| 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)
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1720 - 1798 (78 years)
