Margaret Jane Chitwood was born of John Riley Chitwood and Barbara Cassel-Chitwood October 18, 1836.

John had moved his family along with other siblings, siblings of his wife and his father in law from TN to Indiana before 1830. John Chitwood appears in the 1830 Census of Rush Co IN at age 30-40, with Barbara age 20-30. They have 2 boys age 5-10 and 3 girls under 5 in this Census. Appearing in the census, living next to John and Barbara, are Barbara’s brother Peter age 20-30 with his wife and 4 kids, Barbara’s brother Jacob age 20-30 with his wife and 2 kids, and Barbara’s father Peter age 60-70 and her mother age 50-60 along with 3 other of Barbara’s siblings. John purchased land in Rush Co IN in 1833, 34, 35 and 37, so this may be where Margaret Jane Chitwood was born. She was the 9th child of 15 by John and Barbara.

John Chitwood can be found in the 1840 Census Madison Co IN. He is age 40-50, his wife is age 30-40, that have 2 boys under 5, 2 age 5-10, 2 15-20, 1 girl under 5, 1 age 5-10 (liMargaret Jane Chitwood), 2 age 10-15, and 1 age 15-20. Living nearby is Barbara’s brother Jacob and Baxter Davis who is married to one of John’s sisters.

In the 1850 Census Howard Co IN, John Chitwood age 53 born in NC, is living with Barbary age 45 born in TN, along with 10 children; Mathias age 20, James S age 18, Martha age 16, Margaret J age 14, John C age 12, Andrew J age 10, William R age 8, Barbara E age 6, Isabella age 4 and Benjamin F age 8/12, all born in Indiana.

Margaret’s sister Martha married Jacob Lawrence, son of John Lawrence and Sarah Showalter on November 15, 1852 in Howard Co IN. Margaret married John Lawrence (Jacob’s twin brother) on August 5 1855 in Howard Co. John and Barbara moved their family again in the mid 1850’s, probably shortly after Margaret’s marriage. They moved to Richland Co WI and most of their children (some married with families of their own) moved with them. Margaret and John stayed in Indiana, but Martha and Jacob moved to Wisconsin.

In the 1860 Census IN Howard Co Ervin Twp, John S age 30 born appears with Margaret J age 23, Martha E age 4, John F age 2, and Sarah age 1, all listed as born in IN. The 1870 Census record couldn’t be located.

In the 1880 Census IN Howard Co Ervin Twp, John is age 49 born in IN (father and mother born in PA) and Margaret J is 43 born in IN (father in NC and mother in TN) are living with children; John F age 23, Mary C age 19, Margaret J age 16, Laura O age 11, Annie R age 10 and Eva age 6. Their daughter Martha, married to Charles L Spraker is living next door with 2 young daughters.

Margaret and John had 9 children; Martha born 1856 married Charles Spraker, John Frank born 1857 married Sarah Jane, Sarah born 1859 married William Miller, Mary Katherine born 1861 married Henry Williams, Margaret Jane born 1863 married Howard Hudson, Waity Bell 1865-1871, Laura Etta born 1868 married Aaron Deardorff, Anna Rebecca born 1870 married Willis Eikenberry, and Geneva "Eva" born 1874 married William Kidder.

Thanks to jeff blair F.A.G. member #46876631 for the above info.