Hindman, Kentucky.

February 6, 1942.

As I understand it my people came to this state from VA, having previously 

migrated from North Carolina. They  (as legend has it, took part in the

war of independence. Also they have borne their share of fighting in every 

war since.

then the civil war broke out, some went into the Northern army, some

followed Lee, even through the terrific fighting. In the wilderness, 

I have heard then tell of being present when Lee surrended. They told 

me that the soldiers carried off a largee apple tree, for the momentos, 

that stood where General Lee gave up his sword. Everyone who could get 

a little scrap of the tree carried it off in their pocket, Our line of 

the Ritchies boasts some English and Scottish blood and some of them were 

as keen with their fists. My great grandfather was among the first settlers 

of Kentucky. There is a story  (whether true or not) that he gave a ninty 

years lease on a large boundary of land for a jug of liquor. His name was 

Crocket Ritchie. Below is my lineage:

Crocket Ritchie - Great Grandfather, Gabriel Ritchie, Grandfather -

Manford Ritchie - father.

Now my grandfather, Gabe Ritchie was born about 1818. He married Nancy

Campbell and lived in the Kentucky Mountains until 1849. He then sold a

large tract of land for 6000.00 dollars and joined the gold rush for

California.

After crossing the Mississippi, the took a train of covered wagons. A

company of them under took to walk a near way in order to lighten the

wagons load for a few miles and got lost from the train. I have heard my

father tell many stories about their wanderings in the West. When the 

Mississippi and Kansas war broke out, grandpa owned 100 acre farm at the 

mouth of Sugar Creek on White river in Arkansas. He took no part in the 

John Brown raids, but left his farm unsold and came back to the Kentucky 

hills, I do not know the date of his death, but Grandma died 

January 11, 1918.

I could write a week telling one story after another of things that

happened to my people, but that would not help you any in your history

writing, I trust that what little I have been able to tell may be at

least a little help to you.

DD Ritchie.


Submitted by Susan Fahnstrom