John Witt (1645-1715)

and Ann Daux (1647-1742)

They were Virginia Colonists

I connect with John Witt on two lines

The Vineyards on Daddy’s side

The Hulseys on Mother’s side

The Witt surname was in England and Scotland as early as the 1500s. It was spelled as Quhyt in the 1500-1600s in Scotland, and soon became Anglicized to White/Witt/Whitt. Another family has knowledge of family from Germany. Their earliest immigrant to the US was Jacob Thomas Witt, Sr. He or his father supposedly came from Germany. Their family has the highest concentration of Witts  in Germany.

John arrived in the Virginia Colony possibly as early as 1662, but certainly by 1672, and settled in the western part of Charles City County near the border of Henrico County.

The headright for his importation into Virginia was claimed three times over in three different land patents issued in 1682, 1685, and 1699 — all for land in Henrico and Charles City counties. (For more information on this see John Witt, Headright in Three Patents.) John was almost certainly not imported as an indentured servant. He was married within a year of his arrival. Servants were seldom allowed to marry during their indenture and certainly would not have been allowed to marry a free woman. It is possible that John himself was the importer and sold his headright to finance his trip.

John married Ann Daux, daughter of Walter and Mary Daux, before October 1673 in Charles City County. Walter was the son of a London merchant Richard Daux. They would have lived on land John acquired before 1677 along the "main road" in Charles City County; roughly the same path as today’s US Highway 5, from Jamestown up the north side of the James River toward Richmond. It is not certain where along this line his property lay, but most likely in or near Shirley Hundred district near the border of Henrico County.[1]

The lands of Shirley Plantation were first settled in 1613 by Sir Thomas West, 3rd Baron De la Warr and were named West and Sherley Hundred. In 1638, a portion of this land was granted to Edward Hill, thus beginning the occupation of the Hill family. Shirley Plantation is still a working plantation today. (website for Shirley Plantation)

Richard Daux is first found in Virginia in 1637 when he is listed on a patent of land near Herring and Oldman's Creeks in Charles City County. A series of court entries from the 1670's concerning a dispute between orphans of Walter Daux establishes John Witt as the husband of Ann. [2] https://genfiles.com/witt/john-witt-c1645-by1715/

In February 1687 a work order was issued to clear and lay a road from the Chickahominy down towards the James River. This road was connected to the main road near John Witt's land. (See the full text of the order below under Timeline.)

By 1715 both of the Witt brothers, John Witt II and William Witt, moved a few miles west to Henrico County. On 13 September 1715 the brothers bought 300 acres from Charles Hudson for 10 pounds. The land was on a fork of Tuckahoe Creek, bounded by the southern branch and John Bradley's land. The Witts may have already been established here before 1715 as the land noted in the patents submitted by William Randolph was in this area. Also, in 1695, John Witt had a court suit in Henrico County.

Not many records survive from this time period in Charles City County. Those that are extant which refer to John or Ann will be included in the Timeline below.

John Witt was not a Huguenot. The claim that the Witts were Huguenots was first made in print in 1924 in a publication called Year Book No. 1 by the Huguenot Society of the Founders of Manakin in the Colony of Virginia. No evidence was offered other than the proximity of the brothers John and William Witt (John Witt's sons) to the Huguenot settlement at Manakin.

The National Huguenot Society, List of Qualified Huguenot Ancestors (updated 18 Jan 2021) does not include Witt, Whit, Whyte, White, or any variant thereof.[3] https://nationalhuguenotsociety.org/ancestor/AncestorLookup.php

https://www.huguenotsocietyofamerica.org/history/ancestors/

JOHN’S BIRTH

Despite extensive efforts by Witt family researchers, no birth record has been found for John. An estimate of his birth year is based on three main items: his importation to Virginia by 1672, his marriage about 1673 and the filing of a lawsuit in 1673. Since John was not imported as an indentured servant, he most likely was in his early to mid-twenties when he left England. To marry without parental consent or to file a lawsuit in colonial Virginia, an individual had to be age 21 or older (born 1651 or earlier). A usual marriage age for a man of this time was about 24 to 30, and he would probably be five to ten years older than his bride. Ann Daux was most likely about 17 or 18 years old at their marriage. So, John was probably in his late twenties in 1672. Most researchers have settled on a birth year of about 1645, making him age 27 when he arrived in Virginia.

JOHN’S MARRIAGE

No marriage record has been found. Ann Daux and her sister, Susannah Daux, were apparently deprived of their inheritance from their father, Walter Daux, by their stepfather, John Flower. Richard Rawlins, husband of Susannah Daux, petitioned the Charles City County court in September 1673 on behalf of his wife for return of her inheritance. On 3 October 1673 John Witt, now husband of Ann Daux, joined the petition on Ann's behalf. This appears to indicate that John and Ann had recently married sometime in 1673.

CHILDREN

Most researchers attribute four known sons to John Witt. Some add sons Robert and Daniel, but these are speculative and unconfirmed. The couple may have had daughters as well, but no evidence has surfaced for any. It is assumed Ann Daux was the mother of his children; there is no evidence of a second marriage for John.

1.      John Witt II

2.      William Witt

3.      Richard Witt Sr.

4.      Edward Whitt

Y-DNA Evidence: In 2002 "a Witt-Whitt Surname and family reconstruction Y-DNA study was conducted by the company, Family Tree DNA, which uses the molecular lab at the University of Arizona under the direction of Dr. Michael Hammer, Ph.D., Geneticist. The President of Family Tree DNA, Bennett Greenspan, was a consultant for this project. The participants in this study are documented descendants of John Witt II, William Witt, Edward Whitt, and Richard Whitt, Sr. The Witt-Whitt DNA study has determined the participants in this project are related and descend from a common ancestor.... When combined with surviving colonial Virginia records for the surnames Witt and Whitt, the Witt-Whitt family study leads to the conclusion that John Witt II, William Witt, Edward Whitt, and Richard Whitt, Sr., were brothers and their father was the emigrant John Witt-Whitt of Charles City County, Virginia."

Refences:  Witt Family Genealogy Forum, posted by David F. Whitt, Witt-Whitt Family of Old Virginia DNA Test Results Post Date: August 07, 2002.

Witt-Whitt Family DNA Test Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2007 11:21:49 -0400 Witt's End Vol 5 #3 issue

JOHN’S DEATH

No death record or burial site has been found for John Witt. The last record extant for him is that of a suit against Ralph Hudspeth in 1695 in Henrico County. John's youngest known son, Edward, was born about 1700. John does not appear in the 1704 Quit Rents of Charles City County and two of his sons moved out of the area about 1715. It is likely he died between 1700 and 1704.

TIMELINE

1645 

As discussed above, John was born about 1645, probably in England. Some researchers have suggested he was born in France, but this cannot be accurate. Since he owned land in Virginia, he must have been an English citizen either native born or naturalized. Until 1680, immigrants not born in Virginia or England required an act of the House of Burgesses to achieve citizenship. Unless naturalized, a foreign-born settler could not own land. These acts listing naturalizations are perfectly preserved and no Witt, or Whitt, appears in them.

1672

John Witt arrives in Virginia and settles in Charles City County.

1673

Marriage between John Witt and Ann Daux before October 1673.3 October 1673 petition filed for recovery of inheritance of Ann and Susannah Daux. "Abstract. Petn of Richd Rawlins and Jno Witt to next Court that Coll Wynn may give the Court some light on the matter." Source: Fleet, p 549 (this section is court orders 1672-3). Also Vol. 13, Charles City County Court Orders, p. 95 or Fleet, Beverley, Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Volume III, (Genealogical Publishing Co., 1988)

1674

1 October 1674 John Witt and Susannah Rawlins (Richard Rawlins has died) filed suit against the commissioners of Charles City County court for recovery of the Daux estate. The case was deferred.  Source: Fleet, p 549 (this section is court orders 1672-3). Also Vol. 13, Charles City County Court Orders, p. 95  or Fleet, Beverley, Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Volume III, (Genealogical Publishing Co., 1988)

1674/75

3 March 1674/5 the case of "the difference between John Witt and Richard Rawlins, who married the two orphens of Walter Daux, plantiffs, versus Commissioner of Charles City County, defendant" was deferred again.

Source: McIlwaine, p 403. As cited on John Witt (c1645 – by1715)

1675 About 1675 birth of son John Witt II.

1677 John Witt appeared as a juror in Charles City County on 15 September 1677. [9] This service indicated that John owned land in the county. A juror must either own at least 50 acres of land or the equivalent in personal property.

Source: Ayers, Margaret Mitchell, Charles City County Order Book 1676-1679, (1968) p 20

1677/78

14 February 1677/8 John Witt and John Turberfield (or Turberville), who married widow Susannah Rawlins, are suing an individual justice of Charles City County for the value of the estate of Walter Daux. They maintained that if the justices had acted properly, the estate would not have been lost by John Flower. A favorable verdict was granted but one of the justices appealed. The records are incomplete, so no further mention of the lawsuit is found. Source: Ayers, Margaret Mitchell, Charles City County Order Book 1676-1679, (1968) p 42

1680 About 1680 birth of son William.

1687

After 3 Feb 1687 in Charles City County court: "Whereas there is an absolute neccessity for this co. to lay out a common roade from Chickahominy bridge downe and up these parts of the country, we impower Maj. John Stith to summons every individual inhabitant and housekeeper on the north side of the James River in this co., according to the number of tithables he hath in his family, to send his portionable assistance to clear a main road from sd. bridge unto the road to or near Harman Bosman's habitation; as also from the bridge unto a main road near John Whitt's and this order to be performed at such time as Maj. Stith shall appoint, between this and the middle of March next, of which he is to make report to the next court with acct. of all persons that shall neglect or refuse their obedience to this order.” Source: Fleet, Beverley, Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Volume III, (Genealogical Publishing Co., 1988)

1690 About 1690 birth of son Richard Witt.

1695 The last reference in county records found for John Witt is a lawsuit filed against Ralph Hudspeth in Henrico County. Source: Henrico County Order Book 3.

1700 About 1700 birth of son Edward Witt.

1700-1704 Probable death of John Witt.

Research Notes

Robert Witt and Daniel Witt have been unlinked as children of John Witt and Ann Daux. There is no evidence they are part of this family. (See Children below.) No documentation has been presented by any Witt family tree for the existence of these two sons. It is entirely possible they belong in some other Witt family and this should be researched.

Disputed Origins

English Origins

In 2002 the Achievements of Canterbury found the best English candidate for John's father to be Richard Whitt. Richard's son, John Whitt, was christened 7 January 1643 at St. Olave, Southwark, London, England[13]. Richard's profile contains a full description of that research and the rationale for the familial connection. The full Canterbury report is Appendix 10 of David F. Whitt's book (2004)[14]. Also see Robert Baird's research on headrights and colonial immigration for additional support for John's English origins (John Witt, Headright in Three Patents.)

Scottish Origins

The best candidate in Scotland for father of John is described in Whitt (2004)[14]on pages 7-13. The discussion summarizes a report by Alison Mowat, a member of the Assoc. of Scottish Genealogists, whom found Robert Quhyt had a son John Quhyt baptized 10 April 1645 in Kilsyth, Stirlingshire, Scotland. 2018 Update: Y-DNA and SNP analysis (through Family Tree DNA projects) has validated ancestral origins in Scotland for two confirmed descendants of John Witt. This does not "prove" John Witt the immigrant was born in Scotland since his ancestors may have migrated to England prior to John's birth. Because the surname White (and variants like Witt) is a known branch of the MacGregor Clan, membership in the American Clan Gregor Society was approved for two Y-DNA confirmed descendants of John Witt, the Virginia immigrant.

Sources

↑ The lands of Shirley Plantation were first settled in 1613 by Sir Thomas West, 3rd Baron De la Warr and were named West and Sherley Hundred. In 1638, a portion of this land was granted to Edward Hill, thus beginning the occupation of the Hill family. Shirley Plantation is still a working plantation today. Shirley Plantation

↑ https://genfiles.com/witt/john-witt-c1645-by1715/

↑ https://nationalhuguenotsociety.org/ancestor/AncestorLookup.php. Accessed 24 Jan 2021

↑ https://www.huguenotsocietyofamerica.org/history/ancestors/. Accessed 11 Feb. 2021.

↑ Witt Family Genealogy Forum, posted by David F. Whitt, Witt-Whitt Family of Old Virginia DNA Test Results Post Date: August 07, 2002 at 03:08:33. See also Witt-Whitt Family DNA Test Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2007 11:21:49 -0400 Witt's End Vol 5 #3 issue

↑ Were the Witts Huguenots?

↑ Fleet, p 549 (this section is court orders 1672-3). Also Vol. 13, Charles City County Court Orders, p. 95

↑ McIlwaine, p 403. As cited on John Witt (c1645 – by1715)

↑ Ayers, p 20.

↑ Ayers, p 42

↑ Weisiger, Benjamin B., III. 1995. Charles City County Virginia Wills & Deeds 1725-1731. Athens, Georgia: Iberian Publishing Company. Pg. 11.

↑ Henrico County Order Book 3.

↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NLGD-PZC : 11 February 2018, John Whitt, 07 Jan 1643); citing SAINT OLAVE,SOUTHWARK,SURREY,ENGLAND, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 375,307.

↑ 14.0 14.1 Whitt, David F. 2004. Ancestors and descendants of William Whitt, 1775-1850: portrait of an American family. Westminster, MD: Heritage Books.

Ayers, Margaret Mitchell, Charles City County Order Book 1676-1679, (1968).

Fleet, Beverley, Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Volume III, (Genealogical Publishing Co., 1988)

McIlwaine, H. R., Minutes of the Council and General Court of Colonial Virginia, 1622-1632, 1670-1676, (The Colonial Press, Everett Waddy Co., 1924)

Weisiger, Benjamin B., III, Charles City County, Virginia Court Orders 1685-1695, (Iberian Publishing Co., 1980)

Bob's Genealogy Filing Cabinet John Witt (c1645 – by1715)

Shared family records of prominent (living) Witt family direct descendants in Richmond, Virginia.