James Dewitt, pioneer settler of Perkins Township

According to a newspaper article in the February 4, 1886 issue of the Sandusky Register, James Dewitt, a pioneer settler Perkins Township, was born at Harmony, New Jersey on March 4, 1812 (although his tombstone reads he was born March 11, 1813.) Erie County Probate Court lists the marriage date of James Dewitt and Sidney Ann Macky as February 16, 1843.













Sadly, the first Mrs. James Dewitt died on August 27, 1849. Her tombstone at Perkins Cemetery reads Cidnea A., Wife of James Dewitt.























On April 28, 1850, James Dewitt married Elizabeth Wolverton, who was sometimes known as Ann Elizabeth. Mrs. Ann Elizabeth Dewitt died on December 18, 1868. She was buried next to Mrs. Cidnea Dewitt at Perkins Cemetery.






















Mr. James Dewitt passed away on February 2, 1886, having outlived both his wives. His funeral was held at the Perkins Methodist Church, and he was buried in Perkins Cemetery. James Dewitt and his first wife were the parents of well known Erie County Common Pleas Judge, James Lloyd Dewitt.

Mrs. Hannah DeWitt

According to an article in the August 20, 1872 issue of the Sandusky Register, Mrs. Hannah Dewitt died at Blissfield, Michigan on August 18, 1872, She was 72 years old. Funeral services for Mrs. Hannah DeWitt were held at the residence of her son in law, O.C. McLouth, on Perry Street, at 2 p.m. on August 20, 1872. Mrs. DeWitt was buried in the North Ridge section of Sandusky's Oakland Cemetery.

George W. Dewitt

George W. DeWitt was born in 1825 in Pennsylvania. Eventually he moved to Erie County, Ohio, where he and his wife lived on a farm in Perkins Township. The DeWitt's had a son named William C. DeWitt.

George W. DeWitt died on January 19, 1896. He was buried in the North Ridge section of Oakland Cemetery. Mr. DeWitt's obituary in the January 21, 1896 Sandusky Register read: "The death of Mr. George DeWitt occurred at the home residence shortly before 6 o'clock on Saturday morning at the age of 72 years. Mr DeWitt has been ailing for some time past. The funeral services took place at the residence and the remains were interred in Oakland cemetery, Rev. L. K. Warner officiating."

Claude B. DeWitt, the grandson of George W. DeWitt, was married to the daughter of General Henry A. Axline, who was considered the "father of the Ohio National Guard." (Claude B. DeWitt and Tella Axline DeWitt later divorced.) General Henry A. Axline is also buried in Oakland Cemetery.