to the best of my knowledge, but you should confirm
any data added to your family tree.
Family Group Sheets (12 to a page)
Elizabeth Kitts
Husband
Born: Christened: Died: Buried:
Wife Elizabeth Kitts 80,81,82
Born: 1810 - , , Belmont, Ohio Christened: Died: Buried:
Father: Nicholas Kitts (Abt 1778-Abt 1848) 80,81,82 Mother: Rebecca Yoho (Abt 1780-1864) 80
Children
Wille C. Wakefield and Florence Adelia Kitts
Husband Wille C. Wakefield 966
Born: Est 1865 Christened: Died: Buried:Marriage: 7 Mar 1889 - , , Lawrence, Ohio 966
Wife Florence Adelia Kitts 80,81,82
AKA: Della Florence, Adelia F. Kitts Born: 14 Dec 1867 - , Windsor Twp, Lawrence, Ohio Christened: Died: After 1889 Buried:
Father: David Kitts (1841-1923) 80,81,82 Mother: Margaret Ann McCormick (1842-1930) 80
Noted events in her life were:
• Alt Birth, 14 Dec 1869 - , Windsor Twp, Lawrence, Ohio
Children
General Notes (Wife)
!BIRTH: Ohio Births; 1866-1910; Lawrence Co.,Ohio births; ; FHL microfilm; ;.
!FAMILY BIO:KITTS FAMILY; 1802-1981; Family Group Sheets from Carl Murdock-2045
Notes (Marriage)
Franklin Kitts
Husband Franklin Kitts 80,81,82
Born: 1 Feb 1875 - , Lawrence Twp, Lawrence, Ohio Christened: Died: Buried:
Father: Edward Franklin Kitts (1843-1910) 80,81,82 Mother: Mary Ann Farson (1843-1921) 80,514
Wife
Born: Christened: Died: Buried:
Children
General Notes (Husband)
Drucilla Falk:
!BIRTH: Ohio Births; 1866-1910; Lawrence Co.,Ohio births; ; FHL microfilm; ;.
Franklin Kitts
Husband Franklin Kitts 80,81,82
Born: 25 Sep 1872 - , Windsor Twp, Lawrence, Ohio Christened: Died: Buried:
Father: George Clark Kitts (Abt 1830-1893) 80,81,82 Mother: Jemima Ellen Moberley (1836-1882) 80
Wife
Born: Christened: Died: Buried:
Children
General Notes (Husband)
!BIRTH: Ohio Births; 1866-1910; Lawrence Co.,Ohio births; ; FHL microfilm; ;.
!FAMILY BIO:KITTS FAMILY; 1802-1981; Family Group Sheets from Carl Murdock-2045
George Kitts Jr.
Husband George Kitts Jr. 80,81,82
Born: 16 Jul 1797 - , , , Pennsylvania Christened: Died: 26 Nov 1878 - , , , Ohio Buried: - Boger Cemetery, York Twp, Belmont, Ohio
Father: George Kitts (1759-1842) 80,81,82 Mother: Sybilla Steihl (1759-1850) 80
Wife
Born: Christened: Died: Buried:
Children
George Kitts and Sybilla Steihl
Husband George Kitts 80,81,82
Born: 8 Sep 1759 - , Johnstown, Indiana, Pennsylvania Christened: Died: 1 Dec 1842 - , Powhatan Point, Belmont, Ohio Buried: - Boger Cemetery, York Twp, Belmont, Ohio
Father: Johann Andreas Kitts (1734-1812) 80,81,82 Mother: Elizabeth (1735- ) 80
Marriage: 11 Jun 1782 - Trinity Lutheran, , Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Wife Sybilla Steihl 80
Born: 1759 - , , , Pennsylvania Christened: Died: 9 Dec 1850 - , York Twp, Belmont, Ohio Buried: - Boger Cemetery, York Twp, Belmont, Ohio
Children
1 M Daniel Kitts 80,81,82
Born: 1787 - , Fort Reading, , Pennsylvania Christened: Died: 14 Jan 1867 Buried: - Captina Church Cemetery, , Monroe, OhioSpouse: Nancy Noffsinger (Est 1780- ) 80 Marr: 4 Oct 1808 - , , Belmont, Ohio
2 M Valentine Kitts 80,81,82
Born: 12 Apr 1788 - , Fort Reading, , Pennsylvania Christened: Died: 28 Sep 1861 - , , , Ohio Buried: - Malaga Cemetery, , Monroe, Ohio
3 F Susanna Kitts 80,81,82
Born: 1787 - , Fort Reading, , Pennsylvania Christened: Died: 1865 Buried:
4 M Henry Kitts 80,81,82
Born: 8 Mar 1795 - , , , Maryland Christened: Died: 13 Dec 1877 - , , , Ohio Buried: - Boger Cemetery, York Twp, Belmont, Ohio
5 M George Kitts Jr. 80,81,82
Born: 16 Jul 1797 - , , , Pennsylvania Christened: Died: 26 Nov 1878 - , , , Ohio Buried: - Boger Cemetery, York Twp, Belmont, Ohio
6 M Solomon Kitts 80,81,82
Born: 1799 - , , Washington, Pennsylvania Christened: Died: 13 May 1883 - , , Wood, West Virginia Buried: - Sandy Hill Cemetery, , Wood, West Virginia
7 F Sevilla Kitts 80,81,82
Born: 24 Jun 1801 - Captina Run, York Twp, Belmont, Ohio Christened: Died: 4 Dec 1898 - , York Twp, Belmont, Ohio Buried: - Dover Cemetery, York Twp, Belmont, Ohio
8 M John Kitts 80,81,82
Born: 1806 - , York Twp, Belmont, Ohio Christened: Died: 1858 - , , Monroe, Ohio Buried: - Grand View Cemetery, , Monroe, Ohio
General Notes (Husband)
!WILL:KITTS,CHRISTIAN;1789;Washington Co.,Pennsylvania;page 98;Bk 1,of wills on film at Family History Libray,Salt Lake City;NOTES:George is listed as
!Info from Larry Kitts from a gedcom file.
George Kitts
Husband George Kitts 80,81,82
Born: Abt 1860 - , , , Ohio Christened: Died: Buried:
Father: George Clark Kitts (Abt 1830-1893) 80,81,82 Mother: Jemima Ellen Moberley (1836-1882) 80
Wife
Born: Christened: Died: Buried:
Children
General Notes (Husband)
!FAMILY BIO:KITTS FAMILY; 1802-1981; Family Group Sheets from Carl Murdock-2045
George Kitts
Husband George Kitts 80,81,82
Born: Abt 1811 - , , Belmont, Ohio Christened: Died: 1894 Buried:
Father: Nicholas Kitts (Abt 1778-Abt 1848) 80,81,82 Mother: Rebecca Yoho (Abt 1780-1864) 80
Wife
Born: Christened: Died: Buried:
Children
George Clark Kitts and Jemima Ellen Moberley
Husband George Clark Kitts 80,81,82
Born: Abt 1830 - , , Noble, Ohio Christened: Died: 11 Jul 1893 - , Union Twp, Lawrence, Ohio Buried: - Old Centenary Cemetery, , Lawrence, Ohio
Father: George Kitts\Goetz (1802-1875) 80,81,83 Mother: Louisa (Lovey) Ayles (1803-1851) 80,82,83
Marriage: 1 Feb 1852 - , , Noble, Ohio
Other Spouse: Martha A. (Emma A.?) Gruber ( - ) - 17 Jan 1884 - , , Lawrence, Ohio
Noted events in his life were:
• Research Note
Mrs. Blatz had all the information on this family.
• 1860 Census, 16 Jul 1860 - , Elk, Noble, Ohio
PO Harriettsville, Ohio
1482/1392
Paton Kitts29 M Farmer 1,000/ 350 Ohio
Rhoda "34 F Domestic New Jersey
David A. "16 M Farmer Ohio school
Jacob "12 M Ohio school
Maria "07 M Ohio school
Elias "05 M Ohio school
Willard "03 M Ohio
end of page
next page
Mary J. Kitts8/12 F Ohio
Mary C. Bridge27 F Domestic New Jersey
next house
1483/1393
Clark Kitts25 M Farmer 300/200 Ohio
Jemima "20 F Domestic Ohio school
Wm. C. "8 M Ohio
Margaret "6 F Ohio
Sarah C. "5 F Ohio
James "2 M Ohio
Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Elk, Noble, Ohio; Roll: M653_1020; Page: 361; Image: 200.
Wife Jemima Ellen Moberley 80
AKA: Kitts Born: Sep 1836 - , , Noble, Ohio Christened: Died: 1 May 1882 - , , Lawrence, Ohio Buried: - Old Centenary Cemetery, , Lawrence, Ohio
Children
1 M William C. Kitts 80,81,82
Born: Abt 1853 - , , , Ohio Christened: Died: Bef 1893 Buried:
2 F Margaret Kitts 80,81,82
Born: 27 Jun 1854 - , , , Ohio Christened: Died: 30 Jun 1929 - , Washington, Lawrence, Ohio Buried:
3 F Sarah Catherine Kitts 80,81,82
Born: 16 Aug 1856 - , , Noble, Ohio Christened: Died: 7 Dec 1887 - , , Lawrence, Ohio Buried:
4 M James W. Kitts 80,81,82
Born: 13 Feb 1862 - , , Noble, Ohio Christened: Died: 19 Apr 1928 - , Lawrence Twp, Lawrence, Ohio Cause of Death: Uremia Buried: 21 Apr 1928 - Centenary, Union Twp, Lawrence, Ohio
5 M George Kitts 80,81,82
Born: Abt 1860 - , , , Ohio Christened: Died: Buried:
6 M Payton Kitts 80,81,82
Born: 13 Sep 1863 - , , , Ohio Christened: Died: 26 Jan 1931 - , Union Twp, Lawrence, Ohio Buried: - Centenary, Union Twp, Lawrence, OhioSpouse: Merry Johnson (Est 1865- )
7 F Mary Kitts 81,82
Born: 1867 Christened: Died: 1951 Buried: - Old Centenary Cemetery, , Lawrence, Ohio
8 F Melissa Kitts 80,81,82
Born: Abt 1867 - , , , Ohio Christened: Died: Buried:
9 M Joseph E. Kitts 80,81,82
Born: 30 Apr 1871 - , , Lawrence, Ohio Christened: Died: 15 Jun 1938 - , Kitts Hill, Lawrence, Ohio Cause of Death: Cerebral Hemorhage Buried: 18 Jun 1938 - Kitts Hill Cemetery, , Lawrence, OhioSpouse: Effie Willis (Est 1875- )
10 M Franklin Kitts 80,81,82
Born: 25 Sep 1872 - , Windsor Twp, Lawrence, Ohio Christened: Died: Buried:
11 M Jeremiah Kitts 80,81,82
Born: 12 Jul 1875 - , Union Twp, Lawrence, Ohio Christened: Died: 1 May 1905 Buried:
12 M Rosco (Twin) Kitts 80,81,82
Born: 27 Mar 1880 - , Union Twp, Lawrence, Ohio Christened: Died: 10 Feb 1881 - , Windsor Twp, Lawrence, Ohio Buried:
13 M Roswell (Twin) Kitts 80,81,82
AKA: Rosville Kitts (twin) Born: 27 Mar 1880 - , Union Twp, Lawrence, Ohio Christened: Died: 10 Feb 1881 - , Windsor Twp, Lawrence, Ohio Buried:
General Notes (Husband)
Mrs. Blatz had all the information on this family.
Alt Death: 15 Jul 1893 , Lawrence Co., Ohio
Kitts Database Source
!FAMILY BIO:KITTS FAMILY; 1802-1981; Family Group Sheets from Carl Murdock-2045
General Notes (Wife)
>Name note: Father: Joseph Moberly Mother: Margaret Pryor
Kitts Database
!FAMILY BIO:KITTS FAMILY; 1802-1981; Family Group Sheets from Carl Murdock-2045
Notes (Marriage)
Spouse:George Clark KITTS Date:1 Feb 1852 Location:, Noble Co., Ohio Notes:!MARRIAGE:IGI Batch #M514031;source call #0930092;name extracted
General Notes for Child William C. Kitts
!FAMILY BIO:KITTS FAMILY; 1802-1981; Family Group Sheets from Carl Murdock-2045
General Notes for Child Margaret Kitts
!FAMILY BIO:KITTS FAMILY; 1802-1981; Family Group Sheets from Carl Murdock-2045
General Notes for Child Sarah Catherine Kitts
!FAMILY BIO:KITTS FAMILY; 1802-1981; Family Group Sheets from Carl Murdock-2045
!MARRIAGE: Ohio Marriages; ; Lawrence Co.,Ohio; ; FHL film at Fort Worth Family
General Notes for Child James W. Kitts
!FAMILY BIO:KITTS FAMILY; 1802-1981; Family Group Sheets from Carl Murdock-2045
General Notes for Child George Kitts
!FAMILY BIO:KITTS FAMILY; 1802-1981; Family Group Sheets from Carl Murdock-2045
General Notes for Child Payton Kitts
!FAMILY BIO:KITTS FAMILY; 1802-1981; Family Group Sheets from Carl Murdock-2045
General Notes for Child Melissa Kitts
!FAMILY BIO:KITTS FAMILY; 1802-1981; Family Group Sheets from Carl Murdock-2045
General Notes for Child Joseph E. Kitts
!FAMILY BIO:KITTS FAMILY; 1802-1981; Family Group Sheets from Carl Murdock-2045
General Notes for Child Franklin Kitts
!BIRTH: Ohio Births; 1866-1910; Lawrence Co.,Ohio births; ; FHL microfilm; ;.
!FAMILY BIO:KITTS FAMILY; 1802-1981; Family Group Sheets from Carl Murdock-2045
General Notes for Child Jeremiah Kitts
!BIRTH: Ohio Births; 1866-1910; Lawrence Co.,Ohio births; ; FHL microfilm; ;.
General Notes for Child Rosco (Twin) Kitts
!BIRTH: Ohio Births; 1866-1910; Lawrence Co.,Ohio births; ; FHL microfilm; ;.
General Notes for Child Roswell (Twin) Kitts
!BIRTH: Ohio Births; 1866-1910; Lawrence Co.,Ohio births; ; FHL microfilm; ;.
George P. Kitts
Husband George P. Kitts 81,82
Born: 28 Oct 1873 - , , , Ohio Christened: Died: 21 Feb 1942 - , Anmoore, Harrison, West Virginia Buried: 23 Feb 1942 - , Tesla, , West Virginia
Father: William Kitts (1836-1902) 80,81,82 Mother: Charlotte Jane Scott (1837-1902) 80
Noted events in his life were:
• Death Record 106, 21 Feb 1942 - , Anmoore, Harrison, West Virginia
Name: George P Kitts Sex: Male Death Date: 21 Feb 1942 Death Place: Anmoore, Harrison, West Virginia Age at Death: 68y 3m 23d Burial Place: Tesla, W Va Burial Date: 23 Feb 1942 Cemetery: Funeral Home: Birth Date: 28 Oct 1873 Birth Place: Ohio Marital Status: W Spouse: Occupation: Traveling Salesman Address: Residence: Mother: Charlotte Scott Mother's Birth Place: West Virginia Father: William Kitts Father's Birth Place: West Virginia Informant:
Wife
Born: Christened: Died: Buried:
Children
Justice R. Miller and Grace Myrtle Kitts
Husband Justice R. Miller
Born: Est 1880 966 Christened: Died: Buried:Marriage: 25 Dec 1908 966
Wife Grace Myrtle Kitts 80,81,82,966
Born: 8 Nov 1889 - , Union Twp, Lawrence, Ohio Christened: Died: 27 Feb 1910 - , Proctorville, Lawrence, Ohio Buried: 1 Mar 1910 - Rome Cemetery, Proctorville, Lawrence, Ohio
Father: David Kitts (1841-1923) 80,81,82 Mother: Margaret Ann McCormick (1842-1930) 80
Noted events in her life were:
• Alt Birth, 8 Nov 1889 - , Proctorville, Lawrence, Ohio
• Death Record, 27 Feb 1910 - , Proctorville, Lawrence, Ohio
Ohio Deaths 1908-1953
Name : Grace M. Miller
Titles :
Death date : 27 Feb 1910
Death place : Proctorville, Lawrence, Ohio
Birth date : 08 Nov 1889
Estimated birth year :
Birth place : Ohio
Age at death : 20 years 3 months 19 days
Gender : Female
Marital status : Married
Race or color : Caucasian
Street address :
Occupation : H.K.
Residence : Proctorville, Lawrence Co., Ohio
Burial date : 01 Mar 1910
Burial place : Rome
Cemetery name :
Spouse name :
Father name : David Kitts
Father titles :
Father birth place : Ohio
Mother name : Mccormick
Mother titles :
Mother birth place : Ohio
GSU film number : 1927355
Digital GS number : 4021013
Image number : 1888
Certificate number : fn 9278
Description : Name index and images of Ohio statewide death certificates.
How to use Ohio Deaths 1908-1953 : Death certificates are the best source of death information. The certificates contain clues for further research: the birth date and birthplace of the individual; the name of the spouse; the names of parents; the place of residence; the name of the informant who may be a child of the deceased.
Children
General Notes (Wife)
!BIRTH: Ohio Births; 1866-1910; Lawrence Co.,Ohio births; ; FHL microfilm; ;.
!CENSUS: 1900 U.S. Census; Lawrence Co.,Ohio; 1900; ; Federal Archives,Fort
Grant Kitts and Olive (Olla) Traylor
Husband Grant Kitts 80,81,82
Born: May 1864 - , , Cabell, West Virginia Christened: Died: Buried:
Father: Christopher Kitts (1837-1913) 80,81,82 Mother: Rebecca Raike (1845-1905) 80
Marriage: 15 Jan 1887 - , , Greenup, Kentucky
Wife Olive (Olla) Traylor 80
Born: Apr 1869 - , , Greenup, Kentucky Christened: Died: Buried:
Children
1 F Roisetta Kitts 80,81,82
Born: Aug 1888 - , , Greenup, Kentucky Christened: Died: Buried:
2 M Basil (Bassaler) Kitts 80,81,82
Born: Dec 1890 - , , Greenup, Kentucky Christened: Died: 6 Sep 1913 - , , , Kentucky Buried:Spouse: Mary Hamilton (1891- ) 80 Marr: 16 Sep 1911 - , , Scioto, Ohio
3 M Grover Kitts 80,81,82
Born: Jun 1893 - , , Greenup, Kentucky Christened: Died: 22 Sep 1945 - , , Fayette, Kentucky Buried:Spouse: Gertrude Traylor (Abt 1900- ) 80 Marr: After 1920 - , , Greenup, Kentucky
4 M McKinley Kitts 80,81,82
Born: Feb 1894 - , , Greenup, Kentucky Christened: Died: 7 Aug 1915 - , , Greenup, Kentucky Buried:
5 F Edna Kitts 80,81,82
Born: Abt 1905 - , , , Ohio Christened: Died: Buried:
General Notes (Husband)
!MARRIAGE: Kentucky Vital Records; ;Greenup Co.,Kentucky Marriages; ;FHL Film
! CENSUS:1870 U.S. Census;Greenup Co.,Kentucky;1870; ; Federal Archives,Fort
!CENSUS:1880 U.S. Census; Greenup Co.,Kentucky; 1880; ; Federal Archives,Fort
!CENSUS: 1900 U.S. Census; Greenup Co.,Kentucky; 1900; ; Federal Archives,Fort
!CENSUS:1910 U.S. Census; Greenup Co.,Kentucky;1910; ; Federal Archives,Fort
General Notes for Child Roisetta Kitts
!MARRIAGE--Greenup Co.,Kentucky Court House;record says her name was Rosa E. Kitts
General Notes for Child Basil (Bassaler) Kitts
!DEATH--GOT SHOT IN THE BELLY--HE WAS DRUNK AND WAS THROWN OFF A BOAT
!CENSUS:1910 Federal Census Greenup Co.,Kentucky;enumerated with his mother and Grandfather Christopher Kitts.
General Notes for Child Grover Kitts
!MARRIAGE--MARRIED TO GERT TRAYLOR A COUSIN
!Marriage--1st marriage record from the internet
!MARRIAGE: record of marriage to Sarah Pelfry 23 Apr 1917
!DEATH:record Vol.38 Certificate#18652 Death Vol. 45
!CENSUS:1910 Federal Census Greenup Co.,Kentucky
General Notes for Child McKinley Kitts
!Death Record; Vol. 39 Certificate #19441
!CENSUS: 1900 U.S. Census; Greenup Co.,Kentucky; 1900; ; Federal Archives,Fort
!CENSUS:1910 U.S. Census; Greenup Co.,Kentucky;1910; ; Federal Archives,Fort
General Notes for Child Edna Kitts
!CENSUS:1910 Federal Census Greenup Co.,Kentucky
Grover Kitts and Gertrude Traylor
Husband Grover Kitts 80,81,82
Born: Jun 1893 - , , Greenup, Kentucky Christened: Died: 22 Sep 1945 - , , Fayette, Kentucky Buried:
Father: Grant Kitts (1864- ) 80,81,82 Mother: Olive (Olla) Traylor (1869- ) 80
Marriage: After 1920 - , , Greenup, Kentucky
Wife Gertrude Traylor 80
Born: Abt 1900 - , , Greenup, Kentucky Christened: Died: Buried:
Children
1 F Agnes Aileen Kitts 80,81,82
Born: 11 Jun 1921 - , Pikeville, Greenup, Kentucky Christened: Died: 8 Sep 1937 - , , Greenup, Kentucky Buried: - , Smith Branch, Greenup, Kentucky
General Notes (Husband)
!MARRIAGE--MARRIED TO GERT TRAYLOR A COUSIN
!Marriage--1st marriage record from the internet
!MARRIAGE: record of marriage to Sarah Pelfry 23 Apr 1917
!DEATH:record Vol.38 Certificate#18652 Death Vol. 45
!CENSUS:1910 Federal Census Greenup Co.,Kentucky
General Notes (Wife)
!Married to Grover Kitts
!CENSUS:1920 FEDERAL CENSUS; 1920; Greenup Co.,Kentucky; ; Federal Archives
!CENSUS:1910 U.S. Census; Greenup Co.,Kentucky;1910; ; Federal Archives,Fort
General Notes for Child Agnes Aileen Kitts
!DEATH:Kentucky Deaths;; Greenup Co.,Kentucky death records; ; FHL film;;.
Harold Kitts
Husband Harold Kitts 80,81,82
Born: 1923 Christened: Died: 1992 Buried:
Father: James C. Kitts (Abt 1877-Bef 1943) 80,81,82 Mother: Sarah (Sallie) Fetters (1887- ) 80
Wife
Born: Christened: Died: Buried:
Children
Dr. Henry Franklin Massie and Harriet Kitts
Husband Dr. Henry Franklin Massie 966
Born: 24 May 1866 - , , Lawrence, Ohio Christened: Died: 14 Apr 1937 - , Haverhill, Lawrence, Ohio Buried:Marriage: 3 Feb 1897 - , , Lawrence, Ohio 966
Wife Harriet Kitts 81,82
Born: 12 Jan 1876 - , Greasy Ridge, Lawrence, Ohio Christened: Died: After 1957 Buried:
Father: David Kitts (1841-1923) 80,81,82 Mother: Margaret Ann McCormick (1842-1930) 80
Children
General Notes (Wife)
KITHAR90.TXT This was written by Hattie Kitts Massie and given to Ona Kitts Potter in 1957. Copied verbatim except for obvious spelling errors.
SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT MY 80 - PLUS YEARS OF LIFE
by Hattie Kitts Massie
August 11, 1957
I was born January 12, 1876, on Greasy Ridge, Lawrence County, Ohio, to David and Margaret Ann McCormick Kitts and named Harriet (after my Mother's sister) Kitts. It is a marvelous and wonderful thing to live in this beautiful world and to be bless with lovely Christian parents and brothers and sisters. So many joys and pleasures and pleasures - more than I could ever tell.
When I was about four or five years old, father sold our farm; and we moved to my grandmother's (Jane Mendenhall McCormick) farm in Union Township four miles back of Proctorville. She was in poor health and a widow and needed my Mother to take care of her. She died in 1881 and Father bought the interest in the farm of the other McCormick heirs and it became our own, wonderful farm home - the home where my Mother was raised and where we children grew to manhood and womanhood.
We all loved its hills - some in woods and some in orchards, its level land for wheat and corn, its pasture land for our horses, cows, sheep, hogs, chickens, turkeys, geese, and so on. Ten children grew up on this farm to maturity. My oldest sister, Mary Jane, died in 18(7)5 (1865) before I was born, and Amy (?) died when I was 13 months old; so I only know about them through others. The trees in the woods meant a lot, for we burned wood in the fire place and cook stove for many years; then we got to buying some coal and used both wood and coal. My grandfather, John Wesley McCormick, was a farmer and a United Brethren preacher.
My mother was a wonderful church worker, and no minister could utter more beautiful prayers than my Mother. They touched the heart and made you feel like you must love the Lord and live a good life. She and Father trained us to go to Sunday School and Church regularly. Only every third Sunday would we have a preacher, and our house was always open to the then-called "Circuit Riders"' as the preacher would serve six or seven churches throughout the country and would ride horseback over the muddy roads wearing rubber leggings that covered their pants and keep them clean and dry and had saddle bags to carry their Bible, hymnbook, and clothing.
The Sundays when the minister was not with us we had Sunday School and class meetings. This was where the church members would sing, pray, and give their testimony on Christian experience; and it was wonderful. I recall to mind many of the things they said while I remember very little about the sermons. Later on we had preaching most every Sunday.
When we had quarterly meetings both the preacher and presiding Elder (now called District Superintendent) also visiting delegates from all the churches on the circuit would fill our house. We had plenty of food and Mother was a good cook; and we made many new Christian friends - all worked together to ge the work done and would get back to church and not miss a service.
We were not far from the church but had to walk one-half mile to school and carry a basket of lunch for the kitts tribe. It was a one room school house with one teacher and fifty or more pupils. We had good school teachers for those times and our "Literary Society" where we gave recitations, debates, readings, dialogues, etc. (yes, and "Spelling Bees") were helpful in our education and social life.
Wilbur Sydenstricker was my favorite teacher, later becoming a minister and Sydenstricker Memorial Church in Ironton was dedicated to his memory as he died of typhoid fever while he was pastor of that church. He was a grand man and beloved by all. He was sister Della's sweetheart, but she chose to marry Will Wakefield from Clifton City, Mo., and Sydenstricker never married. Another fine teacher was B. F. Forgey, who has been editor of the "Ashland(?) Daily Independent" for years.
With church and school work and farm activities we went merrily on from year to year. Each one of us ten children were kept busy for on a farm there were plenty of tasks for all. Mother arose at 5:00 summer and winter. With so many to cook for, and fix lunch and get all off to school, it took time; and we were seldom late for school. It was necessary to get an early start in summer time-to take care of the crops, cows, chickens, turkeys, garden, flowers, etc. Often times there were extra farm helpers to cook for, and we always had one farm hand who lived with us. John Bame lived with us so many years that all his life he seemed like a brother.
We raised and canned all our fruits and vegetables - had our cured meat to last from one hog-killing time until the next year. We had our wild black and raspberries to pick and tried to have 50 gallons in jars, besides the jelly and jam. Then our good orchards, with peaches and many varieties of apples, plums, grapes, gooseberries, etc. gave us an abundance of good eats. We made apple butter in a 20-gallon brass kettle, stirring it with a long handled wooden stirrer out-of-doors with a wood fire under the kettle - cooking it for hours and stirring all the time to prevent it from burning. We made fifty gallons or so and sealed it in stone jars - some one, two, and five gallons. My! How we did eat it up with hot biscuits. If we did not rase some cane, we would buy sorghum by the gallon from a neighbor, Clint Roberts, who had a cane mill and made molasses every year - and was it good with hot biscuits and sausage! Then we had nice, wooden barrels to fill with pickles and sauerkraut. We also had bees to make honey - doesn't it all sound good? And it was - I can tell you.
Laundry work? Lots of it - done in wooden or zinc tubs on a washboard and usually soap that Mother had made. She saved fats and made lye by saving wood ashes until a barrel was filled, then let water seep through the ashes. If she did not have enough lye, she would buy Babbotts Potash and boil together until the lye had dissolved all the fat. Overnight it was allowed to set and the next day was cut out into squares or cakes. What did not harden enough to be cut out was put in a jar and called soft soap; and believe me! it would clean the clothes, but was it hard on the hands.
Part of the time we kept sheep, and the wool was hand picked to get out the briars and anything that clung to the wool as the sheep roamed in the fields. Then Father would take it to Guyandotte, West Virginia, to have it carded; then Mother would spin it into yarn and knit all our stockings, socks, gloves, wristlets, and hoods, scarves, etc.
Besides the spinning wheel, she had a loom and wove rag rugs, carpets, and wool blankets - also did the family sewing. She was very busy, but she found time to visit and nurse the sick and sometimes sat up all night with a sick neighbor. She was often called to maternity cases as the neighbors mostly helped each other. There were no trained nurses then, but some way they made it.
Neither were there any bath tubs, but in the summer time the men could bathe in a stream that ran along part of the farm; and we used a tub or wash pan in the winter. We at last had a large, six-hole coal range with a reservoir attached that held several gallons of water and by having kettles or iron pots full on the stove we managed to have enough hot water for our Saturday night baths. But it was sure a "splash night" with so many of us to bathe.
Father and Mother were good workers and managers and were patient and loving with their large family, but we knew we had to obey or be punished. As I think back over the years, I wonder how they managed us so well. Mother went about her work singing - usually church hymns. One of her favorites was "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and "Oh! For a Thousand Tongues To Sing My Great Redeemer's Praise". She did a lot of praying and taught us to pray and love the Lord saying "He loves you and watches over you and sees your every act and deed."
Father raised, bought, and packed tobacco in great wooden hogshead - all who could, worked in the tobacco barn. Some would sort the cured tobacco - one would be in the hogshead to place it after someone had carried it to them, then when so much had been placed they would let a heavy press down to pack it firm and solid. When the barrels were filled to their capacity, they were hauled to Proctorville, put on a boat, and shipped to Cincinnati markets. I well remember how happy we were to have Daddy bring us some gift. I think the nicest one was an "organette" that we placed musical rolls (like they have on a player piano) on and turned a crank and got the most charming music. How I wish I had it in good shape today. It was the only one I ever saw.
I took music lessons when I was fourteen from Rose Kitts, my dear Uncle Ed Kitt's daughter. She stayed at our house for a month, and I learned some chords, also some hymns; and my family was happy. All would gather around the organ and Will blew on a french-harp jews-harp. So it was all a little entertaining. I took music lessons for two summers from Miss Cox, who attended music school in Cincinnati and from Miss Saunders of Proctorville.
All of us (except Ona) united with the United Brethren Church near-by. I was converted at fourteen years of age; and I believe everyone should join some church in their youthful days. What do you think of this. Wes, Della, and I joined the church the same year, and one lovely Sunday I knelt at the church altar (with six other classmates, all dressed in white) and was sprinkled with water by our preacher (Rev. A. A. Chapman, later he was pastor of the United Brethren Church in Ironton) then we all went to Guyan Creek where Wesley and several others were immersed in the water. After that Della knelt by the edge of the creed and Rev. Chapman slowly poured a pitcher of water over her head. The three modes of baptism were all used on us three the same day. The important thing is spiritual baptism.
Sister Ona married James M. Potter from Beaman, Mo., and she was converted in the Baptist Church where he was a member; and she has been a great church worker through the years.
We were a healthy family and did not have too many doctor bills. Dr. Gerard Ricketts of Proctorville was our family doctor. He had three sons and all became doctors. One is living in Cincinnati, and a nephew, Dr. J. F. Ricketts, is located here in Huntington.
I suppose we had our spats like all children, but we were not a quarrelsome family, but a Christian family trying to live right in the sight of God and man.
I was 7 years old when my twin sisters arrived. They were named Ida and Ona and were identical twins - hard to tell one from the other, and we almost worshipped them. They were so beautiful. The only set of twins in all that section and many people came to see them. Sister Lilly, being the oldest and thereby having the most responsibility said "Twins are too much, I think, and one baby at a time is enough to take care of." But Della could help out a lot and we had a woman with us for a while, and all went well.
As most families do, we played games - dominoes, Authors, and Father loved to play checkers. As we grew up, we played croquet and had such a nice yard for the game, but Mother never wanted us to play on Sunday. To her, the Sabbath Day was ordained by God for a rest and worship day, and only necessary work should be done.
Sometimes we had a watermelon patch, but Mother did not like for us to take our company there on Sunday, but we would serve and eat our melon on the porch or in the yard. No doubt her strict rules kept us from getting into any disgrace, for we all grew up and had nothing harmful said about us.
The boys could date any of the girls they desired to keep company with, for they were nice boys. We had good horses and buggy and Father bought a lovely carriage, drawn by two horses for family use; and on Memorial Day and on the Fourth of July we would take a large basket of food and attend the celebration in Rome and Proctorville. Father was a soldier in the Civil War, 36th Ohio Infantry Volunteers. When in the war for over three years, he was a member of the G. A. R. (Grand Army of the Republic.) My Father was wounded in the battle of Antittam September 17, 1862; and history says that it was the bloodiest day America ever saw. He fought in Lewisburg, West Virginia, Bull Run, South Mountain, Chickamonga, Martinsburg, Lynchburg, Hoover's Gap, Cedar Creek, and others. ...We would put a flag and flowers on the soldiers' graves. Usually the G.A.R. men would march in a group, dressed in their uniforms, and place the flags on the graves; and their daughters, dressed in white, would carry baskets of flowers and scatter flowers on the graves. The band with fife and drums would play "Dixie", "Marching Along Through Georgia", "Star-Spangled Banner" and other songs - it was quite thrilling! Also the sons of these soldiers formed a band called the S. of V. Band (Sons of Veterans) and Wesley played a fife or flute.
Notes (Marriage)
Harvey Adams Kitts and Flossie Lewis
Husband Harvey Adams Kitts 81,82
Born: 1866 - , , , West Virginia Christened: Died: 24 Feb 1940 - , Sutton, Braxton, West Virginia Buried:
Father: Andrew L. Kitts (1832-1921) 80,81,82 Mother: Hannah Linton (1832-Bef 1921) 80
Marriage: 31 Oct 1908 - , , Braxton, West Virginia
Other Spouse: Samantha Highly? (1866-1897)
Wife Flossie Lewis
Born: 1885 - , , Upshur, West Virginia Christened: Died: Buried:
Children
Helen Kitts
Husband
Born: Christened: Died: Buried:
Wife Helen Kitts 80,81,82
Born: 1921 Christened: Died: 1991 Buried:
Father: James C. Kitts (Abt 1877-Bef 1943) 80,81,82 Mother: Sarah (Sallie) Fetters (1887- ) 80
Children
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