1.  JOHN1 PITTS was born before 1670 Old Rappahannock Co., Virginia, and died before 15 September 1730 Essex Co., Virginia.

            Essex County, Virginia, along with Richmond County, was formed in 1692 from Rappahannock County, which then became extinct, so searching for the origins of the Pitts family of Essex County begins in these earlier records.

            George Pitts witnessed a complex land transaction in which Richard and Elizabeth Bush swapped land with William and Venecia Creamer 2 March 1677/78.   Thomas Pitts witnessed the sale of a 100 acre tract of land on “Piscatacon” Poquoson  from John Soper to Hugh Meade on 6 April 1667, and also proved the power of attorney from John Soper to Thomas Gaines for purposes of this sale in court 10 January 1667/68.  

            Josias Pitts died in Old Rappahannock Co., Virginia, between 29 September 1684, when he executed a contract with William Loyd,  and 7 November 1684, when Loyd placed a lien on the estate of Josias Pitts, deceased.  

            John Pitts was a witness to a deed written 30 Sep 1677, in which Maxfield Walter, surgeon, of Bristol, England, and Arthur Grant of the same city, purchased a 650 acre tract from Margaret Warren, relict and widow of David Warren, and their three daughters, Mary, Anne, and Alice Warren.   This tract had been purchased by David Warren in 1675.  The language of the deed is not clear as to whether Dr. Walter had to journey to Virginia to make the claim, or not, but John Pitts, who witnessed his signature (I P) did appear in court in Rappahannock County of 3 February 1677/78. 

            There are no patent records for land in Old Rappahannock or Essex Counties for anyone named Pitts.  John Pitts was listed as a headright of Mr. John Trusell in 1649, and the land granted was adjacent Mr. John Mottrom.   Of course, this does not establish that John Pitts was in Old Rappahannock Co., Va., by 1649.  Richard Pitts appears as a headright for Francis Gray in 1654, and the land granted was on the south side of the Potomac River.   Finally, Jos. (Joseph or Josias?) Pitts was listed as a headright of George Brent in 1677,  and was claimed by John Carr and John Simpson in 1678.  The latter grant also included George Brent as a headright.

            To date, I have not found any records showing the relationship (if any) of George, Thomas, John and Josias Pitts of Old Rappahannock Co., Virginia.  However, I have also not found where 1730 (year of death) John Pitts of Essex Co., Va., (place of death) purchased the land upon which he lived, so he likely inherited it.  Further searching in the deeds of Old Rappahannock Co. is needed.

            John Pitts next appears in 1691, when he was sued by Arthur Spicer.   The record book also shows John Pitts as a constable in Essex Co., Va., in 1692.   John Pitts, Cornell Neal, and Simon Bolling proved the last will and testament of John Ransom 11 July 1698 in Essex County Court.   He was awarded 200 pounds of tobacco for killing a wolf with a gun 12 Nov 1698,  and again 13 November 1701.   These data suggest to me that John Pitts was a young man, although he would have been born before 1670.  It seems probable this is the John Pitts who lived the rest of his life in Essex Co., Va., and that I have called 1730 John Pitts.

            I have not yet found where John Pitts purchased land, but he was taxed on 200 acres in Essex County in the 1704 Quit Rent.   In 1714 William Brown sold a tract of land on the south side of the Rappahannock River to John Willard that was adjacent the land of Martin Willard, James Landrum, and “John Pitts old field.”   In 1715, John Pitts was a witness to the sale of a tract of land from Martin Willard to Silvester Patty that was described as beginning on the south side of the Rappahannock river, branches of Lucas and his creek, adjacent John Martin, William Beesley, and John Williams.   Other witnesses were Robert Parker and Thomas Short, Jr.

            On 19 September 1715, Elizabeth Pitts, along with Silvester Patty and Samuel Bizwell witnessed the last will and testament of Mary “Marten” of St. Ann’s Parish.   She made specific bequests to her youngest daughter, Elizabeth, to be held until she came of age, and the remainder to be divided equally between daughters Mary and Elizabeth.  The will was proved by Mary Short, late Mary Martin, and Thomas Short, Jr., her husband, and also Elizabeth Short.  I think this establishes Elizabeth Pitts as the wife of John Pitts in 1715, although it does not establish her maiden name.

            John Pitts’ land was located on Popoman Swamp (Creek) in a deed from William Browne to James Masters for 100 acres on this stream written 16 February 1722/23 and proved 20 February 1722/23.  Other neighbors listed include Boulware, James Landrum, and Covington.

            Deed records also indicate that John Pitts had a son named John.  On 9 November 1723, William Brown sold to John Pitts, Jr., for 3500 pounds of tobacco, his 50 acre plantation that adjoined James Masters, James Boulware, James Evins, and Col. Richard Covington.

            John Pitts, of St. Ann’s Parish, Essex County, wrote his will 23 January 1727/28, and it was proved 15 Sep 1730.   He names his wife, Elizabeth, as his sole heir, and after her death, the property is to go to his grandson, John Pitts, son of David Pitts, the land being described as “the plantation whereon his father did live, being bounded with water courses and over the branch from his plantation to make up the number of 75 acres a point of land which runs a south east course to James Masterses line.  From the fork north west course to Benjn. Beazley’s line to the bounds of my aforesaid grandson and all the remainder to my grandson John Pits, the son of David Pits.”

            John Pitts, “the Young,” of Caroline County, Virginia, sold to John Willard of Essex Co., VA., for £10 current money of Virginia, a 75 acre tract in Essex Co., Va., on 14 March 1747/48.   The land was described as “being the land and plantation that said John Pitts the Young his Grand Father left him in his Will bearing date of Record the Fifteenth Day of September one thousand seven hundred and Thirty.”

            Available records, then, establish that 1730 John Pitts had at least two sons:  David and John.  The records also establish the names of neighbors, who are good candidates for intermarriage.  According to a genealogist studying the Boulware family, Mark Boulware was born about 1677 and died before 16 July 1654 Essex Co., Va.  He had eleven children, including two daughters, Winifred and Mary, who married men named Pitts.   These women would be good candidates for marriage to sons of John Pitts.

            Children of JOHN PITTS are:

+2.   DAVID2 PITTS, b. about 1700 Essex Co., Va., d. before 20 October 1783 Essex Co., Va.

3.     JOHN2 PITTS, b. about 1700 Essex Co., Va.; m. MARY _____.

2.  DAVID2 PITTS (JOHN1) was born about 1700 Essex Co., Virginia, and died before 20 October 1783 Essex Co., Virginia.

            David Pitts is mentioned in his father’s will, which indicates that he has moved from his former “plantation.”  This will also establishes that he had a son, presumably his eldest, named John.

            The poll list recorded 20 November 1741 indicates the presence and voting of David Pitts, John Pitts, and John Pitts, Jr.  It seems likely that the “John Pitts, Jr.” is the eldest son of David Pitts, meaning he was born 1720 or before.  This, in turn, implies that David Pitts was likely born before 1700.  Additional support for this is found in a deed from 14 Jan 1721/22, in which Richard Long of St. Mary’s Parish sold a tract of land to Timothy Swilevan (Sullivan?) on Long Bridge Swamp adjacent to David Pitts, Jno. Harrison, and Job Spearman.  Witnesses were Buchenmn. Browne, John Spearman, and Jno. Vawter, so this property is likely in the neighborhood of John Pitts.   Since David Pitts was recorded as owning land, he was at least 21 years old.  David Pitts was still in this area in 1731, when Thomas Reynolds sold a tract of land to John Clement on Blackburn’s Creek, John Hawkins, Samuel Stallard, Robert Parker, David Pitts, and Timothy Swilevan.

            On 19 March 1738/39, David Pitts of Essex County purchased a tract of 100 acres from John Hart of Caroline County for £23 “current money.”   This tract was described as land purchased by William Hart, uncle of John Hart, from Robert Paine, and bounded by the land of Job Spearman, James Daniel, and John Harrison.  Witnesses were Robert Parker, Edmund Carroll, and Thomas “Swillivant.”  This suggests the property was near to, although not adjacent to, land already occupied by David Pitts.

            David Pitts, Sr. is in the DAR Patriot Index for Patriotic Service in Virginia.

            The last will and testament of David Pitts was written in Essex Co., Va., on July 20, 1780, and proved October 20, 1783.   This will was signed by a "P."  He names his sons Lunsford and David Pitts as his executors.  There are no provisions in this will for a wife, so she is presumed to have died prior to 20 July 1780.  Lunsford Pitts appears to be the youngest son, and perhaps the youngest child.  Data to be presented later suggests his birth occurred about 1750, which establishes the early estimate for the period of her death.

            Children of DAVID PITTS are:

4.   JOHN3 PITTS, born before 1728 Essex Co., Va.; d. Caroline Co., Va.

5.   THOMAS PITTS, d. 1806 Essex Co., Va. ; m. MARY _____.

6.   TABITHA PITTS, m. _____ CARNAL.

7.   JOSEPH PITTS.

8.    DAVID PITTS, died 28 Aug 1792 Essex Co., Va.; m. SARAH JOHNSON.

+9.  LUNSFORD3 PITTS, b. about 1751 Essex Co., Va., d. 1813 Sumner Co., Tenn.

10.  SUSANNA PITTS, m. _____ ELKINS.

11.  MARY PITTS, m. _____ CONDIT.

12.  HANNAH PITTS, m. _____ HOLLAND.

13.  ELIZABETH PITTS, d. 1796 in Kentucky; m. THOMAS VAWTER about 1765 Essex Co., Va., son of EDWARD VAWTER and ELIZABETH BOULWARE.

            David Pitts’ will establishes that his daughter had married Mr. Vawter.  A family history of the Vawter family suggests that his name was Thomas Vawter, son of Edward Vawter.  

            However, the information about Elizabeth Pitts’ father does not match the information contained in the record.  A family record written in 1860 by Dr. William B. Harrison, son of Mary Vawter Harrison stated:

“Far back in Colonial days there came to this country one Vawter.  He had a son, Thomas, who received a liberal education in the schools of the old world.  He was appointed Government Surveyor about the time Geo. Washington received a similar appointment.  Thomas was surveying in Montgomery County near the spot of the famous Sulphur Springs when he became enamored of a Miss Elizabeth Pitts who had just reached this country from England.  Her father was a wealthy aristocrat who came over with a fleet of his own.  He opposed his daughter’s marriage with young Vawter simply because the young man was poor…and the young couple eloped.  The old gentleman afterwards realized the sterling worth and business ability of his son in law and they were reconciled and lived most happily together.”

            Edward Vawter, father of Thomas, witnessed the indenture whereby John Pitts, the younger, sold the land in Essex Co., Va., that he had inherited from his grandfather, John Pitts.  (see above, Essex Co., Va., Deed Book 24:289.)  While it is possible that Thomas Vawter married an Elizabeth Pitts from an unrelated family, it seems unlikely to me.  How much of the Vawter family legend is true regarding the activities of the Pitts family is likewise uncertain.

9.  LUNSFORD3 PITTS (DAVID2, JOHN1) was born about 1751 in Essex Co., Virginia and died before 26 June 1813 in Sumner Co., Tennessee.  He married ELIZABETH CRUTCHER about 1770 in Caroline Co., Virginia, daughter of THOMAS CRUTHCER and SARAH FOSTER.  She was born about 1751 in Caroline Co., Virginia, and died before 1813 in Tennessee.

            Lunsford Pitts was born before March 20, 1758, when he was named in the will of Thomas Leeman.  Lunsford Pitts is listed in the DAR Patriot Index for patriotic service, which also lists his marriage to Elizabeth Crutcher. Lunsford Pitts filed a claim at the Court for Essex Co., Va., meeting in Tappahannock on Monday, April 15, 1782, for compensation due him for providing 200 pounds of beef.   He was compensated £2.10.0  Also listed on the same page are David Pitts, Sr., and Thomas Pitts.      

            The date of Lunsford Pitts’ removal from Virginia to Tennessee is uncertain.  They were still in Virginia on 26 April 1797, as a notice appeared in The Republican Citizen and Farmer and Planter’s Chronicle on that date, regarding the suit against Thomas Crutcher but the other surviving children of his father.    It is likely that he first lived in Smith County, since he was described as “of Dixon Springs” when his daughter Fanny married Samuel P. Black 23 Dec 1805 in Sumner Co., Tenn.   Part of the problem is shifting county boundaries.  When Smith County was formed, it stretched from the Kentucky to the Alabama border and was bounded by Sumner County on the West. 

            Lunsford Pitts bought 200 acres of land on the west branch of Goose Creek from Francis Sanders adjacent to William Cathey on 18 November 1804.   He sold about half of this property to Wilson Yandell on 18 May 1813.   The remaining acreage was sold to Wilson Yandell by Charles Featherston, acting as executor for Lunsford Pitts on 20 December 1813.

            Lunsford Pitts also sold a tract "purchased of Hillary Malone" in 1804 to Wilson Yandell on 31 August 1807.   I have not yet found the record of his purchase of this land.  Lunsford Pitts also bought three slaves from Fanny Sanders on 19 June 1805. 

            It is probable that Lunsford Pitts moved to Tennessee following his wife’s Crutcher relatives.  There is an extant deed in Smith County showing William Crutcher of Davidson Co., Tenn., sold two tracts of land each of 640 acres to Anthony Hart of Davidson Co., Tenn., for £300.   These two tracts were originally purchased 9 November 1792 and were described as being on the main Salt Lick Fork of Barren River.  Edmond Crutcher bought land in Smith Co., Tenn., from John L. Martin 13 Mar 1805.   Edmund Crutcher bought 320 acres of land in Sumner Co., Tenn., 6 Jan 1800 from the sheriff, the land being described as involved in the suit with William Terrell.   Interestingly, Edmund Crutcher appears as sheriff himself by 7 Oct 1802.   Edmund Crutcher also bought Lot #2 in the town of Gallatin, on the south side of Main Street 6 July 1802.               Furthermore, there is a Thomas Crutcher who witnessed a deed 25 Oct 1797,  and another 28 Dec 1798.   It seems likely this was Edmund Crutcher, who was b. 5 Mar 1774 in Spotsylvania Co., Va., and died 2 July 1846 in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tenn., son of Thomas Crutcher and Martha Foster, and grandson of 1786 Thomas Crutcher of Caroline Co., Va.  Edmund Crutcher was a nephew of Elizabeth (Crutcher) Pitts.

The following indenture was included as part of the complicated estate settlement of Josiah Gayle of Chesterfield Co., Va., copies of whose will was entered into Smith County, Tennessee, records, along with an inventory of his property in that state.  Interestingly, the records were signed by Thomas Watkins and mention was made of Edward Mosely, both of whom have connections to the family.

            Know all men by these presents that I Lunsford Pitts of Sumner County & State of Tennessee have for and in consideration of the sum of four hundred dollars to me in hand paid by James Gayle, execr. for J. Gayle and the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, have bargained, sold, and delivered unto the said gale a Negro woman & child (to wit, Judah and Berteniah,) and I do by these presents engage for myself, heirs, Executors, and assigns forever to ____ warrant & defend these rights and title of said Negroes to him, the said Gale, against the claim or claims of all & every person whomsoever, having or pretending to have a claim.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this thirteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and five.

                                                S/  Lunsford Pitts

Test:     Charles Featherston

            Betsy Gale

            One student of the Gale family reports that Josiah Gale and Sarah Conduit married in Essex Co., Va., sometime before 1750 and had eight children.  They were still there as late as 19 Aug 1779, when they sold land to Nicholas Faulconer.  He was in Chesterfield Co., Va., on 1 Aug 1791, when he signed his will, naming his eldest son, James, and his brother-in-law, Thomas Lafon as executors.  The will was witnessed by William Fleming and Burkinhead Pitts.  Sarah Gale, along with seven of their eight children followed James Gale to Smith County, where he had earlier migrated by way of North Carolina and Hawkins Co., Tenn.

            Lunsford Pitts wrote his will on 26 June 1813 in Sumner Co., Tenn.   Although the copy does not record when the will was proved, he was dead by 20 December 1813, when his land was sold, as recorded above.

            Children of LUNSFORD PITTS and ELIZABETH CRUTCHER are:

14.       i.            LUCY4 PITTS, b. 28 March 1775 Caroline Co., Virginia; d. 21 December 1853 Franklin, Heard Co., Ga.  She married CHARLES FEATHERSTON 24 January 1795 Powhatan Co., Va., son of HENRY FEATHERSTON and ELIZABETH MARSHALL.  He was b, 6 November 1771 Chesterfield Co., Va., and d. 25 November 1852 Franklin, Heard Co., Ga.

            The marriage of Lucy Pitts and Charles Featherston is of record in Powhatan Co., Va.   Their dates are from their tombstones in the Franklin City Cemetery, Heard Co., Ga.

Charles Featherston served as executor of his father-in-law Lunsford Pitts' will in Sumner Co., TN, 1813.  He purchased 250 acres of land “on east side of West Fork of Stone’s River,” the land on which he was then living, from Samuel P. Black, who was Lucy’s brother-in-law, on 14 January 1817.

            Lucy Pitts was described as “a short, thick woman with red hair and plenty of energy.”

            Children of LUCY PITTS and CHARLES FEATHERSTON are:

            a.  LUCIUS HORACE4 FEATHERSTON, b. 9 June 1814 Murfreesboro, Tenn.; d. 4 January 1886 Newnan, Coweta Co., Ga.  He married MARIA ANN TOMPKINS 27 December 1836 Heard Co., Ga., daughter of NICHOLAS TOMPKINS and KATHERINE LEVERETT; b. 5 January 1819 Putnam Co., Ga.; d. 17 June 1898 Newnan, Coweta Co., Ga.

            b.  EDWARD FEATHERSTON, b. 20 January 1796; d. 19 Nov 1857 Camargo, Monroe Co., Miss.; m. REBECCA ALSTON 23 Dec 1818 Mt. Vernon, Montgomery Co., Ga., daughter of JAMES ALSTON and MARY WILCOX.  She was b. 17 Feb 1799 in N. C.

            c.  HENRY4 FEATHERSTON, b. 1798; d. 15 September 1819.

            d.  LUCIUS HORACE4 FEATHERSTON, b. about 1800; d. about 1800.

            e.  BERINTHIA M. FEATHERSTON, b. 15 May 1802; d. 15 Jan 1887 Carrollton, Carroll Co., Miss.;  m. (1)  DAVID P. HARRIS 16 Dec 1819 Rutherford Co., Tenn.; m.  (2) JOHN MCMURRAY 8 Oct 1833 Rutherford Co., Tenn.

            f.  ELIZABETH C. FEATHERSTON, b. 20 December 1804; m. (1) MCKNIGHT; m. (2) URIAH GARDNER 3 October 1826; b. 18 August 1795, Southampton Co., Va.

            g,  MELINDA H. FEATHERSTON, b. 2 July 1807; d. Haywood Co., Tenn.; m. FREEMAN.

            h.  FRANCES P. FEATHERSTON, b. 2 August 1810; m. FLETCHER.

            i.  WINFIELD SCOTT FEATHERSTON, b. 8 August 1819 Rutherford Co., Tenn.; d. 28 May 1891 Holly Springs, Marshall Co., Miss.; m. (1) MARY HOLT HARRIS, 1848; d. 1848; m. (2) ELIZABETH M. MCEWEN, 1858; d. 17 September 1878 Holly Springs, Marshall Co., Miss.

15.  BURTON H.  PITTS.

            Burton H. Pitts appears in the records of Laurens Co., Ga., beginning with a notation of appointment as a road commissioner in September 1812.   Burton Pitts reported to the Montgomery County Court of Ordinary in 1810, 1811, and 1812 as guardian of Martha, Ruth, and Elizabeth Page. The Georgia Journal for November 25, 1812 reported the sale of 40-50 cows from the estate of John Page in Montgomery Co., Ga., near Berryhill's Bluff on the Oconee River was scheduled for December 11, 1812.  The March 31, 1813 issue of the Georgia Journal reported that Burton H. Pitts was going to sell the household goods and livestock of John Page, deceased, in Laurens Co., Ga.

            Children of BURTON H. PITTS are:

            a.  LUNSFORD5 PITTS, b. 1803 in Georgia; d. after 1865 Houston Co., Ga.

            Lunsford Pitts was a fortunate drawer in the 1827 Georgia Land Lottery, at which time he was living in Houston Co., Ga.  He appears in the Census for Houston Co., Ga., aged 30-40, (p. 288), and is still there in 1850, (p. 729, #832/832.)  He is 47 years old, born in Georgia, living with his wife, Sarah, 45, also born in Georgia, Burton H. Pitts, 20, and Rebecca Pitts, 12, both born in Georgia.  Burton H. Pitts married Martha J. Lester 15 October 1850, Houston Co., Ga.  In 1865, Burton H. Pitts posted a guardian bond for the children of his brother, James H. Pitts:  Sarah M., Aurelia L., Lunsford, Emma, Mitchell, James M., and Burton H. Pitts.

            b.  GEORGE GAINES PITTS

            c.  REBECCA PITTS.

16.  HENRY4 PITTS was born 1780-1790 in Powhatan Co., Va., and died after 1830 Houston Co., Ga.  He married HANNAH ______.

            Henry Pitt purchased 60 acres of land on Station Camp Creek, Sumner Co., Tenn., west of David Shelby on 12 September 1796.   I am not certain if this is the same man, but it seems plausible, as Thomas Crutcher appears as a witness on a deed dated 25 October 1797.   This implies that Henry Pitts was at least 21, and so born before 1776, which is somewhat earlier than estimated from census data.

            Henry Pitts appears in the records of Laurens Co., Ga., in September 1812, when he was appointed commissioner of District 6 in place of Jeremiah Loftin.   On 15 December 1812 George Gaines of Pulaski Co., Ga., and Jonathan Sawyer of Laurens Co., sold to Henry Pitts of Laurens Co., town lot 24 in Dublin, Ga., in a deed witnessed by Lunsford C. Pitts.  This may be a clue as to where in Georgia they were before arriving in Laurens Co., as George Gaines Pitts was named as a son of Burton H. Pitts in the will of 1813 Lunsford Pitts of Sumner Co., Tenn.

17.  LUNSFORD C. PITTS.  He married RUTH PAGE 20 February 1818 Laurens Co., Ga.

18.  FANNY PITTS, b. 1773; d. 8 October 1854 Rutherford Co., Tenn; m. (1) ____Sanders;  m. (2)  SAMUEL P. BLACK 23 Dec 1805 Sumner Co., Tenn.  He was b. 27 April 1775, Guilford Co., N. C.; d. 31 August 1837 Rutherford Co., Tenn.

            Information on this family provided by Annette Spittard.   “Lucy Ann Black is Fanny's little daughter and the granddaughter of Lunsford Pitts.  She was named for her aunt Lucy Pitts (who) married Charles Featherstone.  Thomas C. Black, I believe is Fanny Pitt's son.  I remember my Grandmother talking about Dr. Black.   Catherine W. Black is Dr. Thomas S. Black's wife.  There are 24 graves here.  I think they are probably all Fanny Pitts and Samuel Black's children and grandchildren, in-laws, etc.  I am afraid the cemetery will be moved soon.  They are building a four land highway there.

            The Black home place still stands and is in great condition.  It is said to have a secret room in it where they hid things and people during the Civil War.  The house is well known and is in a book about old houses here in Rutherford County.  It is in Walter Hill.”  Prof. Samuel P. (Polk?) Black was born in Guilford Co., N. C. 27 April 1775 and died before 1854, son of Thomas Black and Martha Polk; married 23 Dec 1805 Sumner Co., Tenn., Fanny Pitts Sanders, widow, daughter of Lunsford Pitts of Dixon Springs, Tenn.  Fanny Black, “late consort of Samuel Black” b. 1773, d. 8 Oct 1854 (Vol. 1:9) (TGA, p. 49) (RCHS 23:95-96, BT 108-109).  He signed the petition to the Tennessee General Assembly for a vote to decide the county seat in 1812. 

            At age 19 Samuel opened a classical school near Abindgon, Virginia.  After serving a short time as a professor at the University of Georgia, he came to Nashville in 1798 to accept a teaching position at the old Cumberland College.  Later he moved to Sumner Co., where he opened Montpelier Academy.  (He became involved in wagon building project and went bankrupt.  He then borrowed money and moved to Rutherford Co.)  He came to Rutherford County in 1810 as headmaster of Bradley Academy, where he stayed for 27 years.  His daughter Eliza Pitts Black married Dr. John Robertson Wilson, and his son Dr. Thomas Crutcher Black, b. 1809, was a practicing physician in Rutherford County.The estate sale for Samuel P. Black, deceased, was held 1 November 1837 and recorded 7 December 1837.  Purchasers included Lunsford P. Black, Frances J. Black, Thomas C. Black, and Lucy Black.

            The list of children is based upon the tombstones and the quotation above. There are two markers in the Yandell Cemetery, one for Burton B. Black 16 Mar 1812 and one for Margaret Black, 9 March 1817, whose relationship is unexplained.  There were no death dates recorded.

            Children of FANNY PITTS and SAMUEL BLACK are:

            a.  LUCY ANN5 BLACK, b. 22 June 1819 Rutherford Co., Tenn.; d. 11 July 1819 Rutherford Co., Tenn.

            b.  THOMAS CRUTCHER BLACK, b. 15 March 1809; d. 29 May 1873 Rutherford Co., Tenn.; m. CATHERINE W. ______.  She was b. 11 Jan 1817; d. 15 Jan 1891 Rutherford Co., Tenn.

            Thomas C. Black was a physician, and probably named his son Samuel P. Black after his father.  The son was born 10 April 1837 and died 24 Mar 1898.

            c.  ELIZA PITTS BLACK, b. 1 Oct 1806 Rutherford Co., Tenn.; d. 17 Jan 1864 Rutherford Co.,  Tenn.; m. JOHN ROBERTSON WILSON, b. 4 April 1779; d. 8 August 1854 Rutherford Co., Tenn.

19.  ELIZABETH4 PITTS, b. about 1778 in Virginia; d.  before 1 June 1840 Rutherford Co., Tenn.  She married WILSON YANDELL 17 May 1804 Sumner Co., Tenn., son of WILLIAM YANDELL and MARTHA WILSON.  He was born 17 December 1774 Mecklenburg Co., Va.; d. 1 October 1827 Rutherford Co., Tenn.

            Wilson Yandell witnessed a division of the estate of Josiah Gale in Smith Co., Tenn., 6 January 1806.   Of interest, this will was written by Josiah Gale 1 Aug 1791 in Chesterfield Co., Va., and initially proved in April 1795 by the oaths of Burkinhead Pitts.  The action was recorded in Smith Co., Tenn., because the widow, Sally Gale, had moved there.

            Wilson Yandell purchased a tract of land from his father-in-law, Lunsford Pitts, 31 August 1807 in Sumner Co., Tenn.   He purchased an additional 104 acres from Lunsford Pitts on 18 May 1813 in a deed witnessed by his brother, John Yandell, and M. D. L. F. Sharpe, who was a brother-in-law to Charles Featherston.   William Yandell, probably his father, purchased 370 acres on Drake’s Creek from Josiah Rucks on 18 Aug 1812 in a deed witnessed by Wilson Yandell, John Yandell, and M. D. L. F. Sharpe.   Wilson Yandell bought the remainder of Lunsford Pitts’ real estate following his death in 1813.

            John Carr and Wilson Yandell sold to Francis Marshall a 255 acre tract of land on which he was then living for $765 16 February 1810.   The deed was witnessed by Henry Featherston, Jr., and William Alexander.

Wilson Yandell was a commissioner appointed to lay off a year’s provisions for the widow of Samuel C. Rucker,  and witnessed the will of Drury Vaughn 28 Jan 1826 Rutherford Co., Tenn.

Wilson Yandell was a witness to the last will and testament of Rachel Sharpe, the mother of M. D. L. F. Sharpe, 2 April 1824.

            The will of Wilson Yandell was written 8 November 1826 Rutherford Co., Tenn.  In it he names his son, Dr. Lunsford P. Yandell, daughter Eliza Becton, his wife Elizabeth Yandell; brother John Yandell, son-in-law Dr. Frederick E. Becton, Henry Yandell and Burton Yandell.   He mentions in a codicil dated 19 June 1827 that his sons Henry and Burton are to receive a good education, and his daughter, Eliza P. Becton, is to inherit her mother’s share after death.  His tombstone is in the Yandell Cemetery.

            Eliza P. Becton was granted letters of administration on the estate of  Elizabeth Yandell on 1 June 1840.   The will was apparently not signed, as it had to be proved by the oaths of John Yandell and Thomas C. Black, who said they heard Elizabeth Yandell make declaration while on her death bed 30 January 1840.   She bequeathed the home place to her daughter, Eliza P. Becton, as was directed by Wilson Yandell, and named as subsequent heir her grandson, Henry Yandell, “relict” of my son Henry.  Lunsford P. Yandell was appointed guardian to Henry Yandell.

            Children of ELIZABETH PITTS and WILSON YANDELL are:

            a.  LUNSFORD PITTS4 YANDELL, b. 4 June 1805 Sumner Co., Tenn.; m. SUSAN JULIET WENDEL about 1828, Rutherford Co., Tenn., daughter of DAVID WENDEL and SARAH HALE NEILSON.              She was born at Cheek’s Cross Roads, Tenn., about 1807.

            They moved to Nashville, where they resided for several years before moving to Louisville, Kentucky, where he accepted a position in the Medical College in that city.  They had three sons:  David Wendel, Lunsford P., William, and one daughter, Sarah Yandell.  L. P. Yandell, M. D.,  and L. P.  Yandell, Jr., are listed together in Memphis in 1860.

            b.  ELIZABETH4 YANDELL, m. (1) JOHN FLETCHER 17 September 1820 Rutherford Co., Tenn.; m. (2) FREDERICK EDWARD BECTON 18 January 1824 Rutherford Co., Tenn.   

            c.  WILLIAM MARTIN4 YANDELL, b. 11 Oct 1808 Sumner Co., Tenn.; m. CATHERINE W. SEARCY 28 June 1826 Rutherford Co., Tenn.

            d.  HENRY4 YANDELL, d. 2 September 1835 Bedford Co., Tenn.  

            e.  BURTON4 YANDELL, b. 7 December 1814 Rutherford Co., Tenn.; d. Yazoo Co., Miss. (probable); m. MALVINA _____.

20.  JUDITH4 PITTS, b. about 1781; died before 1850 Rutherford Co., Tenn.; m. JOHN YANDELL 13 March 1809 Sumner Co., Tenn., son of WILLIAM YANDELL and MARTHA WILSON.  He was born 19 March 1784 in Mecklenburg Co., N. C., and died 1 January 1866 Gibson Co., Tenn.

            John Yandell does not appear in the records as often as his brother, Wilson.  He was a witness to the sales recorded above.  He purchased 50 acres on the west fork of Goose Creek, Sumner Co., the same area where Lunsford Pitts held his land, from Samuel P. Black on 3 October 1810.   This deed was witnessed by John Rowland and Wilson Yandell.  On 29 May 1813, he purchased a small tract of 7 ¼ acres & eight poles on the west side of Goose Creek from John Parker, in a deed witnessed by Wilson Yandell and Edward Featherston.

            John Yandell was executor of his brother Wilson’s will, and served as a witness to the will of his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Pitts Yandell, July 1840 Rutherford Co., Tenn.  (See under her entry.)

Apparently, Judith Pitts died before 1850, as John Yandell is in the 1850 census married to Sarah. 

John “Yandle” is 76 and living in Milan, Gibson Co., Tenn., in 1860, along with his wife, Sarah, (50, born in Tennessee.)

“The rebel guerillas recently stole from Old John Yandell of Gibson County, all his horses, except one which was worthless and the clothing of his daughters.  Yandell is between 75 and 80 years of age and a soldier of 1812.”

            Children of JUDITH PITTS and JOHN YANDELL are:

            a.  ELIZABETH PITTS5 YANDELL, b. 1807 Sumner Co., Tenn.

            b.  MARY PITTS YANDELL, b. 2 June 1812 Sumner Co., Tenn.; d. 1891, Milan, Gibson Co., Tenn.; m. BEVERLY ADAM WILLIAMSON 1831 Rutherford Co., Tenn.  He was b. 21 Oct 1805 Amherst Co., Va.; d. 6 Dec 1872 Milan, Gibson Co., Tenn.

            c.  ANN YANDELL, b. 1814 Sumner Co., Tenn.

            d.  MARTHA W. YANDELL, b. 15 February 1816 Sumner Co., Tenn.; m. GEORGE W. WHARTON 10 June 1840 Rutherford Co., Tenn.

            His name is probably Horton, not Wharton, as G. W. Wharton and his wife, Martha, are living next to John Yandell in the 1860 Census for Milan, Gibson Co., Tenn.

            e.  WILLIAM WILSON YANDELL, b. 11 August 1821 Rutherford Co., Tenn., d. 31 January 1875; m. MARTHA _____ about 1842.

            W.  W. “Yandle” 30, born in NC, is also living in Gibson Co., Tenn., in 1860 along with his wife, Martha, and four children.  He is listed as a physician and a farmer.