David Henry Pitts

David Henry Pitts

Name: David Henry Pitts

Date: ca. 1900

Image Number: DV01cdDV01

Comments: David Henry Pitts was born on September 24, 1852, at Pedlar Mills, Amherst Co. VA. He was the son of Mary Agnes Snead and Jonathan Pitts who eventually moved to Scottsville, VA. On November 4, 1878, David married his first wife, Cora L. Staples (1853-1901), in Albemarle Co.,VA. Their known children were Myrtha Pitts (1879-1879/80), Mirtle Pitts (1880-unknown), and Norma Pitts (1888-1891); it is believed that David and Cora Pitts may have had additional children, but no additional details have been found in our research. Cora passed away on April 24, 1901, and is buried in the Scottsville Baptist Church Cemetery in Scottsville, VA.

David married secondly Stella Crisp (1882-1946) of Baltimore in 1902 or 1903. David and Stella were the parents of four children: Infant son (1904-1904); Stella Crisp Pitts (1907-1988; Infant daughter (1908-1909); David Henry Pitts, Jr. (1913-1964). David, Jr., was educated at Mr. Power's School for Boys in Scottsville, VA.

David worked as a Captain, merchant, and businessman with the James River-Kanawha Canal system with offices in Richmond, Scottsville, and Lynchburg. David Pitts and W.S. Dorrier founded the Scottsville National Bank where David served as its President. David was also connected with railway construction through Virginia, Maryland, and the South. David took an active part in Virginia politics and for three terms represented Albemarle County in the Virginia House of Delegates. It was during his last term that a fire broke out in the Lexington Hotel in Richmond on February 7, 1922, where he was staying while the House of Delegates was in session. David was forced to jump from a second-story window at the hotel and suffered an injury which incapacitated him for the remainder of his life.

David passed away on August 3, 1932, at his home in Scottsville, VA, and is buried at the Scottsville Baptist Church Cemetery. Following is the obituary for David H. Pitts, Sr., on the front page of The Daily Progress, Charlottesville, VA, on August 3, 1932:

David H. Pitts, Leading Resident Died in County

Hon. David H. Pitts for three terms a member of the House of Delegates and former merchant died at 9 o'clock last evening at his home in Scottsville after an illness extending over six weeks.

The funeral will be held from the residence at Scottsville at 3 o'clock tomorrow, and internment will be in the Baptist cemetery.

Mr. Pitts was born and raised in Albemarle, son of the late Jonathan and Mary Agnes Snead Pitts, and was eighty years of age. For years, he conducted mercantile establishments in Richmond and at Scottsville. He was also associated with the late John E. Lans of Altavista in railroad contracting.

Mr. Pitts took an active part in the politics and for three terms represent Albemarle County in the Virginia House of Delegates. He was held in high esteem through out the county.

Mr. Pitts married Miss Stella Crisp, of Baltimore, who survives with two children: David Pitts, Jr., and Miss Stella Pitts, both residents of Scottsville. He also leaves two brothers and two sisters, L.M. Pitts of Elk Hill and A.L. Pitts of Arvonia, and Miss Josephine and Mary Pitts of Scottsville."

David's wife, Mrs. Stella Crisp Pitts, passed away on April 22, 1946, in Richlands, N.C., and is buried at the Scottsville Baptist Church Cemetery in Scottsville, VA.

The 1900 photo above of David Henry Pitts is part of the David Vaughan collection at Scottsville Museum. In 2020, David Vaughan resides in Lynchburg, Virginia.

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