INTRODUCTION
There is always a challenge in accurately identifying children in colonial times as enumeration was usually limited to white males. The accessibility of the internet has led to a proliferation of quick, “copy and paste,” reporting that often spreads erroneous claims about ancestors. This lack of verification and disregard for evidence can lead to misinformation. This article delves into the colonial lives of Robert and Nancy Reese Witt to construct and verify their children’s names and provide corrections to online reporting when necessary.
Robert’s focused life path, centered around Bedford County, Virginia and later Logan County, Kentucky, gave a clearer picture of his descendants within these communities. His long-standing residencies generated more extensive records, facilitating helpful aids in the identification of his children.
THE CHILDREN OF ROBERT AND NANCY (REESE) WITT OF VIRGINIA AND KENTUCKY
By Elaine M. Perryman
ROBERT AND NANCY'S FAMILY
IN BEDFORD COUNTY, VIRGINIA
Robert was born 1769–70[1] to Lewis and Ann Mills Witt. His birth year is based on the tax rolls of Bedford County, Virginia, and the presumed birth order of the children as presented in their mother’s will and inventory settlement. In 1790, Robert married Nancy Reese in Bedford County, Virginia[2] and purchased 133 acres of land from Elijah Turner on Difficult and Goose creeks, 22 November 1791.[3] The absence of the U.S. census data for 1790 and 1800 in the county left a gap in records, but the county tax rolls offer valuable information about the progression of his family. Their eldest son, John “Jack” R. Witt, first appears in the 1806 roll suggesting a birth year of 1789–1790. Similarly, Christopher Witt is documented in 1809 (1808 not in rolls) indicating a birth year of 1791–93, as individuals were tithed for these years in Virginia, to include white males over 16 years old.[4] However, in Logan County Christopher's tithe over 21 years in 1811 made his birth about 1790.[5] In December of 1809, Robert sold his land[6] and departed with his family to join his brother John in Kentucky, except for his son, John “Jack” R. Witt, who remained in Bedford until later.[7] A further confirmation of the given names occurs in 1811 when all three are mentioned in a Bedford chancery case involving a $25. debt. A John R. is noted, and the defendants, Christopher and Robert are identified as “formerly of this county.”[8]
LOGAN COUNTY, KENTUCKY
Robert’s brother John had settled with his young family in Logan County and is shown in the tax rolls, 2 June 1807, when tithed as over 21 years of age and paying tax on 100 acres of land near Elk Lick Creek.[9] Soon after, Robert reunited with his brother John in Logan County, Kentucky, as he is found in the county tax rolls of 1810.[10] However, in the 1810 U.S. census, Robert Witt is not indexed in the transcriptions provided by Ancestry and Family Search and many online trees cite an entry for Robert White as Witt, but the household information does not line up with the female count.[11] Upon review of the census images, a Robert is found with a correct household count but the surname Witt appears to be transcribed as Scott.[12] On, 16 April 1811, Robert establishes roots in the county by procuring land from William and Pamela Edgar. The agreement grants Robert 150 acres of land situated on Edgar’s Creek and the Muddy River. Additionally, he acquired 98 acres located at the rear of the property, bringing the total land to 248 acres.[13]
SORTING THE CHILDREN OF JOHN AND ROBERT
The close proximity of the John and Robert Witt families in the county likely resulted in frequent interaction among cousins, reflecting the bond between their parents and determining which branch each cousin belonged to required scrutiny. Marriage records often lacked parents’ names, and tax rolls didn’t specify the fathers of male children. Thus, cross-referencing multiple sources was essential to establish their parentage accurately. When John Witt and most of his family removed from Russellville to Maury County, Tennessee in 1818, it did help separate some of the cousins, creating a clearer picture of Robert’s descendants.[14]
One of the misconceptions published in many online trees claims William Witt, who married Polly Witt, was the son of Robert and she was the daughter of John. Uncovering historical documents in Logan proves this first-cousin marriage was actually a “flip-flop” of parentage. While William purchased land near Robert and they are listed alongside each other in the 1820 census, he was not a son. His daughter was Polly.
In the tax roll of 29 July 1813, William M. Witt along with Mills Witt makes their first appearance as white males over 21 years of age indicating birth years between 1791–1792.[15] Then on 22 December 1813 William is married to Polly Witt. It appears that William M. subsequently married, Lucy Smith, 26 December 1818.[16].
CLARITY OF ROBERT AND NANCY'S CHILDREN
Proof of Polly's parentage and death can be found in an 1858 equity case with Mills Witt as the plaintiff, and his siblings, the defendants, in a suit filed in the Logan Equity and Criminal Court regarding an inheritance from their father Robert Witt.[17] Mills claims that he was owed his inheritance portion from two tracts of land (55-3/4 & 115 acres). He lists his siblings in the suit except for the two oldest brothers, John R. Witt who died in 1821, and Christopher R. Witt:
Martha “Patsy” (Witt) Stroud and her husband Joel
Betsy (Witt) Young
Sally (Witt) Willard and her husband Reuben
Robert Witt, Jr.
Rhoda “Rody” (Witt) Reese and her husband Jacob Reese
Polly Witt (deceased) and unknown heirs
Nancy (Witt) Stroud and her husband Eli
Calib Witt (deceased) and unknown heirs
Crawford Witt (deceased) and unknown heirs
The response to the court from the defendant Patsy Stroud indicated that she and her husband Joel lived on the land and were unwilling to sell or pay for their share. She said Betsy Young had no interest in the land and signed off her portion. Nancy (Witt) and Eli Stroud also signed off to Patsy. Patsy then went on to say that Mills Witt is a lunatic and has been declared as such by a jury in Christian County, Kentucky and the case should be dismissed. A document from the Christian Circuit Court was provided and confirmed that Mills Witt was a lunatic citing that he had attacks where he spoke incoherently and picked up trash. He was noted as being non-violent and went from silent to talkative, never attempted suicide, and had no fits. It was mentioned that “…Causes of insanity not certainly known. Several of his relatives have been insane…” The court conveyed on 22nd of August 1849, that Mills was to be sent to the Lunatic Asylum in Lexington, Kentucky. [Mills occupation was a painter. Perhaps the use of lead in paints contributed to his mental health issues].
The response from Rhoda Witt Reese and her husband Jacob is that Robert Witt is now deceased and one portion of the land was sold to John Doyle. The remaining land is still in the possession of Patsy and Jacob. They join with Mills Witt in desiring the property be sold, the proceeds divided, and presume the shares of each are under one hundred dollars. The case has no further information or notice of settlement as the last date Mills filed with the court was 17 December 1860, and in that census year, Mills and his wife were living with their son William’s family. No death date was found for Mills or Jane.[18]
CHRISTOPHER AND JOHN R. WITT
Christopher has notably been associated with Robert in records including being mentioned in August of 1830 in the Russellville Baptist Church notes where Robert and Nancy were listed as church members:” …C.R. Witt $30 for putting in glass…” for the Union Meetinghouse owned jointly by the Baptists and Cumberland Presbyterians.[19] In addition, Christopher was certainly identified as Robert’s son when his father gifted a horse to his infant son in 1823: “…for my grandson Terry W. Witt a son of Christopher R Witt of Logan County…”[20]
Lastly, the eldest child, John R. Witt, has been incorrectly identified in public trees. Some have claimed without evidence for him to be the senior John Witt, brother of Robert. As mentioned previously, this John was named in an 1811 Bedford County chancery case with Robert and Christopher. While Robert and Christopher removed to Russellville, Logan County, Kentucky, we can find John “Jack” R. Witt in the Bedford tax rolls.[21] Jack probably came to Logan County between 1817–1820 but the tax rolls are illegible in some areas. He is present in Logan County according to the 1820 tax rolls and the U.S. census. His household lists two males “under 10”, one male “26 to 44” and a female likely his wife in a wrong age column as “10-15” years.[22]
John R., son of Robert, died 1820–1821 and a list of his property was appraised on the 20th day of November 1821 and articles were sold on the 17th of December in the same year. The buyers include his widow Sally Witt, brothers-in-law, Joel Stroud, Eli Stroud, William Witt, and presumed father and administrator, Robert Witt. [23]
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Robert Witt’s remarkable longevity, living past seventy years in colonial times, underscores his resilience and fortitude in the face of the challenges and hardships of frontier life. The identification of his and Nancy’s children is clearly defined. Additionally, it is important to re-iterate the correction of such claims regarding the parentage of William M. Witt and John R. Witt, and the erroneous belief that Robert Witt served in the Revolutionary War.[24] Robert and Nancy’s marriage in Bedford County Virginia, followed by their life and eventual passing in Logan County, Kentucky, mark significant milestones in their family history. Although their presence is not recorded in the U.S. 1840 census, and their exact death dates remain unproven, the evidence of their children provides valuable insights into their family lineage.
For a comprehensive list of Robert and Nancy’s Reese Witt’s children please refer to TABLE 1.[25] and the extensive sources listed below:
Click NEXT: https://johnsonfamilyofkempercounty.com/the-two-cousins-named-robert-witt/