"Jeff" William Jefferson CHITTY
- Born: 25 Oct 1868, Barnwell County, SC
- Died: 11 Jan 1892, Micanopy, FL at age 23
- Buried: Micanopy Cem, FL
General Notes:
Was fatally shot during a dance. Posse of Sheriff Purdy and Niebank went to Negro cabin of Henry Simpson and at pistol point made mother lead them to son, under a bed. He had a bandage on his forehead. Before dying Jeff had said he had "marked" his assassin with brass knuckles. Henry protested he had not killed anyone, then said he had only intended to scare Sheriff Purdy, and had killed Jeff Chitty by accident. Simpson was taken to town and hung from a cedar tree. Body was left untouched the next day, cut down the next night. Three other innocent Negroes were shot and killed "as examples." After Jeff's death his brother Sam married Jeff's fiancee and had 5 or 6 children.
Family Bible says "Shot to death July 11, 1892, 8 o'clock"
Source Arthur Chitty Sr. told to Arthur Chitty Jr.
Arthur Sr. never danced again, thinking it was sinful. Thought that he was being punished for dancing by his brother Jeff's murder.
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