Differentiate between individuals with the name William R Truitt of Warren, Kentucky

Conclusion – William R Truitt, grantee and grantor of one-acre of ground near the town of Bowling Green between 1822 and 1824 is the same William R Truitt that married Catharine A Morrow on 19 February 1824. He is not the son of Riley Truitt and his wife Catharine Thetford.

In 1824, William, the son of Riley and Catharine, a propertied minor, is under the guardianship of first, David Reed, second, Mark Andrew and third, Franklin Trewitt. He could not marry without his guardian’s consent, nor enter into deeds for the sale and purchase of land. [1]

No research verifying the identity of William Truitt, son of Riley and Catharine Thetford, likely born after 1803 and before 1808, Georgia, who migrated with his parents to Warren, Kentucky by ca. 1809 is extant. Land records created after 1825 by William, son of Riley and Catharine, show the use of a middle initial “R”.

No research verifying the identity of William R Truitt of Logan county, Kentucky, active in land deeds from 1822 and differentiating him from William, son of Riley and Catharine, is extant.

William R Truett, residing Logan county, Kentucky is of legal age by 9 July 1822, minimum birth year 1800-1801, when he purchases one acre of ground near the Town of Bowling Green from John W Slack also of Logan county. From 1822 onwards, deed records relating to this land, show a consistency in the recording of William R Truitt’s name and adjoining neighbours. [2] On 9 February 1824, William R Truitt, sells a half-acre of ground near the town of Bowling Green to Jacob Vanmeter. [3]

William R Truitt, bondsman for Jeremiah A Robinson visited Warren county Courthouse, 22 December 1823, when Robinson obtained a marriage licence to marry Margaret [var. spelling] Morrow. [4] The record does not state Margaret is over twenty-one years but her mother Mary, gave her written consent. The marriage was solemnized 23 December 1823 by [likely John] Keel. [5]

On 18 February 1824, with Jeremiah A Robinson as his bondsman, William R Truitt obtained a marriage license to marry Catharine A Morrow. The bond record states Truitt is above 21 years of age and Mrs Mary Morrow gave her consent. [6]  The minimum birth year for William R Truitt is 1802-1803. The marriage was solemnized 19 February 1824 by John Keel. [7]

In 1824, William Truitt, son of Riley and Catharine, could not marry without the consent of his guardian. William is under the guardianship of first, David Read, second Mark Andrew, his stepfather, and lastly on 1 September 1824, the Court appointed William’s brother Franklin Trewitt his guardian. Court records confirm Franklin had just arrived to legal age, suggesting a minimum birth year of 1803. [8]

The appointment of a guardian means William is under twenty-one years of age, cannot marry without the consent of his guardian nor enter into deeds for the purchase or sale of land in his own right. Ancestors did not live in a vacuum; laws governed most aspects of their lives, particularly propertied minors. By evaluating the above evidence in context with relevant legislation for the period under investigation, distinct identities emerge. [9]

About the citations.

All deeds and court records are available on FamilySearch. They are not indexed. The citation is for where the deed or court record may be found at the relevant courthouse. Go to FamilySearch Catalog Select > United States > State > County. A Catalog of online records can be chosen for investigation, eg. land records, probate records, court records, tax records etc.

Copyright. This is an original and creative work of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. This paper forms part of a series of papers identifying kinship relationships among the early families of Delaware and Maryland and their subsequent migrations. If you wish to include any of the material contained in, or derived from this paper, place quotation marks around the extracted portion and credit it as follows: Sarah Baird, “Differentiating between individuals with the name William R Truitt of Warren, Kentucky”, 2023.



[1] Warren County State of Kentucky Circuit Court Clerk's Office Record Book 1823 to 1825, page 121 Thursday 27 May 1824 Mark Andrew Complt. ats Riley Trewitts heirs Defts. In Chancery. On motion, David Reed is appointed guardian ad litem to the Defts, infant heirs of Riley Trewitt decd : page 161 Friday 10 June 1824 Mark Andrew Complt. ats the heirs of Riley Trewitt decd. Defts. In Chancery. Answers of Defendants, John McCombs, Jesse & Mary McCoombs, Hugh McCutchen and wife and Samuel G White exhibited and filed : page 177 Wednesday 25 August 1824 Franklin Trewitt Complt. ats Mark Andrew & ors Defts. In Chancery. On motion of Complt. it is ordered that Mark Andrew be and he is appointed guardian ad litem to the defts infants heirs of Reley Trewitt decd : page 212 Wednesday 1 September 1824 Mark Andrew Complt ats the heirs & representatives of Reley Trewitt decd Defts In Chancery. On motion of Complt. Franklin Trewitt one of the Defts. who has become of full age since the bringing of this suite, is appointed guardian ad litem to the infant defts. in the room of David Reed.

[2] Warren County Kentucky Deed Book M-12 1825-1827 p1, 24 October 1823 William R Trewitt, Warren, Kentucky to John M Powell : Warren County Kentucky Deed Book L-11 1823-1825 p136 : Warren County Kentucky Deed Book L-11 1823-1825 p173 Indenture 12 December 1823 between John Macey, Warren county and Town of Bowling Green of the one part and Wm R Truitt, Warren, John Hill, Butler, John Hines, Wm Price of Warren county and John Cosby of the county of Barren and all of the state of Kentucky.

[3] Warren County Kentucky Deed Book L-11 1823-1825 p177.

[4] "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKJS-Z9G3 : 9 March 2021), Jeremiah A Robinson and Margarit Morrow, 22 Dec 1823; citing Marriage, Warren, Kentucky, United States, various county clerks and county courts, Kentucky; FHL microfilm 164,006.

[5] "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKJS-ZF2N : 9 March 2021), Jeremiah A Robinson and Margaret Morrow, 23 Dec 1823; citing Marriage, Warren, Kentucky, United States, various county clerks and county courts, Kentucky; FHL microfilm 164,006.

[6] Folklife Archives, Manuscripts &, "Warren County, Kentucky Marriage Records (MSS 230)" (2008). MSS Finding Aids. Paper 584.

[7] "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q28D-XJH3 : 22 July 2021), William R Truitt and Catharine A Morrow, 19 Feb 1824; citing Marriage, Warren, Kentucky, United States, various county clerks and county courts, Kentucky; FHL microfilm 164,031.

[8] Warren County State of Kentucky Circuit Court Clerk's Office Record Book 1823 to 1825, 212.

[9] https://genfiles.com/articles/orphans-guardians/ .

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