Elisha D. Britt (b. February 11, 1798, d. April 1860)
Elisha D. Britt was born February 11, 1798 in Southampton Co. Virginia, and died April 1860 in Monroe Co. Georgia. He married Elizabeth Jones on January 05, 1819 in Wake Co. North Carolina.
Notes for Elisha D. Britt: ELISHA D. BRITT The unknown parents of Elisha D. Britt are thought to be immigrants who arrived in the U.S. from Germany. Elisha's parents spoke very little English according to grandson James David Britt.
Elisha D. Britt was born in Virginia in 1798 and had a brother Drury. Many Britts who later settled in North Carolina came from Southampton Co. Virginia. Johnson Britt, the son of Edward Britt (who died in Southampton Co. VA in 1789) lived in Johnston Co. North Carolina in 1810 and by the next year lived in Wake Co. It is believed that the parents of Elisha D. Britt came to America in 1790, though there is no documented proof.
The earliest known record of Elisha D. Britt is his marriage record in Wake Co. North Carolina where he married Elizabeth Jones on January 5, 1819. An early North Carolina Poll Tax record lists Elisha D. Britt as a person of color. Elisha is not listed as a tax payer on the Wake Co. tax list of 1820. The only other Britt living in Wake Co. was Johnson Britt, who from 1811 to after 1821 was the clerk for the Hephzibah Baptist Church near Wendell. Johnson Britt moved with his wife Holland and children to Carroll Co. Tennessee and is likely a relative of Elisha D. Britt, but not his father. In Wake Co. NC Matilda Britt, the daughter of Jonathan Britt, married Allen Parker in 1818. Could Jonathan Britt also be the father of Elisha D. and Drury Britt?
Elisha D. Britt and wife Elizabeth moved to Monroe Co. Georgia in the late 1820's (cir 1825-29) with their four children where they made their home the rest of their lives. Monroe County was created on May 15, 1821 from lands acquired on January 8, 1821 by a treaty with the Creek Indians. Elisha first appears in the 1830 census of Monroe Co. Georgia, therefore Elisha D. Britt and his family were among the first settlers of Monroe County. The Britt family lived side by side with John Heidle and his family who had moved about 1824 from Edgefield County, South Carolina, to Monroe County, Georgia.
During the October 1830 term of Superior Court in Monroe Co. Georgia, "Elisha D. Britt, heir at law of Drury Britt did come into court and proved in due form of law that he is the only lawful heir of his brother Drury Britt deceased, who was a soldier in the late army of the U. S. 20th Regiment of Infantry who enlisted in the state of North Carolina and it is believed soon after marched to the Canada line where he died. Where upon the court ordered a certificate thereof to wit of him the said Elisha D. Britt being the lawful and only heir of the said Drury Britt his said brother as above stated be granted under the seal of this court."
In the 1832 Georgia Gold Land Lottery Elisha D. Britt drew land.
On February 10, 1832, Elisha Britt was beaten by James Daniel, who also lived in Monroe County. According to court records: "James Daniel with force and arms did make an assault upon Elisha Britt with chairs and sticks, fists, and four pound weights, and did beat, bruise, and ill treat Elisha Britt and other wrongs then and there did to the damage of Elisha Britt one thousand dollars."
According to a descendant of Elisha's daughter Frances Louisa Britt-Smith, Elisha had tried to help a neighbor woman whose husband was beating her. He came to her home with his wagon to collect her and her belongings and bring her back to his home. On the road returning to the Britt farm they were met by the woman's enraged husband who severly beat Elisha. The fight ended with Elisha killing the woman's husband. Elisha himself was nearly beaten to death.
On June 11, 1838, the property of Elisha D. Britt was put up at public auction. No explanation was given, except that it was the result of a suit by Jeptha P. Parker against Elisha D. Britt. The parcel of land was seized by the Monroe County Sheriff Elijah Bradshaw. Frederick H. Reeves was the highest bidder, with $250. The parcel of land was described as the east half of the lot of land number 239 in the seventh district of Monroe County, containing 101 and one fourth acres.
Elisha's son, Wiley J. Britt married a widow, Martha Ann Center-Martin in January 1850. Wiley became step-father to her two young daughters; Martha J. Martin 4, and Mary Martin 2. When Elisha found out Wiley was being abusive to his pregnant wife and step-daughters he intervened, taking Wiley to task for it, and then taking Martha and her children back home live with him. In the 1850 census of Monroe County, Georgia- Wiley, his wife and her daughters are listed in Elisha D. Britt's household. Relations improved between the couple who had their first child, a son, in May 1850, and they returned to their own home.
Elisha D. Britt died in April 1860 after suffering from an ulcer for six months. He was survived by his wife Elizabeth and eleven children. The 1860 Mortality Schedule lists Elisha's occupation as a mechanic. Elisha and his wife Elizabeth are buried at Old Forsyth Cemetery in two of the three unmarked graves in the Britt family plot. The Britt's unmarried daughter, Nancy, was buried beside her father.
NOTE: There is another Elisha D. Britt (usually spelled Brett) with a wife Elizabeth, probably also from Southhampton Co. Virginia. I don't know how they are related. Elisha Darden Brett, of Hertford Co. NC, is buried in a family plot off of Spires Road in Hertford County near Como. There are 13 family members there. The cemetery is not noticeable from the road as it is of some distance but has been cleaned up. Elisha's dates are Sept. 25, 1800 to Nov. 16, 1875. His wife was Elizabeth Barrett, her dates are Oct. 2, 1807 to May 20, 1885.
Sources: Biographical & public records information about Elisha D. Britt and the descendants of his son, Wiley J. Britt, contributed by W. Jim Britt. Ted Harrison Britt, descendant of Daniel Harrison Britt. History of Pike County, Georgia, 1822-1989; Published 1989; The Retired Teachers of Pike County and Pike County Journal & Reporter: Pgs. 518-519 (F355). HEIDLE - BRITT FAMILY (by: Patricia Keeble Noble) Census- 1830 Monroe Co. Georgia 1840 Monroe Co. Georgia 1850 Monroe Co. Georgia 1860 Monroe Co. Georgia (widow Elizabeth Britt and children listed) 1860 Mortality Schedule Monroe Co. Georgia
More About Elisha D. Britt and Elizabeth Jones: Marriage: January 05, 1819, Wake Co. North Carolina.
Children of Elisha D. Britt and Elizabeth Jones are:
Matilda Britt, b. 1819, Wake Co. North Carolina, d. Aft. 1880, Upson Co. Georgia.
Jesse Dawson Britt, b. Abt. 1821, Wake Co. North Carolina, d. December 29, 1903, Monroe Co. Georgia.
Robert Harris Britt, b. July 02, 1823, Wake Co. North Carolina, d. May 17, 1898, Yatesville, Upson Co. Georgia.
+Mary Elizabeth Britt, b. September 25, 1825, Wake Co. North Carolina, d. September 11, 1899, Pike Co. Georgia.
Wiley J. Britt, b. August 22, 1829, Monroe Co. Georgia, d. August 31, 1913, Monroe Co. Georgia.
Elisha D. Britt (b. February 11, 1798, d. April 1860)
Notes for Elisha D. Britt: