My Genealogy Hound

William O. Britt, a prominent and successful farmer and merchant, of Perry County, Tenn., was born in Humphreys County, January 24, 1819, and is the eldest of eight children of Anderson S. and Mary (Wilkes) Britt, and of Welsh-English extraction. The father was born in Virginia, in 1789, and came to Tennessee at an early period, settling in Sumner County about 1808. He served in the war of 1812, and was in the battles of Horse Shoe, Talladega and the bombardment of Pensacola. He removed to Arkansas in 1846, and died in one year after his removal. His wife was born in Virginia, in 1799, and died in Perry County, Tenn., in January, 1862. The grandfather of our subject, Obed Britt, served with distinction in the Revolutionary war. He was at the Guilford Court House and Yorktown, and was wounded at Waxhaw by a sabre. For his valuable services and gallantry he was given a pension for life. At the age of twenty-one William O. began business as salesman with J. M. and C. Pettigrew, at Perryville, Tenn. August 7, 1844, he wedded Mary M. Britt (who was born in Tom’s Creek, July 30, 1822, daughter of William S. Britt), and their union has resulted in the birth of the following children: James H., Julia A., John D., William A., Jennie, Thomas C., Edward H., Robert L., Mollie A. and George S. Only five of these children are living. Mrs. Britt died September 9, 1884, while visiting her daughter in Waverly, Tenn. Mr. Britt is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He owns 6,500 acres of land, 3,000 acres of which are Tennessee River bottom lands. He is at present erecting a new residence which promises to be commodious and substantial.