Memorials › Squire Chitwood

Squire Chitwood

1778 – 1830

Birth1778
Death1830
Added byBen Cynova on 08 Jul 2025
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/284676148

Bio

Squire Chitwood (1778–1830) Patriarch of the Franklin County, Virginia Chitwoods A Foundational Figure in Early American Chitwood History Early Life Squire Chitwood was born in 1778 in Bedford County, Virginia, during the final years of the American Revolution. His birth coincided with the nation's struggle for independence, and he came of age in the formative years of the early Republic. He was the son of William Chitwood (1750–1822) and Susannah Nowlin, members of an established Virginia family whose roots reached back to colonial times. His ancestors, the Chetwood family, immigrated from England to Virginia in the seventeenth century, where the name gradually evolved in local records from Chetwood to Cheatwood and eventually Chitwood. This proud Anglo-Virginia heritage positioned the family among the enduring early settlers of the region. In his youth, Squire's family relocated to the newly organized Franklin County, Virginia, carved from Bedford and Henry counties in 1786. Franklin County became the Chitwoods' permanent home and the birthplace of many later generations. Marriage and Family On January 15, 1801, at the age of 23, Squire Chitwood married Mary Wray (born 1782, died 1836) in Franklin County, Virginia. This union founded one of the most enduring branches of the Chitwood family in America. Their marriage is well documented in early Franklin County records and celebrated in genealogical research by Margaret C. Pope, whose 1983 and 1988 works center on Squire and Mary as the root couple of many later Chitwoods in the United States. Together they raised a large family, typical of their time, but distinguished by the number of children who would later become heads of families across Virginia and the expanding American frontier. Their children included: Edmund Chitwood (1804–1869) – born in Franklin County, Virginia. Stephen Chitwood (1806–1889) – born 10 March 1806, Franklin County; later migrated west, remembered as a prominent landholder and patriarch of the Tennessee and Arkansas Chitwoods. William Chitwood (1813–1869) – born in Franklin County. Elenor Chitwood (1815–1874) – born 15 June 1815, Franklin County. Susan Matilda Chitwood (1815–1890) – born 15 June 1815, Franklin County; later married Claborn Columbus Ray (1809–1887). M. Bostic Chitwood (1817–1879) – born 15 February 1817, Franklin County; married Lucy Jane Vaden. Angeran (Angerue) Chitwood (1823–1879) – born March 1823, Franklin County; later father of Sparrell (Sparrell Hale) Chitwood, carrying the name into subsequent generations. William Green Chitwood (1825–1880) – born 1825, Franklin County. Leonard C. Chitwood (1829–1880) – born 5 March 1829, Franklin County. Through these children, Squire and Mary's descendants spread into Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, and beyond, making them the progenitors of a vast family network that played roles in the agrarian, civic, and frontier life of nineteenth-century America. Life in Franklin County, Virginia Throughout his adult life, Squire Chitwood resided in Franklin County, where he farmed and raised his family. The 1810 and 1820 U.S. Federal Censuses record him as head of household in Franklin County, living a life typical of the independent yeoman farmers who formed the backbone of early rural Virginia society. His family's home was likely situated near the foothills of the Blue Ridge, a region known for tobacco cultivation, livestock, and close-knit communities anchored by the Methodist and Baptist churches. Although no surviving land deeds have been conclusively identified as his, the Chitwood name appears frequently in Franklin County records of that period—indicating land ownership, tax payments, and community standing. Later Years and Death In 1822, Squire suffered the loss of his father, William Chitwood, who died on February 28, 1822, in New London, Franklin County, Virginia. This event likely marked Squire's succession as senior male head of his immediate family branch. He continued to appear in local records until his own death in 1830, at approximately 52 years of age, in Franklin County. His wife, Mary (Wray) Chitwood, survived him by several years, passing away in 1836. Although his exact burial location is uncertain, it is believed that Squire and Mary rest somewhere in Franklin County—perhaps in an early family cemetery near their homestead. Legacy Squire Chitwood's legacy is both genealogical and symbolic. He stands as a foundational patriarch for a great number of American Chitwoods—one whose children and grandchildren carried his name across Virginia and into the new western territories. Key aspects of his legacy include: A Founding Patriarch – Nearly all Chitwoods descending from the Franklin County line can trace their ancestry to Squire and Mary Wray Chitwood. The Virginia–Tennessee Migration – His children's movements westward mirror a major demographic shift in early 19th-century America, as families from Virginia settled in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Arkansas. Continuity of the Chitwood Name – Through sons like Stephen, Angeran, and Bostic, the Chitwood name maintained prominence through multiple generations. Documented Heritage – The genealogical work of Margaret Pope—notably The Family of Squire and Mary Wray Chitwood (1983) and the 1988 Update—enshrined his importance in Chitwood family history, ensuring that his life and lineage remain a cornerstone for modern descendants and researchers alike. Summary Squire Chitwood (1778–1830) Born: 1778, Bedford County, Virginia Parents: William Chitwood (1750–1822) & Susannah Nowlin Married: 15 January 1801, Franklin County, Virginia, to Mary Wray (1782–1836) Children: Nine known surviving children, including Edmund, Stephen, William, Elenor, Susan Matilda, Bostic, Angeran, William Green, and Leonard. Occupation: Farmer, landowner, head of family in Franklin County Residence: Franklin County, Virginia (recorded 1810 & 1820 censuses) Died: 1830, Franklin County, Virginia

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