John Chitwood

"John son of Matthias married Elizabeth Tillotson, daughter of John Tillotson of Chesterfield County, who deeded John Chetwood and his wife Elizabeth and Granddaughter Ann for love and affection he bore them, land in Chesterfield County, in 1753. They sold this in 1760. John Chitwood bought land from Richard Bailey in Bedford County in 1782. This land fell, in the division of counties, into Franklin County. He died in 1798.[18] He was the ancestor of the Chitwood families of Franklin Co., Roanoke, Va. and Morgantown, W. Va. There are several Revolutionary soldiers in this family.

On Oct. 20, 1779, a Peter Gilliam purchased some land located on "Blackwater River, adjoining Chirtwood's land.[19] John, Joel and William Cheetwood are all mentioned as taxpayers of Bedford County, Va. in 1782.[20]

A list made from the personal property tax book and the land tax book of 1786 for Franklin County, Va., includes the names: Chestwood, Joel; Cheetwood, John, Sr.; and Chitwood, William.[21]
The tax list mentioned in the preceding paragraph is very important since Franklin County, Va. was omitted from the 1790 Census.
John Chittwood's will asks that all the goods and chattels that remain after the death of his wife be equally divided between his three sons, but ne names only one of these sons -William Chittwood.
Tradition informs us that William, Joel and John, Jr., were brothers. Only three Chitwood names appear in the early records of Franklin Co.: John, Sr., Joel, and William.[22] The Census of 1810 for Franklin Co., Va. shows that John Cheatwood was a householder in the 45-up age group. This could not refer to John, Sr., since John, Sr. died in 1798. Therefore this would have to be the third son of John, Sr., and would seem to confirm the name of the last of the three sons referred to in the will.
WILL OF JOHN CHITTWOOD, SR.

In the Name of God Amen, the first day of April in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and Ninety-three I JOHN CHITTWOOD being weak in Body, but sound in mind and memory, thanks be to God, therefore calling to mind the mortality of my Body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die Do make and ordain This my last Will and Testament. That is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my Body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in a decent Christian Burial at the discretion of my Executors; nothing doubting but to receive the same at the General Resurrection again by the mighty power of God. And as to Touching the worldly Estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life I give and demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.

First I give and bequeath to ELIZABETH my dearly beloved wife all that part of my land and plantation which I now occupy during her natural life together with all my goods and Chattel property (after paying my funeral expenses and all my just debts) except one Cow and Calf and a Bed and Furniture to it belonging which I give and bequeath to my granddaughter ELIZABETH CHITTWOOD.

To my Son, WILLIAM CHITTWOOD I give and bequeath the free enjoyment and emmoliment of the plantation whereon he now lives and after his mothers death a full right of the land I now possess to him his Heirs and Assigns forever. And all of goods and Chattels that may remain after the death of my dear Wife to be equally divided between my Three Sons.

And Constitute make and ordain my Son WILLIAM CHITTWOOD sole Executor to this my last Will and Testament and I do hereby utterly disallow revoke and disannul all and every other former Testaments Wills Legacies and bequests and Executors by me any other way before named Willed or bequeathed Ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament.

In Witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.

Sealed and Delivered pronounced

Declared in the presence of

John Arthur JOHN (X his mark) CHITTWOOD

Susannah (X her mark) Blankenship (sealed)

Jona Price

At a Court held for Franklin County in December 1798, This written Last Will and Testament of the Within instrument,

JOHN CHITTWOOD was Proven by the oaths of the Witnesses Thereto Subscribed (hands?) then same (?) was ordered to be Recorded by the Court.

                                                                           Teste 

James Callaway, Cl.[23]
7: Elizabeth Tillotson of Chesterfield

                                                                            County, Virginia

Will of John Chitwood, 1793 ‐ Franklin Co. VA Will dtd 1 Apr 1793, Proved Dec 1798, Franklin Co, VA ‐ Will Book 1, p. 141 In the name of God Amen, the first day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and ninety three, I, John Chittwood, being weak in body but sound in mind, memory thanks be to God... do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament. Principally and first of all I give and Recommend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it me and my body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in a decent Christian Burial at the discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but to Receive the same at the General Resurrection again by the mighty power of God, and, as touching the Worldy Estate, wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this Life, I give and demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and Form. First, I give and bequeath to Elizabeth, my dearly beloved wife all that Part of my land and Plantation which I now occupy during her natural life together with all my goods & Chattle property after paying my Funeral Expenses and all my Just debts, Except one Cow and Calf and, a bed and Furniture to it belonging which I give and bequeath to my grand daughter Elizabeth Chitwood, to my son William Chittwood and bequeath the free emolument and Enjoyments of the Plantation whereon he now Lives, and after his mothers death, a full Right of the Lands I now Possess to him his heirs and assigns forever. And all the Goods & Chattles that may remain after the death of my Dear wife to be equally divided between my three sons, And Constitute, make and ordain my son William Chittwood sole Executor to this my Last Will and Testament, and I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and Disannul all and Every other ... Former Testament Wills & Legacies and bequests, and Executors by me or any way before named, willed or Bequeathed, ratifying & Confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written. John (X) Chitwood, ss. Sealed and delivered Proclaimed Delivered in the Presence of John Arthur, Susannah (X) Blankenship, Jon Price. At a Court held for Franklin County in December 1798, The within Last Will and Testament of John Chitwood dec'd was Proved by the oaths of the Witnesses thereto Subscribed, and the same was ordered to be Recorded by the Court. Teste. James Callaway, Clk Submitted by Carolyn Fairall <fairall@earthlink.net>