Submitted bySue VonderBrink
Witt Family History - Elisha Witt, Sr., Revolutionary War Soldier
(Updated: July 9, 2004)
The following information was handed-down to me on the Elisha Witt family. The researcher did not leave references. I did find a copy of Elisa Witt’s Revolutionary War pension statements and the Will of Fielding Griggs (mentions lots of Witt’s).
Will of William Witt
In the name of God, Amen. I, William Witt of the Parish of St. Anne and County of Abemarle, being in sound health and sound memory, Thanks be to God Almighty that first gave it. Secondly, my body to earth to be buried in a decent Christianly manner. In premis, I give and bequeath unto my beloved son, Benjamin Witt, a gray mare, a great Bible, one pewter basin, one plate and half of my waring clothes. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Sariah Canidey, one feather bed and furniture, and all the meat and corn on my plantation, for the use of her and her children this ensuing year. Likewise, I lend to my said daughter my negro Tom, ‘till time her husband, John Canidy, comes in and takes care of her and her children as a husband ought to. In the case said Canidy should not return, the said negro to remain in her possesion during her natural life, and after to be devided among my children, except my son Benjamin Witt, Sarah Canidy and Agnes Key. Item, I give and bequeth to my daughter, Agnes Key, my negro fellow Ned. All the rest of my estate household furniture, cattle, horses, hogs, etc., I desire it may be equally divided among my children, except Benjamin Witt, Sarah Canity, and Agnes Key. I do appoint my son, John Witt and Peter Chastine, executors of this my last will and testament, revoking all former will by me made. As wireness wherof I here unto set my hand and seal this 25th day of April, 1754.
William Witt, L.S.
Albmarle County, VA.
1-1 William Witt married Elizabeth ?
Issue:
2-1 John (1710-1782) m. Elizabeth Littlebury
2-2 Benjamin d. 1770 m. Mary Ann Chastin
2-3 Sarah m. John Cannady
2-4 Agnes m. ? Key
2-5 Lewis m. Ann Mills
2-6 Abner m. Anna Churchill
2-7 David (1785) m.
2-8 William (1794) m. Milly ?
2-9 Charles (1781) m. Lavinia Harbour
2-1 John Witt, eldest son of William was born in Virginia in 1710 and owned extensive lands. The sparse records of that day included in his name a land grant of 400 acres of land on the south side of James River when he was (21) twenty-one years old (Va. Land Office, B. 14, folio 333). At the same time October 17, 1731, he and his wife, Elizabeth, sold half of the tract that his father and uncle had purchased earlier in Honaricho County (now Henrico County). He was buried in Amherst County.
3-1 Abner
3-2 Charles b. 1750 d. 1825
3-4 John
3-5 David
3-6 George
3-7 Littlebury
3-8 Elisha b. September 13, 1759 d. December 16, 1835
3-8 William E.
3-9 Lucy
3-7 Elisha Witt, Sr., John’s seventh son was drafted at the age of 17 (1776) from Amherst County, Virginia to serve in the Revolutionary War at the siege of Yorktown and the surrender of Cornwallis. Certificate of Pension issued in Virginia, January 16, 1833. After the war he went west to Estill County, Kentucky and there married Phoebe Dodd. All their children were born and reared in Estill County, Kentucky.
Phoebe Dodd Witt died on April 25, 1855. Elisha Witt and his wife are buried in Estill County, Kentucky. Elisha Witt’s grave was the first Revolutionary War soldier to be identified and marked by the Kentucky Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
Issue:
4-1 William b. Sept. 5, 1782 d. Jan. 30, 1844 m. Lucy Pearson
4-2 Ann b. Aug. 29, 1784
4-3 Charles b. Dec. 21, 1786 d. Mar. 9, 1871
4-4 Abner b. Feb. 20, 1789
4-5 Elisha b. Feb. 1, 1792 d. Sept. 9, 1858
4-6 Nathan b. Oct. 20, 1794 m. Nancy Hendrix
4-7 Rachel b. Apr. 19, 1797
4-8 David b. Oct. 27, 1799
4-9 John b. Jan. 27, 1801 d. May 2, 1826 m. Amanda Benge
4-10 Silas b. Sept. 9, 1803 d. Aug. 31, 1898
The following are my notes to see how the handed-down information compares with the Kentucky Census Records.
1850 Madison County Census
William Witt - age 63 - b. VA. (b. 1787 which is different from the above information)
Jane Witt - age 48 - b. VA.
David Witt - age 20
George Witt - age 16
Sally Ann Witt - age 14
Elisha Witt - age 12
Thomas Witt - age 10
Elizabeth Witt - age 8
Malisia Witt - age 5
(All the children born in Kentucky)
Littleberry Witt - age 38
Mary Witt - age 37
Margaret Witt - age 16
John Witt - age 14
Thomas Witt - age 12
Paulina - age 8
Sally A. - age 6
Allen B. - age 4
Last - age 6/12 (female)
(All born in KY. and seems to be a related Witt)
1850 Estill County Census
Elisa Witt - age 56 - b. VA. (b. 1794 which is different from the above information)
Paulina Witt - age 47
5-1 James Witt - age 25
5-2 John Witt - age 19
5-3 Milly A. Witt - age 15
5-4 Robert Witt - age 14
5-5 George Witt - age 13
5-6 Harrison Witt - age 11
4-10 - Silus Witt
Silus Witt - age 47 - b. KY (b. 1803 which is the same as above information)
Lucinda Witt - age 48
James M. Witt - age 25
John M. Witt -age 24
Weedn M. Witt - age 19
Jincy Witt - age 16
William M. Witt - age 11
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