Pitts Family History

Emma Flaye Pitts Family History

This site's families include Pitts, Huff, Teague, Martin, Stroud, Jones, Ledford and Braizier. They lived in Forsyth NC, Stokes NC, Rowan NC, Frederick VA, King William VA, Isle of Wight VA and Baltimore MD.

Emma Flaye Pitts was born in 1883 in Forsyth, NC. She married William David Tussey in circa 1900. He and Emma moved from city to city in NC as William pursued work in his cabinetmaker profession. They had four daughters Hyacinth, Dahlia, Grace and Virginia each born in a different city. The family eventually settled at 3120 Bapaume Ave Norfolk VA in circa 1920. Emma died in 1950 at Norfolk, VA at age 66. She and William were buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Norfolk, VA.

Emma's father was Andrew Jackson Pitts. Andrew was the fifth generation of farmers who lived in the Forsyth County (previously Rowan) area of NC. Each generation had large families. Andrew had three wives with children from each. Emma's mother was Andrew's first wife Martha Ann Huff. Andrew maintained his farm like a game preserve and no one was allowed to kill anything, consequently there was an abundance of game on the farm including wild turkeys.

All that is known of Martha Huff's family is that her father was David and her mother was Matilda.

Andrew's parents were Aquilla Bedford PITTS and Rebecca MARTIN. Aquilla was an active Republican in a Democratic County. He served as a Justice of the Court and in the NC Militia during the Civil war with no record of combat.

Aquilla was the oldest of the 12 children of Issac Pitts and Martha Teague. Aquilla's brother Samuel was a Quaker who moved to Indiana to avoid the Civil War. It is believed that either Samuel or one of the other Pitts' ancestors was related to Zasu Pitts the silent film star. Both the Pitts and Teague families have a strong genealogical record.

The earliest known Pitts was Thomas Pitt who was born circa 1535 in England. He was Chamberlain of Bristol and a very successful merchant. Note that his great-great grandson was English Prime Minister William Pitt. Thomas' grandson Robert Pitt moved to Virginia before 1637 where he accumulated many thousands of acres. Between 1649 and 1660 he served as a member of the House of Burgesses for Isle of Wight County. He also served as a Lt. Colonel in 1662, commanding the Isle of Wight Militia and on the Governor's Council. Robert's grandson was John Pitts who was born circa 1690 and who change the name from Pitt to Pitts. John's son Andrew was born circa 1720 moved to Rowan County NC where the Pitts lived for five generations. Andrew was Emma's great-great-great grandfather.

The earliest know Teague was John Teague who was born in circa 1635 in England. He and his son Edward immigrated to Baltimore MD before 1675. Edward's son William, who was born in 1693, sold his Father's land in 1714 and moved to Frederick VA. His grandson Abraham who was born in 1739 moved to Rowan NC. Abraham's granddaughter was Martha Teague who married Issac Pitts.