Jesse Wilhelm Ritter (abt. 1735 - abt. 1810)

Born about 1735 in Virginia

Ancestors

Descendants

Died about 1810 at about age 75 in Moore, North Carolina, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Sheila Stahl [send private message] and Morgan Jackson [send private message]

Biography

Records show that Jesse's great grandfather immigrated to Pennsylvania from Rheinland-Pfalz Germany. Jesse Wilhelm, (Americanized to William) was the son of John Henrich Ritter and was raised by his stepmother, Augusta Hobson in Rowan County, North Carolina, after his own mother, Sarah, died in childbirth in Virginia. He migrated to Moore County, North Carolina with his half brother, John Ritter. There he married Susannah (also called Hannah or Anna) Wallace, believed to have possibly been the aunt of Everett Wallace. They had at least 11 children together:

Everett Sr 1759-1857 first married Nancy Charlotte Anderson in North Carolina in 1798. After her death, he married Charlotte Smith in 1822 in Tennessee.

John 1760-1828 married Elizabeth Richardson

Hannah 1761-1794 married John Brown

Augusta Ritter 1763-1763

Thomas 1764-1849 married Margaret Seawell

Cloey 1767-1831 married Jesse Bean

Elizabeth 1768-1848 married Andrew Scott

James William Ritter 1769

Jesse Jr. 1770- married Sally Richardson

Nancy 1775-unknown married Jesse Seawell

Susannah 1790-1858 married Jesse Daniel Muse

Jesse Ritter, Sr. was the progenitor of the Moore County, NC Ritter family and is the earliest known ancestor to many of the Ritters throughout the south. It is believed that Jesse Ritter, Sr. was born around 1735. He can be found in numerous court records in Cumberland/Moore County, NC beginning in 1769 up until his estate was settled in 1807/1808. The parents of Jesse are unknown as well as what age Jesse migrated to NC if he was born in PA or VA as some Ritter researchers suggest indeed was born in PA or VA. His two oldest known children, Everet and John, were both born in North Carolina around 1760 clearly indicating that Jesse was in NC as an early adult.

Jesse originally owned land one mile north of Bensalem Church off of Alton Road. He sold this land to Nathan Smith in 1774 and moved east near Buffalo Creek eventually settling off of Richland Creek. A majority of the land he owned was located in the area around Calvary Baptist Church continuing south towards Bethlehem Baptist Church. He also owned land over in Montgomery County, NC during the early 1780's. It is unknown whether he actually resided in Montgomery County at the time or was merely speculating land. In early Moore County, NC records, Jesse Ritter was often found with the Smith, Newton, Cagle, and Maness families. His children married into the Richardson, Seawell/Sowell, Bean, Smith and Muse families that were neighbors in and around his property on Richland Creek. Sons Everett [c1760-aft 1850] and Jesse, Jr. [1770/1780 - 1838] migrated to west to AL, MS, and MO, AR respectively and many descendants throughout the south can trace their lineage back to one of these men.

Several male Ritters descending from Jesse Ritter very close match the Y-DNA of male Wallace descendants of Everet Wallace [c1770-c1845]. There is no known direct relationship between Everet Wallace and Jesse Ritter but the DNA results clearly show a close one. It is very likely that either Everet Wallace's father or grandfather was a Ritter or that Jesse Ritter, Sr.'s father or grandfather was a Wallace. An interesting piece of circumstantial evidence is that Jesse Ritter, Sr. had a son named Everett Ritter [c1760-aft1850] and that the names Everet and Isham are found consistently through the generations of both families. DNA from Jesse Ritter's descendants also is a relative match to a descendant of James Ritter [~1764-1816] of Surry County, NC. It is a believed that James was the son of Moses Ritter and Hannah Bradbury/Bradberry of Wayne County, NC/New Hanover County, NC.

Over the years, many oral traditions have been handed down through the Ritter family of Moore County, NC describing them as of German descent, and having traveled down the Great Wagon Road from PA to VA and then NC, possibly even with the Williamson, Garner, Hussey and other families. Recent discoveries provide significant clues to Jesse's heritage and likely prove that he was not part of this group of families migrating from PA to NC. Based on the following records, it is probable that Jesse migrated from old Dobbs County, NC [current Wayne County] to Moore County, NC during the late 1760's.

There are several references to a Jesse Ritter and other Ritters in Dobbs County, NC and Eastern NC colonial records. Dobbs County was carved from Johnston County and was later split into Lenoir, Wayne, and Greene counties and the actual deeds were lost in a Lenoir County courthouse fire. It is very likely that these Ritters are related to the Moore County, NC family and I believe these references are actually to Jesse Ritter, Sr. prior to his migration to Moore County, NC. Given this, I am inclined to believe that Moses Ritter was Jesse Ritter, Sr.'s brother.

Early Ritter References from Eastern North Carolina

1735, May 19 -- North Carolina Colonial Records Volume 4 Page 52 Jno. Retter received a warrant for 100 acres in Bladen County in the Minutes of the North Carolina Governor's Council

1754, Nov 25 -- North Carolina Colonial Records Volume 22 Page 360 Thos. Ritter and Jesse Ritter are listed on Muster Roll of Captain Charles King of the Chowan County Militia

1755, Oct 3 -- Land Patent Book 2 Page 138, Johnston County, NC Moses Retter received a 165 acre Land Grant located East of Little River and on both sides of Buck Branch.

1759, Sep 1 -- Land Patent Book 15 Page 302, Johnston County, NC Moses Rutter received a 92 acre Land Grant located North of Little River on the Head of Buck Swamp including the Goose Pond adjoining his former line.

1762, Nov 15 -- Land Patent Book 15 Page 454, Dobbs County, NC William Grant received a 140 acre Land Grant located on Buck Swamp and the Mouth of Clayey Branch adjoining his own line and Moses Ruter.

1763, Apr 22 -- Land Patent Book 15 Page 504, Dobbs County, NC Moses Retter received a 170 acre Land Grant located on Buck Swamp and the Mouth of Clayey Branch adjoining his own line and William Grant.

1765, Apr-Apr 1769 -- Deed Book 7, Dobbs County, NC Page 111 - Moses Ritter to Thomas Price/Rice Page 138 - Jesse Ritter to Drury Alldridge

1768, Apr 28 -- Land Patent Book 23 Page 206, Dobbs County, NC David Shurley received a 150 acre Land Grant located North of the Nuce [Neuse] River, East of lower Falling Creek and West of Clarks Bank adjoining Jesse Retter, Stanley, and Shurley's own line [formerly Clarks].

1768, Apr 28 -- Land Patent Book 23 Page 206, Dobbs County, NC Moses Retter received a 300 acre Land Grant located between Mirtle Branch and Buck Branch adjoining James Bradberry, Henerey Easterling and near Retter's own line.

1769, Dec 16 -- Land Patent Book 20 Page 491, Dobbs County, NC William Worrel received a 375 acre Land Grant located South of Nauhunty Swamp and South of Slugh Swamp adjoining Moses Retter, Elliot and Widow Speir.

1771, Nov 28 -- North Carolina Colonial Records Volume 22 Page 414 Moses Ritter listed on Account of Sundry Firelocks Pressed into his Majesty's Service in the Expedition against the Insurgents in 1771, for the Dobbs Detachment, which were lost, broke or destroyed.

1773, Apr-May 1775 -- Deed Book 10, Dobbs County, NC Page 420 - Jessee Ritter to Moses Ritter Page 474 - Moses Ritter to Joshua Howell

1775, Apr 18 -- Deed Book 3 Page 502, Sampson County, NC Edward Byrd deeded Moses Ritter 100 acres located East of Six Runs adjoining Henry MacCullows. Benjamon Bell and William Younf were witnesses.

1775, Apr 18 -- Deed Book 3 Page 503, Sampson County, NC Daniel Watkins and wife Barsheba deeded Moses Ritter 150 acres located on Run of Beaverdam Swamp adjoining Edward Byrd. David James and Jessey Watkins were witnesses.

1777, Jan-Apr 1779 -- Deed Book 11, Dobbs County, NC Page 198 - Moses Ritter to Wilson Wadkins

Cumberland/Moore County, NC References

1769, May 25 -- Deed Book 3 Page 381, Cumberland County, NC John Donahoe deeded Nicholas Newton 200 acres located on Wet Creek. Samuel Williams, Jesse Riter and Thomas Keys were witnesses.

1773, May 24 -- Land Grant #1218, Cumberland County, NC Jesse Rutter received a 200 acre Land Grant located on Wet Creek adjoining Jas. Chaney and Nicholas Newton.

1774, Jan 12 -- Land Grant #0417, Cumberland County, NC William Smith entered a 50 acre Land Grant located on South of Cabin Creek adjoining David Kagill and John Kagill. Jesse Ritter and Jacob Kagle were chain carriers. [note -- was not granted]

1774, Jan 13 -- Land Grant #0418, Cumberland County, NC William Smith entered a 100 acre Land Grant located on Upper Buffalo Creek adjoining Leonard Kagill. Jesse Ritter and Isham Smith were chain carriers. [note -- was not granted]

1774, Jan 13 -- Land Grant #1359, Cumberland County, NC James Stevens received a 100 acre Land Grant located on Horse Creek adjoining Lewis Sowell. Jesse Ritter and Robert Edwards were chain carriers.

1774, Jul 8 -- Deed Book 6 Page 279, Cumberland County, NC Jesse Ritter deeded Nathan Smith 200 acres located on Wet Creek adjoining James Chainey and Nicholas Newton. Thos. Branford and William Manes were witnesses.

1774, Oct 25 -- 1755-1779 County Court Minutes, Cumberland County, NC A deed from Jesse Ritter to Nathan Smith was proven by William Manes

1778 -- Tax List, Cumberland County, NC Jesse Ritter listed $230 of taxable property in Captain John Cox's District

1780 -- Tax List, Montgomery County, NC Jesse Ritter listed

1782, May 18 -- Land Grant #297, Montgomery County, NC Jesse Ritter received a 156 acre Land Grant on Dencen's Fork of Little River adjoining William Haltom. Spencer Alton and Robert Stephens were chain carriers.

1783 -- Tax List, Cumberland County, NC Jesse Riter listed $210 of taxable property in Captain John Cox's District

1784, Oct 20 -- Land Grant #185, Moore County, NC Jesse Ritter received a 100 acre Land Grant located on Buffalo Creek adjoining his own improvement and Matthew Ledbetter. John Ritter and Thos. Ritter, Junr. were chain carriers.

1785, Oct 9 -- Land Grant #9, Moore County, NC Jesse Ritter received a 50 acre Land Grant located on Richland Creek adjoining Campbell. William Manes and Thos. Ritter were chain carriers.

1786, Feb 21 -- 1785-1794 County Court Minutes, Moore County, NC Page 83 Jesse Writter records his mark as a swallow fork in the right ear and a slit in the left

1786, Aug 22 -- 1785-1794 County Court Minutes, Moore County, NC Page 118 Jesse Ritter served jury duty

1786, Nov 21 -- 1785-1794 County Court Minutes, Moore County, NC Page 124 Jesse Ritter served jury duty

1787 -- Marriage Licenses, Moore County, NC Will Book A Page 382 John Ritter and Elizabeth Richardson were granted a marriage license. Jesse Ritter was the surety.

1787, Feb 20 -- 1785-1794 County Court Minutes, Moore County, NC Page 134 Jesse Ritter served jury duty

1787, Feb 21 -- 1785-1794 County Court Minutes, Moore County, NC Page 140 A deed from John Sowell and Mary Sowell to William Barrett was proven by Jesse Ritter A deed from William Smith to May Hines was proven by Jesse Ritter

1787, Feb 22 -- 1785-1794 County Court Minutes, Moore County, NC Page 142 Jesse Ritter served jury duty

1787, May 22 & 24 -- 1785-1794 County Court Minutes, Moore County, NC Page 157 Jesse Ritter served jury duty

1788, Feb 20 -- 1785-1794 County Court Minutes, Moore County, NC Page 186 A deed from Wm. Barrett and Amey/Anny Barrett to Jesse Writter was duly acknowledged by Wm. Barrett

1788, May 23 -- 1785-1794 County Court Minutes, Moore County, NC Page 197 Jesse Ritter served jury duty

1789, Feb 21 -- 1785-1794 County Court Minutes, Moore County, NC Page 219 Jesse Ritter served jury duty

1790 -- Census, Moore County, NC Page 159 Jesse Ritter (16+) 2M (0-16) 2M 5F

1795, Nov 24 -- Will Book A, Page 187-188, Moore County, NC Will of Nicholas Newton 1796, Feb (proved in open court) Wife -- Melaney Newton Son -- John Tucker Newton Dau -- Mary Sowel Dau -- Meloney Dun Dau -- Febay Melton Son -- William Newton Son -- Nicholas Smith Newton Dau -- Hannah Carpenter Dau -- Delaney Gibson Dau -- Charity Newton Dau -- Sarah Newton Dau -- Elizabeth Newton Witness -- Jesse Ritter, John McAulay, Jesse Brown

1800 -- Census, Moore County, NC Page 50 Jesse Writtor (45+) 1M 1F (16-25) 1M (10-16) 1F (0-10) 1M 1F

1807/1808 -- Estate, Moore County, NC Will Book A, Page 171 Inventory of the Estate of Jesse Ritter Thomas Ritter and Jesse Sowell listed as Administrators [Note - no date given on actual Inventory but the date was estimated using the Estates that were listed before and after Jesse Ritters. While these Estates had no date listed either, several of the individuals had accompanying wills that were dated]

Research Notes

These records were taken from the family Bible, passed down from Everett and Jane Ritter to their son, William Young Ritter who passed it to his son, Murry Connie Ritter.

Sources

• The Wallace Family of Moore County, NC website https://moorecountywallaces.com/getperson.php?personID=I17481&tree=Wallace
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/162501872/jesse-wilhelm-ritter: accessed 19 March 2023), memorial page for Jesse Wilhelm Ritter (1735–1810), Find a Grave Memorial ID 162501872, citing Old Ritter Family Cemetery, Robbins, Moore County, North Carolina, USA; Maintained by Ritter Family of America (contributor 48955602).