GREENWOOD-RITCHIE
"Our mother's maiden name was Margaret Greenwood. She was born near Chambersburg, PA, November 15, 1792. When she was four years old, she, with her parents, emigrated to Fincastle, Virginia. Her father, William Greenwood, was an Englishman and her mother, whose maiden name was Jane Ritchie, was of Scotch Coventer descent. In emigrating to Virginia, our mother's parents followed the fortunes of a maternal uncle, Robert Ritchie, who had gone to Virginia some years before for the purpose of investing money in western lands, Virginia being considered west at that time. Our mother with her parents proceeded on their journey in a huge covered wagon.
When the emigrants landed in Virginia and sought the uncle, they were doomed to disappointment. Robert Ritchie, the uncle, had purchased land indeed rich and valuable on the James River in Rockbridge County, but he had so far forgotten his teaching, and stocked his plantation with slaves like those around him. Our grandfather would have no ownership in slaves. When one was left him as an inheiritance he unlocked the chain and gave liberty to the captive. He purchased a farm of considerable value in sight of the Blue Ridge Mountains and near the Catawba River about four miles from Fincastle, the county seat of Botetourt County. Here were added to the family of Elizabeth, Robert, Jane, and Mary. Our grandfather took his death sickness, consumption of the bowles, when comparatively a young man. After trying the water of White Sulphur Springs for healing he returned home to die, and his remains lie in the Presbyterian Churchyard in Fincastle.
When our mother was about twenty years of age, slavery became insultingly imperious and defiant. Class distinctions were formed and the outlook was perilous for a young and promising family. Our grandmother saw the situation. The farm could not be sold, because of the minor children. But she rented it and started with the family of a neighbor by the name of Whitehill though the wilderness for the free State of Ohio...".
