The Seven Cousins named JOHN WITT-Part one of two

ARRIVAL  

     Three of Benjamin's sons: Lewis, John, and Benjamin, Jr., would become the first members of the Witt family to settle in Bedford County. Lewis Witt was the first to acquire land in the county, purchasing 75 acres on the Otter River on 26 March 1771. He died within 3 years, and his estate was appraised 12 May 1774.[1] His widow, Ann Witt, continued living on their farm until she was granted a 230-acre tract at the mouth of Island Creek on the south side of the Otter River, for twenty-five shillings sterling. This land, surveyed 10 October 1777, was officially granted to her 8 July 1780.[2]

     Following Lewis’ death, his younger brother John, likely stepping in to assist his brother’s family, purchased 200 acres on the Little Otter River in Bedford County on 9 April 1778[3] and their youngest brother, Benjamin, Jr. had earlier acquired a 700-acre tract from a survey dated 3 December 1773, located at the headwaters of Island and Falling Creeks. Junior had paid ten pounds and three shillings sterling for the grant, which was finalized on 1 February 1780, shortly before his own death.[4] This land passed to his only son and heir, John, who continued to live with his mother, Mary, in Buckingham County until the early 1800’s.[5]

 

THE ELDEST COUSIN NAMED JOHN WITT

     The eldest of the seven cousins identified in Bedford County is John, son of Benjamin Witt, Sr. whose age and early tax appearances provide a chronological anchor for separating him from the others. Born circa 1739–1744, his estimated birth range is based on his absence in the 1755 tithable roll and his appearance in a list of tithes for white males sixteen and older, taken by Josh Watkins, June 10^th 1760, in Prince Edward County. At that time, he was listed with his father and brother Absalom, while his brother Lewis appeared as head of his own household.[6]

     After purchasing land in Bedford County in 1778, John appears in the 1783 tax roll with one tithe, three horses and six head of cattle. While his presence in the Bedford County tax records is consistent from 1783 onward, often recorded, when applicable, as John Witt, Sr., the earlier decades of his life, particularly the structure of his household and details of his marital history, remain more elusive.[7]

 

 

JOHN WITT AND HIS MOTHER ANN (MILLS) WITT

     John Witt, son of Lewis, is the second eldest cousin identified in the family records. His mother, Ann (Mills) Witt, listed him in her will that was written, December 9^th,1811, and amended on October 18^th, 1813, to address a family loan. The will was probated in 1816 and settled in 1820, listing John as one of her eight children. Her children included sons: Jesse, John, Rowland, Robert, and Mills, and daughters: Agnes Lavender, Millie Whitton, and Elizabeth “Betsy” Calvert (deceased).[8]

     John’s birth is estimated around 1766–1767. His appearance in the 1788 tax roll supports this timeline, which is further corroborated by a combination of evidence including his placement in his mother’s will, the known ages of some of his siblings, the tax rolls, and census records. In the 1788 personal property roll, John is listed separately but next to his mother, Ann, with both their taxes collected on June 12^th, indicating they likely lived in the same household or nearby each other. In contrast, the eldest John Witt’s taxes were collected earlier, on March 26^th.[9]

     It’s important to note that this 1788 tax year marked changes in Virginia law which reverted the tithable age to sixteen and older. Additionally, Bedford County’s practice requiring every person aged twenty-one and older be named remained in effect. Occasionally, a tax commissioner, at their discretion, would name individuals younger than twenty-one if they owned a significant amount of property in their own name.[10]

 

THE VITAL ROLE OF TAX ROLLS

     In the subsequent tax roll year of 1789, John, son of Lewis, is notably absent while only his uncle, the eldest John Witt, appears, as expected within the tax collector’s established visitation pattern of March & April.[11] This detail, long overlooked in published Witt genealogies, effectively dismantles the widespread but erroneous claim that John, son of Lewis, remained in Bedford County. As a result, many researchers have misattributed documented sources to him and his descendants, further entangling the identities of multiple men named John Witt.[12]

     This underscores the vital role of tax rolls as primary sources and the value of them in tracking an individual’s movements over time. One cannot reasonably assume that a man like John, son of Lewis, simply evaded taxation year after year when the “tax man cometh.” Nor should researchers indiscriminately assign records bearing the name “John Witt” to multiple individuals without distinction.

 

IDENTIFYING FIVE MORE COUSINS NAMED JOHN WITT

IN THE PERSONAL TAX ROLLS

     Extrapolating and identifying the various John Witts of the same generation in Bedford’s personal tax rolls is a daunting task, one that brings to mind the timeless idiom, “It will make your head spin!” Yet by systematically listing their names (as shown in TABLE 1), reviewing property holdings, tax collection dates, and the individuals clustered nearby, consistent patterns began to emerge, helping to establish their family connections. With repeated review, these records yielded increasing clarity and proved invaluable in discerning each man by his correct identity and lineage.

 

     The year 1804 marks the addition of two more men named John Witt.[13] Alongside the already established John Sr., we now see the designation of John Jr., a generational suffix used at the time solely to differentiate by age. In this particular year, as this article will reveal “Junior” happens to refer to the actual son of “Senior.” John Sr.’s tax was collected on March 26^th, and his entry is clustered between Thomas Watson, William Wilson then…Robert Witt. John Jr., on the other hand, is recorded on April 23^rd, positioned between Thomas Williams and George Wilson, followed by his father-in-law, Joseph White, Rowland, and Mills Witt. A third John Witt appears later that year, on July 19^th, likely due to his recent relocation to Bedford County. He is listed as “John Witt of Buckingham,” reflecting his dual-county status, with one tithe and two horses. The 1805 tax roll follows a similar pattern for John Sr., recorded in March, and the newly established, John Witt of Buckingham, is collected on May 10^th, and John Jr., on May 29^{th. [14]}

     By 1806, yet another John Witt joins the rolls, this one is pinpointed by a middle initial “R.” and is listed with the ownership of one horse.[15] The identity of this John R. Witt’s father reveals himself by his association near him in the clusters of names in 1807.[16] In that year, four distinct men named John Witt can be visibly differentiated. Jack Witt is recognized as John Sr.’s son, as are his brothers, Lewis and James by the tax collector noting “son of John,” next to their names. Jack R. Witt follows Robert whose horse count dropped when Jack R. emerged in 1806, and John B. Witt, carries the initial B as opposed to the full title Buckingham. This middle initial is carried henceforth for decades in the tax rolls.

The 1807 cluster’s shown on page 77:

Anthony Wright

Robert Witt

Jack R. Witt

David Whirley

Jack Witt (Jno son)

John Witt Sr.

John Watson…

and on page 79:

…

Archibald Wade

John B. Witt

Reason Wheat

Rowland Witt

Mills Witt…

     Frequently, in public ancestral trees, John B. Witt is mistakenly identified as the son of John Sr. and Unis (Creasey) Witt.[17] Clearly, the man Jack, who sometimes appears as John, never John B., is the proven son of John Sr.  The personal property tax rolls of 1813 and 1814 explicitly reaffirms this relationship, by listing “John, son of John.” In contrast, John B. Witt appears in the same rolls without any relational notation, confirming he belongs to a different lineage.[18]

     A fifth John Witt enters the fray in 1817 and is listed next to Roland Witt.[19] Previously, he was incorporated in his father, Roland Witt’s, household tithes of 1811 to 1816.[20] This suggests that the 1811 collection occurred after his sixteenth birthday, and the 13 May 1816 collection was prior to his twenty-first birthday, since he didn’t appear independently. Therefore, his birthdate likely falls after May 13^th in the year of 1795. He is the new Junior and retains this title consistently until 1845 albeit 1819 and 1844 when he is noted as son of R. (Roland).[21]

     That same year, 1817, Jack R., the son of Robert, appears to have moved out of District A and is found in the rolls for District B, listed with his consistent middle initial “R” and one horse.[22] He does not appear in the Bedford rolls after that year. Likewise, Jack, son of John, moves to District B and he is recorded there with one tithe from 1818 through 1820.[23] He may have remained in that district for several additional years but this is uncertain due to changes in Bedford County’s tax system.

 

CHANGES IN TAX COLLECTIONS

     While reviewing the column headings at the beginning of the Bedford County tax rolls, typically seen in the alphabetized entries under “A,” one can observe that, beginning in 1821, the column labeled “white tithables” disappears. Instead, the first column following the taxpayer’s name now records “slaves above 12 years of age,” followed by “horses, mares, colts and mules”. Additional columns include taxes on luxury items such as stud horses and transportation vehicles. A closer look at the monetary breakdown confirms that tithables were no longer recorded or collected alongside property tax during this period.[24] A review of records from other Virginia counties reveals similar changes, suggesting this was a statewide shift. This change persisted through 1825.

     After that year, Bedford County, sporadically then fully, resumed recording and collecting the poll tax on white males aged 16 and over as part of the personal property tax records. Reporting this variation to the Library of Virginia led to revisions in their property tax guidelines, highlighting the importance of thoroughly re-examining primary sources rather than relying on secondary interpretations.[25] This shift in taxation practices helps explain Jack’s absence from the rolls during these years, as he owned no horse or other taxable property. In 1825, he reappears back in District A, listed by name only.

 

SUMMARY OF THE TAX RECORDS

FROM 1792-1825

     The Bedford County personal property rolls served as a critical primary source in discerning among multiple men named John Witt across three generations. These records revealed more than just names, they provided valuable clues about property ownership reflecting financial status, residential patterns through collection dates, relationships indicated by “son of “notations, nicknames, and approximate age inferred from the timing of an individual’s first appearance with a tithe.

 

• John Witt Sr., son of Benjamin, Sr., appears consistently in the tax records from 1783 through 1822. In his middle years, he typically owned three or four horses and several head of cattle but was never taxed for enslaved individuals. As he aged into the 19^th century, his property holdings diminished, and in his final listing in 1822, he still owned a single horse –his last recorded asset.

• John, son of Lewis, made a single appearance in 1788. His absence from the Bedford County rolls thereafter prompted additional research beyond the county’s borders.

• John B. Witt, son of Benjamin Jr., first appeared in 1804 and was consistently taxed on at least three horses and enslaved people. His middle initial B, whether for Benjamin or Buckingham or another middle name, was always included, making him easily distinguishable. He was not the son of John, Sr. as claimed by many researchers.

• John “Jack” Witt, son of John Sr., was first recorded 1804. He was noted during several tax roll years as the son of John Witt, Sr. He never owned taxable property, such as a horse. His occasional absence from the rolls, suggests he may have been delinquent in paying his tithe, possibly due to financial hardship.

• John “Jack” R. Witt, son of Robert, was first marked in 1806 and was regularly recorded with his middle initial ‘R”. He typically owned only one horse and disappears from the Bedford rolls after 1817.

• John Witt, son of Jesse, born 6 December 1794, as recorded in the family Bible should have emerged around the same time as John, son of Roland. However, he never appears in the tax records.

• John, son of Roland, is the only son of his father. His tithes were marked under his father’s household from the age of 16 until appearing on his own in 1817, the year he turned 21. He frequently appeared on the rolls alongside his father. Their collection dates suggest a close proximity of households.

-Continued on next web page

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      [1] Bedford County, Virginia, “Deed Book 4, 1771–1773,” pp. 47–48, 26 March 1771, George Walton, Lewis Witt; imaged at FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKN-1SJW-6 : accessed 15 May 2025), digital film > 008151903, images > 72–73 of 357. [mouth of Bear Branch on southside of Otter River]. Also, 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 15 May 2025) > digital film 007645309 > images 146–47 of 563.

     [2] 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.tif : and http://image.lva.virginia.gov/LONN/LO-2/042/042_0617.tif : accessed and downloaded 15 May 2025).

     [3] Bedford County, Virginia, “Deed Book 8, 1787–1791,” pp. 186–187, 9 April 1778, William Mead, Jr., John Witt; imaged at FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2N55 : accessed 23 June 2025), digital film > 007846225, images > 112–113 of 534.[200 acres on Little Otter River, Thomas Creasey one of the witnesses].

     [4] Virginia, “Land Office Patents and Grants/Northern Neck Grants and Surveys,” A, Vol 1– 2, 1779– 80, pp. 281–82, 1 February 1780, Benjamin Witt, 700 acres, Head of Island and Falling Creeks, Bedford County; imaged at Library of Virginia, (http://image.lva.virginia.gov/LONN/LO-2/042/042_0304.tif : and https://image.lva.virginia.gov/LONN/LO-2/042/042_0305.tif :accessed and downloaded 15 May 2025). [awarded by 3 pounds 10 shillings from 3 December 1773 Survey.] Also, Bedford County, Virginia, “Order Book No. 9, 1786–1790,” p. 270, John Witt Sr., John Witt, Jr.; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-79H3-D : accessed: 30 March 2025) > digital film 008141119 > image 379 of 625.

     [5] Bedford County, Virginia, “Order Book No. 9, 1786–1790,” p. 270, John Witt Sr., John Witt, Jr.; imaged at FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-79H3-D : accessed: 30 March 2025) > digital film 008141119 > image 379 of 625. Also, Buckingham County, Virginia, “Personal Property, 1783,” p. 45, Mary Witt, slave named Prince, 3 horses, 4 cattle; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSHW-BVG : accessed 22 February 2025) > digital film 007862490 > image 56 of 630. Also, 1786, p. 25, Mary Witt, 2 horses, image 108 of 630. Also, 1787, p. not stated, May 7^th, Mary Witt, 4 horses, image 129 of 630. Also, Buckingham County, Virginia, “Land Book 1787,” p. 11, Benj. Witt estate, 129 acres; imaged at FamilySearch; (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS46-YYXB  : accessed 27 September 2022) > digital film 007894606> image 38 of 424. Also, 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 007894606> 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 007837418 > 36 of 822. (Note: additional entries are shown for Benj. Witt Estate before 1805 with slight acreage changes).

     [6] Prince Edward County, Virginia, “Miscellaneous Papers,” p. 2 (page viewer 7 of 58), typescript, Beneman Witt, Charles Witt, Lenil Witt (Lewis), 1755, 3 tithes; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3W-R9Z2-S : accessed 12 May 2025). . Digital film 007832038 > image 265 of 323. [Shows absence of John Witt due to age in 1755]. Also, Prince Edward County, Virginia, “Miscellaneous Papers,” transcribe tithable and poll lists 1755–60, p. 19  (page viewer 21 of 58), typescript, for John Witt, 10 June 1760; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/viewer/573949/:  accessed 12 May 2025). Also, 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, to Elaine M. Perryman [shown].

     [7] Bedford County, Virginia, “Personal Property, 1783,” p. 30, line 5, 1 Tithe, John Witt, 1 white over 21, 0 blacks, 3 horses, 6 head of cattle; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-X96N-L : accessed 2 May 2025) > digital film 007846308 > image 45 of 706.[Rolls taken between the 10^th and 20^th of April 1783].

     [8] 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 15 May 2025) > 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, “Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652–1900,” imaged at Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1676814:62347 : accessed 15 May 2025) > Bedford > Will Books, 4–6, 1811–1828 > images 118–19 of 511.

     [9] Bedford County, Virginia, “Personal Property, 1788A,” p. 12, June 12, John Witt, 1 tithe and 1 horse. Also, p. 12, June 12, Ann Witt, 3 tithes, 1 black over 12, 2 horses, colts, mares; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-X964-S : accessed 2 May 2025) > digital film 007846308 > image 140 of 706. [John is listed separately, over 21 and named, his siblings: Roland, Robert, Mills are over 16 as tithes under mother Ann.] [When this author cites horses, it includes colts and mares in total.] Also, District B, p. 1, White male tithable over 21, imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-X963-N : accessed 22 February 2025) > digital film 007846308 > image 143 of 706. [showing column heading 21 years]. [The county aligned with the State of Virginia in 1788 but all forms were not updated.] Also,1810 U.S. census, Logan County, Kentucky, District, “Not Stated”, p. 193, line 22, John Witt. Also,1820 U.S. census, Maury County, Tennessee, Columbia Township, p. 57/110, line 30, John Witt (not indexed, barely legible); imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYB9-SVPD : accessed 5 July 2022) > image 3 of 6. Also, 1830 U.S. census, Maury County, Tennessee, District, “Not Stated,” p. 387, line 25, John Witt [Censuses show birth 1766–1770, Birth order and comparison to siblings narrows it down to around 1766.]

     [10] William Waller Hening, “Hening’s Statutes at Large and the Virginia Acts of Assembly,” 1809–23, Printed by Samuel Pleasants, Jr. to the commonwealth, Vol. 1–13, Search term: Vol. 12 p. 431, [repealed poll tax reverting back to sixteen years and older,] Search term: Vol. 3, p 258, [Repealed to: An act concerning Tithables] ; imaged by Hathitrust (https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/001625679 and USGenwebsites https://usgenwebsites.org/vagenweb/hening/index.html : accessed 26 February with Search terms. Also, John Barrett Robb, “Interpreting the Annual Virginia Tax Lists from 1782 on, and their basis in Law;” pp. 4–6., John Barrett Robb, Family Historian, (http://www.johnbrobb.com/Content/VA/VA-Taxes Law&Interpretation.pdf ): accessed 1 August 2022.)

     [11] Bedford County, Virginia, “Personal Property, 1789A” p. 11, March 16, John Witt, 1 tithe and 2 horses; imaged at FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-X967-6 : accessed 2 May 2025) > digital film 007846308 > image 157 of 706.

     [12] Ancestry, “Public Member Family Trees for John Witt,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/categories/42/ : accessed 28 June 2025), Search terms: “John Witt,” “born 1769,” and “Bedford County, Virginia.” [Over 1000 trees have this John and other John Witts with multiple errors. This John is incorrectly listed with a death of 1808 in either Bedford or in Logan County, Kentucky. The scenarios are all different.100% of the John Witts online and published trees have incorrect relationships and misappropriated sources. Listed here is an example of John Witt born 1769, son of Lewis, remaining in Bedford County; FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/about/P9R1-9JS : accessed 28 June 2025). Also, Wiki Tree has a John R. Witt Abt 1769– abt 1808), (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Witt-3060: accessed 28 June 2025) and (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Witt-3079 : accessed 28 June 2025) has John B. as son of John Witt, Sr. This Geni site has John Witt born 1769 as father of John Buckingham Witt, (https://www.geni.com/people/John-Witt/6000000003721932181 : accessed 28 June 2025). Also, see fn 2.

     [13] Bedford County, Virginia, “Personal Property, 1804A” pp. 32–33, March 26: John Witt Senior (I tithe, 2 horses,) April 23: John Witt Junior (1 tithe,) July 19: John Witt-Buckingham (1 tithe, 2 horses); imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-X96B-7 : accessed 2 May 2025) > digital film 007846308 > image 614 of 706.[3 John Witts]. Detailed citations for TABLE 1 available upon request.

     [14] Bedford County, Virginia, “Personal Property, 1805A,” pp. 66, 67,69, March 25: John Witt (2 tithes, 2 horses), May 10: John Witt -Buckingham  (1 tithe, 4 horses,) May 29: John Witt, Junior (1 tithe), imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-X96L-T : accessed 2 May 2025) > digital film 007846308 > images 673–674 of 706.[3 John Witts].[p.66, Robert Witt 4 horses]

     [15] Bedford County, Virginia, “Personal Property, 1806A,” pp. 67, 69, 70 , March 24: John Witt, Sr. (2 tithes, 2 horses,) April 5: John R. Witt (1 tithe, I horse,) May 8: John Witt (1 tithe, 1 black over 12, 3 horses,) June 14: John Witt, son of Jno (1 tithe) imaged at FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-LN9J : accessed 2 May 2025) > digital film 007846309 > images 46–48 of 733.[4 John Witts-added John R. and p.68 Robert Witt 2 horses].

     [16] Bedford County, Virginia, “Personal Property, 1807A,” pp. 77, 79: Jack R. Witt (1 tithe) next to Robert Witt, Jack Witt, Jno son (1 tithe), John Witt Sr. ( 1 tithe, 2 horses,) John B. Witt (1 tithe, 1 slave over 12, and 3 horses) ; imaged at FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-LFRS  : accessed 2 May 2025) > digital film 007846309 > images 116–117 of 733.[4 John Witts]. [1808 missing]. [Lewis and James, son of John].

     [17] Ancestry, “Public Member Family Trees for John Witt,” Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/categories/42/ : accessed 28 June 2025), Search terms: “John B Witt,” and “Bedford County, Virginia.” [Yields over 1393 public trees with various errors, as John B. either, son of Benjamin, Witt Sr and Mariane Chastain, or son of John B. and Eunice Creasy and 1126 more trees with Jonathan Buckingham Witt as son of John B Witt and Eunice Creasy. Prolific!]

     [18] Bedford County, Virginia, “Personal Property, 1814A,” pp. 39, 41, 42, Jack R. Witt (1 tithe, 1 black over 16, 1 horse,) John, son of Jno (1 tithe,) Rowland Witt (2 tithes, 2 horses,) John Witt Sr. (1 tithe, 2 horses,) John B. Witt (1 tithe, 1 blacks over 16, 1 black 12-u16, 4 horses); imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQN-XXJW : accessed 2 May 2025) > digital film 007846309 > images 447-449 of 733.[4 John Witts]. Also, Bedford County, Virginia, “Personal Property, 1815A,” pp. 35–37 John Witt Sen. (1 tithe, 2 horses,) John R. Witt (1 tithe, 1 horse,) Roland Witt (2 tithes, 2 horses,) John B. Witt (1 tithe, 2 blacks over 16, 3 horses, 9 cattle); imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-LVC8 : accessed 2 May 2025) > digital film 007846309 > images 530–532 of 733.[3 John Witts. Jack, son of Senior missing].

     [19] Bedford County, Virginia, “Personal Property, 1817A,” pp. not stated, May 2: John B. Witt (1 tithe, 2 blacks o 12, 3 horses,) May 6: Roland Witt, John Witt, Jr. (new Junior,) (1 tithe,) John Witt, son of Jno, (1 tithe,) John Witt, Sr. (1 tithe, 1 horse); imaged at FamilySearch https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQQ-XSL1-2  : accessed 2 May 2025) > digital film 007842572 > image 53 of 651.

     [20] Bedford County, Virginia, “Personal Property, 1811A,” p.43 : Roland Witt (2 tithes, 2 horses,) ; imaged at FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-LF36 : accessed 2 May 2025) > digital film 007846309 > images 280 of 733. Also, Bedford County, Virginia, “Personal Property, 1812A,” p.34 : Rowland Witt (2 tithes, 2 horses,) ; imaged at FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-LX6M  : accessed 2 May 2025) > digital film 007846309 > image 324 of 733. Also, Bedford County, Virginia, “Personal Property, 1813A,” pp. 71, Roland Witt (2 tithes, 2 horses,) ; imaged at FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQN-XFQX : accessed 2 May 2025) > digital film 007846309 > images 388 of 733. Also, Bedford County, Virginia, “Personal Property, 1814A,” p. 40, Rowland Witt; imaged at FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQN-XXJW : accessed 2 May 2025) > digital film 007846309 > image 448 of 733. Also, Bedford County, Virginia, “Personal Property, 1815A,” p. 37 Roland Witt (2 tithes, 2 horses); imaged at FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-LJKC  : accessed 2 May 2025) > digital film 007846309 > image 532 of 733. Also, Bedford County, Virginia, “Personal Property, 1816A,”, p. not stated, May 13th: Rowland Witt (2 tithes, 3 horses); imaged at FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-LJX8  : accessed 2 May 2025) > digital film 007846309 > image 667 of 733.

     [21] Bedford County, Virginia, “Personal Property, 1844B,” p. 51, March 25: John Witt, son of Roland (2 tithe, 3 horses); imaged at FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSPG-L98T-Q : accessed 3 May 2025) > digital film 008249426 > images 645 of 657. [After 1845, no distinction]

     [22] Also, Bedford County, Virginia, “Personal Property, 1817B,” p. 40, April 4: John R. Witt (1 tithe, 1 horse) ; imaged at FamilySearch https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQQ-XSLV-N : accessed 2 May 2025) > digital film 007842572 > images 103 of 651.[Close examination was necessary to differentiate 1817B and 1818B].

     [23] Bedford County, Virginia, “Personal Property, 1818B,” p. 44, May 21: Jack Witt (1 tithe); imaged at FamilySearchhttps://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQQ-XSLW-W : accessed 3 May 2025) > digital film 007842572 > images 210 of 651. Also, Bedford County, Virginia, “Personal Property, 1819B,” p. 28, May 7: John Witt, Jr. (1 tithe); imaged at FamilySearchhttps://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQQ-XSL9-S : accessed 3 May 2025) > digital film 007842572 > images 285 of 651. Also, Bedford County, Virginia, “Personal Property, 1820B,” p.30, April 6: Jack Witt, (1 tithe) ; imaged at FamilySearchhttps://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQQ-XS2V-5 : accessed 3 May 2025) > digital film 007842572 > image 369 of 651.

     [24] Bedford County, Virginia, “Personal Property, 1821A,” p. not stated, (A’s see beginning of rolls column headings) ; imaged at FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQQ-XS2V-J  : accessed 3 May 2025) > digital film 007842572 > 384 of 651.

     [25] “Library of Virginia,” Kevin Shupe, archives reference services, emailed 20 March 2025 and 21 May 2025 in response to Elaine Perryman’s email, 19 May 2025, questioning the Bedford County, VA, property tax rolls of 1821–1825, etc. and the lack of collecting tithes therein. Kevin acknowledged that a change is now needed with LVA tithe guidelines: “I've asked other staff members (and retired staff) and no one knew about this issue with the tax lists. We've always assumed that they listed all tithables. This will require that we rewrite our guide on tax lists.”