Benjamin Franklin Chitwood was born the 15th and last child of John Riley Chitwood and Barbara Cassel-Chitwood in IN on April 1, 1850.

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 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, 2 age 10-15, and 1 age 15-20. There are 11 children in the 1840 Census in IN.

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. Benjamin is the youngest of John and Mary's 13 total born, so with 10 home, 3 have moved along on their own. Howard Co Indiana is likely where Benjamin was born.

In the 1860 Census Richland Co Akan Twp WI, John and Barbara Chitwood ages 63 and 55 respectively (and born NC and TN) are living with their children; John C age 22, Andrew J 19, William 18, Barbara 16, Isabella 13, and Benjamin age 10. All of the children are listed as born in IN.

In the 1870 Census Richland Co Akan Twp WI, Benjamin F is age 20 and the last of the children living with his parents John age 72 and Barbara age 66.

Benjamin marries Amanda Williams dau of Thomas and Elizabeth Williams on January 8, 1871.

The 1875 WI State Census is curious, as Benjamin's parents are not listed, but Ben is. The census is supposed to have been taken on Jun 1875. Ben's father passed away in February 1875. Ben is listed as a head of household in 1875 in Richland Co Akan Twp. This is probably his parents farm. He is listed to be in a house of 2 males and 3 females. Ben's first child, Hattie, was born in February of 1875, after his father passed away. In June of 1875, it is likely that Ben was there with his wife, daughter and mother. That's 1 male and 3 females, so its not clear who the other male might be. The records don't support that it would be another child of Ben's.

IO Chitwood's book "Descendants of Matthias Chitwood" indicates that Ben and Amanda had a son in 1876 that died in infancy the same year.

By the 1880 Census WI Crawford Co Clayton Twp, B F Chitwood age 30 and Amanda age 28 have moved. Their daughter Harriet R is listed as 5. Their son Ernest S is also listed as 1/12 (April), but is noted as dead. Benjamin is listed as born in IN, father in NC and mother in TN. Amanda is listed as born in OH, father in VA and mother in OH. Also noted by Amanda is "Grief". Both children had been born in WI.

IO Chitwood's book indicates that Ernest S Chitwood was born in 1880 and died in 1880 in infancy.

The 1900 Census for Crawford Co Clayton Twp show Frank B Chitwood age 50 born April 1850 having been married for 29 years to Amanda age 48 born February 1852. Amanda is listed as having given birth to 3 children, 1 of which is living.

In 1910 Benj F age 60 and Amanda age 58 appear in the Census of WI Vernon Co Kickapoo Twp Readstown.