Individual Details
John Ross Dewitt
(Abt 1784 - 24 Mar 1878)
James H. and Abigail DeWitt had a son, John Ross DeWitt, who was married in Virginia to Mary Worley, a daughter of Lucy and Zachariah Worley of the American Revolution. John Ross and his young bride found their way to Kentucky, eventually to Anderson County*. John R. DeWitt owned much land on Gilbert's Creek and Kentucky River in that section of the county, formerly a part of Mercer County, Kentucky.
Mariam, a daughter of J. R. DeWitt, was married in 1836 to Peter Shely.
William, son of John Ross DeWitt was born in 1816 and married in 1842 to Mary Jane McGinnis. They reared a large family, many of whose descendants still live in this area. Their oldest son, John William DeWitt, was only seventeen years of age at the outbreak of the Civil War. He had four first cousins to enlist in the Confederacy, and he wished to join them. He enlisted in Company F Kentucky Calvalry. Because of Illness, attributed to exposure, young DeWitt returned to his home after a few months of service. He died in 1863 at the age of nineteen.
*Anderson County, located in Kentucky's Bluegrass region was established on January 16, 1827 and was formed from Franklin, Mercer, and Washington counties.
Mariam, a daughter of J. R. DeWitt, was married in 1836 to Peter Shely.
William, son of John Ross DeWitt was born in 1816 and married in 1842 to Mary Jane McGinnis. They reared a large family, many of whose descendants still live in this area. Their oldest son, John William DeWitt, was only seventeen years of age at the outbreak of the Civil War. He had four first cousins to enlist in the Confederacy, and he wished to join them. He enlisted in Company F Kentucky Calvalry. Because of Illness, attributed to exposure, young DeWitt returned to his home after a few months of service. He died in 1863 at the age of nineteen.
*Anderson County, located in Kentucky's Bluegrass region was established on January 16, 1827 and was formed from Franklin, Mercer, and Washington counties.
Events
| Birth | Abt 1784 | Bedford, Virginia, United States | |||
| Marriage | 26 May 1806 | Bedford, Virginia, United States - Mary Worley |  | ||
| Census (family) | 1820 | Franklin, Kentucky, United States - Mary Worley | |  | |
| Census (family) | 14 Oct 1850 | Anderson, Kentucky, United States - Mary Worley | | ||
| Census (family) | 1860 | Lawrenceburg P.O., Anderson, Kentucky, United States - Mary Worley | | | |
| Will | 22 May 1876 | Anderson, Kentucky, United States | | ||
| Death | 24 Mar 1878 | Franklin, Kentucky, United States |
Families
| Spouse | Mary Worley (1787 - ) |
| Child | Matilda Dewitt (1807 - 1829) |
| Child | Calvin Dewitt (1808 - 1855) |
| Child | William "Will" Dewitt (1816 - 1883) |
| Child | Mariam "Mary" DeWitt (1822 - ) |
| Father | James H. Dewitt Sr. (1744 - 1824) |
| Mother | Abigail Wilkerson (1748 - 1828) |
| Sibling | Walter Dewitt (1764 - ) |
| Sibling | Aaron Dewitt (1773 - 1827) |
| Sibling | Thomas Dewitt (1778 - ) |
| Sibling | Milly Dewitt (1779 - 1866) |
| Sibling | James Henry Dewitt Jr. (1780 - 1859) |
| Sibling | Jesse Dewitt (1782 - ) |
| Sibling | Permelia / Pamela Dewitt (1782 - ) |
| Sibling | Malinda Dewitt (1783 - 1860) |
| Sibling | Elisha D. Dewitt (1786 - 1818) |
| Sibling | Mary "Polly" Dewitt (1788 - ) |
| Sibling | Bennett Maxie DeWitt (1793 - 1840) |
| Sibling | Caleb Dewitt (1797 - 1846) |
| Sibling | Jeremiah T Dewitt (1799 - 1861) |
Notes
Marriage
Jesse Dewitt signed the Surety Bond for the marriage.Mary Worley was apparently the sister to Dorcas, who married John's brother James H. DeWitt, Jr. Their parents were Zachariah Worley and Lucy Kerr. Zachariah was reported to be a veteran of the Revolutionary War.
May 26, 1806; John Dewitt & Mary Whorley; Jesse Dewitt, Surety.
Census (family)
Jno Dewitt3 males under 10
1 male 26-45 (John 31)
1 female uneder 10
1 female 10-16
1 female 26-45 (Mary 33)
Census (family)
1850 census, Anderson County, Kentucky, 14 October 1850704-724
William Dewitt, 33, farmer, b.KY
Mary J. " 23, b.KY
John W. " 4, b.KY
James M. " 3, b.KY
Thomas G. " 2, b.KY
John R. Dewitt, 61, laborer, b.VA
Mary Dewitt, 61, b.VA
Census (family)
1062, 951, Johnson R Travis, 23 M, Farmer, 348, 200, KYPleasant " , 3 M, KY
William Duwitt, 20 M, Farm laborer, KY
Dorah " , 12 F, KY
1063, 952, John R Duwitt, 70 M, Farmer, 1000, 500, VA
Mary " , 70 F, VA
James Sheely, 15 M, KY
Lucy A Utterback, 18 F, KY
Flora " , 4/12 F, KY
Will
In the name of God Amen I John R Dewitt of the county of Anderson State of Kentucky being of sound mind and understanding do make and declare this my last Will and Testament. First to my wife Christina Dewitt I will and bequeath the house and lot in which I now reside at Vandykes mill during her natural life time, the same to be held in trust for by the Executor of this will and then to reverse to the ligates herein named.Second To my grand daughter Sarah MShely I bequeath the sum of Fifty Dollars for kindness shown me while I lived at her house -
Thirdly The rest of my property of whatever kind I may die possessed I will and bequeath to my only surviving children William Dewitt and Mariam Shely to be equally divided between them to be held be them and their heirs and assigns. Revoking all other wills by me at anytime heretofore made I do declare this to be my last will and testament And I do appoint as my executor hereof my Grandson John W Shely of the county of Anderson State of Kentucky In witness whereof I the said John R Dewitt have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this May the 22nd in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy six John R Dewitt
Signed sealed published and declared by the testator in the presence of each of us as his last will and testament and we in his presence and at his request have signed our names as witnesses to such execution
D J Reed
Garrett Reed
Will Book B 1878
State of Kentucky, Sch
I F M Robinson Clerk of the Anderson County Court certify that at its November Term 1878 held November 18 1878 the foregoing writing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of John R Dewitt deceased was produced in court and proved by the oath of D J Reed one of the subscribing witnesses thereto, who also proved the signature and attestation of Garrett Reed, the other subscribing witness, and ordered to be recorded, which is accordingly done Given under my hand this 30 day of November 1878
F M Robinson Clk
Endnotes
1. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1820 > KENTUCKY > FRANKLIN > LAWRENCEBURG Series: M33 Roll: 22 Page: 107.
2. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1860 > KENTUCKY > ANDERSON > LAWRENCEBURG P O Series: M653 Roll: 353 Page: 539.