and lived with another daughter/son (should show up on census record if true) and Lucinda and J.C., which were the younger children of James and Elizabeth, came to live with Peter Fleming and Martha McGarrah Ragan in Mississippi.  It is assumed at this date that James had died prior to the 1850 census since he did not show up on the record in that year. ; In 1850, Peter Fleming Ragan was found on the Madison Co., Florida census record.  He and Martha McGarrah married on December 25, 1855 in Georgia and their first son, Samuel Crittenden Ragan was born on October 14, 1856 in Georgia.  Their second child, daughter Florence Elizabeth Ragan, was born on August 9, 1860 in Rankin Co., Mississippi.  Therefore, Peter Fleming and Martha McGarrah Ragan migrated to Rankin Co., Mississippi between 1856 and 1860. Family history would indicate that the date is nearer 1857 since it is told that the family hound dog with puppies cuddled with Samuel Crittenden to keep him warm on the long wagon trek from Georgia to Mississippi.  Records from Lucille Ragan Van Cleave indicate that Samuel Crittenden Ragan was 4-6 months old when they made the journey from Georgia.  This would place the date of removal around February or March, 1857.  This would coincide with the story that flood waters turned the Ragans back from the Big Black River that was in flood stage due to winter or spiring rains.  Property deeds are needed to confirm the date that the Peter Fleming Ragan family acquired property in Mississippi to better confirm the date they migrated to Mississippi.

Peter Fleming Ragan died in 1905 in Pelahatchie and is buried in the Ragan Cemetery north of Pelahatchie, Mississippi.  Obituary for Peter Fleming Ragan:

DIED, - P.F. Ragan, one of our oldest and most highly respected citizens died of Bright's disease Sunday night, January 15th at his home two miles north of town and was buried at the family burying ground Monday afternoon.  Mr. Ragan, when a mere lad, in the county of Samson, Ga., without money or education, engaged with a Mr. McGarrah, a prosperous planter and large tanner, as a helper in his tannery, and by honest and persevering efforts, as well as close economy, he succeeded in accumulating a handsome sum of money. He thought to establish a business of his own and decided to try his fortune in the state of Mississippi, but before departing for his new home, he won the hand of the refined and accomplished daughter of his employer, who, doubtless, proved to be the most valuable of the effects he transported with him to this state, as she became house-wife, bookkeeper and the mother of six honorable, well-bred boys and girls. Mr. Ragan came to Mississippi in the latter part of the 50's and established a tannery on the place which he died.  During the great war which soon followed he supplied soldiers of the southern army and many people at home with leather and shoes.  This work being so great a necessity the Confederate government encouraged and kept him employed at this work instead of requiring him to enlist as a soldier.  After the war he engaged actively for a time in tanning and manufacturing shoes, boots, harness, etc., but as northern and eastern manufacturers began to sell their machine-made goods at a lower price, he, like all other southern leather manufacturers, gave up his old calling and turned his attention to farming, stock raising and merchandising.  His first wife dying he married Miss Nealy Wilson; she and one daughter, Miss Etoil, survive him.  Mr. Ragan's death removes a familiar face and an honorable character from our midst.

L.

Pelahatchie, Miss., Jan. 24, '05

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Timeline Peter Fleming Ragan

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