Rev. Silas Witt

Other Events and Attributes:

• Property: Aft 1820, New Hopewell Baptist Church, McMinn Co, Tennessee
• Residence: 1833, Cherokee Co, Alabama
• Residence: Abt 1871, near, Moody, McLennan Co, Texas

Notes:

Residence:
In 1871 or 1872, when he was already past eighty years of age and Susanna over seventy-five, they still retained enough vigor to dare to conquer new lands. It was then, like many others across the Old South, that they and most of their children and grandchildren tacked the sign GTT (Gone to Texas) on their door, loaded their wagons, and headed west. An eyewitness account of the departure of the Witt family from Alabama reads as follows: "The family group met at the home of Joseph Lockhart Witt and his wife, Nancy J. Penn. The place of departure was about twenty miles from Decatur, Alabama, in Morgan County. There were ten or twelve covered wagons, and those remaining gathered--stood on the front porch--and saw them leave for wild and woolly Texas fraught with no telling what hazards. Rev. Silas and Susanna Witt occupied a buggy and led the caravan."
Silas and Susanna Witt and many of the family settled near Moody, in southern McLennan County, Texas, or in adjoining northern Bell County. Susanna died in 1880 and Silas a year later. They are buried in Old Perry Cemetery, north of Moody. The front (east side) of Silas's tombstone bears the following inscription:
Rev. Silas Witt
was married to
Susana Randolph
July 30, 1812
The reverse (west) side reads:
Holy
Bible
Rev. Silas
Witt
Born
May 28, 1790
Died
July 15, 1881
Beloved one Farewell
Weep not he is at rest
(Source: N. Parsons http://members.cox.net/nparsons13/wittfami.htm)

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=smith%5Faannestad&id=I885

Silas married Susannah Randolph on 30 Jul 1812 in Dandridge, Jefferson Co, Tennessee. Susannah (daughter of James Randolph and Sarah Gentry) was born on 22 May 1795 in Jefferson Co, Tennessee; died on 15 Jul 1880 in Moody, McLennan Co, Texas; was buried in Old Perry Cem, Moody, McLennan Co, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. James Randolph Witt was born on 23 Aug 1813 in Dandridge, Jefferson Co, Tennessee; died in 1895 in Moody, McLennan Co, Texas.
2. Joseph Lockhart Witt was born on 30 Oct 1817 in Dandridge, Jefferson Co, Tennessee; died on 25 Apr 1889 in Moody, McLennan Co, Texas.
3. Eliza Jane Witt was born on 13 Dec 1829 in Dandridge, Jefferson Co, Tennessee; died after 1860.

Notes:

"Virginia Soldiers of 1776," states that Joseph Witt was born in Halifax County, Va. in 1750, that he married Sarah.....(Huguenot and family records show that he married Sarah Kimbrough) and that the couple had nine children, as follows: Nathaniel, Joseph, Mourning, Mary Martha, Sarah, Silas, James, John, and Elizabeth.
It also states that Joseph Witt served with North Carolina Troops during the Revolutionary War. It does not list the name or designation of the Unit with which he served. It also states that he died in Tennessee in 1824. The exact place of his death has not been definitely established. It is known that many of the Witts of Virginia moved to the states of North Carolina and Tennessee right after the Revolutionary War, having been given grants of land for their Revolutionary War services. Joseph's brother settled on Long's Creek in what is now Hamblen County, Tennessee. Records of the State Land Office of Tennessee show that on Nov. 1, 1786, Joseph Witt was given a grant of land from the state of North carolina, in what was then Greene County. In those days, Greene was a large acreage which was later divided into several counties and boundary adjustments, placing some of it in the state of Tennessee.
A logical conclusion to be drawn from the facts is that Joseph Witt settled in what is know Dandridge, Jefferson County, Tenn. Records found in Dandridge, Tennessee show that on March 25, 1786, Joseph and Sarah Witt were members of a church near Dandridge, Tennessee. County records of Jefferson County, Tenn. also show that in Feb. 1797 Joseph Witt made in Jefferson County a deed by which he transferred land to one William Galbraith. In that same year Joseph Witt and Duke Kimbrough, said to have been a relative of Joseph's wife, Sarah Kimbrough, were among those appointed to organize a church on Dumlin Creek. Those records point to the fact that Joseph Witt lived for a considerable part of his life, after leaving Va., in Jefferson County, Tenn.

Halifax Co., VA. Deed Book 12, page 427. Aug 11, 1783. Joseph Witt of Halifax to Jas. LeGrand (Legrande) of same, land in Halifax on br/o Miry Cr, b/b Wm. Hamblett, Sr., Wm. Wilson, Wm. Dobbie dec'd. or Wm. Cuningham & Co. (formerly Davis), Micajah Watkins dec'd., & said Jas. LeGrand (old line). Wit: Wm LeGrand, Martin Baker, H. Goare, Jas. Chappell, Wm. Chappell and Lips. Ragland.--

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=smith_aannestad&id=I887

Joseph married Sarah Kimbrough about 1876. Sarah (daughter of Thomas Kimbrough and Eleanor Graves) was born in 1751 in Halifax, Halifax Co, Virginia; died in Apr 1837 in McMinn Co, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Charles married Lavinia Harbour in 1729 in Virginia. Lavinia (daughter of Thomas Talmon Harbour, (Immigrant) and Sarah Witt) was born in 1720 in Albemarle Co, Virginia; died about 1790 in Halifax Co, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Thomas married Eleanor Graves about 1750 in Virginia. Eleanor (daughter of Thomas Graves and Mary Perkins) was born before 1712 in Spotsylvania Co, Virginia; died after Sep 1781 in Caswell Co, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
DNA match to Sherry, dorisdiner292 (distant cousin confidence high)
shows her born 1721 and daughter of 2nd wife Sarah Davenport. which is daughter of direct ancestors. However, Sarah Davenport may have been Sarah Clark according to Graves Family Assoc (see notes for her father)

Re: Eleanor, Graves Family Assoc states:
It appears that Thomas Graves first married Mary Perkins by 1715, and had by this marriage only three children, two daughters and one son. His wife then died and he remarried by no later than 1721. The son was John Graves and one of the daughters was Eleanor Graves, based on Thomas Kimbrough's will dated 20 Sept. 1777 in Caswell Co., NC. The source for the former statement is a record from the Bible of Solomon Graves, son of Rev. Barzillai Graves (who died 1827). A copy of the Bible record was made by the NC Archives in 1971.

Children by Mary Perkins

1. Eleanor Graves, b. probably by 1712, m. Thomas Kimbrough, d. aft. Sept. 1781.
2, John Graves, b.c. 1715, m (1) ________ Herndon, m (2) Isabella Lea, c. 1752, d. 18 Jan. 1792.

John married Elizabeth Parrish in 1725 in Goochland, Goochland Co, Virginia. Elizabeth was born in 1712 in Halifax, Halifax Co, Virginia; died in 1775 in Halifax, Halifax Co, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Thomas married Sarah Witt in 1705 in Charles Co, Virginia. Sarah (daughter of John Witt and Anne Rogers) was born in 1695 in Charles Co, Virginia; died after 18 Aug 1777 in Halifax Co, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Will: 6 Jun 1768, Spotsylvania Co, Virginia

Notes:

Thomas Graves was born in 1691 (based on a deposition, Caroline O.B. 1746-54, p. 362), and died in 1768 in Spotsylvania Co., Va. Mrs. Hiden states: "in the absence of documentary proof, we can still feel confident that Thomas Graves was the son of a John Graves who had lived in King and Queen Co. but was of the Gloucester Co. family, born about 1670, son of Thomas and Mary Graves, son of Thomas, son of Capt. Thomas." [Note that the connection to Captain Thomas Graves is incorrect based upon DNA testing done by the Graves Family Association.]

Thomas Graves consistently maintained his residence on the Pamunkey in Spotsylvania Co., Va. His wife Ann (or Anne or Sarah Ann) has generally been thought to be a Davenport, daughter of William Davenport and Anne Woodruff, but Mrs. Hiden thought she was more likely a Clark, or of that family connection. Mrs. Taylor says she was born before 1696. She lived until 1782, and during the Revolution she furnished supplies to the Continental troops.

It appears that Thomas Graves first married Mary Perkins by 1715, and had by this marriage only three children, two daughters and one son. His wife then died and he remarried by no later than 1721. The son was John Graves and one of the daughters was Eleanor Graves, based on Thomas Kimbrough's will dated 20 Sept. 1777 in Caswell Co., NC. The source for the former statement is a record from the Bible of Solomon Graves, son of Rev. Barzillai Graves (who died 1827). A copy of the Bible record was made by the NC Archives in 1971.

The will of Thomas Graves (Spotsylvania Co. Rec. Will Book D, p. 318) was dated 17 Oct. 1767, probated 6 June 1768, but final settlement was not until July 1802. Thomas is credited with a total of 16 children. However, the estate settlement plainly states there were only 15 legatees. There were probably other children who died before reaching adulthood. There is some question about some of the following children, and additional proof is needed. Mrs. Ethel Taylor suggests that there may also have been another child named Sarah.

Children by Mary Perkins

1. Eleanor Graves, b. probably by 1712, m. Thomas Kimbrough, d. aft. Sept. 1781.
2, John Graves, b.c. 1715, m (1) ________ Herndon, m (2) Isabella Lea, c. 1752, d. 18 Jan. 1792.

Children by Ann Davenport

3. Thomas Graves, b. by 1721, m. Isabella Susan Bartlett, by 1751, d. 18 Nov. 1801.
4. Solomon Graves, b. by 1723, m. Sarah Winfield, c. 1746, d.c. 1785.
5. William Graves, b. 1720-30, m. Mary ________, d.c. 1791.
6. Richard Graves, b.c. 1725, m. Lucy Davenport, 1750, d. after 1788.
7. Susanna Graves, b. by 1740, m. William Pettus, 1759, d. by 1802.
8. Rice Graves, b.c. 1729, m. Jane Young, 1751-2, d. 1814.
9. David Graves, b.c. 1730, m. Agnes Holloway, d. Jan. or Feb. 1808.
10. Nancy Graves, b.c. 1735, m. William Lea, d. by 1809.
11. Rosanna Graves, m. John Spencer.
12. Louisa Graves, m. Thomas Pulliam. He was son of Thomas Pulliam Sr. who died testate, Spots. Co., 1758.
13. Robert Graves, b.c. 1735-40, m. Jean ________.
14. Jonathan Graves, married, d. by 1768. He probably married a Davenport, since a William Davenport was made guardian of his son William.
15. Mary Graves, m. ________ Campbell (?). John Bostick signed receipts for her in all disbursements from her father's estate.

Source: Graves Family Association.
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=caswellcounty&id=I1404

_______________



Birth:
As Spotsylvania County, Virginia, was not created until 1721, Thomas Graves could not have been born there. However, he could have been born in the area that became Spotsylvania County (which was created from parts of Essex, King and Queen, and King William counties).
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=caswellcounty&id=I1404

Will:
The Will of Thomas Graves of Spotsylvania 1767

I, Thomas Graves of the County of Spotsylvania thru the abundant mercy and goodness of God, though weak in body yet of a sound and of perfect understanding and memory do make ordain and constitute this my last will and testament as follows, primis, I commend myself and the whole of my estate to the mercy and protection of Almighty God, etc. I will and ordain that the funeral of my body be only such as shall beseem a Christian at the discretion of my Executors, hereinafter named. I lend to my wife Anne Graves for and during her natural life two Negro slaves Daniel and Margery. I also lend to her all of my tract of land whereon I now live in Spotsylvania County, likewise a third part of the profits arising from my mill, she paying one third part toward repairing the said mill. I also lend to my wife one third part of the stocks of cattle, horses, pigs, etc. I also lend to my wife all of my stock of household and kitchen furniture during her natural life and after my said wife?s death, my will and desire is that what I have here lent be equally divided amongst all my then surviving children or the heirs of such as shall be dead. Son, Thomas Graves, son in law Wm. Pettus and my nephew Joseph Graves Executors

Thomas Graves

Signed, October 17th in the year of our Lord 1767

Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared by the above named Thomas Graves for and as his last will and testament in presence of us and in his presence we subscribed our names as witness:

Francis Merriwether, James Smith, John Graves Jr., James Smith, Doctor, and William MacGehee.


John Graves Jr., who witnessed the will, is believed to have been John Graves Jr.3, son of Thomas Graves2' brother, John Graves2 and brother of Joesph Graves3. Source: John Graves of Northamptonshire, Revisted By Robert L. Atteberry and Carmen J. Rosado (Last updated February 2011).
______________


Probated, June 6, 1768


Source: Thomas Sims Graves Website

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=caswellcounty&id=I1404

Thomas married Mary Perkins before 1711 in Spotsylvania Co, Virginia. Mary was born about 1665; died before 1695 in Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]