Missouri Database

Home Index Probates and Wills Marriages Other Documents Heirlooms Photos Tombstones Search

Notes for Francis Bittick

Francis Bittick was born in September 1759 [See Heirlooms: Francis and Mary Bittick Bible Record]. His birth place is not known but was possibly in either North or South Carolina [see AGBI excerpt below]. Although there were other Bittick/Biddix families in what was then the American colonies, no proof of their relationship to Francis has been established. Francis and Mary Stanfield were married February 15, 1780, according to the Francis & Mary Bittick Bible record [See Heirlooms: Francis and Mary Bittick Bible Record]. According to the Quaker records, Mary Biddock (formerly Stanfield) was disowned for marrying out of unity (marrying a non-Quaker) on February 3, 1781 at the Cane Creek Monthly Meeting in Orange County, North Carolina. Francis was still in Surry County, North Carolina in 1783 [see Surry Co, NC Will Abstracts excerpts below] and seems to have left after August 2, 1790.

Francis Bittick was enumerated twice in the 1790 census [see census information below], once in Surry County, North Carolina, and once in Pendleton County, South Carolina. Since state and county boundaries were not well defined at this time, occasionally the same area was enumerated by two different counties. This seems unlikely since Francis' neighbors do not appear on both Surry & Pendleton County censuses. Out of 1,433 Pendleton County households, we found only Francis Bittick, Samuel Brown & James Durham have identical entries in both counties. The distance between these two areas, over 150 miles, also makes it unlikely that a census enumerator "strayed" outside his county. Apparently, Francis was still in Surry County, North Carolina on or about August 2, 1790 when that census was taken, and then moved to Pendleton County, South Carolina before May 17, 1791 when that county's census was taken.

It is not known exactly when Francis and family left the Carolinas, but they were in the St. Louis area about the time of the Louisiana Purchase (1803). According to a document in the Missouri State Archives, Francis had land southwest of St. Louis on the Merrimac River before December 20, 1803, which he occupied and cultivated with the permission of "the proper Spanish officer" [see Other Documents-Francis Bittick Land Claim-1808]. The United States officially took possession of the Louisiana Territory on December 20, 1803. Francis made a considerable effort to have his pre-Louisiana Purchase land grant recognized by the U. S. government. There are several documents regarding this land grant [see below]. Francis and his sons, Thomas, John and Samuel also appear on the 1810 petition requesting the U. S. government recognize Spanish and French land grants [see Other Documents-1810 Louisiana Territory Petition to Land Commissioners]. Finally, in 1811 his claim to 640 acres of land on the Merrimac was recognized by the U. S government; this was about half of his original grant. This land is located in the vicinity of the Six Flags Over Missouri, near Eureka [see Other Documents--Francis Bittick, Map, Survey 2010]. The last known record of Francis is in 1816 when he sold this land [see below]. Francis does not appear on any early Missouri property tax records between 1816 and 1830 and is not listed in the 1830 Missouri census.

TIMELINE:

September 1759, Francis born, [see Heirlooms: Francis and Mary Bittick Bible Record below]

3 February 1781, Francis Bitttick and Mary Stanfield married in North Carolina [see Heirlooms: Francis and Mary Bittick Bible Record]

August 1789, Surry County, North Carolina (regarding John Whitehead giving power of attorney to Francis Bittick) [see Surry Co, NC Will Abstracts excerpts below].

On or after 2 August, 1790, enumerated in Surry County, North Carolina [census]

17 May, 1791, enumerated in Pendleton County, South Carolina [census]

on and before 20 December, 1803--Francis Bittick living in the District of St. Louis Territory nearly one mile north of the Merrimac River & about twenty eight mile nearly South west of St. Louis [see Other Documents-Francis Bittick Land Claim-1808]

22 May 1804: Francis Bittick indebted to Ammon Davis [see Other Documents: Davis vs Bittick]

April 1805 - July 1807: Ammon Davis v Francis Bittick in Court of Common Pleas, Town of St. Louis, District of St. Louis, Territory of Louisiana Davis [see Other Documents: Davis vs Bittick]

May 1806: Subpoena for Leonard Ferrer and Alexander McCourtney Davis [see Other Documents: Davis vs Bittick]

May 1807: Judgement: Francis Bittick to pay Ammon Davis his costs and charges $41.21 & 1/2 cents Davis [see Other Documents: Davis vs Bittick]

1804-1813, Francis Bittick possesed, inhabited & cultivated 800 arpens of land on the Meramec River, St. Louis County, Missouri [see Other Documents: Francis Bittick Land Claim Granted]

about 1804-1805, Francis Bittick's claim to 1350 arpents (an arpent is about an acre) of land in the "Marrimack Distrist" of St. Louis not granted [see Other Documents-Francis Bittick Land Claim Denial]

1805, Deed, St. Louis, Missouri, Land Grant, Survey #2010 [see Other Documents--map, Francis Bittick Survey 2010]

25 January, 1806, survey date for Francis Bittick's claim to 800 arpens of land on the Meramec River, St. Louis County, Missouri [see Other Documents: Francis Bittick Land Claim Granted]

23 April 1807—Writ issued to Sheriff 23 April 1807 to have Francis Bitticks in St. Louis on the first Tuesday in May to answer unto Joseph Kaffer of a plea of trespass, damages $1,000 [see Keffer vs Bitticks, Item 1]

May 1807—May Term 1807, Sheriff Conner reimbursed 12 ˝ cents in Keffer vs Bitticks [see Keffer vs Bitticks, Item 3]

1 June 1807--Writ issued to Sheriff 01 June 1807 to have Francois Bitticks in St. Louis first Tuesday in October; to answer Joseph Kaffer of a plea of trespass, damages $1,000 [see Keffer vs Bitticks, Item 2]

October 1807—October Term 1807, Sheriff Conner reimbursed $3.59 ˝ (writ, bond, milage, return) in Keffer vs Bitticks [see Keffer vs Bitticks, Item 4]

27 June, 1808--Francis Bittick claims 1350 arpents of land in District of St. Louis Territory which he had inhabited on and prior to 20 December, 1803 [see Other Documents-Francis Bittick Land Claim-1808]

1810, Louisiana Territory, Land Petition, Section 14 (petition requesting U. S. recognize Spanish & French land grants) [see Other Documents-1810 Louisiana Territory Land Petition]

18 October, 1811, Francis' claim to 1,350 arpents of land on Merrimack, District of St. Louis not granted [see below]

18 October, 1811, Francis' claim to 640 acres Survey #2010 granted (French & Spanish land grant) [see below]

14 September, 1816, Francis sold 640 acres of land on the Merrimac to William Inks; this is the last record of Francis Bittick [see below]

1837, William, John, John F., Elijah and Frances Cheairs and Frances Bettict signed the April 22, 1837 Petition to Create Houston County, Texas [see Other Documents]. If this is Francis, he could have moved to Arkansas and later Texas with his daughter Eleanor and her husband, John Francis Cheairs, Jr. [see below]
******
[see Heirlooms--Francis and Mary Bittick Bible Record]
Francis and Mary Bittick Bible Record

Francis Bittick was born on the
__th Day of the 9th Month in the year of our Lord 1759

Mary Bittick was born on the
26th Day of the 6th Month in the year of our Lord 1761 (or 1764)

Francis Bittick and Mary Bittick was married the
15th Day of February in the year of our Lord 1780

John Bittick born 13 September ad 1781
Philipina Bittick born 20 October ad 1783
Samuel Bittick born 26 January ad 1785
Thomas Bittick born 9th December ad 1788
Hannah Bittick born 9th April ad 1790
Eleaner Bittick born __ August ad 1792
Elizabeth Bittick born 15 May ad 1795
Solomon Bittick born 29 January ad 1797
William Bittick born 20 October ad 1799
Simeon Bittick born 7 February ad 1802
Nancy Bittick born 6 March ad 1804
Mary Bittick born 9 September ad 1806
Francis B. Lasster born _7 May ad 18__ (or 17 May 1814)
Francis Hildebrand born 29 December AD ... 1809
Abraham Hildebrand born 6 May AD ... 1811
William Hildebrand born 16 October AD ... 1813
Mary Hildebrand born 23 April AD ... 1816
Lucinda Hildebrand born 16 March AD ... 1817
Meranda Hildebrand born 17 October AD ... 1818
******
CENSUS RECORDS:
The 1790 Census was enumerated as of 02 August 1790, the 1st Monday. 9 months were allowed to complete.
1790 No Township Listed, Salisbury District?, Surry Co, North Carolina, p518, column 1, line 23:
Francis Bitticks - 1 / 3 / 3 / 0 / 0
1 free white males 16+ bef 1774 = Francis Bittick b. Sep 1759
3 free white males -16 c1774-1700 = John Bittick b. 13 Sep 1781
= Samuel Bittick b. 26 Jan 1785
= Thomas Stanfield Bittick b. 09 Dec 1788
3 free white females
1. Mary Stanfield = b. 26 June 1764
2. Philipina Bittick = b. 20 Oct 1783
3. Hannah Bittick = b. 08 Apr 1790
0 Slaves

1790 96th District, Pendleton Co, South Carolina; May 17, 1791 actual enumeration date; August 2, 1790, official date of census
Francis Bittick - 1 / 3 / 3 / 0 / 0
1 free white males 16+ bef 1774 = Francis Bittick b. Sep 1759
3 free white males -16 c1774-1700 = John Bittick b. 13 Sep 1781
= Samuel Bittick b. 26 Jan 1785
= Thomas Stanfield Bittick b. 09 Dec 1788
3 free white females
1. Mary Stanfield = b. 26 June 1764
2. Philipina Bittick = b. 20 Oct 1783
3. Hannah Bittick = b. 08 Apr 1790
0 Slaves
******
Heads of Families at the first U.S. census. SC. By U.S. Bureau of the Census. Washington, 1908. (150p.):84
BITTICK Francis Born: 175? Birth Place: South Carolina
******
Courtesy of Larry A. Biddix to Dorothy Miller, to Mary Bittick Gallano about 1990:
Surry County, North Carolina Will Abstracts Vols 1-3 1771-18927 (1771-1892?) by Jo White Linn, pub 1974, Mrs Stahle Linn, Jr., Box 978 Salisbury, NC 28144, $15.00:
1. Vol 2, p. 39 = John Whitehead to Francis Bittick, power of attorney. 11 Aug 1789. No witness. Recorded August Court 1789.
2. Vol. 2, p39a = Francis Bittick to Henry Speer Esq power of attorney 14 Aug 1789. Witness: John Williams, Jo. Williams. Recorded August Court 1789.
3. Surry Co, NC Court Minutes - 12 Aug 1789- Power of attorney from John Whitehead to Francis Bittick, acknowledged by said Whitehead.
******
Missouri Archives; copy courtesy of Dwight Bittick:
Francis Bittick claiming 1350 arpents of land situate Marrimack District of St. Louis, produces a notice to the Recorder
It is the opinion of the Board this claim ought not be granted.
[No one on this page received grants. Dates on this page: March 28, 1804, above entry for Francis, and May 2nd, 1805, below entry for Francis.] [see Other Documents--Francis Bittick Land Claim Denial]
******
Missouri Archives; copy courtesy of Dwight Bittick:
To the Recorder of Land Claims for the Territory of Louisiana Francis Bittick claims thirteen hundred and fifty arpents of Land French Imperial measure situated on plat [or flat] creek, in the District of St. Louis Territory aforesaid nearly one mile north of the Merrimack River & about twenty eight mile nearly South west of St. Louis which I claim under & by [nature?] of the Laws of congress[?] & by [nature?] of my having actually inhabited and cultivated thereon, on and prior to the twentieth day of December 1803 by and with the permission of the proper Spanish officer. June 27th 1808 Francis Bittick [see Other Documents-Francis Bittick Land Claim-1808]
******
Courtesy of Mary Bittick Gallano:
Early Settlers of Missouri as Taken from Land Claims in the Missouri Territory by Walter Lowrie, The American State Papers, Vol 2, pg 508.
"Francis Bittick, claiming one thousand three hundred and fifty arpents of land, situate on Merrimack, district of St. Louis; produces to the Board a notice to the recorder. October 18, 1811: Present, full Board. It is the opinion of the Board that this claim ought not to be granted."

This may also be found on the Library of Congress web site:
American State Papers, House of Representatives, 12th Congress, 2nd Session [1812], Public Lands: Volume 2; Land Claims in the Missouri Territory; Page 508 Public Lands [see Other Documents: Francis Bittick [1759]-Land Claim Rejected, 1811]
******
Courtesy of Mary Bittick Gallano:
"Francis Bittick, Survey #2010, 640 acres, confirmed, approved and recorded October 18, 1811, Vol 5, pg 376. Township 44 North, Range 3 East." Atlas of the City & County of St. Louis by Congressional Townships: Showing all the surveys of the Public Lands, and of the confirmed French & Spanish Grants, New Madrid Locations, and entried of Public Lands up to the 1st day of January 1838, with the names of the original claimants, and the number of acres claimed by each. Published by E. Durpee, St. Louis, 1838, reprinted in 1985 by Capital City Family Research, 3029 Oak Valley Dr., Jefferson City, MO 65101.
******
[see Other Documents: Francis Bittick Land Claim Granted]
Library of Congress [web site]
American State Papers, House of Representatives, 15th Congress, 1st Session [1818], Public Lands: Volume 3
Claims in Louisiana and Missouri, page 307
REPORT OF THE OPINIONS OF THE RECORDER OF LAND TITLES FOR THE TERRITORY OF MISSOURI, &c.
Grants of Claims Founded on Settlements, Under the Several Acts of Congress Commencing with that of 13th June 1812 , and ending with that of 12th April, 1814 .

Permit
Survey: 25 January, 1806
Claimant: Francis Bittick
Land Claimed: 800 arpens
Situation: Waters of Meramec County of St. Louis
Acts of ownership: Poss., inh., and cult. from 1804 to 1813
Opinions of the Recorder: Granted 640 acres

According to Atlas of the City & County of St. Louis by Congressional Townships (above), this claim was granted October 18, 1811.
******
Courtesy of Mary Bittick Gallano:
St. Louis County, MO--Deed Book F, pg 89, dated September 14, 1816:
"This Indenture made this Fourteen day of September in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixteen, between Francis Bittick of the District of St. Louis and Territory of Missouri of the one part and William Inks of the District and Territory aforesaid, of the other part, withnesseth that the said Francis Bittick for and in consideration on the sum of Five Hundred dollars to him in had paid the receipt where of he doth hereby acknowledge hath granted, bargained, sold and aliened, infee of and confirm unto the said William Inks, his heirs, and assign Six Hundred Forty Acres of land, lying on the North side of the Merimac on fet together with all the privileges and assertainances there unto belonging or in any assertaing unto the said William Inks, his heirs, executors and administrators doth convenant and agree with said William Inks, his heirs and assigns the said piece or parcel of land containing Six Hundred Forty Acres together with all and singular the priviledges thereunto belonging or in any appertaining the said Francis Bittick forever warrant and defend against all the lawful claims or from myself, my heirs and assign and every other person whatso ever (go) to the only proper use benefit of him the same William Inks his heirs and assigns for ever. In withess where of the said Francis Bittick hath hereunto signed his name and fixed his seal the day and date above written. Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of Daniel B. Moore, Wolsi X Hunley (his mark). Franicis Bittick (seal)"
"Be it remembered that on the fourteenth day of September in the year of our Lord on thousand eight hundred and sixteen personally appeared before me Francis Bittick and acknowledged the above to be his act and deed in testiminary where of I have hereunto set my hand this day and date above written. Daniel B. Moore J. P. Recorded this Nineteenth day of October 1816. M. P. Leduc, Clk."

[In the 1830 St. Louis Census p317, Simeon Bittick (probably Francis' son) is living next to Joseph Inks. Wiliam Inks is on p316; he and his wife are 50-60 years of age. It is believed that this is William who purchased the land from Francis. This is the last known record of Francis Bittick--he would have been about 57 years old. He probably died before the first census of Missouri in 1830. Since he did not own any land after 1816, he does not show up on any early property tax list. It is probable he lived the remainder of his life with one of his children.--Mary Bittick Gallano]
******
[see Other Documents-A History of Missouri]
Chapter from A History of Missouri by Louis Houck in which the following appears:
"Francois Bittick had a grant adjoining Courtois" (from A History of Missouri, Louis Houck, Vol 2, pg. 75, published 1908)

This book may be found on-line at University of Missouri Digital Library, under Missouri History, Geology, Culture: http://digital.library.umsystem.edu/
******
[Petition courtesy of Lavinia Nance and Sandra Perry:]

William, John, John F., Elijah and Frances Cheairs and Frances Bettict signed the April 22, 1837 Petition to Create Houston County, Texas [see Other Documents]

Frances Bettict could be Francis Bittick. If he was a Bittick, he could have been Francis Bittick born 1759. This Francis sold his land in Missouri in 1816 and has not been found in Missouri records after that date. He could have gone to Arkansas and later to Texas with his daughter Eleanor and her husband John Francis Cheairs, Jr. He would have been 78 years old in 1837. It is also possible that Francis Bittick born 1809 could have signed this petition. This Francis appears in various Arkansas records until 1850, and according to his son, Samuel Guinn, moved to Texas in 1852. Although there's no evidence he was in Texas in 1837, it is possible that he signed this petition.
HOME | SURNAMES |

Page built by Gedpage Version 2.20 ©2000 on 12 June 2012

 Legal Disclaimer; Copyright 2002-2013 by Show Me...The Bitticks; www.showmethebitticks.com; Mary Bittick Gallano and Ronda J. Snider --