1999 Heart and History

Pittman Family

The oldest Pittman family in the 1850 Census returns for Holmes County was Isaac Pittman, age 83, and Rutha, age 90. Although Rutha was 7 years older than Isaac, we believe they were man and wife and were living in the house of a son named Thomas Pittman. The elder Thomas also had a son named Thomas.

A Thomas Pittman and Jack Mathis built the first courthouse in Cerro Gordo. We think it was the younger Thomas that helped build the courthouse.

The oldest son in the 1850 Census return in the household of Thomas was Washington Pittman. He married and settled in the Hurricane Creek Community and reared a large family there. His daughters married into other well-known pioneer families. He had only one son.

The Pittmans had a way of several families living in the same household. At least two families lived in the household of William "Bill" Pittman.

Billie Pittman lived near the Hurricane Creek Baptist Church. There was a revival meeting going on at the church one summer and the Pittmans had a lot of company. Billie Pittman had married a Broxson. They brought up a large family of their own and then other relatives came to live with them. During the revival, they really had a house full.

When Mrs Pittman started to get her children ready for the day service she couldn’t find one of the girls. It so happened that one had gone to sleep in the church the night before at the night service and was not missed until it was time to dress them the next day. The child woke up during the night and went to the Andrews home which was nearer to the church than her home. The story reveals how hectic things could get in a large household.

Some of the descendants still live in the Hurricane Creek Community, but others are scattered throughout the state and nation.

Excerpts used with permission of publisher, Sue Cronkite, from Heart and History of Holmes County, by Anna Paget Wells. This 347-page book is full of info, stories, and pictures. It can be ordered from the Holmes County Advertiser, 112 E Virginia Avenue, Bonifay, FL 32425; phone 850-547-2270.