Beech Tree News Network

William Pitman performed his service in the American Revolution for the state of Virginia, reaching the rank of Lieutenant. According to Summers, Annals of SW VA, Volume 2, p 1018; WI Hist Soc, Draper MSS, Life of Daniel Boone, SER B, Vol 3, p 83; he served under Captain John Duncan in the militia, Clarks Campaign of 1782, from GRS on NSDAR website.

In a description found in an old court document on familysearch.org “William Pitman was …some 6 feet high, fine personal appearance, fair skin and light hair.” William was often given the nickname “Longhunter” because as was the custom in the early days of our country men would be gone for long periods of time on hunting trips seeking food for their families or hides to be used in making clothing, covers from the elements or just for trading. He had received 500 acres in a land grant for his service so he was able to bring his family to settle in what would be a new adventure, including setting up Pitman’s Station in about 1779-1780 on what would be named Pitman’s Creek, a tributary of the Green River. It was in Green County, 2.5 miles northwest of Greensburg, Kentucky. It is presumed the location was selected because of its proximity to the Cumberland Trace. It was at this place that Indians attacked and killed several settlers including William Pitman, Sr. in 1789.

William Pitman, my 4^th great grandfather, was born around 1736 and died in Nelson County, Virginia (now Kentucky) on July 14, 1789. He married Sarah ‘Sally’ Webb (1736-1820) in about 1759 in Virginia. They had a son, John Pitman, my 3^rd great grandfather, in about 1769 in Virginia who died in May of 1822 in Butler County, KY. John married Mary Phelps (1769-1820) in Green County, Kentucky in March of 1794. John and Mary had a daughter, Sarah “Sally” Pitman, my 2^nd great grandmother, born in 1797 in Kentucky who died after 1880 in Butler County, KY. Sarah married Joseph Johnston (Johnson) (1784-1844) on July 10, 1816, in Butler County, KY. Sarah and Joseph had a son, Nicholas W Johnson, my great grandfather on December 14, 1839, in Butler County, KY. Nicholas was a private in the Civil War fighting with the 2^nd Regiment, Kentucky Calvary, for the Union Army. He died on February 20, 1920, in Butler County. Nicholas married Catherine Childers (1857-1920) on September 20, 1877, in Butler County, Kentucky. Nicholas and Catherine had a son, Cleatus Johnson, my grandfather, born on May 1, 1897, in Butler County who died on December 5, 1969, in Butler County, KY. Cleatus married Lottie Johnson (1914-1977) in Butler County. They had a daughter, my mother Catherine Elizabeth Johnson, born January 24, 1938, died December 4, 2011. She married on November 16, 1955, in Springfield, TN my father, Wilson Hill “Wid” Mason, born May 1, 1925, died August 17, 2013, in Warren County, KY.

As part of Celebrate America 250, the Butler County Chapter NSDAR members will be continuing our series of articles about our Patriots of the American Revolution. If you have a Revolutionary Patriot in your family line and are interested in joining our chapter please contact the Regent, Lynda O’Driscoll at 270.734.5137 or any chapter member.