Elijah Pitman (abt. 1747 - aft. 1799)

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Coffield) Pitman — married about 1770 in Edgecombe County, NC

Descendants

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Laurie Pitman [send private message]

Biography

Elijah is listed in the Hallifax County, NC, tax records of 1782 as owning 820 acres, 10 negroes.

Marriage

Elijah's marriage was in 1770 in Edgecombe County, NC to Elizabeth Coffield (bc 1746 or 1754, d bef 10 March 1799), daughter of Gresham Coffield (d 1805 in Nash County, NC).

Last Will & Testament

Elijah's LWT was written 10 March 1799 and recorded May 1799 in Edgecombe County, NC. He left his estate to his four children, at least 1 of whom (Benjamin) was a minor at Elijah's death. Because his wife Elizabeth is not mentioned, the assumption is that she predeceased Elijah.

I being weak and sick in body (illegible) . . .

• . . . son Harrison PITTMAN, land on White Oake Swamp containing 250 acres, also negroes Tom, Grace, and Jack;
• Sons Gresham Coffield PITTMAN and Benjamin PITTMAN, land where I now live and my land adjoining in Halifax County on Fishing Creek,^[1] to be divided when Benjamin comes of age.
• Son Gresham Coffield PITTMAN, negroes Isaac, Criss and Jacob.
• Son Benjamin, negroes Sam, Jerry and Aggie.
• Daughter Elizabeth PITTMAN - negroes George, Betty, Jim and Winney.
• If either of my four said children should die without issue the survivors will inherit their share.  The property I have given my son Benjamin is to remain in the care of my son Gresham until Benjamin is of age.  I leave all the negroes on the plantation in the care of my son Gresham.  All other personal estate, as well as my land in Halifax County on Beach (Beech) Swamp, is to be sold and proceeds divided among my four children.
• Exr. David COFFIELD.  Wit. Richard COKER, Nathaniel COKER, William (x) MANNING.

Property

Upon the death of his sister Millie (d 1799), he received his father's "loom and all of the Geer there unto belonging also all my Spinning Wheels & Cards; also my Flax Hackle" which had been bequeathed to her and her sister Zilpha in their father Ambrose's will of 1786.^[2]

Buyers of Elija's property mentioned in his will to be sold were his children Elizabeth, Harrison, and Gresham; and William Pitman.^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ Grisham Pitman and his family are buried in a family cemetery on this land, per email dated 10/20/2020 to Laurie Pitman from Margaret Bass Watson, whose family now owns the land.
2. ↑ Will of Ambrose Pitman 1786.
3. ↑ Estate Records of Edgecombe County, NC.

• Estate Records of Edgecombe County, NC.
• LWT of Ambrose Pitman (d 1786).