Obituary of David Harlin Pitman(1869-1949) Chula Vista CA

Last Rites Held For D. H. Pitman

Funeral services for David Harlin Pitman, 80, who died Sunday in Paradise Valley sanitarium, were conducted at Hubbard mortuary Monday afternoon. The Reverend Clive Williams officiated and burial in Glen Abbey followed. Mr. Pitman, a retired farmer, was born February 25, 1869 in Smithville, Tennessee and resided Tennessee for 29 years later moving to Texas where he lived until moving to Chula Vista in 1942, Survivors include his Mrs. Minnie May Pitman, Chula Vista and the following sons and daughters: Mrs. M. C. Walters, Chula Vista, Mrs. M. P. Smith and Virty L. Pitman, both of El Cajon, Mrs. Mary Cheatwood, Carpenteria, Mrs. Lydia Kendall, Mrs. Rosa Rudolph, Mrs. Billie Gowan, Ollie Ellis, Altie Hendrix, I. L. Pitman, R.V. Pitman, 0. S. Pitman, all of Texas and Mattie, Matthews of Leavenworth, Kansas. Of Mr. Pitman's 48 grandchildren the following reside in this area: David and Patsy Pitman, and Carolyn, Terry and Charles Smith. He is also survived by 20 great grandchildren.

Source:

"Last Rites Held For D. H. Pitman," The Chula Vista Star, August 19, 1949, p 14, col 6; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-chula-vista-star-last-rites-held-for/38098237/ : accessed April 24, 2026), clip page for Last Rites Held for D. H Pitman by user rmbeckman

Celebrating 22 years of Blogging!!

I'm celebrating 22 years of blogging here at MarieB's Genealogy Blog this week!!  In honor of that, I'm highlighting #22 on my Ahnentafel chart which is my 2nd Great Grandfather, David W. Frizzell.

David W. Frizzell (1808–1870) was a long-time resident of Bedford County, Tennessee living the majority of his life in the Bell Buckle Tennessee area according to census and tax records. He was the son of James M Frizzell and his wife Mary Kennedy. David married Rebecca Manley on November 15th of 1834. Evidence supporting Rebecca's maiden name as Manley can be found in the Frizzell Bible Records and by examining the mother's name on the death certificates of 4 of  David and Rebecca's children(John, Henry, Abbie and Annie.) When their son John B Frizzell's widow passed in 1938, the court records listed all of John B's siblings(Children of David and Rebecca) who had surviving heirs.  You can read more about that at my blog post HERE.    

Child	Birth Year
Lee Andrew Frizzell	1835
Margaret Catherine Frizzell	1837
James Reuben Frizzell	1839
Mary Elizabeth Frizzell	1840
David Crockett Frizzell	1842
Henry Hugh Clay Frizzell	1845
Permelia Jane Frizzell	1846
John B. Frizzell	1851
Absalom Manley Frizzell	1852
Theoderick Rushing Frizzell	1854
Telitha Ann Frizzell	1858

At least 3 of David's sons fought in the Civil War.  Lee Andrew Perkins Frizzell, James Reuben Frizzell, and David Crockett Frizzell--all in 44th Tennessee Infantry Regiment(Confederate).  Lee Andrew lost one of his legs below his knee because of an injury and David Crockett Frizzell died April 6 1862 at Shiloh. Following the death of wife Rebecca, in 1862, David remarried on January 22, 1863, to Sallie McKee. 

He was enumerated in the 1870 US Federal Census of Bedford Co TN but died on the 27th of December 1870 according to the Frizzell Bible Records.

He has many descendants who live in Tennessee and beyond, some of which are among the matches on my DNA match lists at AncestryDNA, MyHeritage, FTDNA and 23&me. I need to do more research into his early land records.  I've found some land records between his father and his father in law but need to do further research on both the Frizzell and Manley lines.

Thank You!

A heartfelt thank-you to all my readers and everyone who has supported and encouraged me over the years. I look forward to continuing to share my research and the stories of my ancestors for many more years to come.

Sources:

 "United States, Census, 1840", Bedford County, Tennessee, p 20, line 1, Entry for David Frizell; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYTB-9PJY : accessed 18 Apr 2026), IGN 5154898, Image 47 of 808.

"United States, Census, 1850", Bedford County, Tennessee, Civil District 4, p 113B, Dwelling 69, Family 69, David W Frizzell Household; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DC6Q-L5Z : accessed 18 Apr 2026), IGN 4191095, Image 233 of 555.

"United States, Census, 1860", Bedford County, Tennessee, District 4, p 116B, Dwelling 664, Family 664, David Frizzell Household; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GBSF-9SGC : accessed 18 Apr 2026), IGN 5171418, Image of 237 of 565.

"United States, Census, 1870", Bedford County, Tennessee, District 4, p 172B, Dwelling 73, Family 73, David W Frizzell Household; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-68LS-FPQ : accessed 18 Apr 2026), IGN 4275996, Image 123 of 924.

State of Tennessee Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Death no. 27671 (1929), Rutherford County, Jno B Frizzell, died 17 October 1929; "Tennessee, Deaths, 1914-1966," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6LK4-L7F : accessed 18 April 2026), IGN 4183624, image 178 of 2526; citing Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville.

State of Tennessee Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Death no. 296 (1917), Jackson County, Henry Clay Frizzell, died 2 June 1917; "Tennessee, Deaths, 1914-1966," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DBYT-TF : accessed 18 April 2026), IGN 4183258(item 5), image 585 of 2148; citing Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville.

State of Tennessee Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Death no. 28807 (1931), Bedford County, A Manley Frizelle, died 25 December 1931; "Tennessee, Deaths, 1914-1966," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DRQT-6D : accessed 18 April 2026), IGN 4184127, image 1325 of 1523; citing Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville.

State of Tennessee Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Death no. 384 (1920), Bedford County, Annie Jakes, died 18 May 1920; "Tennessee, Deaths, 1914-1966," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6SGQ-C5M : accessed 18 April 2026), IGN 4183998, image 396 of 2274; citing Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville.

Calloway County Genealogical Society, Bible Records of Calloway County and Adjoining Counties (1971), p. 112, Frizzell Bible(Published 1846); digital image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/viewer/457462 : accessed 19 April 2026), image 111 of 431, Identifier 125297.

Heirs of John Frizzell listed in Rutherford Co TN Minutes(1939)

Date: December 11, 1939
Case: A. D. Frizzell et al. vs. No. 668 Allene Ferrell et al.

This case centers on a 90-acre tract of land originally owned by John (J. B.) Frizzell (recorded in Deed Book 74, page 428). John was the son of David Frizzell and Rebecca Manley Frizzell.  Following John’s death in October 1929, his widow, Susan Frizzell, occupied the property until her own passing in 1939. Because the couple had no children, the estate was distributed to the heirs of John’s siblings. All of his siblings were deceased by the time of this case, so it was necessary to trace the lineage down an addition generation or two.  It is important to remember that the Order of Reference only lists those siblings who produced heirs.  It does not mention Margaret Catherine Frizzell who died young nor  James Reuben Frizzell who is deceased and had no issue. Given the amount of heirs(60), it was determined that it would be best to sell the 90 acre tract.

1. Lee Andrew Frizzell 5 living children (1/42 share each) and 2 grandchildren (1/84 share each).
2. Thea Frizzell 8 living children (1/63 share each) and 5 grandchildren via Mary Frizzell Reynolds (1/315 share each).
3. Sissie Taylor 1 living son, Zack (1/21 share), 1 grandson via Beckie (1/21 share), and 2 grandchildren via Norah (1/42 share each).
4. Abbie Frizzell 1 living son, A. D. Frizzell, who receives a full 1/7 interest.
5. Annie Jakes 6 living children and 1 grandchild (Hazel Jakes), each receiving a 1/49 share.
6. Mealie Fults 3 living children, each receiving a 1/21 share.
7. Henry Frizzell 11 living children (1/98 share each) and various grandchildren via deceased children Susan, Dona, and Dave (shares ranging down to 1/490).

I didn't mention the names of all the heirs in this article but a complete list can be seen by visiting the URL listed in the source below.

Notes:  

Thea is Theoderick Rushing Frizzell.
Sissie Taylor is Mary Elizabeth Frizzell Taylor.
Abbie Frizzell is Absalom Manley Frizzell.
Annie Jakes(my Great Grandmother) is Telitha Ann Frizzell Jakes.
Mealie Fults is Permelia Jane Frizzell Fulks.

Comparing these minutes against my own research proved highly productive, though it did reveal a discrepancy: one of the grandchildren’s surnames is recorded incorrectly. Based on the context, I suspect this error occurred when the case was being transcribed into the official minutes book.

Source:

Rutherford County(TN) Chancery Court Minutes, Vol OO, p 272-5, A D Frizzell et al vs. No.  668 Allene Ferrell et al; images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L989-Q4QY : accessed 11 April 2026), IGN 7516347, Image 169-170 of 665.

Johnny Jakes' Auto Accident-Rutherford Co. TN (1929)

For several years, I’ve been sitting on a bit of a mystery regarding my grand uncle, John L. Jakes. I had found an earlier article detailing an auto accident he was involved in, which ended with him being arrested and scheduled to appear before the Justice of the Peace the following day. Despite searching, I had never been able to locate a record which detailed the outcome.

With The Home Journal (Murfreesboro, TN) now available on FamilySearch, I finally located a follow-up piece that fills in the blanks. While both articles refer to him as "Johnny Jakes," I’m certain it’s my John L. because the reports mention his occupation as a local barber in Murfreesboro.

The two articles tell a very different story when read together. In the first, Johnny claimed he wasn't the driver, alleging that another man had been behind the wheel and fled the scene immediately after the crash. However, the second article, which was published after his court appearance which suggests the judge didn't buy that story. It appears there was no mystery driver after all; it was Johnny behind the wheel, and he had been driving while under the influence. Thankfully there were no injuries. I’m glad I located the second article. It gives me some idea of what really happened. 

The Persistent Problem of Misattributed Ancestor Photos

We’ve all been there: you use a photo of an ancestor in a post or on a page, only to find it later on Ancestry (or another site) completely misidentified. Once those family trees are copied, the error propagates indefinitely.

There is rarely an easy fix. Even after a friendly correction, most users will thank you for the insight but leave their digital trees untouched, allowing the error to persist.

You can’t control what other people put in their trees, but you can write up the info that you know to be correct. Include the specific evidence—such as dating of clothing, hairstyles, or the type of photograph (like a tintype or daguerreotype)—that proves who the subject is (or isn’t). AI could help you to do this.

Copy the evidence info into a Google Doc, include a small version of the photo for reference, and then take a screenshot of that entire page. Upload that screenshot as an image to the ancestor’s profile. This ensures that the evidence and the image are permanently linked, making a real effort to stop the error in its tracks. Even if it doesn't stop the error from being passed, and it likely won't, at least you will have made an effort in getting the correct information out there.

John Sparks and Joice Putman--Union Co. SC Marriage Contract(1815)

This was an interesting find tonight while searching in Union County, South Carolina, Records.

A Marriage Contract to secure each of their belongings for their children from their previous marriages. Joice Putman is the widow of James Putman.  James & Joice Putman were my 4th Great Grandparents.

Page 58

State of South Carolina 
Union District 

Whereas there is & intension of marriage between John Sparks Widower and Joice Putman Widow, the two parties John Sparks and Joice Putman have agreed to make a seperate contract to Secure each ones estate to their own children that is now existing, it is therefore agreed by us John Sparks and Joice Putman, to make these presents our firm and lawfull marriage contract, in the manner and form as follows first John Sparks do agree to take Joice Putman to be his lawfull wife without having any lawfull claim to any of the estate or property that is here at the time of their marriage, likewise Joice Putman do agree to take John Sparks to be her lawfull husband without having any lawfull claim to any of the estate or property that is his at the time of their marriage 

Listing of his estate

his land, one Bay Mare, and filley, two Cows and Calves and five head of other cattle, eight head of hogs, One bed and furniture, three pott own and skillet, twelve pewter plates two dishes and Three basons, two tables, one Cubboard, one chest, a flock of Sheep, plantation tools, axes, plows, hogs, & Knives & forks and all his rights and Credits, to remain altogether in his power only the common use of the same during their living and dwelling together

Listing of her estate

One Negro woman named Lucy her two children, Anderson and Peggy, two beds and furniture, two tables, one walnut chest, a Walnut Cubboard, two pots, oven & Spider, eight pewter plates, four Basins and two dishes, a pewter Quart and tea pot, a bread baker and fat Irons, two piggins, a Churn, a spinning Wheel, three Cows & Calves, Sow and pigs and five other hogs, seven chairs, one Side Saddle, One wire Sifter, two Jugs, & c and all her rights and Credits, to remain altogether in her power only the common use of the same during their living and dwelling together.

Witness our hands & seals this tenth day of August 1815, Signed, sealed and confirmed in the presense of us. 

John (His Mark) Sparks(seal)

Joice (Her Mark) Putman (seal)

Test: Ralph Jackson

Thos S Greer

John Hart

Page 59

This is to certify that I have married John Sparks & Joice, his wife, within mentioned, agreeable to the within written Contract, this 10th day of August 1815 

- --- Thos S. Greer, M. G. 

State of South Carolina Union District - 

Ralph Jackson this day personally came before me, and duly made Oath as the law directs, and that he was present and saw John Sparks and Joice Putman, sign & Deliver the within Marriage Contract to each other as their act and deed for the use and purposes within mentioned at the same time saw Thos Greer and John Hart subscribe as Witnesses with himself and also saw the Reverend Thos Greer sign the Certificate on this back of this instrument of their Lawfull Marriage - Sworn to and subscribed before me this 16th September 1815  Ralph Jackson

Received this 13th October 1815

Source:

Union County, South Carolina, Register Mesne Conveyance, Vol N, p 58-9, Marriage contract dealing with holdings of John Sparks, widower & Joice Putman widow; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLK-NS84-Y  : accessed 20 March 2026), IGN 8196619, Image 236 of 611.