Does anyone have ANY information on the above couple? They were both born in the early
1800's. Apparently, Dorcas died sometime after the birth of their youngest child,
John Harrison Dewitt, in 1844, and 1847, when John was adopted out to the Nelson Fitzwater
family.
There are several of us who are working on the theory that there were several older
children, as well, who were probably adopted out at the same time as John H., but we are
having trouble proving this, as there are so few records available for this time period.
The following is a Samuel Dewitt listed on the 1840 Wharton Twp., Fayette Co., PA Census:
1male,0-5yr.old-1male,5-10yr.old,1male,30-40yr.old(Samuel),1female,0-5yr.old,1female,5-10yr.old,1female10-15yr.old,1female20-30yr.old(Dorcas?)
This would make the family consisting of three girls and two boys, in addition to John,
who was born in later in 1844.
Next door is John Casteel and his wife, Margaret (Friend) Casteel, and their daughter,
Mary (Casteel) & her husband, William Dewitt.
Is this Samuel and Dorcas? Are they somehow related to the Casteel family next door?
(Perhaps Dorcas is John's sister?)
I would be very grateful for any help or suggestions!
Lynne