Elisha Prewitt

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 11417

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 11458

Notes:

In 1779 three of Michael Prewitt's sons, Elisha, Rober and Joshua, went with members of six of their neighboring Virginia families to the wilderness of Kentucky. Major Herman Bowman, in a desposition taken by John D. Shane, which is recorded in the Draper Manuscript, 13cc170 No. 41, owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society, tells of the famous Bowman Expedition, as follows:

"Father came to Boman's Station, 1779, through the wilderness. had been to Kentucky in 1777. Seven families came in from Virginia together. Got out of floure at the Holston. the mill in the neighborhood was impressed for public service, and then set out with a scarcity of flour for the winter. Got to Cumberland River, and there a deep snow fell, and another when we got to Rockcastle. Occupied tents only to protect us from the winter.

Walker and Henderson were running the line, and marking it with red paint very plain (on the top of the Cumberland Gap) while we were crossing. They told us that an Indian had killed one of their men, or that one of their men had killed an Indian the day before, which alarmed us somewhat, though we saw none. We got so far out that there was fine cane, and good range for out stock. Had ten cattle and expected eight calves in the spring, but lost all our stock, but one head. had no fear of Indians, whatever, it was so cold. Snow covered the vegitation, and cane-breaks scattering. 2 men were left to take care of them, but they became alarmed, run away, left them, and they scattered everywhere to get grapes, and only one of my father's was found...."

Robert Boman, Stephen Collins, Joseph Collins and Joel Collins left his family in Virginia. Was one of the best hunters that ever came to Kentucky. Elisha Prewitt and Robert Prewitt left their family in Virginia. Joshua Prewitt had no family.

His sons having verified by personal experience the reports of the beauty and fertility of Kentucky over the mountains, Michael Prewitt removed from Campbell County, Virginia (His home was between the Staunton and Falling Rivers) with members of his family and some neighboring souther Virginia friends.

Robert Prewitt was left behind with a Power of Attorney to sell his Virginia holdings and to settle his affairs there. Michael Prewitt, Sr., and the following of his children, set out in October, 1789, after the year's crops were harvested for Kentucky; Daniel and Judith Prewitt Michell; James and Elizabeth Stree Prewitt; Elisha and Tabitha Collins Prewitt; Byrd and Sarah Hurt Prewitt; Joseph and Leah Moss Prewitt; Joshua and Sarah Adams Prewitt; Elizabeth Prewitt Adams and her husband Mr. Adams.

Rachel Prewitt, who had marrie Robert Shipely; Michael Prewitt, Jr., and his wife Elizabeth Hurt; still living in Virginia in 1802 when he wrote a letter to his brother in Kentucky - then went to Tennessee about 1805; and Robert Prewitt, who remained to settle up the family's affairs after which he and his famly removed to Fayette County, Kentucky, in 1794, were not in the party with their father and other members of the family when they made their memorable trip.

Members of the family settled in Jessamine County, shelby County and Henry County, Kentuckey. Michael Prewitt, Sr., settled on Mulberry Creek in Shelby County and Died in Jessamine County while on a visit to his children; was buried in the family cemetery near Nicholsville on land which came into the possession of George Bryan and Elziabeth Prewitt Bryan, daughter of Byrd Prewitt and Sarah Hurt, whose land lay on Clear Creek. Jessamine's County Seat, Nicholsville, is laid out on part of the former land of Joseph Prewitt.

Michael Prewitt,Sr., and his sons, wrote good legible letters and documents, they seemed to spell their name in many different ways. These documents are in the possession of descendants in Winchester, Kentucky.

Michael Prewitt, the father, wrote the name Prewet, "Michael Prewet, sen", except when he signed his Will, when he wrote "Michael Prewitt, sen", but in the body of the document, which is filed in the courthouse at Shelbyville, Shelby County, Kentucky (Will Book I, page 41), he spelled the name Prewit and Prewitt. The Will is filed under the name Prewitt.

James Prewitt used "Prewit" in one document and Joshua sometimes spelled the name as Prewet and Prewett.

Michael Prewitt, Jr. apparently always spelled his name Pruitt.

Robert Prewitt apparently went to Kentucky as early as 1777, having spent the winter at the fort of Harroldsburg. Reference History of Kentucky, Collins, Vol. II

Copy of Original Document

Prewitt to Pow Atty. Prewite 461 Recorded

To all to whome these presents shall come Know ye that I Michael Prewet Senior of the County of Campbell State of Virginia for divers good causes & considerations me thereunto moeving Have Consituted & appoint my son Robert Prewit of the County and State aforesaid my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to sue and recover all such sums of money as are due me in the said State of Virginia or elsewhere, or in my name to Grant such Acquittances or other Receits as shall be Lawful And to sell and Dispose of all my Lands in the County of Campbell and State afresaid that remain now unsold and Convey the same to the Purcheser or purchasers in fee Simple as fully and Absolutely as I might or Could do were I personally Present Satisfying and Confirming Whatever my said Attorney shall Lawfully Do in and about the premises.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 27th day of September 1789.

(The information set down above concerning the activities of Michael Prewitt and his family is derived from the Prewitt-Pruitt Ancestors in the Virginia State Library, Accession No. 64-25 52)

Michael married Elizabeth Simpkins 1742, Nicholasville, Jessamine, Kentucky, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of John Simpkins and Elizabeth Rench) was born 1724, Accomack, Virginia, USA; died 1767, Halifax, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 12655

Other Events:

• Name: Andrew Pruett
• Reference Number: 11411

Andrew married Agnes Goochland 1720, Henrico, Virginia, USA. Agnes was born 1699, Varina, Henrico, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5374

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 12656

Notes:

John Simpkins is supposed to have also had land holdings in Goochland, Old Lunenburg, Campbell and Pittsylvania Counties in Virginia. His will dated January 22, 1754 and proved April 2, 1754 is recorded in Will Book I page 119.
Will of John Simpkins
Lunenburg Co., Va. Will Book I p 119. Dated Jan. 22, 1754. Probated April 2, 1754
In the name of God, Amen - The 22 day of Jan. 1754, I John Simpkins of Lunenburg Co. ( or Bedford when that Co. takes place) being very sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory, God be thanked for it, do make my last Will and Testament in manner following - viz.
Imprimis - I give and bequeath to my daughter, Mary Whealer, one shilling sterling to her and her heirs forever,
Item: I give to my daughter Rachel Stoe one shilling sterling and her heirs forever.
Item: I give to my daughter, Elizabeth Pruitt, the one half of my land being that part whereon she now lives to be divided by a right line from the river, also two negroes named Dick and Sam, to her and her heirs forever.
Item: I give to my daughter Susannah Lawson, two negroes, named Will and Abigail, to her and her heirs forever.
Item: I give to Rachel Simpkins and Webby Simpkins each of them a cow to be delivered to them when they marry or come of age, to them and their heirs forever.
Item: I give to my well beloved wife, Elizabeth Simpkins, during her natural life, the other half of my land, and two negroes named Will and Hannah, being the father and mother of the other negroes, also my stock and household goods. After her decease, my will is that my daughter, Susannah Lawson should have the lower part of my land, to be possessed by her and her heirs forever; further my will is that after my wife's decease, my stock and household goods be equally divided between my said two daughters, Elizabeth Prewitt and Susannah Lawson, to be possessed by them and their heirs forever. But if my said wife should marry, my will is that my stock and household goods be then equally divided between her and my two daughters, Elizabeth Pruitt and Susannah Lawson. I also constitute and appoint my well beloved wife and son-in-law, Michael Pruitt, executors of this my last will and testamnet.
And I hereby revoke, and disallow all former wills, testaments and bequests whatever by me before made, signed, published, pronounced and declared by the said John Simpkins as his last will and testament, in the presence of us subscribers.
(Signed) John Simpkins
Thomas Harris
her
Elizabeth Sloam X
mark
Thomas Watkins

John — Elizabeth Rench. Elizabeth (daughter of Seth Rench and Rachell (Unknown)) was born Abt 1700. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 11762

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 11426

Notes:

Henry lived 20 miles up the James River from William Byrd's plantation Westover.
On February 1, 1695, Henry Prewitt appeared in court in Henrico County, VA to testify on behalf of Mr. John Pleasants.
Henry is thought to have been a son of Thomas Prewitt, who was transported to Charles River, VA when he was a tithable and asessed to support an army to defend against the Indians. In the same group of 40 neighbors was Colonel William Byrd. Henry evidently owned land at that time, since he was taxed. He was not a large land owner by comparison to the Carter's, Byrd's, Randolph's, or Washington's, who owned thousands of acres, but to be a land owner at age 25 was of some importance.
In 1686, Henry was granted 220 acres on the north side of the James River in Henrico County, which tract he sold to Mary Fields Jones in 1697. On April 20, 1687, Henry and John Fields were granted 220 acres of land in Varina Parrish, Henrico County, on the north side of the James River, beginning at Almond Creek. Henry was involved with the Fields and Jones families throughout the records of Henrico County. Mary Fields, sister of Thomas and John Fields, married Edward Jones and Henry Prewitt administered the estate of Edward Jones in 1695.
On August 3, 1691, Henry, supported by John Fields, was sued by William Byrd. The only connection found between the Prewitt and Byrd families is that they resided close together. Henry Prewitt's land on Almond Creek was about 20 miles up the James River from William Byrd's plantation, Westover. Many families followed the Byrd's into southern Virginia, and the Prewitt's were among them, settling in northern Halifax County in 1745.
Henry married Rebecca Dobbs in Henrico County, VA on August 20, 1691. According to depositions taken in court that month, Henry was age 37, so this may have been a second marriage for him. Henry may have first married a Fields, or possibly John Fields was married to a sister of Henry.
In 1711, Henry, being an overaged person, was exempt from paying poll taxes. At the June Court 1722, Henrico County, Rebecca Prewitt, widow of Henry, was summoned to administer the estate of her husband. Rebecca died in Henrico County, VA in 1748.
Other information concerning Henry:
On August 25, 1691, Henry having attending 2 days as a witness, being summoned for Ed Jones in his suit against Fra Reeves, hath orders against the said Jones for 80 pounds of tobacco according to the law. Court held Varina Parish.
On September 1, 1691, Henry, aged about 37 years, depozeth that crossing James river sometimes since, he did see a black bull of Thomas Field's mark which belonged to Ed Jones floating upon the river against Mr. Reeves low ground.
On April 17, 1693, Henry on Grand Jury.
On February 1, 1695, Henry having attended one day as witness in behalf of Mr. Jno Pleasants in his suit against Nathaniel Cardwell, has an order for 40 pounds of tobacco against the said Pleasants according to law.
On April 1, 1697, Henry of Henrico sold 220 acres to Mary Jones. Land on the North side of James River, John Higledy, Edward Jones, part of the land patented by Henry in 1686, "and upon which I live now," it being the southernmost end of the said tract next to Thomas Field's Creek. Witnessed by Giles Webb and John Wilson recorded April 17, 1697. Henry comes into Court and acknowledges conveyance of 220 acres of land to Mary Jones.

Henry married Rebecca Ann Dobbs 20 Aug 1691, Henrico, Virginia, USA. Rebecca (daughter of James Dobbs) was born 1671, Henrico, Virginia, USA; died 1748, Henrico, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 4230

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 11763

Seth married Rachell (Unknown) 1685, Henrico, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet]

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• Reference Number: 243