Big Crab Orchard or Witten’s Fort: The Pioneers were called the long hunters by the Native Americans, and began to arrive early in the 18th century. The first known was Richard Thomas Skaggs and Absalom Looney, who came from the Shenandoah Valley to hunt, trap and dig for ginseng. They may have been dressed in a warnus, a summer hunting frock. As others began to explore, one family established the first farm in what is now Tazewell County -- on this site. The Witten family and others made the best use of locally available materials for their tools and gear, and for medical purposes. Surveyors began mapping out farm sites on land held until then by the Native Americans. Pioneers were patriotic men and women who were quick to defend the colonies against the Royal Government of Great Britain, from which they had originally sought their freedom. The American Revolution drove Tazewell County volunteers to the Battle of Kings Mountain, S.C. In the area, farm owners built forts to provide part if George Washingtons perimeter of defense. Fort Witten was one. Forming counties in the western parts of Virginia so that citizens would have more ready access to courthouses was not without controversy. Even before the Birth of the County, the first religious congregation was organized here -- the forerunner of the Pisgah United Methodist Church, across the highway from the Museum. It is said that Tazewell County, then part of Russell County, was created by the deadlocked Virginia General Assembly when Littleton Tazewell, of James City County, broke the tie after being promised the new county would be named for him.First established as a fortification in 1774 by Thomas Witten. Used until the end of Indian hostilities in 1794. Also known as Wittens Fort and Big Crab Orchard. Originally seven militia forts were to be constructed in 1774 during Lord Dunmores War against hostile Indian tribes. Capt. William Russell was to command four of the forts on the Lower Clinch River and Capt. Daniel Smith was to command three forts on the Upper Clinch River. These forts were to be erected by the local militia men supervised by Colonel William Christian who had been sent out to the frontier by Col. William Preston who was commanding officer of the Fincastle County Militia. The forts were generally named for the landowners where they were located and/or the military commanders. Many of them had multiple names as landowners and commanders changed. Even though Lord Dunmores War ended in 1774, the Indian attacks continued until 1794 when the Indian renegade leader, Benge, was killed near Big Stone Gap.Fort Witten was a small stockaded home garrisoned with a small detachment of militia.The old restored fort is now part of the Crab Orchard Pioneer Park and Museum at 3663 Crab Orchard Rd, Tazewell, Virginia. Rts. 19/460 and Business Rt. 19, Pisgah. On the hillside to the south stood Big Crab Orchard Fort, also known as Witten’s Fort. Thomas Witten obtained land here in 1771 and built the fort as a neighborhood place of refuge. It was garrisoned in Dunmore’s War, 1774. 1. THOMAS1 WITTEN was born Abt. 1630 in Mixbury, Oxford, England. He married MARY BULKELEY December 31, 1656 in Christ Chuch, Barbados, daughter of WILLIAM BULKELEY and FRANCES ?. She was born 1636 in Barbados, BWI. Notes for THOMAS WITTEN: Family Lore has it that the Wittens came from Prussia on the Elbe River to England in the 4th century. The first recorded Wittens in England has them residing in Yorkshire in 856. More About THOMAS WITTEN: Fact 1: 1632, Emmigrated England to Maryland Child of THOMAS WITTEN and MARY BULKELEY is: 2. i. THOMAS2 WITTEN, b. February 09, 1671/72, England; d. Abt. 1740, Maryland. Generation No. 2 2. THOMAS2 WITTEN (THOMAS1) was born February 09, 1671/72 in England, and died Abt. 1740 in Maryland. He married ANN CECIL Abt. 1712, daughter of JAMES CECIL and ELIZABETH. She was born Abt. 1692 in Barbados/VA, and died Abt. 1755 in Maryland. Children of THOMAS WITTEN and ANN CECIL are: 3. i. JOHN3 WITTEN, b. 1712; d. Bedford Co., Virginia. ii. ROBERT WITTEN, b. Abt. 1713. iii. SON WITTEN, b. Abt. 1714. 4. iv. THOMAS J. WITTEN, SR., b. September 10, 1719, Prince George, Co., MD; d. 1796, Tazewell Co., Va. v. WILLIAM WITTEN, b. Abt. 1724. Generation No. 3 3. JOHN3 WITTEN (THOMAS2, THOMAS1) was born 1712, and died in Bedford Co., Virginia. Notes for JOHN WITTEN: He married in MD, moving to Bedford Co., Va at the Peaks of Otter, later moving to Tazewell Co., still later moved to Bedford Co. where their families remain spelling the name as WHITTEN. Child of JOHN WITTEN is: i. JOHN4 WITTEN, b. Abt. 1735, Bedford Co., Virginia; m. CATHERINE LEFTWICH; b. Abt. 1735, Bedford Co., Virginia. 4. THOMAS J.3 WITTEN, SR. (THOMAS2, THOMAS1) was born September 10, 1719 in Prince George, Co., MD, and died 1796 in Tazewell Co., Va. He married ELIZABETH CECIL (Source: Paul Tobler.) 1742 in Prince George Co., MD, daughter of JOHN CECIL and ELIZABETH SOLLERS. She was born March 15, 1719/20 in Prince George Co., MD (Source: Philip Wittens Cyphering Book.), and died 1796 in Tazewell Co., VA. Notes for ELIZABETH CECIL: JOHN GRAHAM OF VIRGINIA; WHITTEN AND ALLIED FAMILIES, by Alexander and Whitten, pp. 493-499; stating that Elizabeth was adopted by her fathers brother John. Children of THOMAS WITTEN and ELIZABETH CECIL are: 5. i. JOHN (GATES)4 WITTEN, b. 1742, Prince George, Co., MD; d. 1781, Bedford Co., VA. 6. ii. ELIZABETH CECIL WITTEN, b. July 17, 1743, Prince George Co., MD; d. August 06, 1816, Wayne Co., KY. 7. iii. SUSANNAH WITTEN, b. September 16, 1745, Frederick, MD; d. 1832, East Liberty, Fayette, PA. 8. iv. PHILIP WITTEN, b. June 08, 1747, Maryland or Augusta Co., VA; d. 1832, Wittens Landing, Montergomery Co., Ohio. 9. v. JEREMIAH WITTEN, b. March 30, 1749, Augusta Co., VA; d. 1845, Tazewell Co., Va. 10. vi. KEZIAH WITTEN, b. February 13, 1751/52, Frederick, MD; d. May 15, 1837, Pulaski Co., VA. 11. vii. THOMAS JEFFERSON WITTEN, JR., b. January 23, 1753, Frederick, Maryland; d. October 06, 1841, Tazewell, Co., VA.Thomas Witten, Jr. (Thomas, I.) married Eleanor Cecil and they lived for some years on the farm now owned by C.W. Boyd, but in later life, he moved to Plum Creek and built a long house on the site on which the house of W. A. Leece now stands. They reared a large family - thirteen in number - all of whom lived to see old age. Thomas Witten, Jr. served in the Revolutionary War and fought in the battle of Kings Mountain under Lieut. Rees Bowen. He also did valiant service in protecting the frontier settlements from Indian depredations, for which he was pensioned by the United States Government. He and David Ward were the first represesentatives from Tazewell county elected to the Virginia Legislature, sessions 1801-1802-1803. Thomas Witten was among the first early settlers to plantfruit trees in Tazewell, bringing from Maryland, grafts and perhaps young trees of an especially fine apple, which became known as the Maryland apple. He was also an ardent admirer of forest trees, and it is told of him that during his last illness, he had his sons carry him to his door so that he might have a final look at a stately spreading oak, growing near his home. He and his wife are buried in the old graveyard in front of the W. A. Leece residence. Their children: John, Zachariah, Hiram, Samuel, William, James S., Thomas S., Rebecca, Tabitha, Linnie, Elizabeth, Keziah, and Ann. He served as an Ensign (Second Leiutenant) in the Virginia Militia of Tazewell Co., VA during Revolutionary War, fought at the battle of Kings Mountain. He was placed on pension roll in 1833, pension #55113, for which he received a pension of $24 per month. He was also a noted scout and Indian fighter Rev War Pension Application of Thomas Witten 1832 Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements Pension Application of Thomas Witten: S6407 Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris State of Virginia Tazewell County to wit On this 15 day of th October 1832 personally appeared in open court before the County Court of Tazewell County in the state of Virginia, now sitting Thomas Witten a resident of Tazewell County and State of Virginia aged Eighty years in the month of January next who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That he was Ensign, regularly Commissioned, and belonged to the company commanded by Captain Thomas Martin, and Lieutenant James Maxwell when he first entered the service in the early in the month of June in the year 1776 and was attached to the state Regiment commanded by Col William Preston, and Major Walter Crockett, who was afterwards promoted to the appointment of a Colonel. That the duty which as Ensign aforesaid during the remainder of the year 1776 which devolved upon the said Thomas Witten, and the company to which he belonged, was to perform frequent scouting expeditions as Indian spies, to defend the western frontier of Virginia lying along the Valley of Clinch river from the head waters of Blue Stone [Bluestone] river to the forks of Clinch river within the now limits of Russell County in the state aforesaid, from the massacres of the Indians by whom the whole western border was then infested. That he resided in the now county of Tazewell in the state of Virginia, then perhaps Montgomery. That he does not now remember whether he was drafted or not, but thinks, that he was called out by an order of the commanding officer Col William Preston. That he was engaged in no general battle, or engagement, during his scouting expeditions in the year 1776, but partook in several little skirmishes, and was an eye witness to some of the many instances of inhuman butchery and massacre committed upon the frontier families within the range of his marches. That none of the regular soldiers were quartered in the western frontier for the protection and defence of the settlers, but that the militia was occasionally drafted and sent to the relief of the frontier from the then counties of Montgomery and Washington embracing all that section of Country now comprised in the counties of Lee, Scott, Russell, Tazewell, Giles, Grayson, Monroe &c &c. The said Thomas Witten further states, that he continued to act as an Ensign as aforesaid untill the close of the revolutionary war. That he thinks he was engaged as an Indian spy aforesaid fully six months in each year, and the balance of each year were permitted by their commanding officers to return to their families, and remain at home during the winters of each year from the year 1776 until the termination of the revolutionary war, when the Indians ceased to annoy and murder the settlers upon the said frontier. That he does not now know what has become of his commission as Ensign, but thinks upon resigning, he surrendered it to his commanding officer, so that it is not now in his power to produce it. That he knows of three persons now living who can testify to his service aforesaid, by William Cecil, Nancy Cecil, and Joseph Oney. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid [signed] Thos. Witten 12. viii. NANCY ANN WITTEN, b. February 09, 1755, Prince George Co., MD; d. September 06, 1843, Tazewell, Co., VA. ix. WILLIAM WITTEN b. February 1757, Prince George, Co., MD; d. October 16, 1758, Prince George, Co., MD. 13. x. JAMES B. THE SCOUT WITTEN, b. January 07, 1759, Prince George, Co., MD; d. March 15, 1831, Tazewell, Co., VA. 14. xi. WILLIAM STANLEY WITTEN, b. November 07, 1761, Augusta Co., VA; d. November 03, 1824, Bledsoe, TN. Generation No. 4 5. JOHN (GATES) WITTEN (THOMAS J.3, THOMAS2, THOMAS1) (Source: Don Witten Einsel, Jr. of Florida, Witten Family Genealogy, 1, States he is John Gates (Witten), bound to Thomas Witten. (It seems he took the Witten name as his child is John B. Witten. I cant tell if he was adopted or took the name).) was born 1742 in Prince George, Co., MD, and died 1781 in Bedford Co., VA. He married ELIZABETH LENNIE CECIL (Source: Paul Tobler.) Abt. 1760, daughter of SAMUEL CECIL and REBECCA WHITE. She was born 1745 in Prince George, Co., MD, and died in Bedford Co., VA. Notes for JOHN (GATES) WITTEN: They are said to have married in Md. moving to Bedford City, VA pt Peaks of Otter later moving to Tazewell Co., still later moving to Bedford Co. where the family remains spelling the name Whitten. From: PENDLETON, History of Tazewell Co. It is believed that he is not a natural son. Philips Horn Book does not list him as a brother. In the Judiciary Records of Frederick Co., MD, 1751...John Gates aged 8 years...Robert Gates said to be 6 years old on the 26th day of March next...bound to Thomas Witten. He was the son of Elizabeth Gates. Father unknown at this time. Child of JOHN WITTEN and ELIZABETH CECIL is: 15. i. JOHN B.5 WITTEN, b. Abt. 1760. 6. ELIZABETH CECIL4 WITTEN (THOMAS J.3, THOMAS2, THOMAS1) (Source: Virginia Wood Alexander and William C. Whitten, JR., Witten and Allied Families, (Second Edition).) was born July 17, 1743 in Prince George Co., MD, and died August 06, 1816 in Wayne Co., KY. She married JOHN W. GREENUP 1760 in Frederick, MD, son of JOHN GREENUP and ANN. He was born 1743 in Prince George Co., MD, and died November 27, 1826 in Wayne Co., KY. Notes for ELIZABETH CECIL WITTEN: She was his second wife. They moved to KY in 1801 where John d. in 1826 in Wayne Co. More About ELIZABETH CECIL WITTEN: Fact 1: Bet. 1767 - 1801, Lived in Tazewell VA Children of ELIZABETH WITTEN and JOHN GREENUP are: 16. i. KEZIAH5 GREENUP, b. Abt. 1762, Tazewell Co., VA. 17. ii. THOMAS GREENUP, b. Abt. 1770, Frederick, MD; d. Aft. 1836, en route to McDonough, Ill. 18. iii. ELIZABETH ANN ELIZA GREENUP, b. 1775, Tazewell Co., VA; d. November 1855, Steubenville, Wayne Co., VA. 19. iv. JOHN C. GREENUP, b. 1780, Tazewell Co., VA; d. Abt. 1849, Missouri. 20. v. SUSANNAH GREENUP, b. October 03, 1780, Tazewell, VA; d. June 24, 1859, Spring Garden, Miller Co., Mo. vi. MARY POLLY GREENUP b. Abt. 1781, Tazewell Co., VA; d. Wayne Co., KY; m. JAMES GILESPIE, November 08, 1807, Tazewell Co., VA; b. Abt. 1776, Tazewell Co., VA; d. 1831, Wayne Co., KY. 7. SUSANNAH4 WITTEN (THOMAS J.3, THOMAS2, THOMAS1) was born September 16, 1745 in Frederick, MD, and died 1832 in East Liberty, Fayette, PA. She married JOSHUA DICKERSON 1763 in Frederick, MD, son of JOHN DICKERSON and RUTH. He was born March 14, 1739/40 in Frederick Co., MD, and died October 10, 1827 in East Liberty, Fayette, PA. More About JOSHUA DICKERSON: Fact 1: October 1827, buried Dickerson Run, East Liberty, PA Children of SUSANNAH WITTEN and JOSHUA DICKERSON are: 21. i. REV. THOMAS5 DICKERSON, b. May 19, 1764; d. December 24, 1852. ii. RUTH DICKERSON , b. 1766; m. (1) ? JONES; b. Abt. 1766; m. (2) JOSEPH STEVENS, 1787; b. Abt. 1766. More About ? JONES: Fact 1: They had 4 children. iii. ELI DICKERSON He was a twin., b. 1768; d. November 24, 1834; m. MARY ?, 1789; b. Abt. 1768. 22. iv. LEVI DICKERSON, b. 1768, East Liberty, Fayette, PA; d. Bef. April 1842, Coshocton, OH. v. MARY DICKERSON , b. 1769; m. ROBERT THOMAS STEVENS; b. Abt. 1769. vi. ELIZABETH DICKERSON , b. 1771; m. WILLIAM HAMILTON, 1792; b. Abt. 1771. vii. REBECCA DICKERSON , b. 1774; m. JOSHUA DAVID HOWARD, 1792; b. Abt. 1774. viii. SUSANNAH DICKERSON (Source: Don Witten Einsel, Jr. of Florida, Witten Family Genealogy, 3, They had 8 children.), b. July 17, 1776; d. 1835; m. JOSIAH ALLEN, 1801, Tazewell Co., Va; b. January 17, 1761, Tazewell Co., Va; d. December 28, 1842. ix. JOSHUA DICKERSON He was a twin. They had 9 children.), b. 1779; d. February 12, 1850; m. SARAH DUNLAP; b. 1779; d. 1871. x. SARAH DICKERSON (Source: Don Witten Einsel, Jr. of Florida, Witten Family Genealogy, 3, She was the twin of Joshua. They had 8 children.), b. 1779; d. November 01, 1858; m. SAMUEL DUNLAP, Abt. 1800; b. 1773; d. 1839. 23. xi. JOHN DICKERSON, b. March 30, 1783, Fayette, PA; d. November 02, 1857, Coshocton, OH. 24. xii. RACHEL DICKERSON, b. October 22, 1785; d. 1851. xiii. WILLIAM DICKERSON , b. 1788; d. 1874; m. ELIZABETH DONEY, 1811; b. 1795; d. 1870. xiv. NANCY DICKERSON They had 8 children, b. August 15, 1790, Fayette Co., PA; d. November 28, 1870, Harrison Co., OH; m. JOHN DUNLAP, Abt. 1811; b. 1787; d. 1878. 8. PHILIP4 WITTEN (THOMAS J.3, THOMAS2, THOMAS1) (Source: Don Witten Einsel, Jr. of Florida, Witten Family Genealogy, 4, Says he dies in 1832.) was born June 08, 1747 in Maryland or Augusta Co., VA, and died 1832 in Wittens Landing, Montergomery Co., Ohio. He married RUTH DICKERSON 1771 in Frederick, MD, daughter of HENRY DICKERSON. She was born 1749, and died 1828. Notes for PHILIP WITTEN: Bio: The family moved to Fort Henry on the Ohio River before 1790, then to Wittens Landing Ohio in 1791 Children of PHILIP WITTEN and RUTH DICKERSON are: i. ELIZABETH5 WITTEN, b. August 08, 1772; d. Abt. 1773. 25. ii. THOMAS WITTEN, b. April 05, 1775, Tazewell Co., Va; d. January 17, 1824. iii. NOAH DICKERSON WITTEN , b. September 07, 1777; d. Abt. 1778. 26. iv. JOSEPH WITTEN, b. April 03, 1779; d. 1818. 27. v. RACHEL WITTEN, b. August 14, 1780; d. August 12, 1861. 28. vi. JOHN WITTEN, b. October 29, 1783, Montgomery Co., VA; d. October 11, 1827, Wetzel Co., WVA. 29. vii. PETER WITTEN, b. June 21, 1786; d. January 22, 1855. 30. viii. JAMES WITTEN, b. November 16, 1788, Tazewell Co., Va; d. June 12, 1869. 9. JEREMIAH4 WITTEN (THOMAS J.3, THOMAS2, THOMAS1) (Source: (1) Kozee, Early Families of Eastern And Southeastern Kentucky, 119, Jeremiah Witten served as a private in Captain William Russells Company of Virginia Militia and fought at the battle of Point Pleasant (October 10, 1774); m. and resided in Tazewell county., (2) Don Witten Einsel, Jr. of Florida, Witten Family Genealogy.) was born March 30, 1749 in Augusta Co., VA, and died 1845 in Tazewell Co., Va. He married SARAH SALLY SKAGGS OF KY ? Abt. 1778 in Tazewell Co., Va. She was born Abt. 1758 in Augusta Co., VA, and died in Tazewell, VA. More About JEREMIAH WITTEN: Fact 1: October 10, 1774, Fought in the Battle of Point Pleasant Fact 2: Some say he may have died in Grayson Co., KY Children of JEREMIAH WITTEN and SARAH ? are: i. NANCY5 WITTEN , b. Abt. 1779, Tazewell, VA; m. ABRAHAM ABE DAVIS, November 14, 1797; b. Abt. 1779, Tazewell, VA. ii. ELIZABETH WITTEN , b. Abt. 1780, Tazewell, VA; m. (1) JACOB GROPPIN, March 01, 1798, Tazewell, VA; b. Abt. 1780; m. (2) JOHN DAVIS, January 09, 1800; b. Abt. 1780. 31. iii. MARY WITTEN, b. November 1780, Tazewell Co., Va; d. 1873. iv. JEREMIAH WITTEN, JR. , b. 1785, Tazewell, VA. 32. v. JOHN WITTEN, b. 1785, Tazewell Co., Va; d. Abt. 1855, Grayson Co., KY. vi. SAMUEL WITTEN , b. 1786, Tazewell, VA. vii. KESSIAH WITTEN , b. 1789, Tazewell Co., VA; d. 1860; m. JAMES SKAGGS, 1807; b. Abt. 1789. viii. ANN WITTEN , b. May 19, 1791, Tazewell Co., Va; m. JOHN CLARK; b. February 27, 1764, Tazewell Co., VA; d. January 25, 1831. 33. ix. JAMES WITTEN, b. 1793, Tazewell Co., Va; d. September 28, 1900. x. HESTER A. HETTIE WITTEN , b. October 10, 1803, Tazewell Co., Va. More About HESTER A. HETTIE WITTEN: Fact 2: unmarried 34. xi. LETITIA LETTIE WITTEN, b. October 10, 1803, Tazewell Co., Va; d. Abt. 1881. 10. KEZIAH WITTEN (THOMAS J.3, THOMAS2, THOMAS1) was born February 13, 1751/52 in Frederick, MD, and died May 15, 1837 in Pulaski Co., VA. She married JOHN JACKIE CECIL (Source: Elise Jourdan, Dates for him and wife from Tombstone, Pulaski Co., VA.) Abt. 1770 in Montgomery Co., VA, son of SAMUEL CECIL and REBECCA WHITE. He was born January 24, 1750/51 in Prince George Co., MD, and died August 05, 1830 in Pulaski Co., VA. More About KEZIAH WITTEN: Fact 1: buried Farm Neck Creek, Pulaski, VA More About JOHN JACKIE CECIL: Fact 2: buried Farm Neck Creek, Pulaski, VA Children of KEZIAH WITTEN and JOHN CECIL are: 35. i. NANCY ANN5 CECIL, b. February 13, 1771, Pulaski Co., VA; d. May 26, 1841, Pulaski Co., VA. ii. ELIZABETH BETSY CECIL , b. November 17, 1773; d. Bef. 1828; m. JOHN LOWTHER , October 02, 1795; b. January 29, 1775; d. August 20, 1843. iii. WILLIAM CECIL , b. May 06, 1776; d. Abt. 1810. More About WILLIAM CECIL: Cause of Death: Wounds received during War of 1812 36. iv. PHILIP CECIL, b. December 08, 1779; d. July 23, 1836, Henry Co., MO. 37. v. REBECCA CECIL, b. September 20, 1782; d. 1866. vi. KEZIAH CECIL , b. July 29, 1785; d. January 01, 1869; m. CROZIER EATON, March 18, 1822; b. March 17, 1802; d. March 18, 1858. 38. vii. JENNIE MALINDA LINNIE CECIL, b. January 16, 1788, Montgomery Co., VA; d. Abt. 1870, Missouri. 39. viii. BRICE BICEY CECIL, b. May 18, 1792, Washington Co., Va; d. 1846, Giles THOMAS JEFFERSON WITTEN, JR. (THOMAS J.3, THOMAS2, THOMAS1) (Source: Kozee, Early Families of Eastern And Southeastern Kentucky, 119, Thomas Witten, Jr., was b. in Maryland, January 23, 1753, and d. in Tazewell County, Virginia. Served in Captain Daniel Smiths Company of Virginia Militia and fought at the battle of Point Pleasant (October 10, 1774); also served in the Revolutionary War as ensign in the Washington County, Virginia company of mounted riflemen under the command of then Colonel William Campbell, and fought at the battle of Kings Mountain (October 7, 1780); was elected as one of the first members from Tazewell county to the General Assembly of Virginia and served as such from 1801-1802 and 1802-03; m. his cousin, Eleanor Cecil, niece of his mother, Elizabeth Cecil Witten, and daughter of his uncle, Samuel Cecil. They had children, one of whom a daughter, Rebecca, m. John Graham and removed to Eastern Kentucky.) was born January 23, 1753 in Frederick, Maryland, and died October 06, 1841 in Tazewell, Co., VA. He married ELEANOR NELLIE CECIL March 29, 1774 in Belt Co., MD, daughter of SAMUEL CECIL and REBECCA WHITE. She was born July 29, 1754 in Prince George Co., MD, and died April 10, 1836 in Tazewell, VA. Notes for THOMAS JEFFERSON WITTEN, JR.: Served as an ensign in the Virginia militia of Tazewell County, Va. during the Revolutionary War and was placed on pension call 1833 pension #55113. He and Thomas Witten, SR. enlisted Capt. Daniel Smiths Co., VA, Cot. 1774 and fought Indians at the Battle of Point Pleasant. He enlisted in the Continental Army in 1780 in the Carolinas. He was an ensign in a troop of mounted riflemen from Washington County, VA under Colonel William Campbell. More About THOMAS JEFFERSON WITTEN, JR.: Fact 1: Bet. 1821 - 1823, Sheriff Fact 2: Bet. 1776 - 1780, Military Fact 3: 1833, Rev. War Pension #55113 Fact 4: Served in the State Legislature from Tazewell, VA More About ELEANOR NELLIE CECIL: Fact 1: May 15, 1755, Baptism Children of THOMAS WITTEN and ELEANOR CECIL are: 40. i. REBECCA5 WITTEN, b. January 29, 1775, Washington Co., Va; d. August 28, 1843, Floyd Co. KY. ii. ELIZABETH WITTEN , b. June 08, 1776. More About ELIZABETH WITTEN: Fact 1: never married 41. iii. SAMUEL CECIL WITTEN, b. March 24, 1778, Tazewell, Co., VA; d. June 29, 1863, Miller Co., Mo.. 42. iv. WILLIAM MITCHEL WITTEN, b. June 04, 1780, Tazewell, Co., VA; d. October 17, 1868, Grundy, MO. v. THOMAS JOHN WITTEN, b. September 23, 1782, Tazewell Co., Va; d. Bef. 1800, Tazewell Co., Va. Notes for THOMAS JOHN WITTEN: died young 43. vi. MALINDA LINNEY WITTEN, b. January 01, 1784, Tazewell, Co., VA; d. June 10, 1844. vii. KEZIAH WITTEN, b. 1786, Tazewell, Co., VA. viii. JAMES WITTEN, b. February 21, 1786, Tazewell, Co., VA; m. REBECCA PEERY, April 10, 1818, Montgomery Co., VA; b. Abt. 1785, Montgomery Co., VA. 44. ix. HIRAM WITTEN, b. August 14, 1787, Tazewell, Co., VA; d. March 19, 1836. 45. x. THOMAS S. WITTEN, b. December 04, 1789, Tazewell, Co., VA; d. April 10, 1869, Tazewell Co., Va. xi. ZACHARIAH WITTEN , b. 1791, Tazewell, Co., VA; d. May 18, 1815. Notes for ZACHARIAH WITTEN: He was a Methodist Preacher More About ZACHARIAH WITTEN: Cause of Death: consumption 46. xii. LEWIS AUSTIN WITTEN, b. 1794, Tazewell Co., VA; d. 1865, Virginia. xiii. JOHN WITTEN , b. January 08, 1794, Tazewell, Co., VA; d. Virginia; m. MS. RUTLEDGE. 47. xiv. TABITHA WITTEN, b. January 20, 1796, Tazewell, Co., VA; d. February 21, 1881, Washington Co., VA. 48. xv. JAMES STANLEY WITTEN, b. January 02, 1798, Tazewell, Co., VA; d. 1863, Grundy Co., VA. Pisgah United Methodist Church- Tazewell Virginia Pisgah United Methodist Church is the oldest Methodist congregation in Tazewell County, Virginia. Historical records also signify Pisgah Church was the first church, of any denomination, in the county. FIRST METHODIST CHURCH: Built in 1797, on land that Thomas Peery donated Located: On the north side of Fincastle Road, one mile east of the Court House; foundation stones still visible in early 1920s Pastors: In the year 1803, Rev. Jacob Young, D. D., was appointed to a circuit which embraced Scott, Lee, Russell, and Tazewell Counties...[O]n his way from Elk Garden, Russell County, to Tazewell County Court House he preached several times to the Garrisons, Higginbothams and Youngs...near what is now known as Liberty Hill...Dr. Young passed over the divides and went down the Bluestone Valley, forming several societies. THE RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. The religious cliaracter of the inhabitants of the county was coexistent and developed along with the social, political, and relig- ious thouglit of the people. It was my intention to give an accurate and detailed account of the introduction and growth of the various religious denominations that now have church organizations in the county. For the accomplishment of this purpose the ministers and leading lay members of the several denominations were requested to supply necessary data ; but the world war so completely engrossed every ones attention that they failed to supply the author with any information in time. Dr. Bickley in his history had a brief chapter on the Church History of Tazewell, which gives some information about the various denominations in the county in the year 1852. It is as follows: No portion of my labors, if properly investigated, would be more interesting tlian this: yet the paucity of material afforded me, makes it quite difficult to give anything like a correct and full church history of this section. The principal denominations in the county are Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, and Roman Cath- olic; each of whom will be noticed. The first sermon preached in the county was in 1794, by Rev. Mr. Cobbler, appointed to tlie New River circuit, by the Baltimore confei-ence. This sermon msLj be regarded as the budding of Metho- dism in Tazewell county. The seeds sown by this good man fell upon a genial soil, and he had the satisfaction of seeing Jeremiah Witten and Sarah Skaggs Witten, William Witten and his lady, John and Sarah Peery, Elizabeth Greenup, Samuel Forguson, Isabella Forguson, and two colored persons, flock around the Christian standard, determined that Christ should not be forgotten, even in the mountain-gorges of the wild backwoods. Thomas Peery gave them a piece of land, and in 1797 they built a meetinghouse about one mile west of Jeffersonville. Between 1794-7, meetings were generally held at the house of Samuel Forguson, near the present seat of justice. Before 1794, prayer-meeting was the only form of worship practiced: this seems to have been coexistent with the earliest settlement. The march of Methodism has been steadily onward; they have, at present, seven cliurclies in regular fellowship. The first Baptists in the county, were the Scaggs (Skaggs) and Hankins. The first sermon preached to them, was by Rev. Simon Cotterel from Russell county, in 1796. Their first meetings were held in private houses, in the John Hankins settlement. The Baptists seem not to have made as rapid progress as the Methodists ; as they have now only two regular churches in the county. The first Presbyterians in the county were William Peery, Samuel Walker, and his wife. Prof. Doak preached the first sermon to them, about 1798. He was soon followed by Rev. Mr. Crawford, from Washington county. The first church organ- ized was in the Cove, in 1833, which was placed in charge of Rev. Dugald Mclntyre, assisted by Rev. Mr. McEwin. This church, from some cause, was suffered to go down, and the Presbyterians were without a regular church till the summer of 1851, when a church was organized at Jeffersonville, and placed in charge of Rev. Mr. Naff. They have one church, and about twenty communi- cants. At what time the first Roman Catholics appeared in the county, is not known. Edward Fox, a priest who resided at Wytheville, preached the first sermon to them in a union church at Jeffersonville in 184-2. He continued to preach, at intervals, till the close of the controversy between him, and President Collins of Emory and Henry College. Having been beaten from every position, he quit Wytheville, and consequently the Tazewell Catholics were left with- out a priest. Bishop Wlielan coming to this section of the state, took occasion to visit his flock in Tazewell ; the Methodists opened their pulpit for him, and in acknowledgment of their kindnesi, one of his first sentences was not only to insult them, but the house of God. He remarked, he felt embarassed because he was preaching in an unconsecrated house. President Collins, who had firmly opposed the spread of this doctrine in South-western Virginia, being in the neighborhood, heard of the occurrence and replied to him in a few days. Notwithstanding this, Catholicism began to spread, and preparations were made for building a cathedral, which is now in course of construction. As to things spiritual, it is questionable whether there has been much progress made on that line in the county since the days of which Bickley wrote. There are more church organizations, more Christian denominations, more numerous and handsomer church buildings, and there are hundreds of professed Christians where there were but tens in the early days of the county. The people who attend worship are better dressed, and better educated; and thousands of youths and children are being trained in Sunday Schools and other church organizations that have been established for their benefit. The music is of a higher class, but it does not have the same spiritual force and feeling that attended the congregational singing heard at the old camp meetings and within the sacred walls of the old log churches at Pisgah, Concord and elsewhere in the county. It may be possible that the churches are becoming materialized at the expense of their spirituality. Sarah Skaggs (b. 1751, d. Bef. 1850) Elizabeth Betsy SKAGGS (James Sr. , Richard , Thomas , William ) was born about 1740. She died before 1820 in Tazwell Co., VA. She was buried before 1820 in Tazwell Co., VA. Elizabeth joined religion Baptist. Elizabeth married John HANKINS son of Thomas HANKINS and Mary CLEVENGER about 1775 in Knox Co., TN. John was born about 1740 in Burlington Co., NJ. He died in Aug 1825 in Tazwell Co., VA. They had the following children: 92 F i Mary HANKINS. Mary married Living. 93 F ii Rachel HANKINS. Rachel married Living. 94 M iii Joseph HANKINS. 95 M iv Moses HANKINS. 96 F v Lucinda Lucy HANKINS. 97 F vi Rebecca HANKINS. Rebecca married Living. 98 F vii Lydia Liddy HANKINS. 99 F viii Sarah Sally HANKINS. Sarah married Living. 100 F ix Parthenia HANKINS. Sarah Skaggs (daughter of Huntin Henry Skaggs) was born 1751 in Augusta Co. Va., and died Bef. 1850 in Tazwell Va. She married Jeremiah Witten on 1778, son of Thomas Jefferson Witten Sr and Elizabeth Bean Cecil. Notes for Sarah Skaggs: Nickname: Sallie More About Sarah Skaggs and Jeremiah Witten: Marriage: 1778 Children of Sarah Skaggs and Jeremiah Witten are: John Witten, b. 1791, Tazwell Va, d. 1855, Greyson Co. Ky. Jeremiah Witten (son of Thomas Jefferson Witten Sr and Elizabeth Bean Cecil) was born March 30, 1749 in Cecil Co, Md, and died 1845 in Tazwell,Va. He married Sarah Skaggs on 1778, daughter of Hunting Henery Scaggs. Notes for Jeremiah Witten: Jeremiah Witten, though older than his brothers, Thomas and James, held no official rank as a soldier, but he preformed faithful service as a private. He was a member of Captain William Russells company And was with him at the Battle of Point Pleasant. After his return From the Lewis expedition to the mouth of the Kanawha, he per- formed garrison duty at his fathers fort at the Crabapple Orchard, his name being on the roll of the garrison stationed there in October, 1774. He married, and located his home on Plum Creek, at the place where the late, lamented T.E. George lived; and he has many descendants now living in Tazewell County. In the year 1793, three Methodist conferences were held in Virginia. The conference for western Virginia met in Greenbrier County on May 25, 1793. At this conference, the Rev. John Kobler was ordained elder and appointed to the New River Circuit. According to Bennetts Memorials of Methodism in Virginia, Kobler was one to the purest and most zealous of the circuit riders of the west. Bickleys History of Tazewell County states that the first sermon preached in what is now Tazewell County was by the Rev. Kobler in 1793. This sermon may be regarded as the budding of Methodism in the county. Among his converts were Jeremiah and Sarah SkaggsWitten, William and Letitia Witten, John and Sarah Peery, Elizabeth Greenup, Samuel Ferguson, Isabella Ferguson, and Simon and Lettie Smith. Thomas Peery gave them a piece of land and in 1797 the first of the churchs three structures was erected, the Pisgah Meetinghouse. More About Jeremiah Witten: Burial: Amhurst, Co. Va. Immigration: 1812, To Rock Creek, Grayson Co. Ky . Military service: Battle of Pt Pleasant. More About Jeremiah Witten and Sarah Skaggs: Marriage: 1778
Posted on: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 01:43:13 +0000
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