This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: mjjoye Surnames: Pitts, Childers, James Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.pitts/2223/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I have read many a query about Pitts' claims of being related to Charlie Pitts aka Sam Wells and for many years I, too heard the same story within my own Pitts family. My mother, aunts, uncles and cousins alike say that Charlie Pitts who ran with Jesse James & co was a indeed our ancestor. Most recently I was informed that he was in on the last train robbery in Missouri and the only thing he got was ladies fashionable boots. My aunt said that my great grandmother had these boots (at least a pair of them) for years but has no idea what became of them. I have barely researched this claim. I know that some believe "Charlie Pitts" was an alias for Sam Wells. But others believe its the other way around. We may never know the truth but what if the alleged "Charlie Pitts" was indeed my 3rd great-grandfather William Charles Pitts? William Charles Pitts was not a childhood friend of Jesse James but he was allegedly a fellow Bushwhacker. Although James was a Quantrill bushwhackers & Pitts was from Boone's Regiment, Missouri Mounted Infantry. (He was also a Union soldier with both the 9th/10th Cavalry & the 47th Inf). William spent time in prison during this time. Born in 1839 in Alabama to Thomas & Mathilda (Smith) Pitts. He lived in the Missouri counties of Butler, Reynolds & Iron. He married Nancy Jane Childers in 1855. They had 5 children, including my 2nd great-grandfather Andrew "One-Eyed-Drew". Curiously the 1880 US Census of Crawford County, MO lists Nancy as Jane Turnbough it says she is married there is no husband listed and it lists all five Pitts' children. Perhaps "Jane Turnbough" was an alias. Later census lists her as Nancy Childers or Nancy Pitts. Last records of William Charles Pitts that I have seen were a Muster-Out Roll dated 28 March 1865. Members of Ancestry.com that have my William Charles Pitts listed as their ancestor say that he died in 1869 in Calico Rock, Arkansas, although I cannot find documentation of this. I have so many questions and need a direction to continue my research. Any ideas? Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.