Chambers County AlArchives Biographies.....William Pitts McGinty 1819 - 1901 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Gerald K. McGinty, Sr. http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00021.html#0005198 Jun 24, 2003, 3:35 pm Author: Gerald K. "Jerry" McGinty, Sr. William Pitts McGinty 1819-1901 William Pitts McGinty, b. June 4, 1819, in Wilkinson Co., GA, d. January 1, 1901, in McGinty, Chambers Co., AL. He was the second son of George Washington McGinty and Tabitha Moore. He married (1) Mary Ann Freeman, November 30, 1843 in Chambers Co., by Moses Gunn, MG, and (2) Ann M. Moore, April 8, 1846 in Harris Co., GA. Mary Ann Freeman was the daughter of Rev. Tyre Freeman and his first wife, Lucinthia Moore. Tyre was the first pastor of the Ephesus Primitive Baptist church in McGinty, AL. She was born ca. 1826 in Jones Co., GA. The Freeman family was originally from Jones Co., GA and had relocated to this area prior to 1841. Mary Ann died possibly during the birth of their first child, Lucynthia. William's second wife, Ann Moore was born March 3, 1830, in Jones Co., GA and died of acute bronchitis, February 5, 1898 in Chambers Co. They are both buried in the McGinty plot at Fairview Cemetery in Valley, AL. Ann's father was Levin Moore, b. July 4, 1799, d. October 10, 1855. Levin was one of the earliest settlers in Chambers Co., arriving there with William's father Washington, around 1835. This is confirmed in the 1840 census. He was buried in a family cemetery located south of McGinty's crossroads on the old Osanippa - Berlin road. This cemetery later became part of the property owner's junkyard. It is said that it contained other, unmarked gravesites. The Rev. Basil B. McGinty had his grave marker moved from this site to the McGinty plot at Fairview cemetery sometime after 1973. Children of William Pitts McGinty and Mary Ann Freeman: i. Lucynthia Elvira McGinty, b. October 27, 1845, in McGinty, Chambers Co., AL, d. February 8, 1918, in Choudrant, Jackson Parish, LA. These dates are taken from her gravestone, however, her death certificate shows a birth date of October 23, 1845. It is interesting to note that her name is misspelled as "McGenist" on her gravestone (photo). Her death certificate confirms her middle name, Elvira. Her name has also been shown in other research as Cynthia, Lou Cynthia and Lucinthe. Her grandmother was named Lucynthia Moore, so she is most certainly named after her. However, she is listed in both the 1850 and 1860 AL census as Lucinthe. In the 1870 census she is listed as Cinthia and in the 1880 census, as Lucinthia. Her death certificate shows her as Lucinthy. She was married to William Henry Fallin on July 18, 1866, by James M. Hill, JP. They were married at the home of her father, William Pitts McGinty, and they lived to produce ten sons and one daughter. Fallin was a farmer. They show in the 1870 census, living in Tallapoosa Co., AL, next to several other Fallin families. They were still living in Tallapoosa Co., AL in 1879, and show in the 1880, census in Rome, AL. They moved to LA sometime after that and family lore says their trip was by train. They show in the 1900 census of Jackson Parish, LA with sons, Ira and Irvin and daughter Martha A. Holmes. William died March 13, 1921 in Epps, West Carroll Parish, LA. His CSA gravestone is inscribed with Co. D, 34th AL Infantry. The death date on his stone is March 27, 1921, which does not agree with his death certificate that shows the date-of-death as March 13, 1921. They are both buried at the Longstraw Cemetery in Lincoln Parish, LA. Children of William Pitts McGinty and Ann Moore: i. James Madison McGinty, b. September 30, 1847, in McGinty, Chambers Co., AL, d. February 19, 1929, in Chambers Co., AL. This date is taken from his death certificate. However, his gravestone shows 1920 as the year of his death. He married Oliver J. Weaver (her name is spelled Oliver on her gravestone and also in the 1860 census), on March 15, 1872, in Chambers Co., AL., H.M. Higginbotham, pastor. She was born in 1835 in GA (confirmed by census records) and died June 24, 1913 in Chambers Co. Previous McGinty researchers show that her father was Tyre Weaver. Actually, her father was Holly Weaver (b. 1812) and her mother was Nancy Floyd. Holly was a farmer who had also moved to Chambers Co. from GA and who is shown in the 1860 census as owning the farm next to Washington McGinty. James is also shown as signing the oath of allegiance to the United States after the war and during reconstruction in 1866-67. James is shown as a farmer in the 1880 census. On December 26, 1898, he purchased eleven acres of his father's land at McGinty's crossroads for $200 (deed book 28, pg. 113). There is an article in the Lafayette Sun dated December 26, 1923, saying, "J. M. McGinty, who has been a resident of this town for over seventy years, left Monday for his new home in Tallapoosa Co." Later, in 1924, we see him living there in Dadeville. James and Oliver are buried together in the McGinty plot at Fairview Cemetery (photo). They produced no children. ii. Tabitha Ann McGinty, b. May 24, 1850, in McGinty, Chambers Co., AL, d. June 12, 1924, in Chambers Co., AL. She married (1) Marshall Moseley Tomme on September 29, 1896, in Chambers Co., AL, by Rev. Prather. This was a late marriage as she was already forty-six years old. They show in the 1900 census, living in West Point, Troup Co., GA with no children of their own. However, three of his children by a previous marriage to Eliza Scott were living with them. Eliza had died in 1893. Tomme was a Civil War veteran, having served as a Corporal in the 41st GA Inf., Co. E. In December 1898, Tabitha purchased thirty acres in Section 32 from the family of William Pitts McGinty for $200 (deed book 28, pg., 41). In November 1901, Marshall purchased the original 120-acre Wm. Pitts McGinty farm from the heirs for sixteen hundred dollars (deed book 28, pg. 336). Tomme died October 18, 1918. She married (2) J.B.F. Lindsey on February 19, 1922. She had inherited the Tomme family home. She was not well at this time and an article in the February 20, 1924 Lafayette Sun mentions that she underwent an operation the past week and is improving rapidly. However, she died in June. Her estate was probated in July 1925. After her death, her Tomme home, which included two acres of land, was sold at public auction to T. J. Goggins for $1300. She had named all of her brothers and sisters as heirs and they decided to handle the sale of her property in this manner. Apparently, she had no children of her own. J.B.F Lindsey was the administrator of her estate. He died on April 12, 1930, in Buffalo, Chambers Co., AL, which is about 3.5 miles north of Lafayette on Hwy. 431. He is shown as a prominent farmer and citizen. His epitaph reads: "The deceased was for many years actively identified with the life of the community in which he lived, but during late years he contented himself by staying near his home. He was a member of the Macedonia Baptist church, and lived to rear a fine family of children under the influence of his church." He is buried with his first wife, Carrie M., at the Macedonia Primitive Baptist church cemetery, which is located just east of the intersection of County Road 62 and 110 near Lafayette, AL (photo). Tabitha and first husband Marshall Tomme are buried in the McGinty plot at Fairview Cemetery, Valley, AL (photo). iii. Nancy Laura McGinty, b. October 11, 1853, in Roanoke, Randolph Co., AL, d. February 2, 1942, at Pine Grove, Tallapoosa Co. AL. Her parents show in the 1855 census of Chambers Co. and then in the 1860 census of Randolph Co. It is unclear as to how why she was born in Randolph Co. She was called Laura. She married Steven Cullen "Teab" Bass, November 26, 1878, in Chambers Co., AL by J.H. Shirley, MG, at the home of her father. Bass was born October 30, 1851, and died January 18, 1929. He was a farmer. They produced seven children, three of which died in infancy. They moved to Dadeville, Tallapoosa Co., AL before 1880. The 1900 census shows them living in Tallapoosa Co. with four children, whose names were Eula, James Arthur, Nancy Lillian and Ruby. The 1920 census shows them living in Tallapoosa Co., with one child, Ruby. Nancy Laura is buried next to her husband at the Sardis Methodist Church Cemetery in the Sardis Community, Tallapoosa Co., AL. iv. John Franklin McGinty, b. August 13, 1855, in Randolph Co., AL, d. December 2, 1930 in Chatsworth, GA. He married (1) Laura Viola "Lou" Spikes, February 25, 1885, in Chambers Co., AL, H. Wood, pastor, and (2) Mrs. Ella Capes Webb Long, April 14, 1925 in Lanett, AL. Laura died September 5, 1924 at the home of her son J. Roy McGinty, Sr. in Chatsworth, GA and is buried at the Hillview cemetery annex, section 5, lot 2, space 7, in LaGrange, GA (photo). The inscription on her gravestone reads: "To the good there is no death. The stars go down and rise upon some foreign shore, all bright with heavens jeweled crown, they shine forever more." This plot also contains the grave of Emma C. "Cliffie" McGinty and her infant son, J. B. She was the wife of J.F.'s son, John Roy McGinty. J.F.'s second wife is sometimes shown as "Caper" Long. Their wedding announcement in the local newspaper shows her name as Mrs. Capes Long. Capes shows in the 1920 census of Murray Co., GA., age forty- five, living with her mother Jane Webb, also a widow. "Mr. Frank" was born in Randolph Co., AL during the brief period that his father and mother farmed there. Around 1860, he moved, with the family, to Chambers Co., where he lived for about forty years. In 1900, he left Chambers Co. and lived in Lanett, Opelika, Birmingham and LaGrange, GA. The 1920 census shows him back in Chambers Co. as a merchant, living with his wife, Laura and grandson, Frank A. After Laura' s death, he married Ella Capes Webb Long. In 1924, he moved to Chatsworth, GA where he was elected mayor for three terms. He shows in the 1930 census as being retired and living with wife, Ella. He died later in this year. He was buried next to Laura at the Hillview cemetery annex, section 5, lot 2, space 8, in LaGrange, GA (photo). His plain grave marker has no inscription. His epitaph in the December 4, 1930 edition of the Calhoun Times reads, "Mr. John Franklin McGinty, father of the editor of the Calhoun Times, died at his home in Chatsworth Tuesday morning at 8:30, after a brief illness. He was seventy-five years of age. Up to six years ago, Mr. McGinty spent practically all his life in Chambers Co., AL, with the exception of short terms of residence in Opelika and Birmingham, AL and West Point and LaGrange, GA. In 1924, he came to north Georgia and located in Chatsworth. Although a comparatively new comer to the little city, he was three times elected mayor of Chatsworth, without opposition, retiring voluntarily at the end of his third term….he was a member of the primitive Baptist church for more than thirty years, and his religious faith was the rule of his every day life….the neighbors among whom he spent his days found only words of praise for his exemplary life." Another article in the March 26, 1931 Calhoun Times, written by his fellow church members, show that he was a deacon and that he was "specially gifted mentally and spiritually, was a deep thinker - impressive talker and endowed with great ability as a writer." The LaFayette Sun reported on December 3, 1930, that "Mr. J. F. McGinty, prominent and beloved citizen of Chatsworth, GA, died at his home in that city early Tuesday morning following a short illness. The deceased was seventy-five years of age and had lived a useful life in this section of the state." He and Laura had three children, Rupert, J. Roy and Roland M. Rupert went to CO and became the superintendent at the state horticultural and agricultural college, and later was a doctor, heading up of the horticultural department at Clemson College in SC. J. Roy became a lawyer in Troup Co., GA and then was the editor of a newspaper in Calhoun and Chatsworth, GA for thirty years. He also served as a Senator in GA in 1945 and was a member of the GA Legislature for two terms, 1939-40 and 1945-46. Roland became a linotype operator in Chicago and later moved to Atlanta, where he was a proofreader. John Franklin had a grandson (son of J. Roy, Sr.), Franklin Alexander McGinty, b. November 22, 1911 in Atlanta, GA, d. August 5, 1943 (photo). Frank was a musician and scholar. Music, books and the fine arts were his chief interests. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1941 and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honorary fraternity. He was an accomplished organist and was offered, after his basic training, an opportunity to become assistant to the chaplain where he would have arranged the music for religious services for the sailors. He declined, saying that he "wanted to be where he could sink a submarine." Frank was a soundman (listened to sonar), third class in the U.S. Navy Reserves. He was killed in action aboard the USS Plymouth, which, while on convoy duty, was hit by a torpedo as she prepared to depth charge the German submarine, U-566. One account says that they were off Cape Charles about ninety miles east of Elizabeth City, NJ. An article in the New York Times, August 16, 1943, says they were off of the North Carolina coast. According to accounts, as she swung left to bear on the target, a violent underwater explosion occurred just abaft the bridge. She took a heavy list to port with her entire port side forward of amidships in flames. She sank quickly. Rough seas and sharks hampered rescue operations. An article in the New York Times, October 8, 1943, shows that a Coast Guard cutter rescued sixty of the approximately 160 members of the crew "from stormy waters." Frank was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross on October 21, 1943. His citation reads: " For heroism and outstanding performance of duty during the sinking of the USS PLYMOUTH on August 5, 1943. Soundman McGinty attempted to rescue a man who was trapped in the flaming ship's armory. He was seen to enter the armory, but he also was trapped there, and thus lost his life. Such action reflects great credit upon the Naval Service." Later in the war, a new destroyer escort, DE-365, the USS McGINTY, was named in honor of him (photo). His name is included on a monument named Tablets of the Missing, in Battery Park, New York City. This ship was built at the Consolidated Steel Corp. shipyard in Orange, TX. On August 5, 1944, the anniversary of his death, it was christened by his stepsister, Mrs. Perrillah Malone, who broke the traditional bottle of champagne over its bow. The ship was then launched and glided down the ramp into the Sabine River. His mother and father were in attendance at the ceremony along with his brother and several other dignitaries. This ship was active in WW II, first based at Pearl Harbor. She performed escort duty between Guam, Eniwetok and Ulithi, later making runs to Okinawa and Tokyo Bay. After the war, she returned to San Diego and was made part of the reserve fleet in 1947. In March 1951, she was brought back into active service in the Korean War where she received three battle stars. In 1959, she was decommissioned and berthed at Portland, Oregon. Then in 1961, when the Berlin Wall went up, she was reactivated and traveled the Sea of Japan and South China Sea. She was decommissioned the final time in August 1962. In September 1968, she was taken off the Navy records and sold for scrap. (Department of the Navy, Naval Historical Center, Washington Navy Yard, DC, and Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, vol. IV and V. v. Theodosia B. McGinty, b. 1849 (confirmed by 1850 and 1860 census), in McGinty, Chambers Co., AL, d. 1877. Some census records and earlier research have shown that this child was a male named Theodore. However, both the 1860 and 1870 census clearly list this child as a female. She is also shown as Miss Theodosia B. McGinty in the Ephesus Baptist church minutes, joining by experience, September 28, 1872. She was only twenty-eight at the time of her death. vi. William Levin McGinty, b. August 23, 1859, probably in Randolph Co., AL, d. October 19, 1937, at Bryce Hospital in Tuscaloosa, AL. He married Laura Virginia Echols, January 15, 1887, in Tallapoosa Co., AL, W. T. Rowe, pastor. Earlier research shows that William was born in a log cabin on the land where his father lived in Chambers Co. It seems more probable that he was born in Randolph Co., AL where his parents were living in 1859. He shows in the 1860 census of Randolph Co., at age one. His wife was born in 1866 and died in 1918. Her father, Thomas M. Echols (Eckles?) (1820-1898), was shot to death by a son-in-law, Richard Calhoun, Sept. 30, 1898. Her mother was America Fuller (1824-1885) and both of her parents are buried in the cemetery at Camp Hill, AL. William and Laura are both buried in the McGinty plot at Fairview Cemetery. He is the father of Rev. Basil B. McGinty who contributed much to the McGinty family research. He was a tenant farmer, and from 1883 until 1900, he and his family rented and lived on a farm in old Dudleyville in Tallapoosa Co. After the death of his father, William Pitts in 1901, he came back to Chambers Co. and farmed on the old McGinty lands. They had four children, Basil, George Carlton, Grover and Annie Sujette. His life took a tragic turn around 1913 when his mental condition began to deteriorate. On April 15, 1915, he was admitted to the Bruce Mental Hospital in Tuscaloosa, AL by court order (hospital file 14923). He was suffering from delusions, thinking that family members were trying to kill him. The interrogatories of the probate court in Chambers Co. say that, "He became wild and cut his son's (Basil) throat - the one who always seemed to be his favorite child - he was placed in jail after he cut his son's throat." According to the family story, Basil was driving the car with his father in the back seat. His father reached around his throat with a knife and cut it. On May 18, 1915, there is a letter to the hospital from his wife, Laura V. McGinty expressing concern that he might be returned to River View. She says," During the past two years he grew worse and worse and did a lot of strange things. He tried to leave home with their fourteen- year-old daughter. He thought that his brother, W. P. McGinty was going to have him killed. He tried to cut our oldest son's head off and succeeded in cutting his throat where he now has a bad scar. The family doctor, Dr. W. T. Hodges and another doctor from West Point, Dr. Tom Grant came in and confirmed that he was going insane. She would not feel safe around him unless he was in good health and was sound of mind and did not want him released to return home for fear for herself and her children." William tried to escape from Bryce Hospital shortly after he was admitted and sustained a fall that resulted in a fractured clavicle. There is a letter written to the hospital by his brother, John Franklin McGinty of LaGrange, GA on October 14, 1915, saying that none of his brothers and sisters had heard from him and were wondering what the prospects were of his return home. It says that his wife and children were averse to having him return. This was obviously a big family disagreement. His brothers and sisters did not agree with the position taken by his wife and children. However, after being confined at Bryce for two years (until May 1917) he was allowed to return to River View and lived with his brother, James Madison McGinty. I do not know the circumstances that led to his release and return. His wife died shortly after this on January 4, 1918. He secured work with the railroad and later as a mill hand in the cotton mill. His condition grew worse with the delusions, threats and assaults on people and thinking that they were going to bury him alive. He was re-admitted to Bryce Hospital, again by court order, on July 2, 1919 (hospital file 17808). In a July 29, 1919 letter to the hospital from his brother, James Madison McGinty, he expresses concern that William should not have been re-admitted. He was working and doing better and that his brothers and sisters wanted him to return and would take care of him. In a letter to the hospital dated April 28, 1921 from brother, John Franklin McGinty, he says that William was always peculiar and simple, both in childhood, as a young man and when he was married and that his brothers and sisters feel that a great wrong has been done by placing him there. That his son (Basil) and daughter (Sujette) were determined to keep him "imprisoned" there. According to November 22, 1924 letter to the hospital from son, Basil McGinty, when James Madison McGinty secured the release of William and brought him back to River View in 1917, that James was himself in feeble health and mind and almost caused the death of his father due to lack of necessary food and medical attention, and that William should continue to be confined at Bryce. William did remain at Bryce Hospital until his death on October 19, 1937. His remains were removed by a local funeral director and sent back to River View by train. Family members met the train when it arrived in West Point and he was buried with his wife in Fairview cemetery. Mr. Thomas Goggans, superintendent of the Riverdale Mill where Basil was employed, owned a new Hudson automobile that was loaned to the McGinty family for this occasion. All they had at the time was an old T model Ford. Another interesting letter in the hospital file is from grandson; (Mr.) Jewel C. McGinty dated October 29, 1940. Jewel was trying to join the Marines and asked Bryce Hospital to write him a letter stating that his grandfather's condition was not hereditary. Jewel was the son of George Carlton McGinty, one of William's sons. I would like to give special recognition to my first cousin (once removed), the Rev. Basil Beasley McGinty (photo), son of William Levin. He was keenly interested in our family history and contributed greatly to the McGinty story in the River View area. Basil was born June 19, 1890. There is disagreement as to where he was born. Some records say that he was born in McGinty, Chambers Co., AL but, as shown above, other records show that his father and family were living in Dudleyville, Tallapoosa Co., AL until 1900, when they relocated to the farm owned by his grandfather, William Pitts McGinty in Chambers Co. Economic conditions at this time were such that Basil started working as a floor sweeper in the Riverdale cotton mill at age ten. He continued to work at the mill for fifty-six years, retiring in late 1955. At the time of his retirement, he was office manager, personnel director and paymaster. He studied in his spare time and earned his high school diploma, later in life, after he was already a father. Despite his lack of formal education, he was known as one of the most learned men in the area and was also a fine speaker. He was twice married. First to Etta B. Suggs of Thomaston, GA in 1910. They produced two children, Elmo and Mildred. Elmo, born in 1911, joined the Navy in WW II and died in Seattle of a heart disease in 1944 (Elmo left two baby girls, Laura Jeannette and Mary Maxine. Later in life they both became PhD's). Mildred was born in 1915 and recently died in Mississippi. Wife, Etta died in 1922 and is buried in the First Christian Church cemetery in River View. In 1924, Basil married Mary Melissa Hand of Gold Hill, Clay Co., AL. They produced two daughters, Mary Sue, born in 1927 and Jane B., born in 1933. Sue Newberry lives in Columbus, GA and Jane Alford lives in North Carolina. I am very fortunate to have acquired some of his original notes and research from his daughter, Sue Newberry that she recently found in his old, unoccupied home. Basil studied the Bible from a very young age. He used to tear a page out and take it to work with him so that he could study it when the boss wasn't looking. In 1914 he became an ordained minister at the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church. He began to serve rural churches as their pastor in addition to his full time position at the mill. These churches included Cussetta, Farmville, Rock Springs, Antioch and Waverly. He also served as moderator of the East Liberty Baptist association for seventeen years. Few men have been more successful as a pastor. He wrote History of the East Liberty Baptist Association and was a long time column writer in the Valley newspaper. In the 1950's, Basil purchased part of the old McGinty land that was then known as the Scales farm. This included the homesite where his grandfather, William Pitts had lived. He rebuilt a new, modern brick home on this site. The house still stands today and his daughter, Jane, owns the property. The house has been unoccupied since Mary's death in 1994. Basil's notes show that he and Mary had to borrow $4,000 to finance the construction of the new house. He got a loan at 4% interest from Fred Finch. There was no formal mortgage, only a gentleman's agreement. To pay off the loan, Miss Mary bought some more milk cows and milked from five to seven of them everyday for seven and one half years. Basil would deliver the milk on his way to work every morning. They paid off every dollar right on schedule. While Basil was frequently found in the house reading and studying, Miss Mary would be out in the field on her tractor, both doing what they enjoyed the most. I visited this house in February 2003. It has been unoccupied since Mary's death. I was particularly impressed by the row of huge and very old cedar trees in front of the house. Because of their age, they had to have been planted by William Pitts or perhaps even earlier. This land is steeped in McGinty history. Basil felt a deep responsibility to his ancestors and in 1973, had the grave marker of Levin Moore, his maternal great grandfather, moved from what had become a junkyard behind the property owners house, to the McGinty plot at the Fairview cemetery. After his death in 1975, and as one of his final wishes, wife Mary also had a grave marker placed by the old cedar tree where Basil's paternal great grandfather, George Washington McGinty was said to be buried. This grave had never had a marker. Basil died June 29, 1975 and wife, Mary passed away August 21, 1994. They are buried, together with son Elmo, in the McGinty plot at Fairview cemetery, just down the road from their home. Recognition from one of his churches in 1953 reads, "When God called B. B. McGinty to his gospel ministry, he seemed to have endowed him with a heart big enough and a love broad enough to include a greater field and a larger constituency than that afforded most ministers. No association of churches, or brotherhood of preachers, ever had a more faithful friend, leader, counselor and pastor than this brother-beloved." Basil McGinty was a loved and respected man. vii. George Washington McGinty, b. February 13, 1862, in McGinty, Chambers Co., AL, d. September 16, 1947 in Camp Hill, Tallapoosa Co., AL. He married Francis Emma Handley, December 18, 1889, in Tallapoosa Co., AL, William Lively, pastor. She was called Emma. They had four girls, Oriel, Nancy, Rosa and Lala. He is shown in the 1930 census as a farmer. He made a land purchase from R.A. Henderson in Section 15, Township 21, Range 24 containing 30.37 acres. He is buried, along with Frances, who died October 30, 1944, in Camp Hill, AL. viii. Wiley Patterson McGinty, Sr., b. January 22, 1865, in McGinty, Chambers Co., AL, d. March 30, 1957. He married (1) Mollie Hinton Redd, December 1, 1893, and (2) Tinnie Mae Hunt, November 2, 1932. They are all buried in the McGinty plot at Fairview Cemetery. ix. Mary Reece (Mollie) McGinty, b. September 9, 1875, in McGinty, Chambers Co., AL, d. February 5, 1941 in Chambers Co. Mollie never married and late in life lived with her niece, Nannie Ruth McGinty Anderson in West Point, GA. There was an Easter morning chimney fire in Mollies room at the Anderson home, for which Ruth's husband, Bill Anderson Sr., asked fire chief Novatus L. Barker "not to sound the siren". This request was made because when the siren was blown in West Point, once for downtown, twice for the west side of the river and three times for the east side of the river, everybody in town would flock to the location to watch the action and Bill Anderson did not want a crowd to gather as it had the week before during another fire that was in the dining room. At that time, spectators were actually walking around inside the house and Mrs. Anderson had to run them out. This amusing story confirmed by Wiley Anderson, son of Bill and Ruth Anderson who, as a young boy, was living at the house at the time of the fires. In December 1898, Molly purchased forty-seven acres in Section 32 from the family of William Pitts McGinty (deed book 28, pg. 119). This land was adjacent to that owned by William Pitts and William Levin McGinty. Both the 1900 and 1920 census, show her living in the home of her brother, James Madison McGinty. She owned land in Chambers Co. in 1925. Her name is shown on a deed as adjacent to land that had been owned by William Pitts McGinty. I have not yet confirmed her occupation, but have heard that she was a schoolteacher. Mollie is buried in the McGinty plot at Fairview Cemetery. x. Thomas Jefferson McGinty, b. 1869, in McGinty, Chambers Co., AL, d. infancy. xi. Andrew Jackson McGinty, b. December 2, 1872, in McGinty, Chambers Co., AL, d. February 14, 1958, in Birmingham, Jefferson Co., AL. He married Sarah Fletcher Murphy (1879-1960) February 2, 1899 in Lee Co., AL and they produced four children, Andrew Wilton (1899-1970), Mary and Carey who were twins, born September 16, 1908, and Sarah (1912-?). Andrew moved from Chambers Co. to Birmingham in 1907. He became a prominent grocer and member of the Bush Creek Primitive Baptist church. He is buried, along with other members of his family, at the Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham (photo). The Life of William Pitts McGinty William Pitts, known to some as " Billie," moved to AL with his father, George Washington, when he was about fifteen years old. His birthplace was probably in Wilkinson Co., GA, because his father shows as living there in 1817 church records and also in the 1820 census. Other sources say that he was born in Jones Co. and Upson Co. No death certificate or obituary has been located. A possible explanation for the origin of his middle name, "Pitts," comes from the history of Jones Co., GA. Here we see that the Pitts family intermarried with the Moore family. His mother was Tabitha Moore. A certain Peyton Pitts was a county and state leader, living between Macon and Milledgeville. His son and grandson married Moore girls. In 1863, he acquired a farm near McGinty's Crossroads. His son, Wiley P. McGinty, Sr., said that he had in his possession the original sheepskin deed to a parcel of this land and that it was signed by President Zachary Taylor and dated June 1, 1850. This document has not been located. However, various deeds showing the purchase and sale of this land have been traced back to the Creek treaty of 1832. There is no evidence that his father, Washington McGinty ever lived on this land. William Pitts married Mary Ann Freeman, the daughter of Rev. Tyre Freeman (Chambers Co. marriage records, vol. 3, pg. 42). Soon after her death, he married sixteen year old Ann Moore, daughter of Levin and Penelope Patterson Moore, early Chambers Co. pioneers. It is from Penelope's father, Willie Patterson, that the name Wiley and Patterson of Wiley Patterson McGinty, Sr., originates. William Pitts McGinty is buried in the McGinty plot at Fairview Cemetery, very near the "Crossroads" of River and Columbus Road. Note that the William Pitts McGinty tombstone is inscribed W.P. McGinty, Sr. This is interesting since there was no William Pitts, Jr. Apparently, since his initials were W.P., the same as Wiley Patterson, Sr., and he was older, he preferred W.P., Sr. It is interesting to note that William Pitts' second wife, Ann "Annie" Moore, was the daughter of Levin and Penelope Moore. Ann's father, Levin Moore, was the son of Ephriam and Nancy Moore. William Pitts father, Washington McGinty, married Tabitha Moore who was also the daughter of Ephriam Moore. Tabitha was the mother of William Pitts. Therefore, William Pitts and his wife, Ann Moore were first cousins. After Levin's death, the 1860 census of Chambers Co. shows Penelope Moore, age fifty- four, as a widow and farmer. A sixteen year old Wily P. is living with her along with married daughter, Malinda Olive, age twenty-five and her child, one year old Mary L. Olive. She owned four slaves (pg. 17, slave schedule) and had real estate valued at $2500 and personal worth of $7575. Also of interest is that her next door neighbor in 1860 was the widow, Kisiah (Morris) Freeman, wife of Tyre Freeman. They lived in the Ossanippa district. Penelope's death and burial site are unknown, but it is very possible that she was buried with her husband. His grave marker was moved from the old family plot to the Fairview cemetery by Basil B. McGinty, sometime after 1973. The 1863 William Pitts purchased property that surrounded five acres that were already being used by the Bethlehem Baptist church for the meetinghouse and cemetery. Today, this land is part of the expanded Fairview Cemetery (formerly known as the Old McGinty Cemetery) in which many of the early McGinty are buried. It is located on the old Fairfax – River View Road in Valley, AL. Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church was at one time located on the land now occupied by the cemetery (this church was founded in October 1835 and admitted to the Liberty Baptist Association in September 1837). Until 1846, this was the only Baptist church in the Valley. In 1870, this church was relocated to Fairfax village (Glass). This church was always strongly missionary. In 1846, there was a split in the church and the faction known as the Primitive Baptists withdrew fellowship from the faction known as the Missionary Baptist. The Primitive Baptists started their own church known as the Ephesus Primitive Baptist Church (founded August 21, 1846). The first pastor was Tyre Freeman and William Pitts's father, Washington McGinty, was a charter member. Tyre Freeman is shown in the Ocmulgee Baptist Assn. minutes of 1839-41, as a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Jones Co. GA. He moved to Chambers Co., AL before 1841 and purchased property there. The records also show that a number of the members' slaves were also admitted to the church. Some of our McGinty ancestors remained Missionary and some became Primitive Baptists. In the census of 1840, William is living with his parents, Washington and Elizabeth McGinty on their farm in Chambers Co., It is unclear where this farm was located. Some of his brothers and sisters are shown as being born in Osanippa, AL. He is shown on the 1850 census in Chambers Co. (pg. 369), at age thirty- one, living with his wife, Ann, and children, Lucinthe 5; James M. 2; and Theodore 1 (listed as a male). I have located one deed dated February 19, 1850, showing the sale of a parcel of land by William and Ann to Holly Weaver for $112.50. Holly Weaver was a Confederate veteran and lost an arm in the war. Later, he was the tax collector in Chambers Co. The Chambers Co. agricultural census of 1850 gives a complete picture of his farming operation. It shows the following: Acres of land - Improved 50 Acres of land - Unimproved 35 Cash value of farm $300 Value of farming machinery and implements $85 Horses 1 Milch cows 2 Working oxen 2 Other cattle 1 Swine 26 Value of livestock $100 Wheat, bushels of 11 Indian corn, bushels of 200 Ginned cotton, bales of 400 lbs. each 2 Peas and beans, bushels of 25 Sweet potatoes, bushels of 50 Butter, pounds of 20 Molasses, gallons of 70 Value of animals slaughtered $87 In the special Chambers Co. AL census of 1855 (pg. 38), he is shown with seven whites and no slaves in his homestead. At this time he shows five children who would have been, Lucynthia, James Madison, Tabitha, Nancy Laura and Theodosia. He was in transit between the census of 1855 and 1860 and is shown in the 1860 census living in the Buchanan area of Randolph Co., AL (pg. 156), age forty-one with his wife, Ann, age thirty and children Lucintha, 16; James M., 12; Theodosia, 11(listed as a female); Tabitha A., 9; Nancy L., 7; John F., 5; and William L., 1. Daughter, Nancy Laura, is shown as being born in Roanoke, Randolph Co., in 1853. Sometime before the 1860 census, he relocated his family from Chambers Co. to an area around Buchanan, which was about twelve miles north of Roanoke, AL, near the GA line. According to the U.S. Postal Dept. archives, Buchanan had an U.S. post office from 1857-1866. Old maps show Buchanan as being south of Potash and Big Springs about half way between them and level with Tin Shop. The Randolph Co. courthouse burned in the late 1890's and property records were lost, making it difficult to trace his land purchased and sales in this area. The agricultural census record of Randolph Co., AL in 1860 is located at the University of NC. William is shown in the Buchanan area, pg. 49 and 50. He had a good- sized farming operation as follows: Improved land, acres 80 Unimproved land, acres 102 Cash value of farm $1000 Value of farming implements $250 Horses 1 Asses and mules 2 Milch cows 1 Working oxen 2 Sheep 4 Swine 15 Value of livestock $800 Indian Corn, bushels of 300 Ginned cotton, bales @ 400 lbs. ea. 9 Peas and beans, bushels of 50 Irish potatoes, bushels of 3 Sweet potatoes, bushels of 20 Value of orchard products $5 Butter, lbs. of 100 Beeswax, lbs. of 5 Honey, lbs. of 100 Value of homemade manufactures $30 Value of animals slaughtered $240 The nine bales of cotton (3600 lbs.) are the most valuable item. During the Civil War, cotton jumped to $1.26 per pound. Returning to Chambers Co., he purchased several parcels of land on November 2, 1863 that totaled 275 acres. The price was $2000, (Confederate money). This land included the property later purchased by Basil B. McGinty, where William's original home was located. The Bethlehem Missionary Baptist church and cemetery is shown on the deed as owning five acres within this plot. The present Fairview cemetery is located on the site of this early church. This church was founded in 1835 and the building was located on this property until 1870, when it was moved to Fairfax. William Pitts purchased this land from Elizabeth Wright of Harris Co., GA (recorded in Chambers Co. deed book 18, pg. 615/616). She had purchased it from John and Elizabeth Standard on December 20, 1858 (deed book 13, pg. 303). The Standard's purchased this land from Tim and Terry Collins (deed book 11, pg. 345). The Collins had purchased it from Cherry and Wallace in 1852 (deed book 10, pg. 496). James A. Cherry purchased part of it from William Dougherty on December 21, 1840. Dougherty had purchased it in July 1840. After the Creek treaty in 1832, ninety of their Chiefs were awarded one half of a section each to either live on for five years or sell. The 160 acres of this land in section twenty-nine was awarded to Chief Cho-full-war. Eighty acres of the land in section 32 was awarded to Chief Ko-wok-koo-oh-e-har-jo (1832 map at Cobb Archives, Valley, AL). William Pitts lived on this land until his death in 1901. The property was then sold by his heirs to his son-in-law, M.M. Tomme in November 1901 (deed book 28, pg. 336). Civil War records in the National Archives show W. P. McGinty, as a Private in Capt. H.F. Dunston's 4th Alabama Reserves. This unit included about eighty men from the area. This company subsequently became Company E, 4th Regiment, Alabama Reserves. William Pitts mustered into this unit August 5, 1864, in Opelika, AL. His enlistment documents give us his description as 45 years old, five feet ten inches tall, blue eyes, dark hair and fair complexion. His service records do not show his active duty in this unit. However, at the time, there was a crisis in Mobile which was under attack by Adm. Farragut and all available AL reserves were ordered to report there. The 4th AL was on post in Mobile by November 20, 1864. On February 7, 1865, they were ordered to Montgomery to help defend that area and arrived on February 20, 1865, 150 present for duty and according to the CSA records, were "very much disorganized." The 1870 census (pg. 215) finds him in Chambers Co. at age fifty-one with his wife, Ann, and children James Madison, 22; Theodosia, 20 (listed as a female); Laura Nancy, 18; John Franklin, 15; William Levin, 11; George, 9; Wiley P., 6; and Mary Reece "Molly," 2. Tabitha, age 20, does not show in the census. Perhaps she was married by then. In 1880, at age sixty-one, the census shows him with his wife Ann and all of the children in the 1870 census with the addition of Andrew J., age eight. It also shows Tabitha A., age 29, again living in his house. Ann Moore McGinty died in 1898 of acute bronchitis, and her son, James Madison McGinty wrote her epitaph and it was published in the Gospel Messenger, in 1898, pg. 326. It reads as follows: "With a heart full of sorrow and deep affliction, I write to inform our relatives, brethren, and sisters of the death of our dear mother. Mrs. Ann M. McGinty, who died at her home near River View, Chambers Co., AL, Feb. 5, 1898, sixty-eight years old less twenty-six days. She was the daughter of Levin and Penelope Moore. She was born in Jones Co., GA in the year 1830, and in early life moved with her parents to Chambers Co., AL; and on the eleventh day of April, 1846, she was married to W. P. McGinty, and to this union were born eleven children, nine of whom, with her aged husband, mourn her death. She was a faithful and true wife, a kind and good mother, always ready to administer to the wants of her family. She was a great sufferer for a number of years, but bore her afflictions with great fortitude. She was a strong believer in the doctrine of salvation by grace, having joined the Primitive Baptist church at Ephesus, Chambers Co., AL, in the year 1846, which church sustains a great loss." William Pitts is shown in the 1900 Chambers Co., AL, census at age eighty living with the family of his son, James Madison McGinty. He died in January 1901. His son, Wiley P. McGinty, Sr., was the agent for his heirs and after his death, published the following article in the October 9, 1901 edition of the Lafayette Alabama Sun: "By agreement among the heirs, I will offer for sale at the highest and best bidder for cash on Saturday, November 2, 1901, the following described lands, property of Wm. P. McGinty, deceased, 130 acres in Beat 13, Chambers Co., AL, and one and a half miles west of River View, AL, 70 acres under cultivation, 60 acres original woods, one 5 room dwelling, tenant house, stables, outhouse, etc. Lands well watered. Sale on premises." The interrogatory that was taken at the time that his son, William Levin was admitted to Bryce hospital gives us a picture of William Pitts McGinty and Ann Moore McGinty. It reads: "Father, William P. McGinty; deceased; farmer; born in GA; stood well (in community); considered peculiar and was insane (?); used tobacco and whiskey moderately; he and his wife were second cousins (this was an error, they were actually first cousins); he was forty years old when patient was born; suffered with sick headaches; died of lagrippe (influenza) at the age of eighty-one. His people all lived to be old - his sisters lived to be about eighty-five." His mother's account reads: "Mother, Ann M. McGinty; born in GA; died of acute bronchitis at the age of sixty-eight years. Moral standing good; used snuff; generally healthy; condition of health good before patients birth at which time she was thirty years old." This is purely speculation, but the fact that his father, William Pitts and mother, Ann Moore was first cousins could have caused genetic problems that led to William's condition. The mention here of William Pitts being "insane" is probably a bit misleading. We do not know what the definition of insane was at the time. William Pitts certainly lived a full life and was a successful farmer who raised a large family. Excerpt from Our McGinty Family in America and reproduced with the permission of the author, Gerald K. "Jerry" McGinty, Sr., June 24, 2003