FIRST GENERATION
1. Joseph Ritchey(1)
was born on Apr 7 1811 in Washington County, Pennsylvania.
(2)(3) He emigrated about 1845
to Newport Twp., Washington Co., Ohio.(4)
(5) He , according to federal census records,
was a cooper in 1850 in Newport Twp., Washington Co., Ohio. Joseph moved his
family from Newport Township to Dunham Township around 1857, and then to Warren
Township sometime before 1866.
He was enlisted in Company H of the 77th Ohio Volunteer Infantry as a private
on Nov 6 1862 in Marietta, Ohio.(2) Company
H 77th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was consolidated into Company F 77th Ohio Volunteer
Infantry on Jan 17, 1865. An interesting affidavit written evidently for Joseph's
pension claim is included in his Civil War pension records which reads (the following
is as best as I could read and transcribe): "State of Ohio Monroe County
SS -- Before me Jacob T. Morrill a Notary Public in and for Aforesaid County
and State personally came Oliphant E. Buskirk whom I certify to be a regular
practicing physician and audited to credit who being duly sworn according to
law deposes as follows: "Joseph Richy a private of Co. H - 77th Regt O.V.I.
when passing from guard to quarters it being dark fell in a coal hole in front
of Flouring Mills at Alton, Illinois, and produced rupture of the right side
disabling him very much at the time and still disables him about one half. He
was treated by Drs J. W. Warfield and P. Brook who gave him a truss and it proved
to be to small and he came back for another. He said Doctors being unfit for
duty. I changed the truss for him. I was acting as Hospital Steward. The above
occurred about the 1st of February A.D. 1863 at Alton Mills, Illinois. I have
no interest in this claim or it's prosecution." -- Oliphant Buskirk M.D.
-- Sworn to before me by said Oliphant Buskirk M.D. and by him subscribed in
my presence this 10th day January A.D. 1880 and I certify that I have no interest
in this claim or its prosecution. Jacob T. Morrill Notary Public Monroe Co.
O." Here is an excerpt from from a history book concerning the 77th Ohio
Volunteer infantry, "On the 22nd of April, 1864, the Seventy-Seventh, with
the Forty-Third Indiana and the Thirty-Sixth Iowa, started from Camden to escort
a large train to Pine Bluff after supplies, the whole commanded by Lieutenant
Colonel Drake, of the Thirty-Sixth Iowa. General Fagan's Rebel division attacked
these regiments in detail while were encumbered with the train, on the 25th,
at Marks's Mills. Colonel Drake fought desperately with the Forty-Third and
Thirty-Sixth, but being overpowered, was unable to hold out till the Seventy-Seventh
could make a junction from the rear of the train, some four mile away. The Seventy-Seventh,
under Captain McCormick, came onto the field at the moment Colonel Drake was
overwhelmed. They went into the fight at once, but no effort of their's could
rescue the train or their captured comrades, and after an unequal contest of
two hours, being surrounded, they were compelled to accept the enemy's terms.
The portion of the regiment captured, after marching until May 15th, reached
the Rebel prison-pens known as Camp Ford, near Tyler, Texas, where they were
kept ten months." Joseph was listed missing in action at Marks Mills, Arkansas
on Apr 25 1864. Later it was learned that he had been taken as a prisoner of
war. He was released on Feb 26 1865 at Red River Landing. He was discharged
on Nov 5 1865 in Brownsville, Texas.(2)
(6)
He , according to federal census records, was a laborer in 1870 in Warren Twp.,
Washington Co., Ohio. He moved back to Dunham Township near the town of Briggs
sometime before 1875. According to Dunham Township Clerk's records Joseph served
as Township Constable for the term beginning 1877, and Supervisor Of Road Districts
for the 1875, 1877 and 1879 terms. He , according to federal census records,
was a farmer in 1880 in Dunham Twp., Washington Co., Ohio. He died on Dec 26
1882 in Dunham Twp., Washington Co., Ohio.(7)
The account of his death appeared in two newspapers as follows: "Mr.
Joseph Ritchie, of Dunham, died quite suddenly. He was with his sons when he
complained of not feeling well and said he believed that he would light his pipe.
He sat down on a log and died almost instantly. He died of heart disease."
The Marietta Register of January 4, 1883. The Marietta Times of the same date
gives a slightly different story, "A little over two weeks ago as Mr. Joseph
Ritchie, of Dunham Township, was riding to his home from Constitution, he fell
from his horse in an insensible condition. He managed to get on again and ride
home, but he never thoroughly recovered, and on Tuesday of last week while at
work in the field husking corn, he fell dead. He was about 75 years old and
had always been a hearty man." He was buried in Gravel Bank (Riverview)
Cemetery near Constitution, Ohio.(8) His
original grave marker which is barely legible reads: JOSEPH RITCHEY -- BORN APR
7, 1811 -- DIED DEC 26, 1882 - AGED 71 Y, 8 M, 17 D. In 1995, through the Veterans
Administration, I applied for and did receive a bronze government marker for
his grave. Dad helped me placed it over his grave. It reads JOSEPH RITCHEY
-- PVT CO H 77 OHIO VOL INF -- CIVIL WAR -- APR 7 1811 DEC 26 1882.
He was
married to Catherine Stewart on Aug 11 1836 in Alleghany Co., Pennsylvania.
(2) According to his pension records they were
married by a Justice Of The Peace. According to the 1900 Census Catherine mothered
ten children, so apparently all their children are accounted for.
Catherine Stewart(1) was born
on Aug 5 1818 in Washington County, Pennsylvania.
(9)(10) Some records spell
her maiden surname Steward. After Joseph's death, Catherine continued to receive
his military pension. She had to file several affidavits to prove she was his
widow. Here is an example: "AFFIDAVIT FOR GENERAL PURPOSE State of Ohio
Washington County, as: In the matter of the Pension Claim No 481065 of widow
of Jos. Ritchey Co. F 77 Regt. Ohio Inf. Vols.: On the 13th day of January 1891,
before the undersigned authority within and for said County and State, personally
appeared F Sanfords, J. Wesley Swords who, being duly sworn on oath that they
are. As well acquainted with Catherine Richey age 72 years. A resident of Briggs,
Washington Co., State Ohio. And that the said Catherine Richey is the Lawful
Widow of Joseph Richey. Who enlisted under the name of Joseph Richey on the
6th day November AD 1862 in Co F 77th Ohio and that the said Catherine Richey
has not remarried since the death of Joseph Richey (which occurred the 26th day
December 1862) And further states that she is without other means of support
than her daily labor and is afflicted so she cannot take care of herself."
Another affidavit records John R. Sayers and S. J. Hollister entering a similar
statement. She died on Nov 11 1900 in Dunham Twp., Washington Co., Ohio.
(11) I found her will in Washington County
Probate Court which reads; "The Last Will and Testament of Catherine Ritchey
of Dunham Township, Washington County, State of Ohio.
In the Name of the Benevolent Father of All: - I the said Catherine Ritchey,
being of sound and disposing mind and memory, considering the uncertainty of
continuance in life, and desiring to make such disposition of my worldly estate
as I deem best, do make, publish and declare, this to be my last will and testament;
hereby revoking and annulling any and all former will or wills whatsoever by
me made. -- First: I desire all my just debts and funeral expenses to be paid
as soon as possible after my decease. -- Second: I give and bequeath Eliza Jane
Martin, one dollar, and to Elexander Ritchey, one dollar, Theodor Ritchey, one
dollar, Nancy Swords, one dollar, Joseph Ritchey one dollar, and I give to my
daughter Viola Sayres the residue and remainder of my personal effects and money
that I die possessed of. -- I nominate and appoint my daughter Viola Sayres and
my son Elexander Ritchey to be executors of this will and testament. -- In Witness
Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 10 day of March, in the year
Nineteen Hundred. - Catherine Ritchey" Her obituary appeared in the Wednesday,
Nov 14 1900 Marietta Times: "From Monday's Daily Times. Mrs. Catherine
Ritchie died at her home near Gravel Bank this morning, death being due to disease
of the heart. She was born on August 5th, 1818, and was eighty-two years of age.
Funeral services will be held at the residence tomorrow at 10 a.m." The
1900 Census taken in the June of that year records her living with daughter and
son-in-law, Viola and Asher Sayers. She was buried in Gravel Bank (Riverview)
Cemetery near Constitution, Ohio. There is a small marble marker near Joseph
Ritchey's marker that is inscribed with what looks like the letters C R. I assume
this is Catherine Ritchey's marker.
Joseph Ritchey and Catherine Stewart had the following children:
+2 i.
Eliza Jane Ritchey.
+3 ii.
Sarah Ann Ritchey.
+4 iii.
Alexander "Alex" J. Ritchey.
+5 iv.
Nancy Ritchey.
+6 v.
Barbary "Barbara" Ritchey.
+7 vi.
Alexander "Leander" Cory Ritchie.
+8 vii.
Marietta "Mary" Ritchey.
+9 viii.
Theodore "Thee" Ritchie.
+10 ix.
Viola Ritchie.
+11 x.
Joseph "Joe" W. S. Ritchie Jr..
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