William Witcher (1724 - 1808)

Born 7 Oct 1724 in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England

Ancestors

Husband of Lydia Theodocia (Adkins) Witcher — married 1749 in Virginia

Husband of Rachel Anne (Majors) Witcher — married 1750 in Pittsylvania, Virginia Colony, British America

Descendants

Died 8 Jun 1808 at age 83 in Sandy Level, Pittsylvania, Virginia, United States

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Biography

Captain William Witcher served with Pittsylvania County Militia, Virginia Militia during the American Revolution.

William Witcher is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A126994.

William Witcher was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.

William Witcher is Notable.

Birth and Baptism

William was born 7 Oct 1724 in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. He was the son of John Witcher and Elizabeth Price. He was baptized at Saint Thomas Church in Salisbury. ^[1]

Marriage and Family

DAR; Major William Witcher of VA, 1739~ 1808, confirms his wife was Ann[e] Majors. ^[2].

The will of William Witcher Sr. lists his male children in the following order:

1. John Witcher b. 1757
2. William Witcher b. 1762
3. Daniel Witcher
4. Ephraim Wticher signed the “1776 Ten-Thousand Name” Petition to the English Crown
5. James Witcher, signed the 1776, “Ten-Thousand Name” petition to the English Crown
6. Caleb Witcher

He also had two daughters, Rachel and Elizabeth.

Civil Service and Land Ownership

• Fact: Occupation (January 1, 1777) Appointed a Justice Of the Peace Pittsylvania County, Virginia, United States
• Fact: Occupation (23 January 1777) appointed to a judgeship by Governor Patrick Henry
• Fact: Duty (November 1777) He and James Roberts were appointed "to furnish the wives of Francis Henry and Thomas Milburn 'soldiers now in their country's service.'"

Circa 1757. William Witcher was compelled by the court to fill the vacant office of constable. “On the motion of Stephen Clement, he is exempted from being constable and William Witcher is appointed in his stead and it is ordered that he be summoned to the next court to be qualified.”^[3]

By 1758, William Witcher purchased land in Halifax County from William Atkinson, both are named "Planters".

1759 March, through an assignee named William McDaniel, William Witcher receives a bounty of “100” for an old wolf head.

Early 1760, William Witcher, along with William Atkinson and Richard Shockley, “do pursesion the bounds of every person,” on the part of Pigg River which they were assigned,” with Witcher showing “one tract,” and William Atkinson Sr. and Jr. each showing “one tract.”

1760 May court in Halifax County, James Dillard sues William Witcher, along with Joseph Ray and Robert Grymes. For reasons appearing, “suit dismissed.”

1761 August, Court in Halifax County, the will of James Bobbit was proved. William Witcher, William Atkinson, and two others were ordered to estimate the value of the estate. The returns on the estate were not presented to the court until July 25, 1763, when William Witcher, William Atkinson, and A. Bearden made their return.

1765 Mar, William Witcher was with John Witcher and William Atkinson as they served as witnesses to the last will and testimony of John Justice, Sr.

In 1766, John and Daniel [William's brothers] each bought one-half of the 382 acre property which William Witcher previously sold for 40 shillings by the English Crown on June 27, 1764.

1767, William Witcher is mentioned in court records as being a “Gentleman".

1769 Dec 22, Justice of the Peace and subsequently served in a wide variety of other public and civic duties.

1770, Justice of the Peace William Witcher collected and presented his tax list to the court, in what would become for him an annual tradition for years to come. From this tax list we know William was still farming his 100 acres of land on the Pigg River, and as was the custom of the time, squirrel scalps were presented to the court, apparently 5 per taxable person. In William’s case, as he was responsible for three tithables, he presented a total of 15 squirrel scalps.

Beginning in 1773, and for ten concurrent years of Pittsylvania County tithable/census, the Witchers including William, his sons John and Ephraim, his brother John, and his nephew John [listed as John Jr] are listed. Included in the 1773 tithable record for the household of William Witcher, two slaves are named, those being Trim and Nell.

1775 Jan 26, Member of the Committee of Safety.^[4]

1776, July court was convened with William Witcher and three other gentlemen justices sitting on the bench. The 1776 tithable records for Pittsylvania County indicate that William Witcher still had 5 tithables in his household, himself, his son John, and the three slaves, Nell, Trim, and Tener.

1777 August, was appointed one of four men to obtain bids to build a prison and the new courthouse on Cherry Stone Meeting House Spring. The hull of the courthouse was to be “thirty two by twenty four shingled ruff the plan to be shown that day.”

1778 tithable list, along with, “negros Trim, Tener & Nell.” However in this year’s tax list, William is responsible for 6 tithables.

1782, record of estray indicates “William Witcher” of Pittsylvania County found on Pigg River, a small white cow, marked with a short “swallowfork” in the left ear. “Appraised to six shillings.” April 12th, 1782 Henry Conway.

1783 March, William Witcher, “Gentleman,” was in court petitioning that his slave Nell be exempted from tax in the future, and “for reasons appearing to the court,” that requested was granted.

Military Service

• Fact: Military Service (1776, American Revolution) Captain, Virginia Colonial Militia Pittsylvania County, Virginia, United States
• Fact: Military Service (September 1776) commanded a 200 man garrison at Fort Patrick Henry during the Cherokee campaign Fort Patrick Henry, in what is now Kingsport, Sullivan County, Tennessee, United States
• Fact: Military Service (March 1777) his company rendezvoused with that of Captain John Donelson for an Indian expedition Old Courthouse, Callands, Pittsylvania County
• Fact: Military Service (autumn 1780) commanded a company of reinforcements that marched to the aid of General Nathaniel Green Hillsboro, North Carolina
• Fact: Military Service (March 15, 1781) fought at the Battle of Guilford Court House, North Carolina
• Fact: Military Service His company fought at the battle of Stono Ferry, South Carolina. June 20, 1779

Capt.-Col Pittsylvania County Militia. Indian Expeditions 1776-1777^[5]. Justice of the Peace.

Fought with Col. Campbell's riflemen at Guilford. William Witcher, one of members of Vestry, took Oaths of Vestryman.

By 1774, William Witcher had added another slave to his household. Tener. In the household of William Witcher, his son John is listed as a dependent, as an over 16-year-old member.

1775 Feb 11, Newspaper article: “The freeholders of the county of Pittsylvania, being duly summoned, convened at the courthouse of the said county, on Thursday, the 26th of January, 1775, and then proceeds to make a choice of a committee, agreeable to the direction of the General Congress, for enforcing and putting into execution the association, when the following Gentlemen were chosen for the fame, VIZ…. Abraham Shelton…William Witcher… Chrispin Shelton… [thirty-one men total]….During the time of choosing the committee, the utmost good order and harmony was observed, and the inhabitants of the county then present (which was very numerous) seemed determined and resolute in defending their liberties and properties, at the risk of their lives, and, if required, to die by their fellow sufferers (the Bostonians) whose cause they consider as their own….after which the committee rose, and several loyal and patriotic toasts were drank, and the company dispersed, well pleased with the behavior of those people they had put their confidence in….Ordered that a copy of the above proceedings be inserted in the Virginia newspapers.”^[6]

1775, Sep 27, William Witcher chosen to serve in the militia in his district as Captain; a militia which itself would soon serve under the direction of General George Washington’s Continental Army

"In the summer of 1776 the Cherokee Indians attacked the western frontiers, and Virginia sent a force of 1600 men against them. We know of four companies of Pittsylvania Militia which marched with this force, commanded by Captains Jesse Heard, Peter Perkins, William Witcher, and Joseph Martin."

"When General Nathaniel Greene assumed command in the south, Virginia at once sent reinforcements. From Pittsylvania in the fall and winter of 1780-81 marched companies of militia commanded by Captains John Winn, James Brewer, William Witcher, Isaac Clements and Joshua Stone."^[7]

1777 Feb, examination of Samuel Calland, “At a court held at Pitts. Courthouse on the said day the 5th day of February 1777. On the examination of the subjects of Great Britain Present Benj. Lankford. Crispen Shelton. William Witcher. Aba. Shelton. William Short & George Carter [all] esqs. It appearing that Samuel Calland one of the said subjects has been duly summoned...last to take the oath prescribed by ordinance in that case made & provided. who refused the same. declaring himself a subject of the King of Great Britain & still has shown himself unfriendly to American Cause. ^[8]

1779, Leader of company to Stono Inlet. S.C. 1779. Captain William Witcher, on June 23rd, 1779, released James Witcher [his son] from duty in the Pittsylvania County militia, after the Battle of Stono Ferry in South Carolina.

1780, leader of Company to Hillsboro to support Gen. Greene.

1782, list collected by William Witcher stating, “A List of Soles Taken by me Wm Witcher in the District of Captains Tuggles and Daltons Companys in the year 1782.”

Death and Burial

He died 8 Jun 1808 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, United States. He was buried in the Wiliam Witcher Family Cemetery in Ajax, Pittsylvania, Virginia, United States, in a grave overlooking his home. ^[9]

Last Will and Testament

1808, Aug 4, Pittsylvania County, Virginia, Inventory for the estate of William Witcher. John Witcher, Wm Witcher, Executors of Wm Witcher, Dec’d Recorded: August 16, 1808.^[10][11]

Other Notes

Squirrel Cap bounties were a desperate attempt to control the destructive rodent and predator populations of the day. One of these eradication programs in Pennsylvania resulted in over 600, 000 squirrel scalps being presented to the court in 1749.

The History of Pittsylvania County Virginia - By Maud Carter Clement

"In 1776 Pittsylvania County and Camden Parish were organized and at the first meeting of the vestry, held June 21, 1776, at the courthouse, there were present the following vestrymen, 'who subscribed in the Vestry to be comfortable to the doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England as by law Established: Captain John Donelson , John Pigg, Hugh Innes, George Rowland, Chrispin Shelton, John Wilson, Peter Perkins, Abraham Shelton, Theophilus Lacy, Robert Chandler, and William Witcher' "

"While the Virginia troops were still in their entrenchments at Gwynn's Island an express arrived from the governor ordering them to march at once against the Indians along the western frontier. The inciting of the Indians to their barbarities against defenseless frontiersman is the darkest blot on England's fair name during the Revolutionary War ... "

"Virginia sent a force of 1,600 men against the Cherokees, while North and South Carolina sent out expeditions at the same time. Virginia's troops rendezvoused at Long Island in the Molstein River, where in the early summer a fort had been erected and named Patrick Henry in honor of the newly elected governor ... "

"The Cherokees lived on the Tennessee river, and all things being in readiness on October the 1st, the troops set out from Fort Patrick Henry for the march of 115 miles through the wilderness to the Indian towns. Captain William Witcher was left with a guard of 200 men for the Fort."

"Indian outrages continuing along the frontier, the states forces were ordered to take the field in another Indian expedition in 1777. Two companies from Pittsylvania marched in this campaign, one commanded by Captain John Donelson, ... ; the other was commanded by Captain William Witcher. Both rendezvoused at Pittsylvania Old Courthouse (Callands) in the month of March 1777."

"General Nathaniel Greene assumed command of the Southern Continental Army in the autumn of 1780 at Millsboro, North Carolina, and Virginia at once sent re-inforcement's. Several companies of militia marched from Pittsylvania that autumn and winter. Captain John Winn commanded a company ... Captain James Brewer a company ... Captain William Witcher a company ... Captain Isaac Clements a company ... Captain Joshua Stone a company ... "

Thomas K. Brigham    There is no compelling evidence that the elder William, Daniel, John, Ephraim, and James Witcher were brothers How then, would they connect to this William? Or do they?], but they appear in the same place at the same time suggesting that they were probably related, closely or not. It is ASSUMED that they were brothers and this Witcher allows us to group them together for the sake of convenience. [It's unclear, however, why there would be a photo posted of him, since he's also posted as having died before photography was invented.]

On several occasions, now, someone has come along without meaningful evidence and tried to give this individual a name and vital statistics. [That appears to be the case now.] On more than one occasion it was someone who had found some specious claim on Ancestry that confused Maj William and this individual, his nominal father.

The genealogy represented here possesses obvious problems. This could represent a starting point, however, for researchers to improve upon.

It is believed that all of the Witchers in the United States are descended from William Witcher of Pittsylvania Co., VA. The tradition is that the old, original William Witcher migrated to this country when in his early teens, eluding his folks and stowing away on a sailing vessel bound from England to the American Colonies. On arrival here, he was "apprenticed" to a planter until he reached maturity, in payment of his passage over. He later settled in Pittsylvania Co., VA, married and had six sons and two daughters, by name as follows: William, Jr., John, Daniel, James, Ephraim and Caleb. The daughters Elizabeth, married to Abraham Razor; Rachel married to Wm. Morrison. (W. C. Witcher letter of 3/17/1956)

His sons were Caleb, Ephraim, John Daniel, and William. His daughters, Ann, who married a Razor and other daughter married Morrison. I know nothing of them and descendants. William and John died in this County. Ephraim and Caleb moved to Surry and Nash Counties, NC. Daniel moved to Kanawha Co., WV, on Witcher Creek. He was the Ancestor of Gen. J. L. Witcher of Salt Lake City, who was in the Yankee Army. (V. A. Witcher dated 9/7/1906)

CAPTAIN WILLIAM WITCHER, , who was born in 1739. He was living in Pittsylvania County when it was organized in 1767, and was elected a vestryman of Camden Parish on June 21, 1767. After the meeting of the First Continental Congress he was elected to the Pittsylvania County Committee of Safety on January 26, 1775, and captained a company of Pittsylvania County troops. In September 1776 Captain Witcher commanded a 200 man garrison at Fort Patrick Henry (at the current site of the Eastman Kodak plant in Kingsport, Sullivan County, Tennessee) during the Cherokee campaign. On January 23, 1777 he was appointed to a judgeship by Governor Patrick Henry. His company fought at the battle of Stono Ferry, South Carolina on June 20, 1779, and at the battle of Guilford Court House, North Carolina on March 15, 1781.

Sources

1. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NDBV-YPF : 20 March 2020), William Witcher, 1724.
2. ↑ Court Records Book 1, Pittsylvania County 1767-1772
3. ↑ Halifax Order Book 2
4. ↑ William and Mary quarterly publication, printed in April of 1897
5. ↑ GWATHMEY, HIST REG OF VA IN THE REV, P 841; CLEMENT, HIST OF PITTSYLANIA CO, PP 143, 153, 159, 163-164
6. ↑ Virginia Gazette,
7. ↑ An Abbreviated History of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, Chapter Six: Pittsylvania's Military History, by Maud Carter Clement , Chatham, Virginia, ca. 1952.
8. ↑ Samuel Calland Wikipedia page accessed 19 Jul 2021 Samuel Calland
9. ↑ "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVL7-9FCK : 10 June 2021), William Witcher, ; Burial, Ajax, Pittsylvania, Virginia, United States of America, William Witcher Family Cemetery; citing record ID 85989311, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com. Photo of grave included
10. ↑ Will of William Witcher, Sr. Will dated 8 Dec 1806 and probated 18 Jul 1808 in Pittsylvania, Virginia Web page: Major Wiliam Witcher
11. ↑ Abstracts of Pittsylvania County, Virginia Wills, 1767-1820 Compiled by Lela C. Adams, Bassett, Virginia, c. 1986 by Southern Historical Press. ISBN 0-89308-581-2 p. 141, pp 314-316

See also

• DAR Ancestor # A126994 [1]

• William Witcher A Witcher Family Genealogy