The Titteringtons of Northern Ireland

We learn about Richard’s family from two main sources.  The first is his will of 1797, which was made in Presque Isle Fort.  Richard was also an Artificer (a skilled mechanic in the armed forces) Thus we can presume he would have been in the Military. 

 

The second source is from the Bible records made by Richard’s son Adam.  It is from Adam that we learn that both Richard and his wife died of a lingering illness of the dumb ague at the Fort of Presque Isle in Pennsylvania.

 

Richard’s fellow workmen recorded his will in 1797.  He gave detailed instructions for his five sons.  He indicates that he has already provided for his eldest son, Joseph, enabling him to become a carpenter and Richard now considers that he is able to provide for himself without any further aid from his father. However, he leaves him all his carpentry tools to enable Joseph to carry on his trade.

 

However, he does make provision for the remaining four boys the eldest of whom is John, who is to be apprenticed to a Shoemaker, Adam to a Tallow Chandler and Matthew to a Tailor.  He also made financial provision for their clothing and general needs for their apprenticeships.

 

The remaining money, Richard requires for it to be applied to the education of his youngest son, Richard in order for him to be prepared for some trade or profession.

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Nancy b. 1775

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We learn from Adam that Richard also had a daughter Nancy but I have been unable to find any further information about her.

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Joseph b. 1777

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Joseph was a Carpenter.  

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It seems that an assumption has been made that Joseph b 1777 was the father of John Titterington, b. 1806 and spouse of Jane Matthews.  From this, we must also assume that either Joseph, or his son John came to Ireland from America.

John b. 1782

 

The following information was found in a Newspaper in 1801, Pittsburgh.

 

$10 Reward. Ranaway from the subscriber on 22d inst, an apprentice to the Hatting business, named JOHN TITTERINGTON, about 5´5 or 6" high , of a dark complexion, being 18 and 19 years of age, very lusty, black hair, cut short, down look, much addicted to swearing and other vices, grey eyes, chews tobacco and smoaks segars, and is remarkable fond of strong liquor; had on when he absconded a dark grey round about, ... ., Above reward will be paid for apprehending and securing him in any jail in the United States.

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Adam b. 1785

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                            We learn a lot about Richard and Rebecca’s family from their son, Adam.  There are many surviving records about Adam in his adult life, and I deal with this in more detail later.

 

Matthew b. c. 1786

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AC considers that it was this Mathew who married Anne Mc Cullough.

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Richard b. c. 1788 dod 11 March, 1810

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Richard appears in the Court of pleas.  There are news cuttings recording the events.  Richard is stabbed to death in a quarrel.

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abt 1801 Pittsburgh

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$6 Reward. Ranaway from the subscriber, living in Pittsburgh, on Sunday morning 31 July an apprentice to the Carpenter trade named Richard TITTERINGTON, between 16 and 17 years of age, about ´5´4 or 5", fair complexion, very tanned with the sun, grey eyes, light brown hair; had on when he went away a light blue cotton striped round about, cotton and woollen vest, ley coloured cotton overalls, ... . Whoever takes up said apprentice, and secures him any jail 

 

William 1790-1887

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                              You will also notice that another son, William is also included even though he is not mentioned in Richard’s will.  The reasons for recording him here are that this was the only Titterington family in the US, and in the right area of the US, at this time.  Additionally, William had a son whom he named Adam.  The name Adam was rare at this time period amongst the Titteringtons - these are the first two examples of its use and so it seems logical to assume that Adam was William’s older brother. 

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William was said to be born at Fort Pitt, a fort built by British colonists. Therefore, it was probably manned by the army and William is buried Shiloh Baptist Church again military connections.  

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William is younger than Richard’s other children yet, is not included in his will.  One might assume that he was illegitimate, but again  no proof.  

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I used a Face Recognition Tool on Family Search, to compare the photos of Adam and William , resulting in a 30% match.  However, when comparing Adam Titterington to his nephew John Engle, son of William,  there is a 45% comparison match.

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So, although there is evidence that William may have been Richard’s son, it is not conclusive and should be considered in such a light.

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