(NOTE: As of this writing, July of 2019, Thomas Truitt's grave, wherever it was, has probably been unmarked for more than 120 years, if it was ever marked.)
Thomas Truitt's last name has been spelled so many ways through the years, including Truett, Truet, Truit, Trust as well as many other ways. There are many questions about this man and his family, some of which we will probably never know for certain.
Thomas Truitt almost certainly died in 1850 in the city of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois, but more than one date has been stated as the day he passed away. I believe that July 8, 1850 or July 18, 1850 are the most accepted dates, but many will debate this. Thomas Truitt's parents are sometimes listed as John Truitt, who was born c. 2 Oct 1753 in Sussex County, Delaware, and Elizabeth (Gray) Truitt, who was born c, 1757 in , Sussex County, Delaware.
The place of Thomas Truitt's burial is in question as well. There are believed to have been several small cemeteries in 1850 in the city of Peoria, the largest and most widely used is referred to the old Moffatt Cemetery. This cemetery, as is probably true of most if not all of the little city cemeteries was literally built over. Few of the buildings that now are found on the site of the old Moffatt Cemetery have basements because when they started digging all they find are skeletal remains and the remains of the caskets. Some claim that a few of the stones were moved to Springdale, but I really believe that is all that was moved. The cemetery was in deplorable shape by the early 1900's, with stones laying, broken, all over the place. Some graves were probably never marked and many more were unmarked by the early 1900's. Stones were moved and piled by trees and it really would have been expensive and impossible to identify and move the bodies, so as the cemetery looked less and less like a cemetery, it was slowly built over. The 1st real city cemetery, Springdale Cemetery was chartered in 1855 in an attempt to alleviate this issue. Some grave from some cemeteries were probably moved, but, most were just slowly built over. We will probably never know for certain that Thomas Truitt was buried here, but it the most likely location and is listed here as a way to help tie the different branches of the family together.
Thomas Truitt is believed to have been born on or about December 8, 1778 in Sussex County, Delaware. Thomas Truitt was very likely married in the late 1790's or very early 1800's. At the time of the 1810 census, there is a Thomas Truit listed as the head of household in Cedar Creek Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware. The Truitts went west to Ohio in the early 1810's. If Thomas Truitt was married, it is not known whether his wife died before the move while they were still in Delaware or after the move to Ohio.
On November 9, 1820, Thomas Truitt was married to Caty (Catherine) McCarty in Champaign County, Ohio. He probably had some young children. Thomas was about 41 years of age. Catherine was born in the early 1800's and could not have been more than 20. Caty was born c. 1800 in North Carolina, her family coming to Ohio sometime before 1820.
The children of Thomas and Catherine probably include:
1. George Truitt, born c. 1825/26 in Ohio. At the time of the 1850 census, George is found still living, unmarried, with his parents in the city of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. It appears that George Truitt must have returned to Indiana, where he and a widower or divorcee, Nancy (____________) Parker were married c. 1852/53. Nancy ____________ had previously been married to James Parker. This was probably James Parker's 2nd marriage, but was Nancy's 1st. James and Nancy had a number of children together. At the time of the 1850 census, they are found in Davis Township, Fountain County, Indiana;
James Parker M 38 Ohio
Nancy Parker F 27 Ohio
Charles Parker M 6 Indiana
William Parker M 4 Indiana
Margaret A Parker F 1 Indiana
George W Parker M 15 Indiana
Lucinda Parker F 13 Indiana
Francis M Parker M 9 Indiana
Aaron J Parker M 7 Indiana
Then about 1850/51 either James died or he and Nancy were divorced. George and Nancy were married c. 1852/53 and their first two children were born in Indiana before George returned, with his family, to Illinois.
The children born to George Truitt and Nancy (_________) Parker Truitt include;
A. David Truitt, born c. 1853/54 in Indiana. David Truitt could be the David Truett, who was married to Mrs. Pricilla Ruth Iler on June 16, 1880 in Peoria County, Illinois.
B. Hester Truitt, born c. 1854/55 in Indiana. Hester may be the Hester M. Truett who was married to William J. Gridly on October 26, 1873 in Tazewell County, Illinois.
C. Catharine Truitt, born c. 1856/57 in Illinois. Catherine could be the Sarah C. Truett who was married on March 12, 1873 to B. R. Lyon in Tazewell County, Illinois.
D. Wesley Truitt, born c. 1860 in Illinois.
When George returned to Illinois, he moved next door to two of his brothers, who were now in Tazewell County, Illinois. At the time of the 1860 census, George is found residing in Washington Township, Tazewell County, Illinois next to John and Hester Ann Loveless Truitt, who resides next to William and Mahala Burt Truitt. They are almost certainly 3 brothers in a row. George and Nancy's combined household looks like this;
George Truitt M 39 O
Nancy Truitt F 36 Ind
Chas Parker M 16 Ind
William Parker M 14 Ind
Margaret A Parker F 12 Ind
David Truitt M 6 Ind
Hester Truitt F 5 Ind
Catharine Truitt F 3 Ill
I do believe that George Truitt died in the 1860's, but I do not believe that he was the George Truitt, who served in Co. G of the 86th Illinois from Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois and who died on February 19, 1863 in a hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. This George was 44 at the time he enlisted in 1862 and was probably a cousin of our George Truitt.
If I am right about Geoerge's dying in the 1860's and if he is not the George Truitt, who served in Co. G of the 86th, then our George Truitt's mortal remains were probably laid in the old Washington City Cemetery and have probably been unmarked for 100 years or more.
At the time of the 1870 census, Nancy Truett and 3 of her 4 children are found in Washington Township, Tazewell County, Illinois;
Nancy Truett F 45 Indiana
Kate Truett F 11 Illinois
Hester Truett F 13 Illinois
Wesley Truett M 9 Illinois
Nancy (_________) Parker Truitt may very well have died in the 1870's as I have been unable to locate her in the 1880 census or beyond. Her mortal remains may also lie in an unmarked grave in the old Washington City Cemetery.
2. Susan Jane Truitt, born c. Feburary 27, 1827/29 in or near Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio. Susan was married to William Drury on June 12, 1847 in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. William was born on February 6, 1813 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia. This was apparently his 2nd marriage and her 1st.
The children born to William Drury and Susan Jane (Truitt) Drury include;
A. William Drurey, born c. 1849/50 in Illinois.
B. John Drury, born c. 1850/51 in Illinois.
C. Charles Drury, born c. 1851/52 in Illinois.
D. Ellen Drury, born c. 1854/55 in Illinois.
E. Levi Drury, born c. 1856/57 in Illinois.
F. Edward Drury, born c. 1858/59 in Illinois.
G. Hattie Drury, born c. 1860/61 in Illinois.
H. Ellwood Drury, born c. 1861/62 in Illinois.
I. Almon Drury, born c. 1863/64 in Illinois.
J. Lillie Drury, born c. 1864/65 in Illinois.
K. Jennie Drury, born c. 1867/68 in Illinois.
L. Cora Drury, born c. 1869/70 in Illinois
At the time of the 1850 census, William and Susan are found in the City of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois;
Wm Drurey M 33 Virginia
Susan Drurey F 22 Ohio
Rebecca Drurey F 10 Illinois
Geo A Drurey M 4 Illinois
Mary Drurey F 3 Illinois
Wm Drurey M 0 Illinois
Wm Haven M 39 Kentucky
I have yet to locate the family in the 1860 census. At the time of the 1870 census, William and Susan are found in Washington Township, Tazewell County, Illinois;
William Drury M 58 Virginia
Susan Drury F 40 Ohio
William Drury M 20 Illinois
John Drury M 19 Illinois
Charles Drury M 18 Illinois
Ellen Drury F 15 Illinois
Levi Drury M 13 Illinois
Edward Drury M 11 Illinois
Hattie Drury F 9 Illinois
Ellwood Drury M 8 Illinois
Almon Drury M 6 Illinois
Lillie Drury F 5 Illinois
Jennie Drury F 2 Illinois
Cora Drury F 0 Illinois
At the time of the 1880 census, William and Susan are found in Chenoa, McLean County, Illinois;
William Drury Self M 67 Virginia
Susan Drury Wife F 50 Ohio
Almond Drury Son M 17 Illinois
Lily Drury Daughter F 14 Illinois
Cora Drury Daughter F 10 Illinois
Stella Mathews Granddaughter F 4 Illinois
Ellwood Drury Son M 18 Illinois
William Drury died on December 22, 1885 in Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois and his mortal remains may have been laid in the old Washington City Cemetery in Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois. Wherever they were laid, they are almost certainly unmarked today.
Susan died on March 9, 1891 in Lexington, McLean County, Illinois and her mortal remains were laid in the Lexington Cemetery in McLean County. If her grave ever was marked, it is no longer marked. See her Find A Grave site is #98777449.
3. John C. Truitt, born c. August/September __, 1928/29 in or near Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio. At the time of the 1850 census, John is found with the family in the city of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. He is listed as being 20 years of age.
John was married to Hester Ann Loveless (or Lovelace) on March 2, 1854 in Woodford County, Illinois. This is found in Record #264, Book A, Pg 27. Hester was born c. 1830/31 in New York and was almost certainly the daughter of Crozier Lovelace and Susan (__________) Lovelace. At the time of the 1850 census, the Lovelace family is found in Union Township, Brown County, Ohio;
Crogier Lovelace M 43 New York
Susan Lovelace F 39 New York
Abraham Lovelace M 22 New York
Hester Ann Lovelace F 20 New York
Henry Lovelace M 18 New York
Leddy Lovelace F 12 Ohio
Ellen Lovelace F 8 Ohio
John Lovelace M 6 Ohio
Thomas Lovelace M 3 Ohio
Taylor Lovelace M 0 Ohio
The children born to John C. Truitt and Hester Ann (Lovelace) Truitt include;
A. Charles H Truit, born c. 1854 in Illinois.
B. George A Truit, born c. 1855/56 in Illinois.
C. Abraham "Abram" Truit, born c. February 10, 1858 in or near Spring Bay, Woodford County, Illinois. Abram Truitt, age 23, the son of John Truitt and Esther Lovelace, was married on 15 Oct 1882 in Chebance, Kankakee County, Illinois to Anna Hougardy, age 19. Anna is listed on the marriage record found on familysearch to have been born in Clifton, Illinois, the daughter of Joseph Hougardy and Marie Moran.
Abraham died on December6, 1942 in Kankakee, Kankakee County, Illinois and his parents are listed as John Wesley Truitt and Ester Loveless. Spouse on familysearch listed as Anna Hougardy Truitt.
D. Susan J. Truitt, born c. March 20, 1866 in or near Spring Bay, Woodford County, Illinois. Susan J. Truitt was married to James Clooney. Susan died on April 4, 1938.
E. John Truitt, born c. 1867/68 in Illinois.
F. Margarett Truitt, born c. 1870/71 in Illinois
At the time of the 1860 census, John is found residing in Washington Township, Tazewell County, Illinois in between George and Nancy Truitt and William and Mahala Burt Truitt. Almost certainly 3 brothers in a row.
John Truit M 30 O
Hester A Truit F 29 N Y
Charles H Truit M 6 Ill
George A Truit M 4 Ill
Abraham Truit M 2 Ill
I have yet to find the family in the 1870 census. At the time of the 1880 census, John and Hester are found in Ashkum, Iroquois County, Illinois;
John Truitt Self M 50 Ohio
Hester Truitt Wife F 50 New York
George Truitt Son M 23 Illinois
Abram Truitt Son M 21 Illinois
Susan Truitt Daughter F 14 Illinois
John Truitt Son M 12 Illinois
Margarett Truitt Daughter F 9 Illinois
At the time of the 1900 census, John and Hester are found back in Tazewell County, Illinois in Groveland Township;
John O Truiett Head M Sep 1829 71 Ohio
Esther Truiett Wife F 70 New York
Hester Ann (Lovelace) Truitt died on _____________ __, 1909, while, John C. Truett died on January 23, 1910 in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois and their mortal remains were laid in the Fon du Lac Township Cemetery in East Peoria, Tazewell County, Illinois. He, however, is listed on Find A Grave as John William Truitt. This information may have come from the death certificate of his daughter, Susan J. (Truitt) Clooney, who was born on March 20, 1866 in Spring Bay, Illinois, who was married to James Clooney, and who died on April 4, 1938. Susan's death certificate lists her parents as John William Truitt, who was born in Ohio, and Esther Loveless, who was born in Ohio. Susan's mortal remains were also laid in Fon du Lac Cemetery.
4. Margaret Truitt, born c. 1833 in Ohio. Margaret was 1st married to Dominick Robert/Rabier on August 1, 1866 in Woodford County, Illinois. Dominick was born in France c. 1821/22, the son of ____________ Rabier and Jane (__________) Rabier, who was born c. 1794/95 in France.
Margaret and Dominick were the parents of;
A. Mary J Roberts, born c. 1868 in Illinois.
B. Catherine "Katie" "Kate" Roberts, born c. 1870 in Illinois.
C. Edward G "Eddie" Roberts, born c. 1871/72 in Nebraska.
D.Filomena Lucinda "Minnie" Roberts, born ____________ __, 1873 in Nebraska. Minnie was married to ____________________ Williams in ______________. Filomena Lucinda "Minnie" (Roberts) Williams died in Gage County, Nebraska on ________________ __, 1905 and her mortal remains were laid in the Alexandria Cemetery in Alexandria, Thayer County, Nebraska. See her Find A Grave Memorial #128890094.
Shortly after the birth of the daughter, Catherine, Dominick and Margaret moved west to Nebraska, where at the time of the 1870 census, Margaret and her family are found in Barneston, Gage County, Nebraska;
Domin Roberts M 48 France
Margaret Roberts F 35 Ohio
Mary J Roberts F 2 Illinois
Catherine Roberts F 0 Illinois
Jane Roberts F 75 France
In the 1870's, Dominick either died or he and Margaret were divorced.
Margaret (Truitt) Robert was married to John Mourer (also spelled Mouer & Moore) on October 1, 1877 in Gage County, Nebraska. He is listed as being 29 at the time, while Margaret is listed as being Margaret Robert is listed as being 35. John was also born in France c. 1846.
At the time of the 1880 census, Catherine is found in Beatrice Township, Gage County, Nebraska living with her daughter;
John Mourer Self M 33 France
Margrett Mourer Wife F 35 Ohio
M J Roberts Stepdaughter F 11 Illinois
Katie Roberts Stepdaughter F 10 Illinois
Edward G Roberts Stepson M 8 Nebraska
F L Roberts Stepdaughter F 7 Nebraska
Cath Clifton Mother-in-law F 66 North Carolina
At the time of the 1885 Nebraska State census, Margaret and her family are still found living in Ward 3 of the city of Beatrice, Gage County, Nebraska;
John Mouer Father M 36
Margaret Mouer Wife F 37
Mary Roberts Stepdaughter F 16
Kate Roberts Stepdaughter F 14
Eddie Roberts Stepson M 13
Minnie Roberts Stepdaughter F 12
Catharine Clifton Mother-in-law F 75
Margaret (Truitt) Roberts Mourer died on __________ __, 1907 and her mortal remains were laid in the _____________ Cemetery in __________, __________ County, ___________.
5. William S. Truitt, born in April of 1836/39/40 in Indiana. William S. Truitt was married to Mahala Jane Burt on 18 Dec 1858 in Woodford County, Illinois. This is found in Book A, Pg 48 in Eureka, Woodford County, Illinois. Mahala Jane (Burt) Truitt was born in 1841 in Livingston County, Missouri.
The children born to William and Mahala include;
A. John Aaron Truitt, born January 23, 1857/59 in Spring Bay, Woodford County, Illinois.
B. William A. Truitt, born June 24, 1861.
C. James C. Truitt, born c. January __, 1865.
At the time of the 1860 census, William S. Truitt and his family are found residing in Washington Township, Tazewell County, Illinois living next to John and Hester Ann (Loveless) Truit, who is residing next to George and Nancy Truitt. Almost certainly 3 brothers in a row.
Mahala Jane (Burt) Truitt died at the age 37 on and died on March 24, 1879 at the age of 37 in Chillicothe, Peoria County, Illinois and her mortal remains were laid in the Chillicothe City Cemetery in Peoria County, Illinois;
At the time of the 1880 census, William is found widowed and living in Chillicothe, Peoria County, Illinois, where he is listed as a Laborer;
William Truitt Self M 42 Ohio
John A Truitt Son M 21 Illinois
James C Truitt Son M 15 Illinois
William A Truitt Son M 19 Illinois
Elizabeth Burt Other F 60 Ohio
William S. Truitt was married 2nd to Margaret Meinyer on April 22, 1885 at ___________ County, Illinois. The children born to William and Margaret include;
D. George R. Truitt, born May 27, 1886 in Illinois.
E. Clara T. Truitt, born
F. Estella Marie Truitt, born
William S. Truitt died on December 20, 1908 in Chillicothe Peoria County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Chillicothe City Cemetery. His grave is believed to be unmarked.
At the time of the 1930 census, Margaret is found residing with a son in Chillicothe, Peoria County, Illinois;
Margaret Truitt Head F 76 Illinois
George I Truitt Son M 44 Illinois.
Margaret died on February 9, 1940 and her mortal remains were also laid in the Chillicothe City Cemetery. See William S. Truitt's Find A Grave Memorial #57260442 for more information about him and his family.
6. Thomas M. Truitt, born Jan. 3, 1841 in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. Thomas was married to Catherine Hodge on March 28, 1861 in Woodford County, Illinois.
The children born to Thomas and Catherine include;
A. Hattie Truett, born c. 1861 in Illinois.
B. Morgan Truett, born c. 1865/66 in Illinois.
C. Owen Truett, born c. 1866/67 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1870 census, Thomas and Catherine are found in Tazewell County, Illinois living next to his mother, Catherine (McCarty) Truet Clifton;
Thomas Truett M 38 Indiana
Catharine Truett F 27 Illinois
Hattie Truett F 9 Illinois
Morgan Truett M 4 Illinois
Owen Truett M 3 Illinois
Catherine Clifton F 64 North Carolina
Thomas M. Truitt died on February 7, 1908 in Agency, Wapello County, Iowa. His mortal remains were laid in the Agency Cemetery in Agency, Wapello County, Iowa. See his Find A Grave site, #90568056, for more information about him and his family.
7. David Truitt, born April 27, 1845 in Woodford County, Illinois. David was married to Margaret Catherine Goodrich on February __, 1870 in Woodford County, Illinois. Margaret was born on ____________ __, 1851.
Two sons were born to David and Margaret including;
A. Martin Isom Truitt
B. Frederick "Fred" Truitt
Margaret Catherine (Goodrich) Truitt died at the age of 28 on June 12, 1878 in Chillicothe, Illinois. Her mortal remains were laid in the Chillicothe City Cemetery in Chillicothe, Peoria County, Illinois;
David was married 2nd to, widow, Priscilla Ruth (Sunderland) Iler on 16 June 1880 in Chillicothe, Peoria County, Illinois. Priscilla had been previously married to Thomas Iler and they had one daughter, Flora Anna Iler, before Thomas Iler died in 18__.
The children born to David and Priscilla include;
C. Katherine "Kate" Truitt
D. Charles Clifford Truitt
David Truitt and his family resided in the Spring Bay area of Woodford County, Illinois for many years. David died on August 3, 1908 in Limestone Township in Peoria County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Chillicothe City Cemetery in Chillicothe, Illinois; See his Find A Grave site #86243476 for more information about him and his family.
Now to continue with what we know about Thomas Truitt and his family;
At the time of the 1840 census, there is a Thomas Truit found in Davis Township, Fountain County, Indiana.
At the time of the 1850 census, the Truit family (spelled Fruit on the printed copy on familysearch) is found as following in the city of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois;
Thomas Fruit M 84 Delaware
Catherine Fruit F 41 North Carolina
George Fruit M 24 Ohio
John Fruit M 20 Ohio
Margaret Fruit F 17 Ohio
William Fruit M 11 Indiana
Thomas Fruit M 9 Indiana
David Fruit M 6 Illinois
After Thomas Truitt's death in July of 1850, according to information found in ancestry.com, Catherine Truett was remarried on September 22, 1850, in Peoria County, Illinois, to Samuel Clifton. This is also found in Illinois marriage records.
At the time of the 1860 census, Samuel Clifton, Catherine and two of Catherine's children, Margaret Truitt and David Truitt (both spelled Truet) are found on page 214 living in Spring Bay Township, Woodford County, Illinois. Catherine is listed as being born about 1810;
Samuel Clifton M 56 Ky
Catherine Clifton F 49 N C
Margaret Truet F 24 Ohio
David Truet M 16 Ill
Samuel Clifton may have died in the 1860's or very early in 1870 and there is a record of a Samuel Clifton dying in February of 1870 in Washington, Tazewell. He is born in Kentucky, but is listed as being 78. And guess where we find Catherine in the 1870 census? Tazewell County! This is probably our Samuel Clifton and his mortal remains may very well lie in a, now, unmarked grave in the old Washington City Cemetery in Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois.
At the time of the 1870 Tazewell County Census, Catherine (McCarty) Truitt Clifton is found residing in Tazewell County, Illinois on page 16 of the census. She is residing next to her son, Thomas, and his family;
TRUITT, Thomas
wife: Catherine (Hodges) Truitt
children: Hattie
Morgan
Owen
Next door. Home #126
Catherine Clifton, (Catherine McCarty Truitt) age 64, N. Car.
In the 1870's, Catherine (McCarty) Truitt Clifton went west to live with her daughter, Margaret, and her family in Gage County, Nebraska. At the time of the 1880 census, Catherine is found in Beatrice Township, Gage County, Nebraska living with her daughter;
John Mourer Self M 33 France
Margrett Mourer Wife F 35 Ohio
M J Roberts Stepdaughter F 11 Illinois
Katie Roberts Stepdaughter F 10 Illinois
Edward G Roberts Stepson M 8 Nebraska
F L Roberts Stepdaughter F 7 Nebraska
Cath Clifton Mother-in-law F 66 North Carolina
At the time of the 1885 Nebraska State census, Catherine (McCarty) Truitt Clifton is still found living with her daughter in Ward 3 of the city of Beatrice, Gage County, Nebraska;
John Mouer Father M 36
Margaret Mouer Wife F 37
Mary Roberts Stepdaughter F 16
Kate Roberts Stepdaughter F 14
Eddie Roberts Stepson M 13
Minnie Roberts Stepdaughter F 12
Catharine Clifton Mother-in-law F 75
Catherine (McCarty) Truitt Clifton died on ____________ __, 1892 in Thayer County, Nebraska. Her tombstone says she was born in 1786 and that she was 105 or 106. Through the years, Catherine's age in the census records have her born anywhere between 1805 and 1814 in North Carolina. She was married to Thomas Truitt in 1820. Her last child was born in 1844. If she was born in 1786, she would have been 34 when she married and 58 when her last child was born. Catherine was undoubtedly born nearer to 1805,probably somewhere between 1800 and 1805, making her about 87 when she died and definately no older than 92. The fact was, probably no one knew exactly when she was born. Irregardless of her age, her mortal remains were laid in the Alexandria Cemetery in Alexandria, Thayer County, Nebraska. See her Find A Grave Memorial #114656559.
This biography is truly a family effort. I have used information from many members of the family, both living and dead, including, Cathi (Truitt) Steffens, of Arlington, Texas. However, most of the credit should probably go to Dorothy Kramer (19__ - 2010), of Peoria, Illinois, who was a Clerk at the Peoria County Courthouse for many years. Of her, Cathi (Truitt) Steffens wrote, "My Aunt Judy Truitt's mother of Peoria, IL spent over 50 years of her life, and was awarded the LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP AWARD from the Genealogy Society for her dedication and commitment. Her name was Dorothy Kramer but we all just called her "Nanny" as she was actually my Cousins' Grandmother and she was a widow long before I was even born. We were all Truitt's and she was one of us, included in all family get-togethers and celebrations. We all just adored her. In addition to her passion for leaving her legacy of the Truitt family for all of us, she also was a member of the DAR, and worked until she retired after 30 some years as a County Clerk at the Peoria County Courthouse." This is Helen Dorothy (Harms) Kramer, who died on 24 Feb 2009 in 8)
Metamora, Woodford County, Illinois. Her mortal remains were laid in St. Mary's Cemetery in West Peoria, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial #34335282.
Other members of the family who contributed to this work are the Reverend William Jefferson Gammon (1876-1967); Ada Mildred Truitt (1913-1976); Bob Butler of Indianapolis, Indiana; Mrs. Ben (Marie) Monson of North Bend, Oregon; Pat Smith of Mullen, Nebraska; and Debbie Truitt, of Ottumwa, Iowa, whose email address is [email protected]
Thomas Truitt's last name has been spelled so many ways through the years, including Truett, Truet, Truit, Trust as well as many other ways. There are many questions about this man and his family, some of which we will probably never know for certain.
Thomas Truitt almost certainly died in 1850 in the city of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois, but more than one date has been stated as the day he passed away. I believe that July 8, 1850 or July 18, 1850 are the most accepted dates, but many will debate this. Thomas Truitt's parents are sometimes listed as John Truitt, who was born c. 2 Oct 1753 in Sussex County, Delaware, and Elizabeth (Gray) Truitt, who was born c, 1757 in , Sussex County, Delaware.
The place of Thomas Truitt's burial is in question as well. There are believed to have been several small cemeteries in 1850 in the city of Peoria, the largest and most widely used is referred to the old Moffatt Cemetery. This cemetery, as is probably true of most if not all of the little city cemeteries was literally built over. Few of the buildings that now are found on the site of the old Moffatt Cemetery have basements because when they started digging all they find are skeletal remains and the remains of the caskets. Some claim that a few of the stones were moved to Springdale, but I really believe that is all that was moved. The cemetery was in deplorable shape by the early 1900's, with stones laying, broken, all over the place. Some graves were probably never marked and many more were unmarked by the early 1900's. Stones were moved and piled by trees and it really would have been expensive and impossible to identify and move the bodies, so as the cemetery looked less and less like a cemetery, it was slowly built over. The 1st real city cemetery, Springdale Cemetery was chartered in 1855 in an attempt to alleviate this issue. Some grave from some cemeteries were probably moved, but, most were just slowly built over. We will probably never know for certain that Thomas Truitt was buried here, but it the most likely location and is listed here as a way to help tie the different branches of the family together.
Thomas Truitt is believed to have been born on or about December 8, 1778 in Sussex County, Delaware. Thomas Truitt was very likely married in the late 1790's or very early 1800's. At the time of the 1810 census, there is a Thomas Truit listed as the head of household in Cedar Creek Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware. The Truitts went west to Ohio in the early 1810's. If Thomas Truitt was married, it is not known whether his wife died before the move while they were still in Delaware or after the move to Ohio.
On November 9, 1820, Thomas Truitt was married to Caty (Catherine) McCarty in Champaign County, Ohio. He probably had some young children. Thomas was about 41 years of age. Catherine was born in the early 1800's and could not have been more than 20. Caty was born c. 1800 in North Carolina, her family coming to Ohio sometime before 1820.
The children of Thomas and Catherine probably include:
1. George Truitt, born c. 1825/26 in Ohio. At the time of the 1850 census, George is found still living, unmarried, with his parents in the city of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. It appears that George Truitt must have returned to Indiana, where he and a widower or divorcee, Nancy (____________) Parker were married c. 1852/53. Nancy ____________ had previously been married to James Parker. This was probably James Parker's 2nd marriage, but was Nancy's 1st. James and Nancy had a number of children together. At the time of the 1850 census, they are found in Davis Township, Fountain County, Indiana;
James Parker M 38 Ohio
Nancy Parker F 27 Ohio
Charles Parker M 6 Indiana
William Parker M 4 Indiana
Margaret A Parker F 1 Indiana
George W Parker M 15 Indiana
Lucinda Parker F 13 Indiana
Francis M Parker M 9 Indiana
Aaron J Parker M 7 Indiana
Then about 1850/51 either James died or he and Nancy were divorced. George and Nancy were married c. 1852/53 and their first two children were born in Indiana before George returned, with his family, to Illinois.
The children born to George Truitt and Nancy (_________) Parker Truitt include;
A. David Truitt, born c. 1853/54 in Indiana. David Truitt could be the David Truett, who was married to Mrs. Pricilla Ruth Iler on June 16, 1880 in Peoria County, Illinois.
B. Hester Truitt, born c. 1854/55 in Indiana. Hester may be the Hester M. Truett who was married to William J. Gridly on October 26, 1873 in Tazewell County, Illinois.
C. Catharine Truitt, born c. 1856/57 in Illinois. Catherine could be the Sarah C. Truett who was married on March 12, 1873 to B. R. Lyon in Tazewell County, Illinois.
D. Wesley Truitt, born c. 1860 in Illinois.
When George returned to Illinois, he moved next door to two of his brothers, who were now in Tazewell County, Illinois. At the time of the 1860 census, George is found residing in Washington Township, Tazewell County, Illinois next to John and Hester Ann Loveless Truitt, who resides next to William and Mahala Burt Truitt. They are almost certainly 3 brothers in a row. George and Nancy's combined household looks like this;
George Truitt M 39 O
Nancy Truitt F 36 Ind
Chas Parker M 16 Ind
William Parker M 14 Ind
Margaret A Parker F 12 Ind
David Truitt M 6 Ind
Hester Truitt F 5 Ind
Catharine Truitt F 3 Ill
I do believe that George Truitt died in the 1860's, but I do not believe that he was the George Truitt, who served in Co. G of the 86th Illinois from Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois and who died on February 19, 1863 in a hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. This George was 44 at the time he enlisted in 1862 and was probably a cousin of our George Truitt.
If I am right about Geoerge's dying in the 1860's and if he is not the George Truitt, who served in Co. G of the 86th, then our George Truitt's mortal remains were probably laid in the old Washington City Cemetery and have probably been unmarked for 100 years or more.
At the time of the 1870 census, Nancy Truett and 3 of her 4 children are found in Washington Township, Tazewell County, Illinois;
Nancy Truett F 45 Indiana
Kate Truett F 11 Illinois
Hester Truett F 13 Illinois
Wesley Truett M 9 Illinois
Nancy (_________) Parker Truitt may very well have died in the 1870's as I have been unable to locate her in the 1880 census or beyond. Her mortal remains may also lie in an unmarked grave in the old Washington City Cemetery.
2. Susan Jane Truitt, born c. Feburary 27, 1827/29 in or near Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio. Susan was married to William Drury on June 12, 1847 in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. William was born on February 6, 1813 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia. This was apparently his 2nd marriage and her 1st.
The children born to William Drury and Susan Jane (Truitt) Drury include;
A. William Drurey, born c. 1849/50 in Illinois.
B. John Drury, born c. 1850/51 in Illinois.
C. Charles Drury, born c. 1851/52 in Illinois.
D. Ellen Drury, born c. 1854/55 in Illinois.
E. Levi Drury, born c. 1856/57 in Illinois.
F. Edward Drury, born c. 1858/59 in Illinois.
G. Hattie Drury, born c. 1860/61 in Illinois.
H. Ellwood Drury, born c. 1861/62 in Illinois.
I. Almon Drury, born c. 1863/64 in Illinois.
J. Lillie Drury, born c. 1864/65 in Illinois.
K. Jennie Drury, born c. 1867/68 in Illinois.
L. Cora Drury, born c. 1869/70 in Illinois
At the time of the 1850 census, William and Susan are found in the City of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois;
Wm Drurey M 33 Virginia
Susan Drurey F 22 Ohio
Rebecca Drurey F 10 Illinois
Geo A Drurey M 4 Illinois
Mary Drurey F 3 Illinois
Wm Drurey M 0 Illinois
Wm Haven M 39 Kentucky
I have yet to locate the family in the 1860 census. At the time of the 1870 census, William and Susan are found in Washington Township, Tazewell County, Illinois;
William Drury M 58 Virginia
Susan Drury F 40 Ohio
William Drury M 20 Illinois
John Drury M 19 Illinois
Charles Drury M 18 Illinois
Ellen Drury F 15 Illinois
Levi Drury M 13 Illinois
Edward Drury M 11 Illinois
Hattie Drury F 9 Illinois
Ellwood Drury M 8 Illinois
Almon Drury M 6 Illinois
Lillie Drury F 5 Illinois
Jennie Drury F 2 Illinois
Cora Drury F 0 Illinois
At the time of the 1880 census, William and Susan are found in Chenoa, McLean County, Illinois;
William Drury Self M 67 Virginia
Susan Drury Wife F 50 Ohio
Almond Drury Son M 17 Illinois
Lily Drury Daughter F 14 Illinois
Cora Drury Daughter F 10 Illinois
Stella Mathews Granddaughter F 4 Illinois
Ellwood Drury Son M 18 Illinois
William Drury died on December 22, 1885 in Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois and his mortal remains may have been laid in the old Washington City Cemetery in Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois. Wherever they were laid, they are almost certainly unmarked today.
Susan died on March 9, 1891 in Lexington, McLean County, Illinois and her mortal remains were laid in the Lexington Cemetery in McLean County. If her grave ever was marked, it is no longer marked. See her Find A Grave site is #98777449.
3. John C. Truitt, born c. August/September __, 1928/29 in or near Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio. At the time of the 1850 census, John is found with the family in the city of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. He is listed as being 20 years of age.
John was married to Hester Ann Loveless (or Lovelace) on March 2, 1854 in Woodford County, Illinois. This is found in Record #264, Book A, Pg 27. Hester was born c. 1830/31 in New York and was almost certainly the daughter of Crozier Lovelace and Susan (__________) Lovelace. At the time of the 1850 census, the Lovelace family is found in Union Township, Brown County, Ohio;
Crogier Lovelace M 43 New York
Susan Lovelace F 39 New York
Abraham Lovelace M 22 New York
Hester Ann Lovelace F 20 New York
Henry Lovelace M 18 New York
Leddy Lovelace F 12 Ohio
Ellen Lovelace F 8 Ohio
John Lovelace M 6 Ohio
Thomas Lovelace M 3 Ohio
Taylor Lovelace M 0 Ohio
The children born to John C. Truitt and Hester Ann (Lovelace) Truitt include;
A. Charles H Truit, born c. 1854 in Illinois.
B. George A Truit, born c. 1855/56 in Illinois.
C. Abraham "Abram" Truit, born c. February 10, 1858 in or near Spring Bay, Woodford County, Illinois. Abram Truitt, age 23, the son of John Truitt and Esther Lovelace, was married on 15 Oct 1882 in Chebance, Kankakee County, Illinois to Anna Hougardy, age 19. Anna is listed on the marriage record found on familysearch to have been born in Clifton, Illinois, the daughter of Joseph Hougardy and Marie Moran.
Abraham died on December6, 1942 in Kankakee, Kankakee County, Illinois and his parents are listed as John Wesley Truitt and Ester Loveless. Spouse on familysearch listed as Anna Hougardy Truitt.
D. Susan J. Truitt, born c. March 20, 1866 in or near Spring Bay, Woodford County, Illinois. Susan J. Truitt was married to James Clooney. Susan died on April 4, 1938.
E. John Truitt, born c. 1867/68 in Illinois.
F. Margarett Truitt, born c. 1870/71 in Illinois
At the time of the 1860 census, John is found residing in Washington Township, Tazewell County, Illinois in between George and Nancy Truitt and William and Mahala Burt Truitt. Almost certainly 3 brothers in a row.
John Truit M 30 O
Hester A Truit F 29 N Y
Charles H Truit M 6 Ill
George A Truit M 4 Ill
Abraham Truit M 2 Ill
I have yet to find the family in the 1870 census. At the time of the 1880 census, John and Hester are found in Ashkum, Iroquois County, Illinois;
John Truitt Self M 50 Ohio
Hester Truitt Wife F 50 New York
George Truitt Son M 23 Illinois
Abram Truitt Son M 21 Illinois
Susan Truitt Daughter F 14 Illinois
John Truitt Son M 12 Illinois
Margarett Truitt Daughter F 9 Illinois
At the time of the 1900 census, John and Hester are found back in Tazewell County, Illinois in Groveland Township;
John O Truiett Head M Sep 1829 71 Ohio
Esther Truiett Wife F 70 New York
Hester Ann (Lovelace) Truitt died on _____________ __, 1909, while, John C. Truett died on January 23, 1910 in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois and their mortal remains were laid in the Fon du Lac Township Cemetery in East Peoria, Tazewell County, Illinois. He, however, is listed on Find A Grave as John William Truitt. This information may have come from the death certificate of his daughter, Susan J. (Truitt) Clooney, who was born on March 20, 1866 in Spring Bay, Illinois, who was married to James Clooney, and who died on April 4, 1938. Susan's death certificate lists her parents as John William Truitt, who was born in Ohio, and Esther Loveless, who was born in Ohio. Susan's mortal remains were also laid in Fon du Lac Cemetery.
4. Margaret Truitt, born c. 1833 in Ohio. Margaret was 1st married to Dominick Robert/Rabier on August 1, 1866 in Woodford County, Illinois. Dominick was born in France c. 1821/22, the son of ____________ Rabier and Jane (__________) Rabier, who was born c. 1794/95 in France.
Margaret and Dominick were the parents of;
A. Mary J Roberts, born c. 1868 in Illinois.
B. Catherine "Katie" "Kate" Roberts, born c. 1870 in Illinois.
C. Edward G "Eddie" Roberts, born c. 1871/72 in Nebraska.
D.Filomena Lucinda "Minnie" Roberts, born ____________ __, 1873 in Nebraska. Minnie was married to ____________________ Williams in ______________. Filomena Lucinda "Minnie" (Roberts) Williams died in Gage County, Nebraska on ________________ __, 1905 and her mortal remains were laid in the Alexandria Cemetery in Alexandria, Thayer County, Nebraska. See her Find A Grave Memorial #128890094.
Shortly after the birth of the daughter, Catherine, Dominick and Margaret moved west to Nebraska, where at the time of the 1870 census, Margaret and her family are found in Barneston, Gage County, Nebraska;
Domin Roberts M 48 France
Margaret Roberts F 35 Ohio
Mary J Roberts F 2 Illinois
Catherine Roberts F 0 Illinois
Jane Roberts F 75 France
In the 1870's, Dominick either died or he and Margaret were divorced.
Margaret (Truitt) Robert was married to John Mourer (also spelled Mouer & Moore) on October 1, 1877 in Gage County, Nebraska. He is listed as being 29 at the time, while Margaret is listed as being Margaret Robert is listed as being 35. John was also born in France c. 1846.
At the time of the 1880 census, Catherine is found in Beatrice Township, Gage County, Nebraska living with her daughter;
John Mourer Self M 33 France
Margrett Mourer Wife F 35 Ohio
M J Roberts Stepdaughter F 11 Illinois
Katie Roberts Stepdaughter F 10 Illinois
Edward G Roberts Stepson M 8 Nebraska
F L Roberts Stepdaughter F 7 Nebraska
Cath Clifton Mother-in-law F 66 North Carolina
At the time of the 1885 Nebraska State census, Margaret and her family are still found living in Ward 3 of the city of Beatrice, Gage County, Nebraska;
John Mouer Father M 36
Margaret Mouer Wife F 37
Mary Roberts Stepdaughter F 16
Kate Roberts Stepdaughter F 14
Eddie Roberts Stepson M 13
Minnie Roberts Stepdaughter F 12
Catharine Clifton Mother-in-law F 75
Margaret (Truitt) Roberts Mourer died on __________ __, 1907 and her mortal remains were laid in the _____________ Cemetery in __________, __________ County, ___________.
5. William S. Truitt, born in April of 1836/39/40 in Indiana. William S. Truitt was married to Mahala Jane Burt on 18 Dec 1858 in Woodford County, Illinois. This is found in Book A, Pg 48 in Eureka, Woodford County, Illinois. Mahala Jane (Burt) Truitt was born in 1841 in Livingston County, Missouri.
The children born to William and Mahala include;
A. John Aaron Truitt, born January 23, 1857/59 in Spring Bay, Woodford County, Illinois.
B. William A. Truitt, born June 24, 1861.
C. James C. Truitt, born c. January __, 1865.
At the time of the 1860 census, William S. Truitt and his family are found residing in Washington Township, Tazewell County, Illinois living next to John and Hester Ann (Loveless) Truit, who is residing next to George and Nancy Truitt. Almost certainly 3 brothers in a row.
Mahala Jane (Burt) Truitt died at the age 37 on and died on March 24, 1879 at the age of 37 in Chillicothe, Peoria County, Illinois and her mortal remains were laid in the Chillicothe City Cemetery in Peoria County, Illinois;
At the time of the 1880 census, William is found widowed and living in Chillicothe, Peoria County, Illinois, where he is listed as a Laborer;
William Truitt Self M 42 Ohio
John A Truitt Son M 21 Illinois
James C Truitt Son M 15 Illinois
William A Truitt Son M 19 Illinois
Elizabeth Burt Other F 60 Ohio
William S. Truitt was married 2nd to Margaret Meinyer on April 22, 1885 at ___________ County, Illinois. The children born to William and Margaret include;
D. George R. Truitt, born May 27, 1886 in Illinois.
E. Clara T. Truitt, born
F. Estella Marie Truitt, born
William S. Truitt died on December 20, 1908 in Chillicothe Peoria County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Chillicothe City Cemetery. His grave is believed to be unmarked.
At the time of the 1930 census, Margaret is found residing with a son in Chillicothe, Peoria County, Illinois;
Margaret Truitt Head F 76 Illinois
George I Truitt Son M 44 Illinois.
Margaret died on February 9, 1940 and her mortal remains were also laid in the Chillicothe City Cemetery. See William S. Truitt's Find A Grave Memorial #57260442 for more information about him and his family.
6. Thomas M. Truitt, born Jan. 3, 1841 in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. Thomas was married to Catherine Hodge on March 28, 1861 in Woodford County, Illinois.
The children born to Thomas and Catherine include;
A. Hattie Truett, born c. 1861 in Illinois.
B. Morgan Truett, born c. 1865/66 in Illinois.
C. Owen Truett, born c. 1866/67 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1870 census, Thomas and Catherine are found in Tazewell County, Illinois living next to his mother, Catherine (McCarty) Truet Clifton;
Thomas Truett M 38 Indiana
Catharine Truett F 27 Illinois
Hattie Truett F 9 Illinois
Morgan Truett M 4 Illinois
Owen Truett M 3 Illinois
Catherine Clifton F 64 North Carolina
Thomas M. Truitt died on February 7, 1908 in Agency, Wapello County, Iowa. His mortal remains were laid in the Agency Cemetery in Agency, Wapello County, Iowa. See his Find A Grave site, #90568056, for more information about him and his family.
7. David Truitt, born April 27, 1845 in Woodford County, Illinois. David was married to Margaret Catherine Goodrich on February __, 1870 in Woodford County, Illinois. Margaret was born on ____________ __, 1851.
Two sons were born to David and Margaret including;
A. Martin Isom Truitt
B. Frederick "Fred" Truitt
Margaret Catherine (Goodrich) Truitt died at the age of 28 on June 12, 1878 in Chillicothe, Illinois. Her mortal remains were laid in the Chillicothe City Cemetery in Chillicothe, Peoria County, Illinois;
David was married 2nd to, widow, Priscilla Ruth (Sunderland) Iler on 16 June 1880 in Chillicothe, Peoria County, Illinois. Priscilla had been previously married to Thomas Iler and they had one daughter, Flora Anna Iler, before Thomas Iler died in 18__.
The children born to David and Priscilla include;
C. Katherine "Kate" Truitt
D. Charles Clifford Truitt
David Truitt and his family resided in the Spring Bay area of Woodford County, Illinois for many years. David died on August 3, 1908 in Limestone Township in Peoria County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Chillicothe City Cemetery in Chillicothe, Illinois; See his Find A Grave site #86243476 for more information about him and his family.
Now to continue with what we know about Thomas Truitt and his family;
At the time of the 1840 census, there is a Thomas Truit found in Davis Township, Fountain County, Indiana.
At the time of the 1850 census, the Truit family (spelled Fruit on the printed copy on familysearch) is found as following in the city of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois;
Thomas Fruit M 84 Delaware
Catherine Fruit F 41 North Carolina
George Fruit M 24 Ohio
John Fruit M 20 Ohio
Margaret Fruit F 17 Ohio
William Fruit M 11 Indiana
Thomas Fruit M 9 Indiana
David Fruit M 6 Illinois
After Thomas Truitt's death in July of 1850, according to information found in ancestry.com, Catherine Truett was remarried on September 22, 1850, in Peoria County, Illinois, to Samuel Clifton. This is also found in Illinois marriage records.
At the time of the 1860 census, Samuel Clifton, Catherine and two of Catherine's children, Margaret Truitt and David Truitt (both spelled Truet) are found on page 214 living in Spring Bay Township, Woodford County, Illinois. Catherine is listed as being born about 1810;
Samuel Clifton M 56 Ky
Catherine Clifton F 49 N C
Margaret Truet F 24 Ohio
David Truet M 16 Ill
Samuel Clifton may have died in the 1860's or very early in 1870 and there is a record of a Samuel Clifton dying in February of 1870 in Washington, Tazewell. He is born in Kentucky, but is listed as being 78. And guess where we find Catherine in the 1870 census? Tazewell County! This is probably our Samuel Clifton and his mortal remains may very well lie in a, now, unmarked grave in the old Washington City Cemetery in Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois.
At the time of the 1870 Tazewell County Census, Catherine (McCarty) Truitt Clifton is found residing in Tazewell County, Illinois on page 16 of the census. She is residing next to her son, Thomas, and his family;
TRUITT, Thomas
wife: Catherine (Hodges) Truitt
children: Hattie
Morgan
Owen
Next door. Home #126
Catherine Clifton, (Catherine McCarty Truitt) age 64, N. Car.
In the 1870's, Catherine (McCarty) Truitt Clifton went west to live with her daughter, Margaret, and her family in Gage County, Nebraska. At the time of the 1880 census, Catherine is found in Beatrice Township, Gage County, Nebraska living with her daughter;
John Mourer Self M 33 France
Margrett Mourer Wife F 35 Ohio
M J Roberts Stepdaughter F 11 Illinois
Katie Roberts Stepdaughter F 10 Illinois
Edward G Roberts Stepson M 8 Nebraska
F L Roberts Stepdaughter F 7 Nebraska
Cath Clifton Mother-in-law F 66 North Carolina
At the time of the 1885 Nebraska State census, Catherine (McCarty) Truitt Clifton is still found living with her daughter in Ward 3 of the city of Beatrice, Gage County, Nebraska;
John Mouer Father M 36
Margaret Mouer Wife F 37
Mary Roberts Stepdaughter F 16
Kate Roberts Stepdaughter F 14
Eddie Roberts Stepson M 13
Minnie Roberts Stepdaughter F 12
Catharine Clifton Mother-in-law F 75
Catherine (McCarty) Truitt Clifton died on ____________ __, 1892 in Thayer County, Nebraska. Her tombstone says she was born in 1786 and that she was 105 or 106. Through the years, Catherine's age in the census records have her born anywhere between 1805 and 1814 in North Carolina. She was married to Thomas Truitt in 1820. Her last child was born in 1844. If she was born in 1786, she would have been 34 when she married and 58 when her last child was born. Catherine was undoubtedly born nearer to 1805,probably somewhere between 1800 and 1805, making her about 87 when she died and definately no older than 92. The fact was, probably no one knew exactly when she was born. Irregardless of her age, her mortal remains were laid in the Alexandria Cemetery in Alexandria, Thayer County, Nebraska. See her Find A Grave Memorial #114656559.
This biography is truly a family effort. I have used information from many members of the family, both living and dead, including, Cathi (Truitt) Steffens, of Arlington, Texas. However, most of the credit should probably go to Dorothy Kramer (19__ - 2010), of Peoria, Illinois, who was a Clerk at the Peoria County Courthouse for many years. Of her, Cathi (Truitt) Steffens wrote, "My Aunt Judy Truitt's mother of Peoria, IL spent over 50 years of her life, and was awarded the LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP AWARD from the Genealogy Society for her dedication and commitment. Her name was Dorothy Kramer but we all just called her "Nanny" as she was actually my Cousins' Grandmother and she was a widow long before I was even born. We were all Truitt's and she was one of us, included in all family get-togethers and celebrations. We all just adored her. In addition to her passion for leaving her legacy of the Truitt family for all of us, she also was a member of the DAR, and worked until she retired after 30 some years as a County Clerk at the Peoria County Courthouse." This is Helen Dorothy (Harms) Kramer, who died on 24 Feb 2009 in 8)
Metamora, Woodford County, Illinois. Her mortal remains were laid in St. Mary's Cemetery in West Peoria, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial #34335282.
Other members of the family who contributed to this work are the Reverend William Jefferson Gammon (1876-1967); Ada Mildred Truitt (1913-1976); Bob Butler of Indianapolis, Indiana; Mrs. Ben (Marie) Monson of North Bend, Oregon; Pat Smith of Mullen, Nebraska; and Debbie Truitt, of Ottumwa, Iowa, whose email address is [email protected]
(NOTE: As of this writing, July of 2019, Thomas Truitt's grave, wherever it was, has probably been unmarked for more than 120 years, if it was ever marked.)
Thomas Truitt's last name has been spelled so many ways through the years, including Truett, Truet, Truit, Trust as well as many other ways. There are many questions about this man and his family, some of which we will probably never know for certain.
Thomas Truitt almost certainly died in 1850 in the city of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois, but more than one date has been stated as the day he passed away. I believe that July 8, 1850 or July 18, 1850 are the most accepted dates, but many will debate this. Thomas Truitt's parents are sometimes listed as John Truitt, who was born c. 2 Oct 1753 in Sussex County, Delaware, and Elizabeth (Gray) Truitt, who was born c, 1757 in , Sussex County, Delaware.
The place of Thomas Truitt's burial is in question as well. There are believed to have been several small cemeteries in 1850 in the city of Peoria, the largest and most widely used is referred to the old Moffatt Cemetery. This cemetery, as is probably true of most if not all of the little city cemeteries was literally built over. Few of the buildings that now are found on the site of the old Moffatt Cemetery have basements because when they started digging all they find are skeletal remains and the remains of the caskets. Some claim that a few of the stones were moved to Springdale, but I really believe that is all that was moved. The cemetery was in deplorable shape by the early 1900's, with stones laying, broken, all over the place. Some graves were probably never marked and many more were unmarked by the early 1900's. Stones were moved and piled by trees and it really would have been expensive and impossible to identify and move the bodies, so as the cemetery looked less and less like a cemetery, it was slowly built over. The 1st real city cemetery, Springdale Cemetery was chartered in 1855 in an attempt to alleviate this issue. Some grave from some cemeteries were probably moved, but, most were just slowly built over. We will probably never know for certain that Thomas Truitt was buried here, but it the most likely location and is listed here as a way to help tie the different branches of the family together.
Thomas Truitt is believed to have been born on or about December 8, 1778 in Sussex County, Delaware. Thomas Truitt was very likely married in the late 1790's or very early 1800's. At the time of the 1810 census, there is a Thomas Truit listed as the head of household in Cedar Creek Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware. The Truitts went west to Ohio in the early 1810's. If Thomas Truitt was married, it is not known whether his wife died before the move while they were still in Delaware or after the move to Ohio.
On November 9, 1820, Thomas Truitt was married to Caty (Catherine) McCarty in Champaign County, Ohio. He probably had some young children. Thomas was about 41 years of age. Catherine was born in the early 1800's and could not have been more than 20. Caty was born c. 1800 in North Carolina, her family coming to Ohio sometime before 1820.
The children of Thomas and Catherine probably include:
1. George Truitt, born c. 1825/26 in Ohio. At the time of the 1850 census, George is found still living, unmarried, with his parents in the city of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. It appears that George Truitt must have returned to Indiana, where he and a widower or divorcee, Nancy (____________) Parker were married c. 1852/53. Nancy ____________ had previously been married to James Parker. This was probably James Parker's 2nd marriage, but was Nancy's 1st. James and Nancy had a number of children together. At the time of the 1850 census, they are found in Davis Township, Fountain County, Indiana;
James Parker M 38 Ohio
Nancy Parker F 27 Ohio
Charles Parker M 6 Indiana
William Parker M 4 Indiana
Margaret A Parker F 1 Indiana
George W Parker M 15 Indiana
Lucinda Parker F 13 Indiana
Francis M Parker M 9 Indiana
Aaron J Parker M 7 Indiana
Then about 1850/51 either James died or he and Nancy were divorced. George and Nancy were married c. 1852/53 and their first two children were born in Indiana before George returned, with his family, to Illinois.
The children born to George Truitt and Nancy (_________) Parker Truitt include;
A. David Truitt, born c. 1853/54 in Indiana. David Truitt could be the David Truett, who was married to Mrs. Pricilla Ruth Iler on June 16, 1880 in Peoria County, Illinois.
B. Hester Truitt, born c. 1854/55 in Indiana. Hester may be the Hester M. Truett who was married to William J. Gridly on October 26, 1873 in Tazewell County, Illinois.
C. Catharine Truitt, born c. 1856/57 in Illinois. Catherine could be the Sarah C. Truett who was married on March 12, 1873 to B. R. Lyon in Tazewell County, Illinois.
D. Wesley Truitt, born c. 1860 in Illinois.
When George returned to Illinois, he moved next door to two of his brothers, who were now in Tazewell County, Illinois. At the time of the 1860 census, George is found residing in Washington Township, Tazewell County, Illinois next to John and Hester Ann Loveless Truitt, who resides next to William and Mahala Burt Truitt. They are almost certainly 3 brothers in a row. George and Nancy's combined household looks like this;
George Truitt M 39 O
Nancy Truitt F 36 Ind
Chas Parker M 16 Ind
William Parker M 14 Ind
Margaret A Parker F 12 Ind
David Truitt M 6 Ind
Hester Truitt F 5 Ind
Catharine Truitt F 3 Ill
I do believe that George Truitt died in the 1860's, but I do not believe that he was the George Truitt, who served in Co. G of the 86th Illinois from Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois and who died on February 19, 1863 in a hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. This George was 44 at the time he enlisted in 1862 and was probably a cousin of our George Truitt.
If I am right about Geoerge's dying in the 1860's and if he is not the George Truitt, who served in Co. G of the 86th, then our George Truitt's mortal remains were probably laid in the old Washington City Cemetery and have probably been unmarked for 100 years or more.
At the time of the 1870 census, Nancy Truett and 3 of her 4 children are found in Washington Township, Tazewell County, Illinois;
Nancy Truett F 45 Indiana
Kate Truett F 11 Illinois
Hester Truett F 13 Illinois
Wesley Truett M 9 Illinois
Nancy (_________) Parker Truitt may very well have died in the 1870's as I have been unable to locate her in the 1880 census or beyond. Her mortal remains may also lie in an unmarked grave in the old Washington City Cemetery.
2. Susan Jane Truitt, born c. Feburary 27, 1827/29 in or near Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio. Susan was married to William Drury on June 12, 1847 in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. William was born on February 6, 1813 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia. This was apparently his 2nd marriage and her 1st.
The children born to William Drury and Susan Jane (Truitt) Drury include;
A. William Drurey, born c. 1849/50 in Illinois.
B. John Drury, born c. 1850/51 in Illinois.
C. Charles Drury, born c. 1851/52 in Illinois.
D. Ellen Drury, born c. 1854/55 in Illinois.
E. Levi Drury, born c. 1856/57 in Illinois.
F. Edward Drury, born c. 1858/59 in Illinois.
G. Hattie Drury, born c. 1860/61 in Illinois.
H. Ellwood Drury, born c. 1861/62 in Illinois.
I. Almon Drury, born c. 1863/64 in Illinois.
J. Lillie Drury, born c. 1864/65 in Illinois.
K. Jennie Drury, born c. 1867/68 in Illinois.
L. Cora Drury, born c. 1869/70 in Illinois
At the time of the 1850 census, William and Susan are found in the City of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois;
Wm Drurey M 33 Virginia
Susan Drurey F 22 Ohio
Rebecca Drurey F 10 Illinois
Geo A Drurey M 4 Illinois
Mary Drurey F 3 Illinois
Wm Drurey M 0 Illinois
Wm Haven M 39 Kentucky
I have yet to locate the family in the 1860 census. At the time of the 1870 census, William and Susan are found in Washington Township, Tazewell County, Illinois;
William Drury M 58 Virginia
Susan Drury F 40 Ohio
William Drury M 20 Illinois
John Drury M 19 Illinois
Charles Drury M 18 Illinois
Ellen Drury F 15 Illinois
Levi Drury M 13 Illinois
Edward Drury M 11 Illinois
Hattie Drury F 9 Illinois
Ellwood Drury M 8 Illinois
Almon Drury M 6 Illinois
Lillie Drury F 5 Illinois
Jennie Drury F 2 Illinois
Cora Drury F 0 Illinois
At the time of the 1880 census, William and Susan are found in Chenoa, McLean County, Illinois;
William Drury Self M 67 Virginia
Susan Drury Wife F 50 Ohio
Almond Drury Son M 17 Illinois
Lily Drury Daughter F 14 Illinois
Cora Drury Daughter F 10 Illinois
Stella Mathews Granddaughter F 4 Illinois
Ellwood Drury Son M 18 Illinois
William Drury died on December 22, 1885 in Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois and his mortal remains may have been laid in the old Washington City Cemetery in Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois. Wherever they were laid, they are almost certainly unmarked today.
Susan died on March 9, 1891 in Lexington, McLean County, Illinois and her mortal remains were laid in the Lexington Cemetery in McLean County. If her grave ever was marked, it is no longer marked. See her Find A Grave site is #98777449.
3. John C. Truitt, born c. August/September __, 1928/29 in or near Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio. At the time of the 1850 census, John is found with the family in the city of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. He is listed as being 20 years of age.
John was married to Hester Ann Loveless (or Lovelace) on March 2, 1854 in Woodford County, Illinois. This is found in Record #264, Book A, Pg 27. Hester was born c. 1830/31 in New York and was almost certainly the daughter of Crozier Lovelace and Susan (__________) Lovelace. At the time of the 1850 census, the Lovelace family is found in Union Township, Brown County, Ohio;
Crogier Lovelace M 43 New York
Susan Lovelace F 39 New York
Abraham Lovelace M 22 New York
Hester Ann Lovelace F 20 New York
Henry Lovelace M 18 New York
Leddy Lovelace F 12 Ohio
Ellen Lovelace F 8 Ohio
John Lovelace M 6 Ohio
Thomas Lovelace M 3 Ohio
Taylor Lovelace M 0 Ohio
The children born to John C. Truitt and Hester Ann (Lovelace) Truitt include;
A. Charles H Truit, born c. 1854 in Illinois.
B. George A Truit, born c. 1855/56 in Illinois.
C. Abraham "Abram" Truit, born c. February 10, 1858 in or near Spring Bay, Woodford County, Illinois. Abram Truitt, age 23, the son of John Truitt and Esther Lovelace, was married on 15 Oct 1882 in Chebance, Kankakee County, Illinois to Anna Hougardy, age 19. Anna is listed on the marriage record found on familysearch to have been born in Clifton, Illinois, the daughter of Joseph Hougardy and Marie Moran.
Abraham died on December6, 1942 in Kankakee, Kankakee County, Illinois and his parents are listed as John Wesley Truitt and Ester Loveless. Spouse on familysearch listed as Anna Hougardy Truitt.
D. Susan J. Truitt, born c. March 20, 1866 in or near Spring Bay, Woodford County, Illinois. Susan J. Truitt was married to James Clooney. Susan died on April 4, 1938.
E. John Truitt, born c. 1867/68 in Illinois.
F. Margarett Truitt, born c. 1870/71 in Illinois
At the time of the 1860 census, John is found residing in Washington Township, Tazewell County, Illinois in between George and Nancy Truitt and William and Mahala Burt Truitt. Almost certainly 3 brothers in a row.
John Truit M 30 O
Hester A Truit F 29 N Y
Charles H Truit M 6 Ill
George A Truit M 4 Ill
Abraham Truit M 2 Ill
I have yet to find the family in the 1870 census. At the time of the 1880 census, John and Hester are found in Ashkum, Iroquois County, Illinois;
John Truitt Self M 50 Ohio
Hester Truitt Wife F 50 New York
George Truitt Son M 23 Illinois
Abram Truitt Son M 21 Illinois
Susan Truitt Daughter F 14 Illinois
John Truitt Son M 12 Illinois
Margarett Truitt Daughter F 9 Illinois
At the time of the 1900 census, John and Hester are found back in Tazewell County, Illinois in Groveland Township;
John O Truiett Head M Sep 1829 71 Ohio
Esther Truiett Wife F 70 New York
Hester Ann (Lovelace) Truitt died on _____________ __, 1909, while, John C. Truett died on January 23, 1910 in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois and their mortal remains were laid in the Fon du Lac Township Cemetery in East Peoria, Tazewell County, Illinois. He, however, is listed on Find A Grave as John William Truitt. This information may have come from the death certificate of his daughter, Susan J. (Truitt) Clooney, who was born on March 20, 1866 in Spring Bay, Illinois, who was married to James Clooney, and who died on April 4, 1938. Susan's death certificate lists her parents as John William Truitt, who was born in Ohio, and Esther Loveless, who was born in Ohio. Susan's mortal remains were also laid in Fon du Lac Cemetery.
4. Margaret Truitt, born c. 1833 in Ohio. Margaret was 1st married to Dominick Robert/Rabier on August 1, 1866 in Woodford County, Illinois. Dominick was born in France c. 1821/22, the son of ____________ Rabier and Jane (__________) Rabier, who was born c. 1794/95 in France.
Margaret and Dominick were the parents of;
A. Mary J Roberts, born c. 1868 in Illinois.
B. Catherine "Katie" "Kate" Roberts, born c. 1870 in Illinois.
C. Edward G "Eddie" Roberts, born c. 1871/72 in Nebraska.
D.Filomena Lucinda "Minnie" Roberts, born ____________ __, 1873 in Nebraska. Minnie was married to ____________________ Williams in ______________. Filomena Lucinda "Minnie" (Roberts) Williams died in Gage County, Nebraska on ________________ __, 1905 and her mortal remains were laid in the Alexandria Cemetery in Alexandria, Thayer County, Nebraska. See her Find A Grave Memorial #128890094.
Shortly after the birth of the daughter, Catherine, Dominick and Margaret moved west to Nebraska, where at the time of the 1870 census, Margaret and her family are found in Barneston, Gage County, Nebraska;
Domin Roberts M 48 France
Margaret Roberts F 35 Ohio
Mary J Roberts F 2 Illinois
Catherine Roberts F 0 Illinois
Jane Roberts F 75 France
In the 1870's, Dominick either died or he and Margaret were divorced.
Margaret (Truitt) Robert was married to John Mourer (also spelled Mouer & Moore) on October 1, 1877 in Gage County, Nebraska. He is listed as being 29 at the time, while Margaret is listed as being Margaret Robert is listed as being 35. John was also born in France c. 1846.
At the time of the 1880 census, Catherine is found in Beatrice Township, Gage County, Nebraska living with her daughter;
John Mourer Self M 33 France
Margrett Mourer Wife F 35 Ohio
M J Roberts Stepdaughter F 11 Illinois
Katie Roberts Stepdaughter F 10 Illinois
Edward G Roberts Stepson M 8 Nebraska
F L Roberts Stepdaughter F 7 Nebraska
Cath Clifton Mother-in-law F 66 North Carolina
At the time of the 1885 Nebraska State census, Margaret and her family are still found living in Ward 3 of the city of Beatrice, Gage County, Nebraska;
John Mouer Father M 36
Margaret Mouer Wife F 37
Mary Roberts Stepdaughter F 16
Kate Roberts Stepdaughter F 14
Eddie Roberts Stepson M 13
Minnie Roberts Stepdaughter F 12
Catharine Clifton Mother-in-law F 75
Margaret (Truitt) Roberts Mourer died on __________ __, 1907 and her mortal remains were laid in the _____________ Cemetery in __________, __________ County, ___________.
5. William S. Truitt, born in April of 1836/39/40 in Indiana. William S. Truitt was married to Mahala Jane Burt on 18 Dec 1858 in Woodford County, Illinois. This is found in Book A, Pg 48 in Eureka, Woodford County, Illinois. Mahala Jane (Burt) Truitt was born in 1841 in Livingston County, Missouri.
The children born to William and Mahala include;
A. John Aaron Truitt, born January 23, 1857/59 in Spring Bay, Woodford County, Illinois.
B. William A. Truitt, born June 24, 1861.
C. James C. Truitt, born c. January __, 1865.
At the time of the 1860 census, William S. Truitt and his family are found residing in Washington Township, Tazewell County, Illinois living next to John and Hester Ann (Loveless) Truit, who is residing next to George and Nancy Truitt. Almost certainly 3 brothers in a row.
Mahala Jane (Burt) Truitt died at the age 37 on and died on March 24, 1879 at the age of 37 in Chillicothe, Peoria County, Illinois and her mortal remains were laid in the Chillicothe City Cemetery in Peoria County, Illinois;
At the time of the 1880 census, William is found widowed and living in Chillicothe, Peoria County, Illinois, where he is listed as a Laborer;
William Truitt Self M 42 Ohio
John A Truitt Son M 21 Illinois
James C Truitt Son M 15 Illinois
William A Truitt Son M 19 Illinois
Elizabeth Burt Other F 60 Ohio
William S. Truitt was married 2nd to Margaret Meinyer on April 22, 1885 at ___________ County, Illinois. The children born to William and Margaret include;
D. George R. Truitt, born May 27, 1886 in Illinois.
E. Clara T. Truitt, born
F. Estella Marie Truitt, born
William S. Truitt died on December 20, 1908 in Chillicothe Peoria County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Chillicothe City Cemetery. His grave is believed to be unmarked.
At the time of the 1930 census, Margaret is found residing with a son in Chillicothe, Peoria County, Illinois;
Margaret Truitt Head F 76 Illinois
George I Truitt Son M 44 Illinois.
Margaret died on February 9, 1940 and her mortal remains were also laid in the Chillicothe City Cemetery. See William S. Truitt's Find A Grave Memorial #57260442 for more information about him and his family.
6. Thomas M. Truitt, born Jan. 3, 1841 in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. Thomas was married to Catherine Hodge on March 28, 1861 in Woodford County, Illinois.
The children born to Thomas and Catherine include;
A. Hattie Truett, born c. 1861 in Illinois.
B. Morgan Truett, born c. 1865/66 in Illinois.
C. Owen Truett, born c. 1866/67 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1870 census, Thomas and Catherine are found in Tazewell County, Illinois living next to his mother, Catherine (McCarty) Truet Clifton;
Thomas Truett M 38 Indiana
Catharine Truett F 27 Illinois
Hattie Truett F 9 Illinois
Morgan Truett M 4 Illinois
Owen Truett M 3 Illinois
Catherine Clifton F 64 North Carolina
Thomas M. Truitt died on February 7, 1908 in Agency, Wapello County, Iowa. His mortal remains were laid in the Agency Cemetery in Agency, Wapello County, Iowa. See his Find A Grave site, #90568056, for more information about him and his family.
7. David Truitt, born April 27, 1845 in Woodford County, Illinois. David was married to Margaret Catherine Goodrich on February __, 1870 in Woodford County, Illinois. Margaret was born on ____________ __, 1851.
Two sons were born to David and Margaret including;
A. Martin Isom Truitt
B. Frederick "Fred" Truitt
Margaret Catherine (Goodrich) Truitt died at the age of 28 on June 12, 1878 in Chillicothe, Illinois. Her mortal remains were laid in the Chillicothe City Cemetery in Chillicothe, Peoria County, Illinois;
David was married 2nd to, widow, Priscilla Ruth (Sunderland) Iler on 16 June 1880 in Chillicothe, Peoria County, Illinois. Priscilla had been previously married to Thomas Iler and they had one daughter, Flora Anna Iler, before Thomas Iler died in 18__.
The children born to David and Priscilla include;
C. Katherine "Kate" Truitt
D. Charles Clifford Truitt
David Truitt and his family resided in the Spring Bay area of Woodford County, Illinois for many years. David died on August 3, 1908 in Limestone Township in Peoria County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Chillicothe City Cemetery in Chillicothe, Illinois; See his Find A Grave site #86243476 for more information about him and his family.
Now to continue with what we know about Thomas Truitt and his family;
At the time of the 1840 census, there is a Thomas Truit found in Davis Township, Fountain County, Indiana.
At the time of the 1850 census, the Truit family (spelled Fruit on the printed copy on familysearch) is found as following in the city of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois;
Thomas Fruit M 84 Delaware
Catherine Fruit F 41 North Carolina
George Fruit M 24 Ohio
John Fruit M 20 Ohio
Margaret Fruit F 17 Ohio
William Fruit M 11 Indiana
Thomas Fruit M 9 Indiana
David Fruit M 6 Illinois
After Thomas Truitt's death in July of 1850, according to information found in ancestry.com, Catherine Truett was remarried on September 22, 1850, in Peoria County, Illinois, to Samuel Clifton. This is also found in Illinois marriage records.
At the time of the 1860 census, Samuel Clifton, Catherine and two of Catherine's children, Margaret Truitt and David Truitt (both spelled Truet) are found on page 214 living in Spring Bay Township, Woodford County, Illinois. Catherine is listed as being born about 1810;
Samuel Clifton M 56 Ky
Catherine Clifton F 49 N C
Margaret Truet F 24 Ohio
David Truet M 16 Ill
Samuel Clifton may have died in the 1860's or very early in 1870 and there is a record of a Samuel Clifton dying in February of 1870 in Washington, Tazewell. He is born in Kentucky, but is listed as being 78. And guess where we find Catherine in the 1870 census? Tazewell County! This is probably our Samuel Clifton and his mortal remains may very well lie in a, now, unmarked grave in the old Washington City Cemetery in Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois.
At the time of the 1870 Tazewell County Census, Catherine (McCarty) Truitt Clifton is found residing in Tazewell County, Illinois on page 16 of the census. She is residing next to her son, Thomas, and his family;
TRUITT, Thomas
wife: Catherine (Hodges) Truitt
children: Hattie
Morgan
Owen
Next door. Home #126
Catherine Clifton, (Catherine McCarty Truitt) age 64, N. Car.
In the 1870's, Catherine (McCarty) Truitt Clifton went west to live with her daughter, Margaret, and her family in Gage County, Nebraska. At the time of the 1880 census, Catherine is found in Beatrice Township, Gage County, Nebraska living with her daughter;
John Mourer Self M 33 France
Margrett Mourer Wife F 35 Ohio
M J Roberts Stepdaughter F 11 Illinois
Katie Roberts Stepdaughter F 10 Illinois
Edward G Roberts Stepson M 8 Nebraska
F L Roberts Stepdaughter F 7 Nebraska
Cath Clifton Mother-in-law F 66 North Carolina
At the time of the 1885 Nebraska State census, Catherine (McCarty) Truitt Clifton is still found living with her daughter in Ward 3 of the city of Beatrice, Gage County, Nebraska;
John Mouer Father M 36
Margaret Mouer Wife F 37
Mary Roberts Stepdaughter F 16
Kate Roberts Stepdaughter F 14
Eddie Roberts Stepson M 13
Minnie Roberts Stepdaughter F 12
Catharine Clifton Mother-in-law F 75
Catherine (McCarty) Truitt Clifton died on ____________ __, 1892 in Thayer County, Nebraska. Her tombstone says she was born in 1786 and that she was 105 or 106. Through the years, Catherine's age in the census records have her born anywhere between 1805 and 1814 in North Carolina. She was married to Thomas Truitt in 1820. Her last child was born in 1844. If she was born in 1786, she would have been 34 when she married and 58 when her last child was born. Catherine was undoubtedly born nearer to 1805,probably somewhere between 1800 and 1805, making her about 87 when she died and definately no older than 92. The fact was, probably no one knew exactly when she was born. Irregardless of her age, her mortal remains were laid in the Alexandria Cemetery in Alexandria, Thayer County, Nebraska. See her Find A Grave Memorial #114656559.
This biography is truly a family effort. I have used information from many members of the family, both living and dead, including, Cathi (Truitt) Steffens, of Arlington, Texas. However, most of the credit should probably go to Dorothy Kramer (19__ - 2010), of Peoria, Illinois, who was a Clerk at the Peoria County Courthouse for many years. Of her, Cathi (Truitt) Steffens wrote, "My Aunt Judy Truitt's mother of Peoria, IL spent over 50 years of her life, and was awarded the LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP AWARD from the Genealogy Society for her dedication and commitment. Her name was Dorothy Kramer but we all just called her "Nanny" as she was actually my Cousins' Grandmother and she was a widow long before I was even born. We were all Truitt's and she was one of us, included in all family get-togethers and celebrations. We all just adored her. In addition to her passion for leaving her legacy of the Truitt family for all of us, she also was a member of the DAR, and worked until she retired after 30 some years as a County Clerk at the Peoria County Courthouse." This is Helen Dorothy (Harms) Kramer, who died on 24 Feb 2009 in 8)
Metamora, Woodford County, Illinois. Her mortal remains were laid in St. Mary's Cemetery in West Peoria, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial #34335282.
Other members of the family who contributed to this work are the Reverend William Jefferson Gammon (1876-1967); Ada Mildred Truitt (1913-1976); Bob Butler of Indianapolis, Indiana; Mrs. Ben (Marie) Monson of North Bend, Oregon; Pat Smith of Mullen, Nebraska; and Debbie Truitt, of Ottumwa, Iowa, whose email address is [email protected]
Thomas Truitt's last name has been spelled so many ways through the years, including Truett, Truet, Truit, Trust as well as many other ways. There are many questions about this man and his family, some of which we will probably never know for certain.
Thomas Truitt almost certainly died in 1850 in the city of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois, but more than one date has been stated as the day he passed away. I believe that July 8, 1850 or July 18, 1850 are the most accepted dates, but many will debate this. Thomas Truitt's parents are sometimes listed as John Truitt, who was born c. 2 Oct 1753 in Sussex County, Delaware, and Elizabeth (Gray) Truitt, who was born c, 1757 in , Sussex County, Delaware.
The place of Thomas Truitt's burial is in question as well. There are believed to have been several small cemeteries in 1850 in the city of Peoria, the largest and most widely used is referred to the old Moffatt Cemetery. This cemetery, as is probably true of most if not all of the little city cemeteries was literally built over. Few of the buildings that now are found on the site of the old Moffatt Cemetery have basements because when they started digging all they find are skeletal remains and the remains of the caskets. Some claim that a few of the stones were moved to Springdale, but I really believe that is all that was moved. The cemetery was in deplorable shape by the early 1900's, with stones laying, broken, all over the place. Some graves were probably never marked and many more were unmarked by the early 1900's. Stones were moved and piled by trees and it really would have been expensive and impossible to identify and move the bodies, so as the cemetery looked less and less like a cemetery, it was slowly built over. The 1st real city cemetery, Springdale Cemetery was chartered in 1855 in an attempt to alleviate this issue. Some grave from some cemeteries were probably moved, but, most were just slowly built over. We will probably never know for certain that Thomas Truitt was buried here, but it the most likely location and is listed here as a way to help tie the different branches of the family together.
Thomas Truitt is believed to have been born on or about December 8, 1778 in Sussex County, Delaware. Thomas Truitt was very likely married in the late 1790's or very early 1800's. At the time of the 1810 census, there is a Thomas Truit listed as the head of household in Cedar Creek Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware. The Truitts went west to Ohio in the early 1810's. If Thomas Truitt was married, it is not known whether his wife died before the move while they were still in Delaware or after the move to Ohio.
On November 9, 1820, Thomas Truitt was married to Caty (Catherine) McCarty in Champaign County, Ohio. He probably had some young children. Thomas was about 41 years of age. Catherine was born in the early 1800's and could not have been more than 20. Caty was born c. 1800 in North Carolina, her family coming to Ohio sometime before 1820.
The children of Thomas and Catherine probably include:
1. George Truitt, born c. 1825/26 in Ohio. At the time of the 1850 census, George is found still living, unmarried, with his parents in the city of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. It appears that George Truitt must have returned to Indiana, where he and a widower or divorcee, Nancy (____________) Parker were married c. 1852/53. Nancy ____________ had previously been married to James Parker. This was probably James Parker's 2nd marriage, but was Nancy's 1st. James and Nancy had a number of children together. At the time of the 1850 census, they are found in Davis Township, Fountain County, Indiana;
James Parker M 38 Ohio
Nancy Parker F 27 Ohio
Charles Parker M 6 Indiana
William Parker M 4 Indiana
Margaret A Parker F 1 Indiana
George W Parker M 15 Indiana
Lucinda Parker F 13 Indiana
Francis M Parker M 9 Indiana
Aaron J Parker M 7 Indiana
Then about 1850/51 either James died or he and Nancy were divorced. George and Nancy were married c. 1852/53 and their first two children were born in Indiana before George returned, with his family, to Illinois.
The children born to George Truitt and Nancy (_________) Parker Truitt include;
A. David Truitt, born c. 1853/54 in Indiana. David Truitt could be the David Truett, who was married to Mrs. Pricilla Ruth Iler on June 16, 1880 in Peoria County, Illinois.
B. Hester Truitt, born c. 1854/55 in Indiana. Hester may be the Hester M. Truett who was married to William J. Gridly on October 26, 1873 in Tazewell County, Illinois.
C. Catharine Truitt, born c. 1856/57 in Illinois. Catherine could be the Sarah C. Truett who was married on March 12, 1873 to B. R. Lyon in Tazewell County, Illinois.
D. Wesley Truitt, born c. 1860 in Illinois.
When George returned to Illinois, he moved next door to two of his brothers, who were now in Tazewell County, Illinois. At the time of the 1860 census, George is found residing in Washington Township, Tazewell County, Illinois next to John and Hester Ann Loveless Truitt, who resides next to William and Mahala Burt Truitt. They are almost certainly 3 brothers in a row. George and Nancy's combined household looks like this;
George Truitt M 39 O
Nancy Truitt F 36 Ind
Chas Parker M 16 Ind
William Parker M 14 Ind
Margaret A Parker F 12 Ind
David Truitt M 6 Ind
Hester Truitt F 5 Ind
Catharine Truitt F 3 Ill
I do believe that George Truitt died in the 1860's, but I do not believe that he was the George Truitt, who served in Co. G of the 86th Illinois from Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois and who died on February 19, 1863 in a hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. This George was 44 at the time he enlisted in 1862 and was probably a cousin of our George Truitt.
If I am right about Geoerge's dying in the 1860's and if he is not the George Truitt, who served in Co. G of the 86th, then our George Truitt's mortal remains were probably laid in the old Washington City Cemetery and have probably been unmarked for 100 years or more.
At the time of the 1870 census, Nancy Truett and 3 of her 4 children are found in Washington Township, Tazewell County, Illinois;
Nancy Truett F 45 Indiana
Kate Truett F 11 Illinois
Hester Truett F 13 Illinois
Wesley Truett M 9 Illinois
Nancy (_________) Parker Truitt may very well have died in the 1870's as I have been unable to locate her in the 1880 census or beyond. Her mortal remains may also lie in an unmarked grave in the old Washington City Cemetery.
2. Susan Jane Truitt, born c. Feburary 27, 1827/29 in or near Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio. Susan was married to William Drury on June 12, 1847 in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. William was born on February 6, 1813 in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia. This was apparently his 2nd marriage and her 1st.
The children born to William Drury and Susan Jane (Truitt) Drury include;
A. William Drurey, born c. 1849/50 in Illinois.
B. John Drury, born c. 1850/51 in Illinois.
C. Charles Drury, born c. 1851/52 in Illinois.
D. Ellen Drury, born c. 1854/55 in Illinois.
E. Levi Drury, born c. 1856/57 in Illinois.
F. Edward Drury, born c. 1858/59 in Illinois.
G. Hattie Drury, born c. 1860/61 in Illinois.
H. Ellwood Drury, born c. 1861/62 in Illinois.
I. Almon Drury, born c. 1863/64 in Illinois.
J. Lillie Drury, born c. 1864/65 in Illinois.
K. Jennie Drury, born c. 1867/68 in Illinois.
L. Cora Drury, born c. 1869/70 in Illinois
At the time of the 1850 census, William and Susan are found in the City of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois;
Wm Drurey M 33 Virginia
Susan Drurey F 22 Ohio
Rebecca Drurey F 10 Illinois
Geo A Drurey M 4 Illinois
Mary Drurey F 3 Illinois
Wm Drurey M 0 Illinois
Wm Haven M 39 Kentucky
I have yet to locate the family in the 1860 census. At the time of the 1870 census, William and Susan are found in Washington Township, Tazewell County, Illinois;
William Drury M 58 Virginia
Susan Drury F 40 Ohio
William Drury M 20 Illinois
John Drury M 19 Illinois
Charles Drury M 18 Illinois
Ellen Drury F 15 Illinois
Levi Drury M 13 Illinois
Edward Drury M 11 Illinois
Hattie Drury F 9 Illinois
Ellwood Drury M 8 Illinois
Almon Drury M 6 Illinois
Lillie Drury F 5 Illinois
Jennie Drury F 2 Illinois
Cora Drury F 0 Illinois
At the time of the 1880 census, William and Susan are found in Chenoa, McLean County, Illinois;
William Drury Self M 67 Virginia
Susan Drury Wife F 50 Ohio
Almond Drury Son M 17 Illinois
Lily Drury Daughter F 14 Illinois
Cora Drury Daughter F 10 Illinois
Stella Mathews Granddaughter F 4 Illinois
Ellwood Drury Son M 18 Illinois
William Drury died on December 22, 1885 in Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois and his mortal remains may have been laid in the old Washington City Cemetery in Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois. Wherever they were laid, they are almost certainly unmarked today.
Susan died on March 9, 1891 in Lexington, McLean County, Illinois and her mortal remains were laid in the Lexington Cemetery in McLean County. If her grave ever was marked, it is no longer marked. See her Find A Grave site is #98777449.
3. John C. Truitt, born c. August/September __, 1928/29 in or near Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio. At the time of the 1850 census, John is found with the family in the city of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. He is listed as being 20 years of age.
John was married to Hester Ann Loveless (or Lovelace) on March 2, 1854 in Woodford County, Illinois. This is found in Record #264, Book A, Pg 27. Hester was born c. 1830/31 in New York and was almost certainly the daughter of Crozier Lovelace and Susan (__________) Lovelace. At the time of the 1850 census, the Lovelace family is found in Union Township, Brown County, Ohio;
Crogier Lovelace M 43 New York
Susan Lovelace F 39 New York
Abraham Lovelace M 22 New York
Hester Ann Lovelace F 20 New York
Henry Lovelace M 18 New York
Leddy Lovelace F 12 Ohio
Ellen Lovelace F 8 Ohio
John Lovelace M 6 Ohio
Thomas Lovelace M 3 Ohio
Taylor Lovelace M 0 Ohio
The children born to John C. Truitt and Hester Ann (Lovelace) Truitt include;
A. Charles H Truit, born c. 1854 in Illinois.
B. George A Truit, born c. 1855/56 in Illinois.
C. Abraham "Abram" Truit, born c. February 10, 1858 in or near Spring Bay, Woodford County, Illinois. Abram Truitt, age 23, the son of John Truitt and Esther Lovelace, was married on 15 Oct 1882 in Chebance, Kankakee County, Illinois to Anna Hougardy, age 19. Anna is listed on the marriage record found on familysearch to have been born in Clifton, Illinois, the daughter of Joseph Hougardy and Marie Moran.
Abraham died on December6, 1942 in Kankakee, Kankakee County, Illinois and his parents are listed as John Wesley Truitt and Ester Loveless. Spouse on familysearch listed as Anna Hougardy Truitt.
D. Susan J. Truitt, born c. March 20, 1866 in or near Spring Bay, Woodford County, Illinois. Susan J. Truitt was married to James Clooney. Susan died on April 4, 1938.
E. John Truitt, born c. 1867/68 in Illinois.
F. Margarett Truitt, born c. 1870/71 in Illinois
At the time of the 1860 census, John is found residing in Washington Township, Tazewell County, Illinois in between George and Nancy Truitt and William and Mahala Burt Truitt. Almost certainly 3 brothers in a row.
John Truit M 30 O
Hester A Truit F 29 N Y
Charles H Truit M 6 Ill
George A Truit M 4 Ill
Abraham Truit M 2 Ill
I have yet to find the family in the 1870 census. At the time of the 1880 census, John and Hester are found in Ashkum, Iroquois County, Illinois;
John Truitt Self M 50 Ohio
Hester Truitt Wife F 50 New York
George Truitt Son M 23 Illinois
Abram Truitt Son M 21 Illinois
Susan Truitt Daughter F 14 Illinois
John Truitt Son M 12 Illinois
Margarett Truitt Daughter F 9 Illinois
At the time of the 1900 census, John and Hester are found back in Tazewell County, Illinois in Groveland Township;
John O Truiett Head M Sep 1829 71 Ohio
Esther Truiett Wife F 70 New York
Hester Ann (Lovelace) Truitt died on _____________ __, 1909, while, John C. Truett died on January 23, 1910 in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois and their mortal remains were laid in the Fon du Lac Township Cemetery in East Peoria, Tazewell County, Illinois. He, however, is listed on Find A Grave as John William Truitt. This information may have come from the death certificate of his daughter, Susan J. (Truitt) Clooney, who was born on March 20, 1866 in Spring Bay, Illinois, who was married to James Clooney, and who died on April 4, 1938. Susan's death certificate lists her parents as John William Truitt, who was born in Ohio, and Esther Loveless, who was born in Ohio. Susan's mortal remains were also laid in Fon du Lac Cemetery.
4. Margaret Truitt, born c. 1833 in Ohio. Margaret was 1st married to Dominick Robert/Rabier on August 1, 1866 in Woodford County, Illinois. Dominick was born in France c. 1821/22, the son of ____________ Rabier and Jane (__________) Rabier, who was born c. 1794/95 in France.
Margaret and Dominick were the parents of;
A. Mary J Roberts, born c. 1868 in Illinois.
B. Catherine "Katie" "Kate" Roberts, born c. 1870 in Illinois.
C. Edward G "Eddie" Roberts, born c. 1871/72 in Nebraska.
D.Filomena Lucinda "Minnie" Roberts, born ____________ __, 1873 in Nebraska. Minnie was married to ____________________ Williams in ______________. Filomena Lucinda "Minnie" (Roberts) Williams died in Gage County, Nebraska on ________________ __, 1905 and her mortal remains were laid in the Alexandria Cemetery in Alexandria, Thayer County, Nebraska. See her Find A Grave Memorial #128890094.
Shortly after the birth of the daughter, Catherine, Dominick and Margaret moved west to Nebraska, where at the time of the 1870 census, Margaret and her family are found in Barneston, Gage County, Nebraska;
Domin Roberts M 48 France
Margaret Roberts F 35 Ohio
Mary J Roberts F 2 Illinois
Catherine Roberts F 0 Illinois
Jane Roberts F 75 France
In the 1870's, Dominick either died or he and Margaret were divorced.
Margaret (Truitt) Robert was married to John Mourer (also spelled Mouer & Moore) on October 1, 1877 in Gage County, Nebraska. He is listed as being 29 at the time, while Margaret is listed as being Margaret Robert is listed as being 35. John was also born in France c. 1846.
At the time of the 1880 census, Catherine is found in Beatrice Township, Gage County, Nebraska living with her daughter;
John Mourer Self M 33 France
Margrett Mourer Wife F 35 Ohio
M J Roberts Stepdaughter F 11 Illinois
Katie Roberts Stepdaughter F 10 Illinois
Edward G Roberts Stepson M 8 Nebraska
F L Roberts Stepdaughter F 7 Nebraska
Cath Clifton Mother-in-law F 66 North Carolina
At the time of the 1885 Nebraska State census, Margaret and her family are still found living in Ward 3 of the city of Beatrice, Gage County, Nebraska;
John Mouer Father M 36
Margaret Mouer Wife F 37
Mary Roberts Stepdaughter F 16
Kate Roberts Stepdaughter F 14
Eddie Roberts Stepson M 13
Minnie Roberts Stepdaughter F 12
Catharine Clifton Mother-in-law F 75
Margaret (Truitt) Roberts Mourer died on __________ __, 1907 and her mortal remains were laid in the _____________ Cemetery in __________, __________ County, ___________.
5. William S. Truitt, born in April of 1836/39/40 in Indiana. William S. Truitt was married to Mahala Jane Burt on 18 Dec 1858 in Woodford County, Illinois. This is found in Book A, Pg 48 in Eureka, Woodford County, Illinois. Mahala Jane (Burt) Truitt was born in 1841 in Livingston County, Missouri.
The children born to William and Mahala include;
A. John Aaron Truitt, born January 23, 1857/59 in Spring Bay, Woodford County, Illinois.
B. William A. Truitt, born June 24, 1861.
C. James C. Truitt, born c. January __, 1865.
At the time of the 1860 census, William S. Truitt and his family are found residing in Washington Township, Tazewell County, Illinois living next to John and Hester Ann (Loveless) Truit, who is residing next to George and Nancy Truitt. Almost certainly 3 brothers in a row.
Mahala Jane (Burt) Truitt died at the age 37 on and died on March 24, 1879 at the age of 37 in Chillicothe, Peoria County, Illinois and her mortal remains were laid in the Chillicothe City Cemetery in Peoria County, Illinois;
At the time of the 1880 census, William is found widowed and living in Chillicothe, Peoria County, Illinois, where he is listed as a Laborer;
William Truitt Self M 42 Ohio
John A Truitt Son M 21 Illinois
James C Truitt Son M 15 Illinois
William A Truitt Son M 19 Illinois
Elizabeth Burt Other F 60 Ohio
William S. Truitt was married 2nd to Margaret Meinyer on April 22, 1885 at ___________ County, Illinois. The children born to William and Margaret include;
D. George R. Truitt, born May 27, 1886 in Illinois.
E. Clara T. Truitt, born
F. Estella Marie Truitt, born
William S. Truitt died on December 20, 1908 in Chillicothe Peoria County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Chillicothe City Cemetery. His grave is believed to be unmarked.
At the time of the 1930 census, Margaret is found residing with a son in Chillicothe, Peoria County, Illinois;
Margaret Truitt Head F 76 Illinois
George I Truitt Son M 44 Illinois.
Margaret died on February 9, 1940 and her mortal remains were also laid in the Chillicothe City Cemetery. See William S. Truitt's Find A Grave Memorial #57260442 for more information about him and his family.
6. Thomas M. Truitt, born Jan. 3, 1841 in Tippecanoe County, Indiana. Thomas was married to Catherine Hodge on March 28, 1861 in Woodford County, Illinois.
The children born to Thomas and Catherine include;
A. Hattie Truett, born c. 1861 in Illinois.
B. Morgan Truett, born c. 1865/66 in Illinois.
C. Owen Truett, born c. 1866/67 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1870 census, Thomas and Catherine are found in Tazewell County, Illinois living next to his mother, Catherine (McCarty) Truet Clifton;
Thomas Truett M 38 Indiana
Catharine Truett F 27 Illinois
Hattie Truett F 9 Illinois
Morgan Truett M 4 Illinois
Owen Truett M 3 Illinois
Catherine Clifton F 64 North Carolina
Thomas M. Truitt died on February 7, 1908 in Agency, Wapello County, Iowa. His mortal remains were laid in the Agency Cemetery in Agency, Wapello County, Iowa. See his Find A Grave site, #90568056, for more information about him and his family.
7. David Truitt, born April 27, 1845 in Woodford County, Illinois. David was married to Margaret Catherine Goodrich on February __, 1870 in Woodford County, Illinois. Margaret was born on ____________ __, 1851.
Two sons were born to David and Margaret including;
A. Martin Isom Truitt
B. Frederick "Fred" Truitt
Margaret Catherine (Goodrich) Truitt died at the age of 28 on June 12, 1878 in Chillicothe, Illinois. Her mortal remains were laid in the Chillicothe City Cemetery in Chillicothe, Peoria County, Illinois;
David was married 2nd to, widow, Priscilla Ruth (Sunderland) Iler on 16 June 1880 in Chillicothe, Peoria County, Illinois. Priscilla had been previously married to Thomas Iler and they had one daughter, Flora Anna Iler, before Thomas Iler died in 18__.
The children born to David and Priscilla include;
C. Katherine "Kate" Truitt
D. Charles Clifford Truitt
David Truitt and his family resided in the Spring Bay area of Woodford County, Illinois for many years. David died on August 3, 1908 in Limestone Township in Peoria County, Illinois and his mortal remains were laid in the Chillicothe City Cemetery in Chillicothe, Illinois; See his Find A Grave site #86243476 for more information about him and his family.
Now to continue with what we know about Thomas Truitt and his family;
At the time of the 1840 census, there is a Thomas Truit found in Davis Township, Fountain County, Indiana.
At the time of the 1850 census, the Truit family (spelled Fruit on the printed copy on familysearch) is found as following in the city of Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois;
Thomas Fruit M 84 Delaware
Catherine Fruit F 41 North Carolina
George Fruit M 24 Ohio
John Fruit M 20 Ohio
Margaret Fruit F 17 Ohio
William Fruit M 11 Indiana
Thomas Fruit M 9 Indiana
David Fruit M 6 Illinois
After Thomas Truitt's death in July of 1850, according to information found in ancestry.com, Catherine Truett was remarried on September 22, 1850, in Peoria County, Illinois, to Samuel Clifton. This is also found in Illinois marriage records.
At the time of the 1860 census, Samuel Clifton, Catherine and two of Catherine's children, Margaret Truitt and David Truitt (both spelled Truet) are found on page 214 living in Spring Bay Township, Woodford County, Illinois. Catherine is listed as being born about 1810;
Samuel Clifton M 56 Ky
Catherine Clifton F 49 N C
Margaret Truet F 24 Ohio
David Truet M 16 Ill
Samuel Clifton may have died in the 1860's or very early in 1870 and there is a record of a Samuel Clifton dying in February of 1870 in Washington, Tazewell. He is born in Kentucky, but is listed as being 78. And guess where we find Catherine in the 1870 census? Tazewell County! This is probably our Samuel Clifton and his mortal remains may very well lie in a, now, unmarked grave in the old Washington City Cemetery in Washington, Tazewell County, Illinois.
At the time of the 1870 Tazewell County Census, Catherine (McCarty) Truitt Clifton is found residing in Tazewell County, Illinois on page 16 of the census. She is residing next to her son, Thomas, and his family;
TRUITT, Thomas
wife: Catherine (Hodges) Truitt
children: Hattie
Morgan
Owen
Next door. Home #126
Catherine Clifton, (Catherine McCarty Truitt) age 64, N. Car.
In the 1870's, Catherine (McCarty) Truitt Clifton went west to live with her daughter, Margaret, and her family in Gage County, Nebraska. At the time of the 1880 census, Catherine is found in Beatrice Township, Gage County, Nebraska living with her daughter;
John Mourer Self M 33 France
Margrett Mourer Wife F 35 Ohio
M J Roberts Stepdaughter F 11 Illinois
Katie Roberts Stepdaughter F 10 Illinois
Edward G Roberts Stepson M 8 Nebraska
F L Roberts Stepdaughter F 7 Nebraska
Cath Clifton Mother-in-law F 66 North Carolina
At the time of the 1885 Nebraska State census, Catherine (McCarty) Truitt Clifton is still found living with her daughter in Ward 3 of the city of Beatrice, Gage County, Nebraska;
John Mouer Father M 36
Margaret Mouer Wife F 37
Mary Roberts Stepdaughter F 16
Kate Roberts Stepdaughter F 14
Eddie Roberts Stepson M 13
Minnie Roberts Stepdaughter F 12
Catharine Clifton Mother-in-law F 75
Catherine (McCarty) Truitt Clifton died on ____________ __, 1892 in Thayer County, Nebraska. Her tombstone says she was born in 1786 and that she was 105 or 106. Through the years, Catherine's age in the census records have her born anywhere between 1805 and 1814 in North Carolina. She was married to Thomas Truitt in 1820. Her last child was born in 1844. If she was born in 1786, she would have been 34 when she married and 58 when her last child was born. Catherine was undoubtedly born nearer to 1805,probably somewhere between 1800 and 1805, making her about 87 when she died and definately no older than 92. The fact was, probably no one knew exactly when she was born. Irregardless of her age, her mortal remains were laid in the Alexandria Cemetery in Alexandria, Thayer County, Nebraska. See her Find A Grave Memorial #114656559.
This biography is truly a family effort. I have used information from many members of the family, both living and dead, including, Cathi (Truitt) Steffens, of Arlington, Texas. However, most of the credit should probably go to Dorothy Kramer (19__ - 2010), of Peoria, Illinois, who was a Clerk at the Peoria County Courthouse for many years. Of her, Cathi (Truitt) Steffens wrote, "My Aunt Judy Truitt's mother of Peoria, IL spent over 50 years of her life, and was awarded the LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP AWARD from the Genealogy Society for her dedication and commitment. Her name was Dorothy Kramer but we all just called her "Nanny" as she was actually my Cousins' Grandmother and she was a widow long before I was even born. We were all Truitt's and she was one of us, included in all family get-togethers and celebrations. We all just adored her. In addition to her passion for leaving her legacy of the Truitt family for all of us, she also was a member of the DAR, and worked until she retired after 30 some years as a County Clerk at the Peoria County Courthouse." This is Helen Dorothy (Harms) Kramer, who died on 24 Feb 2009 in 8)
Metamora, Woodford County, Illinois. Her mortal remains were laid in St. Mary's Cemetery in West Peoria, Illinois. See her Find A Grave Memorial #34335282.
Other members of the family who contributed to this work are the Reverend William Jefferson Gammon (1876-1967); Ada Mildred Truitt (1913-1976); Bob Butler of Indianapolis, Indiana; Mrs. Ben (Marie) Monson of North Bend, Oregon; Pat Smith of Mullen, Nebraska; and Debbie Truitt, of Ottumwa, Iowa, whose email address is [email protected]
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