Individual Details
Zachariah Price "Zach" DeWitt
(24 Apr 1768 - 12 Apr 1851)
"Residents of Nelson Co, VA (now KY recorded in tithable & Tax lists" compiled by Margaret Johnson Schroder and Carl A. Schroader (Salt Lake Call # US/Can 976.9 R48s) Vol. 1 Lists - 1787 Pottinger & Bean's old Comp: Henry & Zacariah 1790 Capt Bruses's Comp: Zacariah, Henry and James DeWitt - 1790 Nelson Co Tithables list: Elisha, Zacariah, Henry and James DeWitt.
1807 Tax List: Butler Co, Ohio lists Zachariah P DeWitt; 1809 Butler Co lists Zachariah P DeWitt and Jacob DeWitt; 1810 tax List list Zachariah P and Jacob.
1820 Census, Oxford, Butler, Ohio: Zachariah P and Hannah DeWitt, widow of
Will of Francis Price (brother-in-law) dated 3 Jun 1802 at Frankfort, Sussex, NJ mentions his
Zachariah represented the children of Jacob claiming property in NJ.
source: Pat alpaschen@netnitco.net Barent and Zachariah
http://www.oxfordchamber.org/dewitt.html
"The DeWitt Family"
Zachariah Price DeWitt was born of a Dutch family in New Jersey in 1768. With brothers Jacob and Peter, he migrated to Kentucky where, in 1790, he married Elizabeth Teets, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1774. By 1805 all three brothers had settled in Ohio near Four Mile (Talawanda) Creek. Here Zachariah and Elizabeth raised corn, hogs, and eventually, nine children. Zachariah became a prominent community leader, operating a sawmill, building houses in Oxford, serving as Masonic Lodge secretary, and commanding a rifle company during the War of 1812. Tradition has it that Elizabeth wore a black sunbonnet to cover a scar from having been scalped as a child in Kentucky. Elizabeth died in 1843, followed by Zachariah in 1851. Both are buried in Darrtown Cemetery.
Built in the wildemess about 1805, the loghouse of Zachariah Price DeWitt is now the oldest remaining structure in Oxford Township. It also is the last of a string of pioneer homesteads established alongthe FourMile (Tallawanda) Creekbefore Oxford Township, thetown of Oxford, or Miami University even existed.
It stands on the east bank of the creek about five hundred yards north of Route 73. It is on Miami University land, leased to the Oxford Museum Association, which in 1973 took on its restoration to preserve this rare example of early 19th-century log construction.
Faced with an estimate of at least $10,000 for full restoration, the Museum Association applied for an initial state grant of $5,000. Since the agency in charge of such restoration required "proof of progress," the task was defined by phases. A grant of $2,000 enabled a start on Phase One, which was halting further deterioration by reconstructing the fieldstone foundation, re-installing plate logs, and re-roofing with wood shingles. Additional money was raised in a fund drive, mostly from Association members and others interested in local history.
Phase One was completed. Phase Two was replacement of the doorjambs, doors, window frames and chinking between logs, plus repair of chimneys and fireplaces by taking them down and rebuilding them entirely. Aided by a second grant from the same agency, this work was completed, and interior flooring was added.
Special pattems were made to be examples for rebuilding the door and window frames to the style that originated in the early construction of the house. (It had been modernized and altered somewhat, but the structure is original and a true restoration was undertaken.)
Finish work still remains to be completed, including a simple narrow stairway. The structure then can be put into use either as a museum or in some adapted-use situation with stipulation that no structural changes be made.
The term "DeWitt Cabin" often used for the structure is a misnomer. The structure was truly a house from the beginning, with shutter-protected glass windows, solid wood flooring, two ample fireplaces, separation into four rooms. Early in its existence it acquired beaded wall paneling, a walnut chair rail in the west room, and a portico sheltering its heavy front door. Floors were of thick ash, the ceilings of tulip poplar, the walls of daub. The rafters were pegged together, not nailed. For many years, weatherboards covered the house; these were removed in restoration.
Zachariah Price DeWitt was born of a Dutch family in New Jersey April 24,1768. He and brothers Jacob and Peter made their way to Kentucky in the 1780's, settling in Nelson County, around Bardstown. Zachariah and Elizabeth Teets, who had been born in Pennsylvania April 14,1774, were married on March 11, 1790. It has been written that they "then settled down in a log cabin near their families and started raising corn, hogs, and eventually, nine children." Nevertheless, somehow during these years Zachariah gained a reputation as a hunter and Indian fighter. It is believed he may have been among Kentuckians who marched up Western Ohio in 1794 with Mad Anthony Wayne. The admission of Ohio as a state March 1, 1803, attracted Kentuckians to cheap, newly-available land. By 1805 Zachariah and Elizabeth DeWitt, with seven children, had found their way through almost-uncharted country to the spot where Zachariah built this house on the Four Mile.
The Ohio General Assembly on February 17,1809, approved a charter for The Miami University; this complied with terms of the Symmes Purchase, though Oxford Township and the Village of Oxford were not established until later, and the full functioning of the University still awaited funds, buildings, faculty and students for thirteen more years.
Others who were homesteading in that valley along the Four Mile in those years included Zachariah DeWitt's brothers Jacob and Peter; Capt. Sam Beeler, his son Col. Sam Beeler, Jr., and his son-in-law Joel Collins; schoolmaster Eleazer Hoag, perhaps his nearest neighbor; Daniel Kyger, Col. Matthew Hueston, John Slack, "Buffalo Bob" Taylor, James Adams, Nathan Horner, Thomas White and others. Some were poachers, somebought title to their land when the trustees of Miami University placed it on sale. Some became leading citizens, some moved on.
Zachariah Price became an important member of the pioneer farming community. He established a sawmill on the Four Mile. He built several houses in Oxford, including the initial portion of what would become the building still housing Beta Theta Pi fraternity at the corner of High street and Campus avenue in Oxford. He was village treasurer when he accepted a captaincy in the War of 1812, took command of a company of Butler County riflemen, and marched them to Detroit to assist General Duncan McArthur. He became a pillar in the Baptist church, was co-owner of the Mansion House Hotel, and in 1822 became a founder and secretary of the Masonic Lodge. A Whig, he supported William Henry Harrison for President; a memorable reception at the Mansion House was part of Oxford's celebration of Harrison's election.
According to legend which seems fairly authentic, Zachariah DeWitt's wife Elizabeth was scalped by an Indian who was attempting to kidnap her from near this home. The story goes that as she fled, he grabbed her long hair, circled its roots with a knife, and ran off with the scalplock. It is said that Zachariah returned home a few minutes later, applied bear grease and arnica to her wound, set off in pursuit, found the Indian sitting in a nearby thicket admiring his trophy, and shot him dead.
Mrs. DeWitt is said to have worn a black sunbonnet for the rest of her life, to cover the scar of her scalping. When a campaign was launched some century and a half later to raise money to restoretheDeWittLogHouse, donors were given Black Bonnet Club membership cards.
There's another story that Indians attempted to carry off one of the DeWitt babies. As she started to follow them, Mrs. DeWitt heard faint cries from the well and there was the infant floating on the water, its billowing gown keeping it afloat.
Elizabeth DeWitt died in 1843, at age 69, reputedly some 15 years after the scalping. Zachariah spent his last eight years with a son Israel and two teen-aged children of his deceased daughter Betsey. He died April 12, 1851. Zachariah, Elizabeth and several other members of the DeWitt family are buried in Darrtown Cemetery off ShoUenbarger road southwest of Darrtown, about two miles from the DeWitt Log House.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The noted researcher Alice P. Kenney in her article "A Dutch Pioneer:
Zachariah Price DeWitt Moves West" indicated that Zachariah Price DeWitt was
born in New Jersey in 1768 or 1769 and his wife Elizabeth Teets in
Pennsylvania in 1774, removed to Ohio from Kentucky about 1805, accompanied
by seven children and by Jacob and Peter DeWitt and their families. They all
bought land on Four Mile Creek on the eastern edge of Oxford Township. A
single document links Zachariah Price DeWitt of Ohio with Frankford
Township, Sussex County, an 1809 power of attorney authorizing him to
represent Peter and Jacob DeWitt, also of Ohio.
Zachariah Price DeWitt's eldest daughter was named Jerusha
The National Register of Historical Places, 1972 [page 609]
Butler County, Oxford vicinity.E of Oxford on U.S. 73 c. 1805
Built by Zachariah Price Dewitt, one of Oxford's first settlers, the "cabin" is the oldest extand log structure in Oxford Township. It is 2 1/2 stories and built of hewn oak logs covered with weather-boarding. The entrance is in the central bay of the three-bay main facade and there is a large stone chimney on the east wall. To the rear of the building is a lean-to kitchen, added about 15 years later.
1807 Tax List: Butler Co, Ohio lists Zachariah P DeWitt; 1809 Butler Co lists Zachariah P DeWitt and Jacob DeWitt; 1810 tax List list Zachariah P and Jacob.
1820 Census, Oxford, Butler, Ohio: Zachariah P and Hannah DeWitt, widow of
Will of Francis Price (brother-in-law) dated 3 Jun 1802 at Frankfort, Sussex, NJ mentions his
Zachariah represented the children of Jacob claiming property in NJ.
source: Pat alpaschen@netnitco.net Barent and Zachariah
http://www.oxfordchamber.org/dewitt.html
"The DeWitt Family"
Zachariah Price DeWitt was born of a Dutch family in New Jersey in 1768. With brothers Jacob and Peter, he migrated to Kentucky where, in 1790, he married Elizabeth Teets, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1774. By 1805 all three brothers had settled in Ohio near Four Mile (Talawanda) Creek. Here Zachariah and Elizabeth raised corn, hogs, and eventually, nine children. Zachariah became a prominent community leader, operating a sawmill, building houses in Oxford, serving as Masonic Lodge secretary, and commanding a rifle company during the War of 1812. Tradition has it that Elizabeth wore a black sunbonnet to cover a scar from having been scalped as a child in Kentucky. Elizabeth died in 1843, followed by Zachariah in 1851. Both are buried in Darrtown Cemetery.
Built in the wildemess about 1805, the loghouse of Zachariah Price DeWitt is now the oldest remaining structure in Oxford Township. It also is the last of a string of pioneer homesteads established alongthe FourMile (Tallawanda) Creekbefore Oxford Township, thetown of Oxford, or Miami University even existed.
It stands on the east bank of the creek about five hundred yards north of Route 73. It is on Miami University land, leased to the Oxford Museum Association, which in 1973 took on its restoration to preserve this rare example of early 19th-century log construction.
Faced with an estimate of at least $10,000 for full restoration, the Museum Association applied for an initial state grant of $5,000. Since the agency in charge of such restoration required "proof of progress," the task was defined by phases. A grant of $2,000 enabled a start on Phase One, which was halting further deterioration by reconstructing the fieldstone foundation, re-installing plate logs, and re-roofing with wood shingles. Additional money was raised in a fund drive, mostly from Association members and others interested in local history.
Phase One was completed. Phase Two was replacement of the doorjambs, doors, window frames and chinking between logs, plus repair of chimneys and fireplaces by taking them down and rebuilding them entirely. Aided by a second grant from the same agency, this work was completed, and interior flooring was added.
Special pattems were made to be examples for rebuilding the door and window frames to the style that originated in the early construction of the house. (It had been modernized and altered somewhat, but the structure is original and a true restoration was undertaken.)
Finish work still remains to be completed, including a simple narrow stairway. The structure then can be put into use either as a museum or in some adapted-use situation with stipulation that no structural changes be made.
The term "DeWitt Cabin" often used for the structure is a misnomer. The structure was truly a house from the beginning, with shutter-protected glass windows, solid wood flooring, two ample fireplaces, separation into four rooms. Early in its existence it acquired beaded wall paneling, a walnut chair rail in the west room, and a portico sheltering its heavy front door. Floors were of thick ash, the ceilings of tulip poplar, the walls of daub. The rafters were pegged together, not nailed. For many years, weatherboards covered the house; these were removed in restoration.
Zachariah Price DeWitt was born of a Dutch family in New Jersey April 24,1768. He and brothers Jacob and Peter made their way to Kentucky in the 1780's, settling in Nelson County, around Bardstown. Zachariah and Elizabeth Teets, who had been born in Pennsylvania April 14,1774, were married on March 11, 1790. It has been written that they "then settled down in a log cabin near their families and started raising corn, hogs, and eventually, nine children." Nevertheless, somehow during these years Zachariah gained a reputation as a hunter and Indian fighter. It is believed he may have been among Kentuckians who marched up Western Ohio in 1794 with Mad Anthony Wayne. The admission of Ohio as a state March 1, 1803, attracted Kentuckians to cheap, newly-available land. By 1805 Zachariah and Elizabeth DeWitt, with seven children, had found their way through almost-uncharted country to the spot where Zachariah built this house on the Four Mile.
The Ohio General Assembly on February 17,1809, approved a charter for The Miami University; this complied with terms of the Symmes Purchase, though Oxford Township and the Village of Oxford were not established until later, and the full functioning of the University still awaited funds, buildings, faculty and students for thirteen more years.
Others who were homesteading in that valley along the Four Mile in those years included Zachariah DeWitt's brothers Jacob and Peter; Capt. Sam Beeler, his son Col. Sam Beeler, Jr., and his son-in-law Joel Collins; schoolmaster Eleazer Hoag, perhaps his nearest neighbor; Daniel Kyger, Col. Matthew Hueston, John Slack, "Buffalo Bob" Taylor, James Adams, Nathan Horner, Thomas White and others. Some were poachers, somebought title to their land when the trustees of Miami University placed it on sale. Some became leading citizens, some moved on.
Zachariah Price became an important member of the pioneer farming community. He established a sawmill on the Four Mile. He built several houses in Oxford, including the initial portion of what would become the building still housing Beta Theta Pi fraternity at the corner of High street and Campus avenue in Oxford. He was village treasurer when he accepted a captaincy in the War of 1812, took command of a company of Butler County riflemen, and marched them to Detroit to assist General Duncan McArthur. He became a pillar in the Baptist church, was co-owner of the Mansion House Hotel, and in 1822 became a founder and secretary of the Masonic Lodge. A Whig, he supported William Henry Harrison for President; a memorable reception at the Mansion House was part of Oxford's celebration of Harrison's election.
According to legend which seems fairly authentic, Zachariah DeWitt's wife Elizabeth was scalped by an Indian who was attempting to kidnap her from near this home. The story goes that as she fled, he grabbed her long hair, circled its roots with a knife, and ran off with the scalplock. It is said that Zachariah returned home a few minutes later, applied bear grease and arnica to her wound, set off in pursuit, found the Indian sitting in a nearby thicket admiring his trophy, and shot him dead.
Mrs. DeWitt is said to have worn a black sunbonnet for the rest of her life, to cover the scar of her scalping. When a campaign was launched some century and a half later to raise money to restoretheDeWittLogHouse, donors were given Black Bonnet Club membership cards.
There's another story that Indians attempted to carry off one of the DeWitt babies. As she started to follow them, Mrs. DeWitt heard faint cries from the well and there was the infant floating on the water, its billowing gown keeping it afloat.
Elizabeth DeWitt died in 1843, at age 69, reputedly some 15 years after the scalping. Zachariah spent his last eight years with a son Israel and two teen-aged children of his deceased daughter Betsey. He died April 12, 1851. Zachariah, Elizabeth and several other members of the DeWitt family are buried in Darrtown Cemetery off ShoUenbarger road southwest of Darrtown, about two miles from the DeWitt Log House.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The noted researcher Alice P. Kenney in her article "A Dutch Pioneer:
Zachariah Price DeWitt Moves West" indicated that Zachariah Price DeWitt was
born in New Jersey in 1768 or 1769 and his wife Elizabeth Teets in
Pennsylvania in 1774, removed to Ohio from Kentucky about 1805, accompanied
by seven children and by Jacob and Peter DeWitt and their families. They all
bought land on Four Mile Creek on the eastern edge of Oxford Township. A
single document links Zachariah Price DeWitt of Ohio with Frankford
Township, Sussex County, an 1809 power of attorney authorizing him to
represent Peter and Jacob DeWitt, also of Ohio.
Zachariah Price DeWitt's eldest daughter was named Jerusha
The National Register of Historical Places, 1972 [page 609]
Butler County, Oxford vicinity.E of Oxford on U.S. 73 c. 1805
Built by Zachariah Price Dewitt, one of Oxford's first settlers, the "cabin" is the oldest extand log structure in Oxford Township. It is 2 1/2 stories and built of hewn oak logs covered with weather-boarding. The entrance is in the central bay of the three-bay main facade and there is a large stone chimney on the east wall. To the rear of the building is a lean-to kitchen, added about 15 years later.
Events
| Birth | 24 Apr 1768 | New Jersey, United States |  | ||
| Tax List | 1787 | Nelson, Kentucky, United States |  | | |
| Marriage | 11 Mar 1790 | Nelson, Kentucky, United States - Elizabeth Teates | | | |
| Tax List | 1791 | Nelson, Kentucky, United States | | | |
| Tax List | 1792 | Nelson, Kentucky, United States | | | |
| Property | 26 Aug 1794 | Hardin, Kentucky, United States | | | |
| Property | 1798 | Bullitt, Kentucky, United States | | | |
| Tax List | 1799 | Bullitt, Kentucky, United States | | | |
| Tax List | 25 Jul 1800 | Bullitt, Kentucky, United States | | | |
| Tax List | 1803 | Bullitt, Kentucky, United States | | | |
| Census (family) | 1820 | Oxford Township, Butler, Ohio, United States - Elizabeth Teates | | | |
| Census | 12 Aug 1850 | Oxford Township, Butler, Ohio, United States | | | |
| Death | 12 Apr 1851 | Oxford Township, Butler, Ohio, United States | | ||
| Burial | Darrtown Cemetery, Milford Township, Butler, Ohio, United States | |
Families
| Spouse | Elizabeth Teates (1774 - 1843) |
| Child | Israel DeWitt (1805 - 1889) |
| Child | Zachariah T. DeWitt (1809 - 1870) |
| Child | Michael DeWitt (1811 - 1818) |
| Father | Isaac Dewitt (1741 - 1813) |
| Mother | Jerusha Price (1751 - 1831) |
| Sibling | Mary DeWitt (1767 - ) |
| Sibling | Ann DeWitt (1770 - ) |
| Sibling | Catherine DeWitt (1773 - 1849) |
| Sibling | Elizabeth DeWitt (1775 - 1850) |
| Sibling | Jerusha DeWitt (1777 - 1811) |
| Sibling | Jemina DeWitt (1779 - ) |
| Sibling | John DeWitt (1782 - 1866) |
| Sibling | Sarah DeWitt (1784 - ) |
| Sibling | Lucy DeWitt (1786 - 1814) |
| Sibling | Susannah DeWitt (1788 - ) |
| Sibling | Azuba "Isabel" DeWitt (1792 - ) |
| Sibling | Isaac DeWitt (1794 - 1843) |
Notes
Tax List
Legend: name, tithes paid, # on list, tithe taker's name, year.Dewitt Henry 1 27 Atk Hill 1787
Dewitt Zachariah 1 30 Atk Hill 1787
Henry and Zachariah DeWitt are first cousins, they appear near each other on both the 1787 and 1791 tax lists.
Marriage
Dewitt, Zack & Elizabeth Teets / Tuts 11 Mary 1790 by Jno WhitakerDewitt, Zachary / Zachariah & Elizabeth (Tutt)
1790 Zack Dewit m. Elizabeth Tuts 11 Mar 1790 in Nelson Co. KY
Zachariah Dewitt m. Eliz Tuts(?) ( dau Michael Tuts) (Wit. Peter DeWitt)
Dec 21, 1789
Tax List
Legend: name, tithes paid, # on list, tithe taker's name, year.Dewitt Zachariah 1 151 Atkinson Hill 1791
Dewitt Henry 1 159 Atkinson Hill 1791
Dewitt Elisha 1 60 Atkinson Hill 1791
Henry and Zachariah DeWitt are first cousins, they appear near each other on both the 1787 and 1791 tax lists.
Tax List
1792 tax list of Nelson Co. KY - Ben Frye's District - 1 white male over 21, no landProperty
1794 buys land on Salt River in Hardin Co. 26 Aug 1794 from James & Mary Brown bordering Thomas Hargis(Hardin Co. Deed BK A p. 32) same day he sold 185 acres in Hardin Co. to Peter Portmess
Property
1798 John Sr. & wife Ann sell to John Scott Jr. a "Sertain lot in Shelpherdsville" containing the cabin we now live and the cabin lately occupied by Zachariah Dewit and the line running through the Cabin that James Brown now lives in. Dated 25 Sep 1798 (Bullitt Co. Deed Bk A2 p. 69)Tax List
1799 tax list of Bullitt Co. KY 1 white male over 21. No landTax List
1800 tax list of Bullitt Co. KYDewit, Zachariah 1 white male over 21. No land
Tax List
1803 tax list of Bullitt Co. KY 1 white male over 21. No landCensus (family)
Zachariah DeWitt 010101 / 12210 / 01(above on same page)
Hannah DeWitt 010000 / 00011 / 00
Census
571, 597, Zachariah P DeWitt, 80 M, None, 7500, NJIsrael P " , 45 M, Farmer, 3500, KY
Hezekiah Fowler, 23 M, Farmer, Ohio
Elizabeth " , 19 F, IA
Endnotes
1. Christine Elaine Lennon
2. TAXLIST: Nelson County Tithes 1785-1791, Nelson Co., KY, Transcribed by: Mary Yoder online [http://files.usgwarchives.org/ky/nelson/taxlists/taxes/nelson2.txt], accessed Aug 25 2008.
3. Christine Elaine Lennon
4. Quick Notes on early Central KY Families. Bullitt Co. Ky Genweb Online [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kybullit/bcqnmain.htm], accessed Aug 2009.
5. TAXLIST: Nelson County Tithes 1785-1791, Nelson Co., KY, Transcribed by: Mary Yoder online [http://files.usgwarchives.org/ky/nelson/taxlists/taxes/nelson2.txt], accessed Aug 25 2008.
6. Quick Notes on early Central KY Families. Bullitt Co. Ky Genweb Online [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kybullit/bcqnmain.htm], accessed Aug 2009.
7. Quick Notes on early Central KY Families. Bullitt Co. Ky Genweb Online [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kybullit/bcqnmain.htm], accessed Aug 2009.
8. Quick Notes on early Central KY Families. Bullitt Co. Ky Genweb Online [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kybullit/bcqnmain.htm], accessed Aug 2009.
9. Quick Notes on early Central KY Families. Bullitt Co. Ky Genweb Online [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kybullit/bcqnmain.htm], accessed Aug 2009.
10. Quick Notes on early Central KY Families. Bullitt Co. Ky Genweb Online [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kybullit/bcqnmain.htm], accessed Aug 2009.
11. Quick Notes on early Central KY Families. Bullitt Co. Ky Genweb Online [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kybullit/bcqnmain.htm], accessed Aug 2009.
12. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1820 > OHIO > BUTLER > OXFORD Series: M33 Roll: 87 Page: 69.
13. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1850 > OHIO > BUTLER > OXFORD TWP Series: M432 Roll: 663 Page: 417.
14. Christine Elaine Lennon
15. "Ohio, Deaths and Burials, 1854-1997," database, Family Search, (https://familysearch.org/: accessed 9 February 2013), Zachariah T. Dewitt, 13 Dec 1870..
16. Christine Elaine Lennon
17. , "Darrtown Cemetery," database, Find A Grave (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 1 October 2011), .