William Rickman
American political leader (died 1783) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Dr. William Rickman (died 1783) served during the American Revolutionary War as the Director and Surgeon of the Continental Hospital of the Continental Army in Virginia.[1] He was the first overseer of the Continental Army hospitals in Virginia.[2]
Born in 1715 or 1731 in England in family Robert Rickman III (1683–1743) and his wife Tamar Rickman, nee Reynolds (1684–1779), Rickman sailed to the Virginia Capes from Sheerness, England soon after he received his appointment on January 1, 1766. He was the surgeon on the Royal Navy's HMS Launceston until about October 16, 1769.
Rickman settled in Charles City County, Virginia in 1769 to begin a medical practice. He was also a justice of the peace and a patriot. On May 5, 1775, Richman married Elizabeth "Betsey" Harrison, the daughter of Benjamin Harrison, signer of the Declaration of Independence and owner of nearby Berkeley Plantation. Rickman received his appointment with the Continental Hospital in Virginia, which is believed to have played a role in his father-in-law losing his reelection nearly two months later as delegate to the Continental Congress.
Rickman has no known descendants according the National Park Service, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). He is known as the first owner of the Kittiewan Plantation House.