Person:William Pitman (18)

Research Notes

• named "William Henry Harrison" after the 9th president of the United States
• named as "William Henry" in his father's will

Biography

William H.H. Pitman was born in Cambridge City, Indiana on 4 Apr 1840 to Eli and Hannah (Reed) Pitman. His father was a cabinet maker and undertaker.

In Oct 1862, William's older brother John enlisted in the 19th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry and six months later in Apr 1863, William did the same. John had been placed in Company A. William was placed in Company B (aka the "Richmond City Greys"), where he served three years, fighting in the Battle of Fredericksburg, the Battle of Gettysburg, and the Battle of the Wilderness. It was during the Battle of the Wilderness that William was wounded and his brother John was taken prisoner. William was transferred to Company C, where he served the remainder of the war and mustered out on 6 Jul 1865.

William returned to Indiana and married Adaline E Hughes on 18 Jan 1866 in Wayne County. He worked as a shoemaker for much of his adult life and owned a shop in Hagerstown. He also served as Postmaster for Jefferson township around the turn of the century. He and his wife made their home with her family members, the Hughes, for their entire married life. There were no children.

On 7 Feb 1911, at the age of 70, William Pitman passed away. He is buried in West Lawn Cemetery, Hagerstown, Indiana. The Cambridge City Tribune printed his death notice as follows:

William H. Pitman born in Cambridge City, April 4 1840, died at his home in Hagerstown, of paralysis, on Monday, after months of illness. Mr. Pitman resided here until after the Civil war, having served as a member of Co. B., Nineteenth Indiana. Since that time he has lived in Hagerstown, where he was held in high esteem as a citizen. Has served as postmaster and filled other responsible public positions there and all with good record. His wife and two brothers, Lee Pitman, of this place, and Warner Pitman, of New Castle, survive him. Funeral Thursday afternoon from the home.¹

1.   Cambridge City Tribune. (Cambridge City, Indiana)
   3, 9 Feb 1911.
2. ↑ Wayne, Indiana, United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication M432).

   Year: 1850; Census Place: Cambridge City, Wayne, Indiana; Roll: M432_180; Page: 18B; Image: 42.
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   Name: William H Pitman Age: 10 Birth Year: abt 1840 Birthplace: Indiana Home in 1850: Cambridge City, Wayne, Indiana Gender: Male Family Number: 257

   
3. ↑ Wayne, Indiana, United States. 1860 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication M693).

   Year: 1860; Census Place: Cambridge City, Wayne, Indiana; Roll: M653_308; Page: 402; Image: 403; Family History Library Film: 803308.
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   Name: Will Pitman Age in 1860: 20 Birth Year: abt 1840 Birthplace: Indiana Home in 1860: Cambridge City, Wayne, Indiana Gender: Male Post Office: Cambridge City

   
4. ↑ 1870 census.
5. ↑ Wayne, Indiana, United States. 1880 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication T9).

   Year: 1880; Census Place: Hagerstown, Wayne, Indiana; Roll: 321; Family History Film: 1254321; Page: 87D; Enumeration District: 058; Image: 0723.
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   Name: William H. Pitman Age: 40 Birth Year: abt 1840 Birthplace: Indiana Home in 1880: Hagerstown, Wayne, Indiana Race: White Gender: Male Relation to Head of House: Self (Head) Marital Status: Married Spouse's Name: Ada E. Pitman Father's Birthplace: North Carolina Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania Neighbors: View others on page Occupation: Shoe Maker

6. ↑ Wayne, Indiana, United States. 1900 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication T623).

   Year: 1900; Census Place: Jefferson, Wayne, Indiana; Roll: T623_412; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 150.
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   Name: William H Bitman [William H Pitman] Age: 60 Birth Date: Apr 1840 Birthplace: Indiana Home in 1900: Jefferson, Wayne, Indiana
   [Wayne] Race: White Gender: Male Relation to Head of House: Brother-in-law Marital Status: Married Marriage Year: 1866 Years married: 34 Father's Birthplace: Indiana Mother's Birthplace: Indiana Mother: number of living children: 0 Mother: How many children: 0

7. ↑ Wayne, Indiana, United States. 1910 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration Publication T624).

   Year: 1910; Census Place: Hagerstown Ward 1, Wayne, Indiana; Roll: T624_387; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 0175; Image: 729; FHL Number: 1374400.
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   Name: William H Pitman Age in 1910: 70 Birth Year: 1840 Birthplace: Indiana Home in 1910: Hagerstown Ward 1, Wayne, Indiana Race: White Gender: Male Relation to Head of House: Brother-in-law Marital Status: Married Father's Birthplace: North Carolina Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina

8. ↑ 36706492 , in Find A Grave.
9. ↑ ^9.0 9.1 Wayne, Indiana, United States. Index Book H-9, p 82.