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[Let me begin by saying that, on this page, there appears to be some "family lore" mixed with the facts. There appears to be good documentation of the line from Johann Michael Kitch (first found in 1730 in Cocalico, Lancaster, PA.) to his children (2 boys and 2 girls), Martin being my ancestor. His son David follows the census, Martin's will, the List of Associators (the PPA - Published Pennsylvania Archives), etc., down to our David David Kitch referenced here. In what was considered the Polish Regiment, there also appears no name similar to Kitchoki (the PPA.) Also, there appears no Kitch listed in the Pennsylvania Donation and Depreciation land records (they were given by the State of Pennsylvania); the closest appears to be a Fitch. The elder David Kitch moved to Mercer County, as evidenced by land records, when his son was still young; he also served as a Superintendent of Shenango Township in 1813. Finally, it is well-documented that several Kitchs appeared about the same time in Mercer County. Finally, the mention of being "left orphans at an early age" fits in with Samuel's Uncle William's children, not our Samuel. - JBG]
My great grandfather Kitch's name was David Kitchoki. When he was 16 years
old, he and his brother, Reuben, who was 18, came over from Poland with the
Polish patriots, Kosciusko and Pulaski, and enlisted with them to fight for
American Independence. When they enlisted, their names were entered as
Kitch, instead of Kitchoki.
CHILDREN: John, Samuel, Ira, Ephraim, and David fought in the Civil War on the Union side. John, Ira, and David were killed. (2) William lived in Tenn. He made his way through the Confederate lines and came north and "hid out" because he would not fight against his 5 brothers and was not in favor of secession.
The children were born in Mercer Co., Penn. They were left orphans at an
early age. Samuel, Ephraim and Sarah came to Shelby Co., Illinois.
William to Tenn. Ephraim married Rachel R. Gregory at Irving, Ill. (near Shelbyville) May 2, 1861. Sarah (Sade) married Harry Arnold at Oconee, Ill. (near Shelbyville.) Sade and Harry had 6 children. Norman, Mollie, Fred, Gertie, Minnie, and Cora (called Toad.) Norman and family had lived in and near St. Louis. Mollie is dead.
Samuel Kitch had twin girls - Minnie and Clara
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