GEORGE D. WITT
Son of David and Elizabeth J. Witt, was born in Nelson county, Virginia,
May 22, 1848. He entered the Fleetwood Academy at about ten
years of age, and received an English education at the different schools
of his native county. An earnest desire to complete his education
prompted him, about this time, to write to Gen. R. E. Lee at the Washington
and Lee University, relative to admittance to that institution.
Though circumstances forced him to forego that plan, he still treasures
with warm appreciation the kind words of encouragement he received
in reply, in a letter in General Lee's own hand. In 1866 he accepted the
offer of a position in a counting house in Lynchburg, which position
he held until in 1869 he accepted an offer to go to Baltimore, where he
remained in the wholesale shoe trade until 1878. On November 5,
1873, he was married by Rev. Dr. Leeds of Grace Episcopal Church,
Baltimore, to Ida E. King. The bride was the daughter of John King,
of Baltimore, and granddaughter of William King of County Armagh,
Ireland, who came to this country and made his home in Annapolis,
Maryland, removing thence to Georgetown, D. C. The mother of Mrs.
Witt, now deceased, was Amanda M., daughter of Geo. Sterret Ridgely
Morgan, of Georgetown. A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Witt, September
28, 1874, Clarence Morton, who lived but two years. In 1878
Mr. Witt returned to Lynchburg, and in July entered into a partnership
with George P. Watkins, forming the house of Witt & Watkins,
the pioneer wholesale boot and shoe house of Lynchburg.
His father David, son of David Witt, sr. and Jane (Fitzpatrick) was
born in Nelson county, still a resident there, went into the artillery service,
Confederate States Army, in 1861, serving first in Capt. Lamkin's
company stationed at Charleston, South Carolina, and was in several
engagements there; later in Capt. Henry Rives' company, taking part
in many engagements around Richmond. The mother of Mr. Witt was
born in Nelson county, where she still resides. Brought up by Christian
parents, she has ever exemplified in her life an humble Christian character,
and has endeavored thus to sow the seed of virtue in rearing her
own children, and with her husband will leave their children an inheritance
of moral worth, more to be desired than refined gold. She was
the daughter of George Jones, who was born May 14, 1791, and died
May 25, 1883, and the granddaughter of Capt. Charles G. Jones, who
served faithfully seven years under Gen. Washington in the Revolutionary
war. George Jones married Sally Pendleton, born in Amherst
county, the daughter of Richard Pendleton, who settled in Amherst
from Culpeper county, and whose forefathers came from Scotland to
Eastern Virginia. Sallie Pendleton's mother, who was Miss Mary Tinsley,
was proud to boast of wearing a wedding gown spun from silk with
her own hands. The father of Capt. Jones was Hezekiah Jones, who
came from Spotsylvania county, and whose ancestors were of that
sturdy Welch stock that ever guarded with jealous hand the principles
of honesty and integrity that characterized their race.
