The following message has detailed data about the Ritch line (David, Hardy Cry, William, J. Jefferson, Edward, Emanuel, Anna, Hannah, and Mary) and related families (Helms, Height, Crye, Dunning, Blunt, Tinsley) of Mecklenburg Co NC and Muscogee Co GA. On 6 Dec 1847, David RITCH signed his Will in Muscogee Co GA. He is my gg grandfather. His wife's identity and the place and date of his birth are unknown to me. Based on both the 1850 Census and circumstantial evidence, I assume that some, if not all, of his children were born in what was then known as Mecklenburg Co NC. However, I have not proven a definite link between any specific NC Ritches and my David RITCH who died in Muscogee Co GA. My g grandfather, Emanuel RITCH, was 33 when his father signed his Will and was likely the youngest of David RITCH'S sons. According to his Will, David RITCH'S sons were: William, J Jefferson, Edward, Hardy Cry, and Emanuel. Daughters were: Mary, Anna HELMS, and Hannah HEIGHT. Emanuel and David CRY were the Executors. All children of David RITCH that I have found so far that are enumerated in the 1850 GA Census were born in NC. In 1851, Emanuel Ritch was named the Executor of Timothy DUNNING'S Will and also named as guardian of Susan F. DUNNING, Timothy's youngest daughter. She is surely the Francis DUNNING who was four in the 1850 Census household of Timothy DUNNING. Timothy DUNNING was born about 1798 in SC. Susan Francis' mother was very likely Nancy C TINSLEY DUNNING. About 1851, William TINSLEY died at 89 years of age and left a Will in Muscogee Co GA. He named Nancy DUNNING, wife of Timothy DUNNING (deceased), as one of his daughters. Of some interest is that one of Nancy TINSELY DUNNING'S sisters was married to George NEELY of SC. Documented below is the fact that a David RITCHEY bought and sold land in Mecklenburg Co NC with a Hugh NEELY. Based on data taken from the 1850 Census and from the RITCH Cemetery (Muscogee Co GA), Emanuel was born 27 Jul 1814 in NC. He married Sarah Jane GILMORE who was born 11 Dec 1816 in Washington Co GA. The date and place of marriage are unknown to me. Their oldest known child was born in Muscogee Co GA on 6 Aug 1837. I have not yet established the migration pattern of David RITCH and his family from NC to Muscogee Co GA. The 1840 Muscogee Co GA Census is the first GA Census that I have found that enumerates a David RITCH. And, of course, some of David RITCH'S children, relatives, and friends could have gone to GA earlier than he did. I am about to begin a comparison of NC, SC, and GA Census records that enumerate any RITCH or variation of the RITCH surname. Particular attention will be paid to the given names of David, Jefferson, William, Hardy, James, John, Thomas, Edward, Jacob, or Edmond. These are the ones most likely to be ancestors or relatives of Emanuel RITCH. After a preliminary review of early Mecklenburg and Anson Co NC land and Court records, I believe that Emanuel RITCH'S ancestors farmed various parcels of land located around what was then the Anson/Mecklenburg Co NC line in the area that is probably now part of Union Co NC. Their land was also near the SC line so I assume that some of Emanuel's ancestors owned land in SC. Others that also moved to GA from NC and appear closely associated with Emanuel RITCH were the HELMS, CRY or CRYE, and BLOUNT or BLUNT families. Nancy BLUNT, 49 and born in NC, was living in Emanuel RITCH'S household in the 1850 Census. In the Upatoi District of Muscogee Co, several HELMS-households were neighbors of Emanuel RITCH and his presumed brother, Jefferson RITCH. Not far away, in Talbot Co GA, were two CRY households. Timothy DUNNING'S household was also close by in the Upatoi District. In his 1787 Mecklenburg Co NC Will, "John RITCHIE Senior" (this is an exact quote from the original Will and John RITCHIE signed his own name) named David RITCHIE as one of his sons and the Executor of his Estate. Other sons were William and John. His wife was Jane and his daughter was Elizabeth. Because he should have been legally an adult in 1787, I assume that the David RITCHIE named in John RITCHIE, Sr's Will was born before 1767. He would have been at least 90 in 1847, which means that this David Ritchie is unlikely to have been my gg grandfather. In Feb 1837, a David RITCH, who I assume was my gg grandfather, sold three (3) parcels of land in Mecklenburg Co NC to Gilmore HELMS. I also assume that Gilmore HELMS was either a relative by marriage or the actual son-in-law of David RITCH. Other than the name being the same, this is the best evidence I have at present of a direct link between this David RITCH and my gg grandfather, David RITCH. Also, in Jan 1805, a David RITCHEY sold a parcel of land in Mecklenburg Co NC to a Ruben BLUNT. Other official records also suggest a close association between the RITCHES and Ruben BLUNT or BLOUNT. Between 1777 and 1837, an individual or, more likely, individuals named David RICH, RITCHEY, etc. bought and sold a number of parcels of land in Anson and Mecklenburg Co NC. These transactions are as follows: 1. July 1777, David RICH bought land in Anson Co NC from Dennis MCCLENDON. 2. May 1797, David and Jean RITCHEY sold land in Mecklenburg Co NC to Hugh NEELY. This was from John Cambell's Barony [?]. 3. Sept 1797, David RITCHEY sold land in Mecklenburg Co NC to James KENEDY. 4. Oct 1797, David RITCHEY bought land in Mecklenburg Co NC from James RICH (RITCHEY). 5. May 1800, David RITCHEY bought land in Mecklenburg Co NC from Hugh NEELY. This was from John Cambell's Barony [?]. 6. Jan 1805, David RITCHEY sold land in Mecklenburg Co NC to Ruben BLUNT. 7. Nov 1808, David RITCHIE sold land in Anson Co NC to John HELMS. 8. July 1810, David RICHE (sic) received a land grant in Anson Co NC from the State of NC. 9. Aug 1810, David RICHEY (RICHE) sold land in Mecklenburg Co NC to Peter NEWEL. 10. Aug 1810, David RICHE sold land in Anson Co NC to John BYRD. 11. Feb 1837, David RITCH sold three (3) parcels of land in Mecklenburg Co NC to Gilmore HELMS. The earliest land transaction that I have found involving a RITCH in either Anson or Mecklenburg Co NC was 1764 when Jacob RITCHEY bought land from Justina and Arthur DOBBS. However, a Courthouse fire in 1868 destroyed many Anson Co court records, and Mecklenburg Co was not created out of Anson Co until 1762. I have not yet checked Bladen Co records out of which Anson Co was formed in 1750, but Bladen Co suffered losses of records in 1800 and again in 1893. Franklin Ingram, Raleigh, NC, f_w_i@msn.com

This is the annotated obituary of Thomas Jefferson Ritch (Muscogee Co. GA) from The Atlanta Journal, 28 Dec 1921. (The given Ritch names of Ida Blanche, Nona or Naomi, Charles Emmett, Cliff H., Henry Perse, and Alma Pearl, and the related families of Boswell, Snellings, Ingram, Gilmore, Gammage, and Harris are also mentioned here.) "Mr. Thomas J. Ritch, Pioneer Georgian, Dies From Injuries in Fall" Mr. Thomas Jefferson Ritch, beloved Confederate veteran and pioneer Georgian, died Wednesday morning at his home at 97 Elbridge drive, from injuries sustained Tuesday evening, when he fell and struck his head against the fire grate in his room. Physicians declared that a paralytic stroke caused the fall. The funeral services will be conducted at 1:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon from the chapel of H. M. Patterson & Son, with the Rev. Henley officiating. Interment will be in Hollywood cemetery. The John W. Wilkerson lodge of Masons will conduct the services at the grave. Mr. Ritch was eighty-one years of age and for ten years had been making his home in Atlanta with his son, Charles E. Ritch. He was a native of Upatoie, GA., near Columbus, and resided there before coming to Atlanta. He served with distinction as a lieutenant in the Fifty-fourth Georgia regiment in the War Between the States, and was never wounded during the four years of service. He was widely known throughout his section of the state. For many years he was a member of the Masonic lodge at Elberslie, GA. [Note: he was a Sgt.] Surviving him are his wife, three daughters, Mrs. D. E. Boswell, Mrs. J. I. [F.] Ingram and Mrs. R. S. Snellings; four sons, Charles E., H. P., J. T. and C. H. Ritch, and thirty-four grandchildren." 28 Dec 1921, The Atlanta Journal, Wednesday PM, p20, c4 Annotations: Thomas Jefferson Ritch was born in Muscogee Co GA c. 1841. He was the son of Emanuel Ritch, b. NC, (1814-1884) and Sarah Jane Gilmore, b. Washington Co GA, (1816-1891). He was the grandson of David Ritch (Muscogee Co GA Will). Emanuel and Sarah Jane Gilmore Ritch and all of their children, except Thomas Jefferson Ritch, are buried in 21 graves in Cemetery #38 (Ritch Cemetery) Fort Benning Reservation, Muscogee Co GA. According to Lillian Henderson's Roster of the Confederate Soldiers of Georgia: 1861-1865, Vol. 5, p. 692, Thomas J. Ritch-3rd Sergeant (not a Lieutenant) May 12, 1862. Co. G., 54th Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Infantry, Army of Tennessee, C.S.A., Muscogee County, Georgia. He was discharged, furnished substitute, in 1863. Appointed Sergeant of Co. K, 12th Regiment, Georgia State (Robinson's) Guards Cavalry, August 4, 1863. Mustered out at Atlanta, GA. February 4, 1864. Thomas J. Ritch's wife was Julia Amanda Harris (b. c. 1845), daughter of Gray Harris, b. NC, and Nancy Fuller, b. GA. They married in Putnam Co GA. Mrs. J. I. Ingram should have been Mrs. J. F. (Jefferson Franklin) Ingram. She was Ida Blanche Ritch. Mrs. D. E. Boswell was Mrs. Daniel Evans Boswell. She was Nona "Naomi" Thomas Ritch. Mrs. R. S. Snellings was Mrs. John Robert Snellings, later Mrs. Crockett M. Gammage. She was Alma Pearl Ritch. C. E. Ritch was Charles Emmett Ritch. C. H. Ritch was Cliff H. Ritch. H. P. Ritch was Henry Perse Ritch and married Mittie Keziah Snellings If you have questions or additional information, please contact Franklin Ingram, f_w_i@msn.com Raleigh, NC.

The related families of RITCH, GILMORE, AKIN, JOHNSON, MOTLEY, HARRIS, FULLER, BARBEE, TAFT, and MOORE are represented in the Ritch Cemetery. The RITCH given names of those who had issue are: Emanuel, James Heard, John Frost, Zaidee G., May, and Thomas Jefferson. RITCH Cemetery, Muscogee County, GA The Ritch Cemetery, #38, Fort Benning Military Reservation, Muscogee Co GA, is located at the intersection of Moore Road and Beaumont Trail. There are 21 graves. Four graves are unmarked. Some of the Tombstones are large and ornate. The six Tombstones of the unmarried daughters of Emanuel and Sarah Jane Gilmore Ritch are shaped like the Washington Monument. A few are missing dates. The following is an annotated listing from the Ritch Cemetery. All of the known children of Emanuel Ritch and Sarah Jane Gilmore are buried in this Cemetery with the exception their son, Thomas Jefferson Ritch. He and his wife, Julia Amanda Harris, are buried in the Hollywood Cemetery, Atlanta, GA. The graves are marked as follows: 1) Julia Belle Ritch, 14 Feb 1873 - 9 Dec 1893 [Daughter of Thomas Jefferson Ritch and Julia Amanda Harris. Thomas Jefferson Ritch is the son of Emanuel Ritch and Sarah Jane Gilmore. Julia Amanda Harris is the daughter of Gray Harris, born in NC, and Nancy Fuller, born in GA. Gray Harris and Nancy Fuller were married in Putnam Co GA.] 2) John L. Akin, 8 Feb 1898 - 28 Mar 1899 [Presumed son either of Zaidee G. Ritch and Charles F. Akin or of May Ritch and Charles Akin's brother. Zaidee G. Ritch and May Ritch are daughters of James Heard Ritch and Sarah Ann Johnson. May and Zaidee married Akin brothers.] 3) Leila M. Akin, 9 May 1875 - 12 Jul 1899 [Presumed daughter either of Zaidee G. Ritch and Charles F. Akin or May Ritch and Charles Akin's brother.] 4) James Heard Ritch, 13 Aug 1848 - 6 Jan 1918 [Son of Emanuel Ritch and Sarah Jane Gilmore. Married Sarah Ann Johnson.] 5) Mrs. Sarah Ann Ritch, 11 Nov 1844 - 9 May 1924 [Sarah Ann Johnson, wife of James Heard Ritch and daughter of Samuel Johnson and Keziah Motley. Keziah Motley is the daughter of Thomas Motley and Lourina Barbee. Samuel Johnson is the son of Aron Johnson. Aron is buried in the Primitive Baptist Cemetery, St. Mary's Road, Columbus, GA. A number of the Motleys and Johnsons are buried either in the Johnson Cemetery or in the Motley Cemetery, Fort Benning, GA.] 6) Jessie Clyde Moore, 20 Aug 1889 - 25 Jan 1910 [Relationship is unknown.] 7) John F. Ritch, 21 Oct 1854 - 7 May 1915 [John Frost Ritch, son of Emanuel Ritch and Sarah Jane Gilmore. Married Pearl Taft (not sure that this is accurate or that the spelling is correct).] 8) Edward Gilmore Ritch, [No Date] - 22 May 1899 [Son of Emanuel Ritch and Sarah Jane Gilmore. Edward died without issue and there were no marriages.] 9) Emanuel Ritch, 27 Jul 1814 - 31 Jan 1884 [Born in NC, probably Mecklenburg Co, son of David Ritch. Married Sarah Jane Gilmore.] 10) Sarah Jane Ritch, 11 Dec 1816 - 12 Apr 1891 [Sarah Jane Gilmore, born in Washington Co GA according to the 1850 Muscogee Co GA Census. Married Emanuel Ritch.] 11) Miss Susan J. Ritch, [No Date] - 6 Feb 1895 [One of six daughters of Emanuel Ritch and Sarah Jane Gilmore who never married, who had no issue, and who continued to live in the home and on the farm of their parents.] 12) Martha E. Ritch, 13 Sep 1846 - 11 Nov 1902 [One of six daughters of Emanuel Ritch and Sarah Jane Gilmore. See description of Susan J. Ritch.] 13) Missouri A. Ritch, Age 56 years, [No Date] - 12 Feb 1905 [One of six daughters of Emanuel Ritch and Sarah Jane Gilmore. See description of Susan J. Ritch. 14) Sarah W. Ritch, 4 Aug 1844 - 25 Dec [1914] (Year broken or shot off) [One of six daughters of Emanuel Ritch and Sarah Jane Gilmore. See description of Susan J. Ritch.] 15) Nancy A. Ritch, 13 Sep 1839 - 1 Jul 1909 [One of six daughters of Emanuel Ritch and Sarah Jane Gilmore. See description of Susan J. Ritch.] 16) Mary M. Ritch, 6 Aug 1837 - 12 Dec 1914 [One of six daughters of Emanuel Ritch and Sarah Jane Gilmore. See description of Susan J. Ritch.] 17) Grover Cleveland Ritch, 1 Aug 1885 - 27 May 1887 [Son of Thomas Jefferson Ritch and Julia Amanda Harris.] 18) Unmarked: Four (4) graves. Franklin W. Ingram, Raleigh, NC, f_w_i@msn.com