Re: Seaborne and Catherine Pitts family, Pickens, SC 1849

Hi Mary,

The William Pitts that Shirley has referenced in her response to you was the son of the William Pitts who died in Laurens Co in 1838, based on DNA testing.

Per deed record dated Dec 3, 1839, Pendleton Isbell sold to "WILLIAM PITTS OF LAURENS DISTRICT" 575 acres of land on the Seneca River.Deed records of Pickens Dist.(Pickens later split into Pickens Co and Oconee Co.)

This deed record was witnessed by Reuben G Pitts, (Reuben Griffin Pitts).

This deed record proves that the William Pitts above moved from Laurens Co to Pickens Co. (later Oconee)

William Pitts of Laurens Co. signed his will Apr 25, 1838 and it was probated June 2,1838, widow Sally (nickname for Sarah), children William, Jr, Reuben Griffin, David, Daniel, Nelly Frasier, Jessie J, John, & Thomas.

We have DNA from descendants of William Jr (the William of Oconee who was married to Francis), Reuben Griffin Pitts, Daniel Pitts, and David Pitts.

If you go to the Pitts DNA Project website you will find this line under Group 5. This link will take you to the patriarch page of the website where pedigrees for the donors are listed.

http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/pitts/patshttp://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/pitts/pats

DNA testing has proven that this William Pitts, b c1802 and died Jan 1882 in Oconee Co, was not blood related to the other Pitts in the area.In other words, he was not the brother of Charles Pitts or Joel Pitts as was assumed by some researchers.We have DNA for those lines as well and they prove that these three men do not share a common male ancestor.

The DNA donor for the line of William Pitts and wife Frances, says that his ancestor, William Pitts b c1802 was born in Hickory Tavern in Laurens Co SC. I have the above deed record and the estate records for William who died intestate Jan 1882, and the administration of the estate was granted to his son, Lemuel V Pitts.There is nothing in these estate records showing the names of William's children. I do not have the court records referenced in Shirley Bennett's response to you so I cannot verify that Seaborn was or was not the son of William Pitts and Frances. Based on the census records it is reasonable to believe that he was the son of William. I assume, based on Shirley's response that the children are listed in this document, but my advice to you is to get a copy of that court case for your own verification. I can tell you that there is a reference in the estate papers on the Inventory and Appraisment, to a "note on R G Pitts for $20".This would connect Reuben Pitts, probably the son of Seaborn & Catherine, to William but does not prove that he was the grandson.

Based on my census findings, Reuben G Pitts later moved to DeKalb Co GA by 1900.

Feel free to e-mail me at nanmc@bellsouth.net.I will be glad to provide you with copies of the documents that I have.

Nancy