INTRODUCTION
The long journey to uncover the ancestry of our progenitor John "Jack" Johnson, who was born into slavery, is driven by a deeply personal determination and an inexplicable calling to identify our family's origins. This has led to the discovery of his paternal surname: WITT through DNA testing in 2005. This tangible connection to our family's past and tens of thousands of hours of research since 2002 has yielded information extending well beyond our direct ancestral line. The material presented herein reflects that broader investigation. These findings provide essential historical context and serve as valuable resources for other Witt researchers. They also expose how inaccuracies introduced into early genealogical publications were repeatedly copied, expanded, and accepted as fact, for more than a century, resulting in a body of family history that has frequently rested upon unsupported assumptions rather than documented evidence. Although this labor of love for my Johnson family is not yet complete, this collection of Witt family articles is presented as a resource to be shared.
THE WITT FAMILY’S EARLY YEARS,
FROM THE 17TH TO THE 19TH CENTURY
By Elaine M. Perryman
The immigrant John Witt, born about 1645, came to America from England by 1672 as an unindentured free man. He was claimed as a headright in three Virginia land patents in Charles City and Henrico Counties. Charles City County on the north side of the James River was considered one of the first European settlements along with Jamestown fifty years before John Witt’s arrival. It was here, he married Ann Daux, daughter of William and Mary Daux, about 1673. Four sons have been adequately proved: William (the first on record and, thus presumed to be the eldest), John II, Richard, and Edward. “John, the immigrant” was likely deceased by 1715.[1]
William, born about 1675, in Charles City County, Virginia, had purchased land with his brother John, by indenture with Charles Hudson of City of Hanover in Henrico County on 14 September 1715 “at a place called Tuckahoe,”[2] which subsequently fell into Goochland County. William expanded his land ownership in 1738, to an area that became Albemarle. He was found to be living in the Parish of Saint James, as he purchased 200 acres on the north side of the north fork of the James River from William Matlock as recorded 16 May 1738 by a Goochland County clerk.[3] William later deeded the purchased Matlock land to his son, John Witt. John was residing with his wife on said property when the transactions was recorded on the fourth of August 1741, “for in consideration of the fatherly good will and natural affection…”[4] The 1715 Tuckahoe deed would remain in their names until 10 October 1751 when William, together with his brother’s son, John III and John’s wife Elizabeth of Goochland, sold half of it for sixty pounds to Richard Johnson. Described as about one-hundred and fifty of the three hundred acres they jointly owned, the land was said to lie on the branches of Tuckahoe Creek near Augustine Webber’s line and bordering Richard Johnson, John Barnett, and Thomas Harrow. The witnesses to this deed reflect the growing Witt family: John Witt (William’s son), and John Jr.’s sons Silvanus Witt and Jese Witt, together with John Farrar and David Barnett. In the 1751 deed William is described as “a planter, of Albemarle County.”[5]
On 13 June 1754, the will of William Witt, from the Parish of Saint Anne in the County of Albemarle was probated in Albemarle court. Legatees included his sons Benjamin and John Witt as well as his daughters Agnes and Sarah. There is indication that he had more children besides the four listed by name as his will states, “… all the rest of my Estate, household furniture, cattle, horses, … I desire it may be equally divided among my children (plural) except Benjamin Witt, Sarah Canedey, and Agnes Key.” An inventory conducted on 15 November 1754 shows that William Witt may have been considered a learned man as he had a book in his possession upon his death.[6]
BENJAMIN WITT & THE CHASTAIN FAMILY:
THE HUGUENOT CONNECTION
Benjamin Witt, born about 1712, was a married man and a father by 1732. At that time, he was living in Goochland, according to a King William Parish birth registration of his daughter, “19 Mch 1732–Mariane, dau. of Benjamin and Mariane Witt,” by his Huguenot wife Marianne Chastain.[7] The family’s progenitor, Pierre Chastain had faced severe persecution in France by the French Catholic government because they followed the teachings of John Calvin. As French Protestants, they arrived in America, August 12, 1700, and settled at Manakin town, a known Huguenot settlement. Benjamin and his wife had a total of six known children, Lewis, Mariane, Charles, Benjamin Jr., John, and Absalom.[8]Their continued residency in Goochland is attested by Benjamin, who was a witness to a land deed, 16 May 1732, along with his wife’s uncle, Peter Chastain, as her grandfather Pierre “Peter” of the same name died in 1728.[9] Benjamin then purchased by land grant, 16 June 1744, 200 acres on both sides of Hunts Creek a branch of Slate River in the western portion of Goochland prior to his father William’s death.[10] This property became Albemarle County, 31 December 1744,[11] and at an Albemarle County Court held 12 May 1748; Benjamin Witt was sworn in as a grand juror.[12]
CAUTION: Benjamin Witt was not a Huguenot like his wife, Mariane! This has been adequately proved by several Witt researchers: Bob Baird and Wayne Witt Bates (RIP). The Huguenot Society and the DAR have reversed their stance and agreed with the findings of Bob and Wayne.
BENJAMIN, A MAN OF TWO COUNTIES ‘TIL THE END
It was apparent that Benjamin was a busy man as in addition to his Goochland to Albemarle County land, Benjamin purchased 204 acres in Prince Edward County, 8 June 1756 from Moses Ray.[13] His presence continued in the county and on 17 July 1758, Ben Witt is listed in a poll for Mr. Peter Legrand’s election to the House of Burgesses, at the courthouse in the county of Prince Edward.[14] On the 10th of July 1760, Benjamin Witt paid tithes on himself, John Witt and Absalom Witt.[15]
In 1761, a new county was formed from the southeastern portion of Albemarle County and Benjamin’s original 200 acres of land was now considered Buckingham County. Nine years later, proof of his movement back to Hunt’s Creek, Benjamin and his wife, Mary, “from Buckingham County” sold a parcel of 100 acres from their Prince Edward County land to Jeremiah Hardwick 13 December 1770.[16] Furthermore, Benjamin appears in Buckingham County, 10 June 1773, under the Company of Charles Patterson with 3 tithes: Ben Witt, Ben Witt Jun., & a slave named Prince.[17] Then on 18 September 1775, his wife, “Mary” and son, Benjamin, Jr., sold the remaining 104 acres of the Prince Edward County property, and the indenture reads, “Executors of Benjamin Witt Senur deceased …” [18] Their Buckingham land would remain in the family and was taxed as “Benjamin Witt’s Estate” with the selling and buying of acreage into the early nineteenth century.[19]
LEWIS, SON OF BENJAMIN, SR.
Lewis Witt, born before 1739 to Benjamin and Mary (Chastain) Witt, hailed from King William Parish in Goochland. His early years were spent on the Hunt’s Creek property in Albemarle, acquired by his father in 1744. Lewis’s presence in Prince Edward County is documented in the 1755 tithes with his father and brother Charles. Additionally, he served as a witness with Charles for their father’s land purchase in Prince Edward in 1756.[20] It appears that on June 10, 1760, Lewis Witt paid a tithe to Prince Edward County, as shown above. Joel Watkins, the tax collector indicated that Lewis was in his own household as he is marked separately from his father and brothers.[21] Elizabeth Learwood, also listed, was the sister of Ann Mills, whom Lewis married. Ann Mills is presumed to be the daughter of William Mills, as she appeared in her father’s September 1775 will as unmarried[22] and likely wed before 1760 when Lewis was head of his household.
Lewis and Anne had eight children in Bedford County, as provided in Anne’s will that was written the 9th of December, 1811 and amended to include loans to her children: Jesse, William, and Millie, on the 18th of October, 1813. The will and inventory documents were probated in 1816 and finalized in 1820. In replicated order, the sons were: Jesse, John, Rowland, Robert, and Mills and daughters, Agnes (Witt) Lavender, Millie (Witt) Whitton, and Elizabeth (Witt) Calvert.[23] There has been questions about the identification of Agnes, as there have been name variations for her across different records, such as "Agnes" in Ann's will, "Agatha Lavender" in court records, and "Aggie" in another court record pertaining to her property.[24] Given that Lewis had an aunt named Agnes, and her sibling John named a daughter Agnes, it's reasonable to assume that "Agnes" is the correct given name. The variations in interpretation or use of nicknames could explain the differences seen in the records. Regardless, the consistent mention of eight children reinforces the overall family structure.
Unfortunately, Lewis died when the children were young and the estate was appraised 12 May 1774 in Bedford County.[25] They resided on a 75-acre farm that his father purchased from George Walton in 1771. The land was on the south side of the Otter River beginning at the mouth of the Bear branch.[26] Before his death, Lewis purchased another tract of land. However, after he passed, Anne discovered that the sale was compromised and had to bring suit against John Cooper before Lewis’s estate was settled.[27]
Ann increased her property holdings with an additional 15 acres of adjoining land that she purchased from James Chastain in 1778 [28] and on 8 July 1780 was granted for twenty-five shillings sterling, 230 acres of land at the mouth of Island Creek on the south side of the Otter River that had a survey bearing date of 10 October 1777.[29] She sold 70 acres from her property in 1811.[30] Her story reflects the strength and perseverance of women during that era, as they often had to assume the roles of both provider and caretaker in the absence of their husbands. Ann likely died the year her will was probated.
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[1] Bob Baird, “Bob’s Genealogy Filing Cabinet, Southern and Colonial Genealogies, The Early Generations,” The immigrant John Witt; (https://genfiles.com/witt/ : accessed 16 September 2019). Also, Bob Baird, “Bob’s Genealogy Filing Cabinet, Southern and Colonial Genealogies, The Early Generations,” John Witt, Headright in Three Patents; (https://genfiles.com/witt/john-witt-headright-in-three-patents/ : accessed 29 Jun 2023). Also, Virginia, “Land Patents, Vol. 7 1679–1689,” p. 199, 20 Nov 1682, William Randolph, Randolph Bolling, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C37S-3S3S-H : accessed 29 Jun 2023) Digital film > 8570201 > 204 of 729 [ 623 acres, County of Charles City, Parish of Bristol. Claimed as headright, … Jon Witt, ...] Also, Virginia, “Land Patents, Vol. 8, 1689–1695,” p. 1–2, Oct 1689, Thomas Cocke, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS1K-N9LW-Q : accessed 29 Jun 2023) Digital film > 08422927 > 29–30 of 464 [813 acres, County of Henrico. Claimed as headright, … Jno Witt, ...] Also, Virginia, “Land Patents, Vol.9, 1697–1706,” p. 2, 25, Oct 1695, Capt. William Randolph, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C37S-JS5C-L : accessed 29 Jun 2023) Digital film > 08570202 > 27 of 791 [2926 acres, Charles City County. Claimed as headright, … John Witt, ...]
[2] Virginia, Henrico County, “ Wills and Deeds, 1714–1718,” pp. 46–47, 14 Oct 1715, Charles and Mary (wife) Hudson, John and William Witt, 300 acres; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89P6-SG9D : accessed 3 Jul 2023) > digital film 007645095 > image 37 of 548.
[3] Goochland County, Virginia, Deed Book Vol. 3, 1737–1742, p. 125, William Witt, William Matlock; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99P6-9QQM : accessed 22 September 2022) > digital film 7645024 > image 506 of 743.
[4] Goochland County, Virginia, Deed Book Vol. 3, 1737–1742, pp. 464–65; William Witt, John Witt; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99P6-9QPT : accessed 18 September 2022) > digital film 7645024 > image 693 of 743.
[5] Goochland County, Virginia, Deed Book Vol. 6, 1748–1755, pp. 226– 28, William Witt, John and Elizabeth Witt, Richard Johnson; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89P6-9VYZ : accessed 18 September 2022) > digital film 7645026 > images 132–33 of 719.
[6] Albemarle County, VA, “Will Book No. 2 with Inventories and Accounts,”, 1752–1785,” pp. 20–21, written 25 April 1754, probated 13 Dec 1754, William Witt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89P7-976M : accessed 3 July 2023) > digital film 0077643846 > image 22 of 433.
[7] W. Mac. Jones, ed., the Douglas Register: Being a Detailed Record of Births, Marriages, and Death Together with Other Interesting Notes, as Kept by the Rev. William Douglas from 1750 to 1797 (Richmond: J. W. Fergusson & Sons, 1928), 385, for Marianne Witt b. 19 March 1732; imaged, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89CL-YQFP : accessed 11 August 2022) > digital film 7412573 > image 200 of 218. [According to Jones’ Foreword (image 6), Douglas arrived in the parish in 1750 and found no earlier register. At the request of parents, he recorded names and dates of children born prior to his arrival].
[8] Bob Baird, “Bob’s Genealogy Filing Cabinet, Southern and Colonial Genealogies, The Early Generations,” John Witt (c1645–by1715), Children, William Witt, (2.2) Benjamin Witt; (https://genfiles.com/witt/john-witt-c1645-by1715/ : accessed 16 September 2019). [This source does not list Absalom]. Also, Prince Edward County, Virginia, “Tithable Records, 1750–1787,” Benj., John Witt, Absalom Witt, 10 June 1760; imaged at Library of Virginia, copy of original provided by LV, 22 November 2022, upon request of Elaine M. Perryman. Also, Prince Edward County, Virginia, “Miscellaneous Papers,” Typescript tax and poll rolls, p. 19, 10 June 1760; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/viewer/573949/ : accessed 10 October 2022).
[9] Goochland County, Virginia, “Deeds, Etc., No. 1 with Wills, Inventories,” 1728–1734,” p. 324–25, 16 May 1732, Peter and Judah Dupuy, James Bryan, witnessed by: James Robinson, Joseph Bingley Benjamin Witt, Peter Chastain; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99P6-9QNM : accessed 3 Jul 2023) >digital film 007645024 > image 177–78 of 743.
[10] Virginia, Land Office Patents and Grants/Northern Neck Grants and Surveys, Patents No. 22, Vol 1–2, 1743–1745, pp. 111–112, 16 July 1744, Benjamin Witt, 200 acres, Hunts Creek, a branch of Slate River, Chastain’s line, Goochland County; imaged at Library of Virginia,
(https://image.lva.virginia.gov/LONN/LO-1/020/020_0127.tif : accessed and downloaded 15 May 2025) and (https://image.lva.virginia.gov/LONN/LO-1/020/020_0128.tif : accessed and downloaded 15 May 2025).
[11] John H. Long et al.,, “Virginia: Individual County and Independent City Chronologies”, The Newberry (https://digital.newberry.org/ahcb/documents/VA_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm#Individual_County_Chronologies : accessed 2 October 2022), for “Albemarle.”
[12] Joanne Lovelace Nance, “Albemarle County, Virginia, Court Orders 1744/45–1748; March Term 1747/48- June Term1748,” Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly” , 29, (May 1991): 119, Benjamin Witt; Ancestry, (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6131/images/VGS_1991_01_01_0120 : accessed 30 September 2022) > Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly > Volume 29 > Number 2 > image 43 of 80.
[13] Prince Edward County, Virginia, Deed Book 1, 1754–1759, pp. 75–76, Moses Ray, Benjamin Witt; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKV-KSTR-F : accessed 27 September 2022) > digital film 8153028> images 85–86 of 759.
[14] , Prince Edward County, Virginia, “Miscellaneous Papers,” Typescript tax and poll rolls, p. 15,17 July 1758; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/viewer/573949/ : accessed 2 July 2026).
[15] Prince Edward County, Virginia, “Tithable Records, 1750–1787,” Benj., John Witt, Absalom Witt, 10 June 1760; imaged at Library of Virginia, copy of original provided by LV, 22 November 2022, upon request of Elaine M. Perryman. Also, Prince Edward County, Virginia, “Miscellaneous Papers,” Typescript tax and poll rolls, p. 19, 10 June 1760; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/viewer/573949/ : accessed 10 October 2022).
[16] Prince Edward County, Virginia, Deed Book 5, 1772–1778, pp. 269–70, Mary Witt, Benjamin Witt, Jeremiah Hardwick; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKK-P9F2-6 : accessed 27 September 2022) > digital film 8153025> images 319–20 of 465.( Note: Image placed in wrong deed book (1772-1778. Should be 1770).
[17] Buckingham County, Virginia, Lists of Tithables, 1773–1774, 10 June 1773, Charles Patterson Company; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSL6-4R17 : accessed 30 September 2022) > digital film 819003 > image 8 of 30.
[18] Prince Edward County, Virginia, Deed Book 5, 1772–1778, p. 433, Mary Witt, Benjamin Witt Jr., Thomas Gipson; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKK-P9N3-G : accessed 27 September 2022) > digital film 8153025> image 403 of 465.
[19] Buckingham County, Virginia, “Land Book 1794,” p. 14; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS46-YB31 : accessed 27 September 2022) > digital film 7894606> image 177 of 424. Also, Buckingham County, Virginia, “Land Book 1804,” p.18; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS35-ZSPN-W : accessed 10 October 2022) > digital film 7837418 > 36 of 822. (Note: additional entries are shown for Benj. Witt Estate before and after dates listed above for acreage changes).
[20] Prince Edward County, Virginia, Deed Book 1, 1754–1759, pp. 75–76, Moses Ray, Benjamin Witt; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKV-KSTR-F : accessed 27 September 2022) > digital film 8153028> images 85–86 of 759.
[21] Prince Edward County, Virginia, “Tithable Records, 1750–1787,” Lewis Witt, 10 June 1760; imaged at Library of Virginia, copy of original provided by LV, 22 November 2022, upon request of Elaine M. Perryman. Also, Prince Edward County, Virginia, “Miscellaneous Papers,” transcribe tithable and poll lists 1755–60, p. 19 for Lewis Witt, 10 June 1760; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/viewer/573949/ : accessed 10 October 2022).
[22] Elizabeth Shown Mills, “William Mills (c1695–1755) of Goochland, Albemarle & Amherst Counties, Virginia, Spouse: Mary [—?—],” Research Notes, (updated 16 May 2022), pp. 8–9. (https://www.historicpathways.com/download/MillsWilliamMaryofGoochAlbemarle.pdf : accessed 9 October 2022). (Note: Extensive research on the Mills and Witt families is posted at this site).
[23] Bedford County, Virginia, Will Book 4, 1811–1817, pp. 276–77; imaged, ”Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652–1900,” imaged at Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/62347/images/007643952_00149 : accessed 4 April 2022) > Bedford > Will Books, 4–6, 1811–1828 > images 149-50 of 656. Also, Bedford County, Virginia, Will Book 5, 1817–1823, pp. 195–97; imaged at Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1676814:62347 : accessed 4 April 2022) > Will Books, 4–6, 1811–1828 > images 118–19 of 511.
[24] Amherst County, Virginia, “Deed Book K, 1803–1807,” pp. 335–36,16 December 1805, Indenture of Elisha Peters and Daniel Lebrich mentions Aggie Lavender’s line; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKW-FQM1-Q
[25] Bedford County, Virginia, Will Book 1, 1763-1787, pp. 211-12, Lewis Witt’s appraisement, 23 May 1774; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89P6-2FS3 : accessed 25 September 2022) > digital film 007645309 > images 146–47 of 563.
[26] Bedford County, Virginia, Deed Book 4, 1771–1773, pp. 47–48, 6 March 1771, George Walton, Lewis Witt; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKN-1SJW-6 : accessed 5 September 2023), digital film > 8151903, images > 72–73 of 357.
[27] Bedford County, Virginia, Chancery Court Record 1785–011, Chancery Court file, ADMX OF Lewis Witt vs. John Cooper; imaged “Chancery Records Index,” Library of Virginia, Virginia Memory (https://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/ : accessed 4 April 2022), “Bedford,” and “Index Number 1785–011,” 13 images.
[28] Bedford County, Virginia, Deed Book 6, 1778–1780, pp. 12–13, 15 February 1778, James Chastain, Ann Witt; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQQ-V9MC-2 : accessed 5 September 2023), digital film > 7842541, image > 339 of 557.
[29] Virginia, “Land Office Patents and Grants/Northern Neck Grants and Surveys,” A, Vol 1– 2, 1779–80, pp. 589–90, 8 July 1780, Ann Will [Witt] 230 acres, Island Creek, South side of Otter River, Bedford County; imaged at Library of Virginia, (http://image.lva.virginia.gov/LONN/LO-2/042/042_0616.tifand http://image.lva.virginia.gov/LONN/LO-2/042/042_0617.tif : accessed and downloaded 22 March 2022).
[30] Bedford County, Virginia, Deed Book 13, 1809–1813, p. 580, 6 March 1811, Anne Witt, John Wood; imaged at FamilySearch; (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQN-Y86G : accessed 5 September 2023), digital film > 7846229, image > 100 of 514.